Ed Herlihy(1909-1999)
- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Herlihy was a (non-buffoon) equivalent of Ed McMahon on "The Tonight Show"
before Johnny Carson came along in 1962, bringing McMahon with him. Before
there was Carson, Herlihy was the announcer during 'Jack Paar's tenure
as Tonight Show host, having replaced Hugh Downs when the latter went over
to host NBC's "Today" A handsome man, the mellifluous-voiced Herlihy
had earlier worked on Perry Como's broadcasts, known originally as "The
Chesterfield Supper Club." He had also provided commentary for
Universal newsreels during the 1940's and was a major radio announcer
during the 1930's and 1940's. And for almost 40 years beginning in
1947, he was a most pleasant-meined TV spokesman for the US cheesemaker
Kraft Foods. (A brother, Walter Herlihy, was also a TV announcer in the
early days.)
