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{{short description|American actor (1906–1988)}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Ken Niles
| name = Ken Niles
| image = Publicity_Photo_of_Ken_Niles.jpg
| image = <!-- just the filename, without the File: or Image: prefix or enclosing [[brackets]] -->
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = Publicity Photo of Ken Niles
| birth_name =
| birth_name = Kenneth Niles
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1906|12|9}}<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0632041/ IMDb lists 1906 as the birth date]</ref><br />or {{Birth date|1908|12|9}} or
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1906|12|9}}<ref>{{cite web|title=United States Census, 1910 - Livingston Ward 2, Park, Montana|url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLCC-239|website=familysearch.org|date=26 April 1910|postscript=. (Kenneth Niles's age given as 3 in census in April 1910.)}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Livingston, Montana]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date|1988|10|31}} (aged 81)
| birth_place = [[Livingston, Montana]]
| death_place = [[Santa Monica, California]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date|1988|10|31}}
| death_place = [[Santa Monica, California]]
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
| occupation = Radio announcer
| other_names =
| known_for =
| spouse = Nadia Niles
| children = 2
| occupation = [[Radio]] [[announcer]]
}}
}}
'''Ken Niles''' (December 9, 1906 or 1908, in [[Livingston, Montana]] – October 31, 1988) was an American [[radio]] [[announcer]]. He was married to Nadia Niles, and had two children named Kenneth Niles and Denise Niles. His brother, [[Wendell Niles]], was also a radio announcer.


'''Ken Niles''' (December 9, 1906 – October 31, 1988) was an American [[radio]] [[announcer]]. Niles was born in [[Livingston, Montana]].
Niles played an important role in the development of radio drama throughout the 1920s. "Mr. Niles began a series of original radio dramas called ''Theater of the Mind'' in 1928."<ref name = "latimes">{{Cite news

Niles debuted in radio on [[KJR (AM)|KJR]] in Seattle, Washington, late in the 1920s.<ref name=rs>DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). ''Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960''. McFarland & Company, Inc. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-2834-2}}. p. 205.</ref> He began a series of original radio dramas called ''Theater of the Mind'' in 1928.<ref name = "latimes">{{Cite news
| title = Ken Niles - Hollywood Star Walk
| title = Ken Niles - Hollywood Star Walk
| work = Los Angeles Times
| work = Los Angeles Times
| accessdate = 2013-12-07
| accessdate = 2013-12-07
| url = http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/ken-niles/
| url = http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/ken-niles/
}}</ref> During the 1930s, he produced and assisted with the hosting of actress-cum-gossip columnist [[Louella Parsons]]' talent and interview program ''[[Hollywood Hotel (radio program)|Hollywood Hotel]]''.<ref>{{cite news| title=Ken Niles Dies at 82; a Pioneer Broadcaster | work=The New York Times | date=November 2, 1988 | page=27 | url=http://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/02/obituaries/ken-niles-dies-at-82-a-pioneer-broadcaster.html}}</ref> Parsons and Niles later appeared in a 1937 feature film based on the show. Niles subsequently narrated, or served as announcer, in several other feature films. His most notable film role was the murdered lawyer Leonard Eels in ''[[Out of the Past]]'' (1947) with [[Robert Mitchum]].
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Ken Niles Dies at 82; a Pioneer Broadcaster | work=The New York Times | date=November 2, 1988 | page=27 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/02/obituaries/ken-niles-dies-at-82-a-pioneer-broadcaster.html}}</ref> Niles subsequently narrated, or served as announcer, in several other feature films. His most notable film role was the murdered lawyer Leonard Eels in ''[[Out of the Past]]'' (1947) with [[Robert Mitchum]].


Niles also served as commercial announcer and foil on several series sponsored by [[Camel Cigarettes]], notably that starring [[Abbott and Costello]].<ref name="dunningota">Dunning, John. (1998). ''On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio''. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. P. 2, 24.</ref> Niles was frequently paired in comedy skits opposite [[Elvia Allman]] as his fictitious wife Mrs Niles. Niles was also the announcer for ''The Amazing Mrs. Danberry''.<ref name=dunningota/>
Niles also served as commercial announcer and foil for [[Bing Crosby]] in the ''[[Bing Crosby Entertains]]'' series (1933-1935) and also on several series sponsored by [[Camel Cigarettes]], notably ''[[The Abbott and Costello Show (radio program)|The Abbott and Costello Show]]''.<ref name="dunningota">Dunning, John. (1998). ''On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio''. Oxford University Press; {{ISBN|978-0-19-507678-3}}. pp. 2, 24.</ref> Niles was frequently paired in comedy skits opposite [[Elvia Allman]] as his fictitious wife, "Mrs. Niles". He was also the announcer for ''The Amazing Mrs. Danberry''.<ref name=dunningota/>


For his work in radio, he received a "Star" on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]],<ref name = "latimes"/> as did his brother, making them the first brothers to be so honored.
For his work in radio, he received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]],<ref name = "latimes"/> as did his brother, making them the first brothers to be so honored. Ken Niles' star is at 6711 Hollywood Boulevard, in the Radio section. It was dedicated February 8, 1960.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ken Niles|url=http://www.walkoffame.com/ken-niles|website=Hollywood Walk of Fame|accessdate=July 31, 2016}}</ref>

==Family==
He was married to Nadia Niles, and had two children, Kenneth Niles and Denise Niles.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2019-10-25 |title=Ken Niles |url=https://walkoffame.com/ken-niles/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Hollywood Walk of Fame |language=en-US}}</ref> His elder brother, [[Wendell Niles]], was also a radio announcer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1994-03-31 |title=Wendell Niles |pages=59 |work=The Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-wendell-niles/34946341/ |access-date=2023-11-12}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
* ''[[Hollywood Hotel (film)|Hollywood Hotel]]'' (1937)
|-
* ''[[Men Are Such Fools]]'' (1938)
! Year
* ''Sweepstakes Winner'' (1939)
! Title
* ''Harmon of Michigan'' (1940)
! Role
* ''[[Hit Parade of 1943]]'' (1943)
! Notes
* ''Shantytown'' (1943)
|-
* ''[[Lady, Let's Dance]]'' (1944)
|1937|| ''[[Hollywood Hotel (film)|Hollywood Hotel]]'' || Ken Niles ||
* ''[[Swingin' on a Rainbow]]'' (1945)
|-
* ''The Inner Circle'' (1946)
|1938|| ''[[Men Are Such Fools]]'' || Bill || Uncredited
* ''[[Magic Town]]'' (1947)
|-
* ''[[Out of the Past]]'' (1947)
|1939|| ''[[Sweepstakes Winner]]'' || First Radio Announcer || Uncredited
* ''[[You Were Meant for Me (film)|You Were Meant for Me]]'' (1948)
|-
* ''[[My Friend Irma (film)|My Friend Irma]]'' (1949)
|1941|| ''[[Harmon of Michigan]]'' || Ken Niles ||
* ''The Fat Man'' (1951)
|-
* ''[[NBC Matinee Theater]]'' (television, 1956)
|1943|| ''[[Hit Parade of 1943]]'' || Announcer || Uncredited
* ''[[The Donna Reed Show]]'' (television, 1962)
|-
* ''The Bob Hope Show'' (television, 1968)
|1943|| ''[[Shantytown (film)|Shantytown]]'' || Radio Announcer || Uncredited
|-
|1944|| ''[[Lady, Let's Dance]]'' || Announcer ||
|-
|1945|| ''[[Swingin' on a Rainbow]]'' || New York City Radio Announcer || Uncredited
|-
|1946|| ''[[The Inner Circle (1946 film)|The Inner Circle]]'' || Ken - Radio Announcer ||
|-
|1947|| ''[[Magic Town]]'' || Reporter || Uncredited
|-
|1947|| ''[[Out of the Past]]'' || Eels ||
|-
|1948|| ''[[You Were Meant for Me (film)|You Were Meant for Me]]'' || Narrator || Voice, Uncredited
|-
|1949|| ''[[My Friend Irma (film)|My Friend Irma]]'' || Radio Contest Announcer || Uncredited
|-
|1951|| ''[[The Fat Man (film)|The Fat Man]]'' || Dr. Henry Bromley D.D.S. || Uncredited
|-
|1956|| ''[[NBC Matinee Theater]]'' || || Episode: "The Young and the Damned"
|-
|1962|| ''[[The Donna Reed Show]]'' || Professor Earnshaw || Episode: "Explorer's Ten"
|-
|1968|| ''The Bob Hope Show'' || || 1 episode, (final appearance)
|}


== References ==
== References ==
Line 53: Line 82:
*{{IMDb name|0632041}}
*{{IMDb name|0632041}}
*{{Cite web
*{{Cite web
| title = The CBS Radio Workshop, Theater of the Mind - Old Time Radio
|title=The CBS Radio Workshop, Theater of the Mind – Old Time Radio
| work = Radio Treasury
|work=Radio Treasury
| accessdate = 2013-12-07
|accessdate=2013-12-07
| url = http://www.radiotreasury.com/product_p/cbsr_workshop.htm
|url=http://www.radiotreasury.com/product_p/cbsr_workshop.htm
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212193919/http://www.radiotreasury.com/product_p/cbsr_workshop.htm
|archivedate=2013-12-12
}}
}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Niles, Ken
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Radio announcer
| DATE OF BIRTH = December 9, 1908
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Livingston, Montana
| DATE OF DEATH = October 31, 1988
| PLACE OF DEATH = Santa Monica, California
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Niles, Ken}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Niles, Ken}}
[[Category:1908 births]]
[[Category:1906 births]]
[[Category:1988 deaths]]
[[Category:1988 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Livingston, Montana]]
[[Category:American male radio actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male radio actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:People from Livingston, Montana]]
[[Category:Radio and television announcers]]
[[Category:Phi Delta Theta members]]




Latest revision as of 03:20, 7 September 2024

Ken Niles
Publicity Photo of Ken Niles
Born
Kenneth Niles

(1906-12-09)December 9, 1906[1]
Livingston, Montana, U.S.
Died(1988-10-31)October 31, 1988 (aged 81)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationRadio announcer
SpouseNadia Niles
Children2

Ken Niles (December 9, 1906 – October 31, 1988) was an American radio announcer. Niles was born in Livingston, Montana.

Niles debuted in radio on KJR in Seattle, Washington, late in the 1920s.[2] He began a series of original radio dramas called Theater of the Mind in 1928.[3][4] Niles subsequently narrated, or served as announcer, in several other feature films. His most notable film role was the murdered lawyer Leonard Eels in Out of the Past (1947) with Robert Mitchum.

Niles also served as commercial announcer and foil for Bing Crosby in the Bing Crosby Entertains series (1933-1935) and also on several series sponsored by Camel Cigarettes, notably The Abbott and Costello Show.[5] Niles was frequently paired in comedy skits opposite Elvia Allman as his fictitious wife, "Mrs. Niles". He was also the announcer for The Amazing Mrs. Danberry.[5]

For his work in radio, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,[3] as did his brother, making them the first brothers to be so honored. Ken Niles' star is at 6711 Hollywood Boulevard, in the Radio section. It was dedicated February 8, 1960.[6]

Family

[edit]

He was married to Nadia Niles, and had two children, Kenneth Niles and Denise Niles.[7] His elder brother, Wendell Niles, was also a radio announcer.[8]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1937 Hollywood Hotel Ken Niles
1938 Men Are Such Fools Bill Uncredited
1939 Sweepstakes Winner First Radio Announcer Uncredited
1941 Harmon of Michigan Ken Niles
1943 Hit Parade of 1943 Announcer Uncredited
1943 Shantytown Radio Announcer Uncredited
1944 Lady, Let's Dance Announcer
1945 Swingin' on a Rainbow New York City Radio Announcer Uncredited
1946 The Inner Circle Ken - Radio Announcer
1947 Magic Town Reporter Uncredited
1947 Out of the Past Eels
1948 You Were Meant for Me Narrator Voice, Uncredited
1949 My Friend Irma Radio Contest Announcer Uncredited
1951 The Fat Man Dr. Henry Bromley D.D.S. Uncredited
1956 NBC Matinee Theater Episode: "The Young and the Damned"
1962 The Donna Reed Show Professor Earnshaw Episode: "Explorer's Ten"
1968 The Bob Hope Show 1 episode, (final appearance)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "United States Census, 1910 - Livingston Ward 2, Park, Montana". familysearch.org. 26 April 1910. (Kenneth Niles's age given as 3 in census in April 1910.){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  2. ^ DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-2834-2. p. 205.
  3. ^ a b "Ken Niles - Hollywood Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  4. ^ "Ken Niles Dies at 82; a Pioneer Broadcaster". The New York Times. November 2, 1988. p. 27.
  5. ^ a b Dunning, John. (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press; ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. pp. 2, 24.
  6. ^ "Ken Niles". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  7. ^ "Ken Niles". Hollywood Walk of Fame. 2019-10-25. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  8. ^ "Wendell Niles". The Los Angeles Times. 1994-03-31. p. 59. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
[edit]


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