Radio and television personality. John Reed King was born in Wilmington, Delaware, but his family moved to Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and then to Atlantic City, New Jersey, when he was young. He graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1931 and went on to attend Princeton University. On campus, he was circulation manager of the student paper, editor of the humor magazine, and a member of the football and badminton teams. He graduated with a degree in psychology in 1935. He launched his radio career while still in school. During the summer months, he worked at WPG Atlantic City, where he had made his radio debut narrating a school play at the age of 16. He broadcast for Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), including a nationwide Sunday morning show describing the music of the Imperial Hawaiians, and was the voice of Paramount newsreels for three years. He was also selected as a public speaker for the National Recovery Administration campaign.
After graduating from Princeton, King became a full-time member of the CBS announcing staff. He hosted a top-rated New York City radio game show, "Missus Goes A-Shopping." In 1944, the show made its television debut with King as host. On January 29, 1946, he hosted the first television broadcast of "It's a Gift." These two shows are believed to be the first television quiz shows ever aired. King emceed many other radio quiz shows, among them: "What's My Name," "Double or Nothing," and "Give and Take." At one point, he joked, "Quiz show contestants have won so many refrigerators from me that I get letters from ice cubes." He read the part of Sky on "Sky King" and had television guest appearances on "Gunsmoke" and "Gilligan's Island." He later moved on to be a news anchorman at KDKA in Pittsburgh and, in the 1960s, in San Francisco and Fresno. After retiring from broadcasting, King worked as a public relations director for a Fresno savings and loan company. He died on July 8, 1979, while visiting his brother in New Jersey.
In addition to his broadcasting talent, he was considered to be one of the best bridge players in the East and wrote a book on contact bridge. In 1960, John Reed King received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
After graduating from Princeton, King became a full-time member of the CBS announcing staff. He hosted a top-rated New York City radio game show, "Missus Goes A-Shopping." In 1944, the show made its television debut with King as host. On January 29, 1946, he hosted the first television broadcast of "It's a Gift." These two shows are believed to be the first television quiz shows ever aired. King emceed many other radio quiz shows, among them: "What's My Name," "Double or Nothing," and "Give and Take." At one point, he joked, "Quiz show contestants have won so many refrigerators from me that I get letters from ice cubes." He read the part of Sky on "Sky King" and had television guest appearances on "Gunsmoke" and "Gilligan's Island." He later moved on to be a news anchorman at KDKA in Pittsburgh and, in the 1960s, in San Francisco and Fresno. After retiring from broadcasting, King worked as a public relations director for a Fresno savings and loan company. He died on July 8, 1979, while visiting his brother in New Jersey.
In addition to his broadcasting talent, he was considered to be one of the best bridge players in the East and wrote a book on contact bridge. In 1960, John Reed King received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Radio and television personality. John Reed King was born in Wilmington, Delaware, but his family moved to Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and then to Atlantic City, New Jersey, when he was young. He graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1931 and went on to attend Princeton University. On campus, he was circulation manager of the student paper, editor of the humor magazine, and a member of the football and badminton teams. He graduated with a degree in psychology in 1935. He launched his radio career while still in school. During the summer months, he worked at WPG Atlantic City, where he had made his radio debut narrating a school play at the age of 16. He broadcast for Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), including a nationwide Sunday morning show describing the music of the Imperial Hawaiians, and was the voice of Paramount newsreels for three years. He was also selected as a public speaker for the National Recovery Administration campaign.
After graduating from Princeton, King became a full-time member of the CBS announcing staff. He hosted a top-rated New York City radio game show, "Missus Goes A-Shopping." In 1944, the show made its television debut with King as host. On January 29, 1946, he hosted the first television broadcast of "It's a Gift." These two shows are believed to be the first television quiz shows ever aired. King emceed many other radio quiz shows, among them: "What's My Name," "Double or Nothing," and "Give and Take." At one point, he joked, "Quiz show contestants have won so many refrigerators from me that I get letters from ice cubes." He read the part of Sky on "Sky King" and had television guest appearances on "Gunsmoke" and "Gilligan's Island." He later moved on to be a news anchorman at KDKA in Pittsburgh and, in the 1960s, in San Francisco and Fresno. After retiring from broadcasting, King worked as a public relations director for a Fresno savings and loan company. He died on July 8, 1979, while visiting his brother in New Jersey.
In addition to his broadcasting talent, he was considered to be one of the best bridge players in the East and wrote a book on contact bridge. In 1960, John Reed King received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
After graduating from Princeton, King became a full-time member of the CBS announcing staff. He hosted a top-rated New York City radio game show, "Missus Goes A-Shopping." In 1944, the show made its television debut with King as host. On January 29, 1946, he hosted the first television broadcast of "It's a Gift." These two shows are believed to be the first television quiz shows ever aired. King emceed many other radio quiz shows, among them: "What's My Name," "Double or Nothing," and "Give and Take." At one point, he joked, "Quiz show contestants have won so many refrigerators from me that I get letters from ice cubes." He read the part of Sky on "Sky King" and had television guest appearances on "Gunsmoke" and "Gilligan's Island." He later moved on to be a news anchorman at KDKA in Pittsburgh and, in the 1960s, in San Francisco and Fresno. After retiring from broadcasting, King worked as a public relations director for a Fresno savings and loan company. He died on July 8, 1979, while visiting his brother in New Jersey.
In addition to his broadcasting talent, he was considered to be one of the best bridge players in the East and wrote a book on contact bridge. In 1960, John Reed King received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Bio by: AMH
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