Frank Wiziarde: Difference between revisions
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He began his television career in 1953 in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], working for KMBC-TV.<ref>[[Abstract (summary)|Abstract]] of archived papers (March 7, 2006). [http://www.umkc.edu/whmckc/Collections/IKC0322.HTM "Frank Oliver Wiziarde (1916-1987) Papers (KC322)"]. [[State Historical Society of Missouri#Western Historical Manuscript Collection|Western Historical Manuscript Collection]]-Kansas City (hosted on website of the [[University of Missouri-Kansas City]]). Accessed January 13, 2010.</ref> The station wanted to produce a children's program, and Wiziarde came up with the idea for Whizzo, based on his experience performing as a clown for his parent's circus acts. His show went on the air in 1954. He switched stations several times going to to KCMO-TV in Kansas City and then WIBW-TV in Topeka, but kept his character of Whizzo the Clown. <ref name=":1" /> |
He began his television career in 1953 in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], working for KMBC-TV.<ref>[[Abstract (summary)|Abstract]] of archived papers (March 7, 2006). [http://www.umkc.edu/whmckc/Collections/IKC0322.HTM "Frank Oliver Wiziarde (1916-1987) Papers (KC322)"]. [[State Historical Society of Missouri#Western Historical Manuscript Collection|Western Historical Manuscript Collection]]-Kansas City (hosted on website of the [[University of Missouri-Kansas City]]). Accessed January 13, 2010.</ref> The station wanted to produce a children's program, and Wiziarde came up with the idea for Whizzo, based on his experience performing as a clown for his parent's circus acts. His show went on the air in 1954. He switched stations several times going to to KCMO-TV in Kansas City and then WIBW-TV in Topeka, but kept his character of Whizzo the Clown. <ref name=":1" /> |
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Whizzo's last show was on May 20, 1987. |
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== The Whizzo Song == |
== The Whizzo Song == |
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Revision as of 06:23, 30 December 2016
Frank Oliver Wiziarde | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frank Oliver Wiziarde July 25, 1916 Westmoreland, Kansas |
| Died | September 11, 1987 Overland Park, Kansas |
| Occupation(s) | Actor and television personality |
| Years active | 1953 - 1987, his death |
| Parent(s) | Jack O. Wiziarde and Laura "Lulu" Baldwin |
Frank Oliver Wiziarde (died 1987) was an American actor and television personality who was known primarily for his performances as Whizzo the Clown in the Kansas - Missouri area from the 1950s through the 1980s.
Career
Frank Wiziarde began performing in the "Wiziarde Trio" founded by his mother and father in the 1920s. The family called Westmoreland home and opened a bakery and restaurant there as well during the period. Frank did comedy in the rolling globe act with his mother and Mamie Scott. Frank also appeared as principal in the wire act. [1]
In 1930, the Wiziarde family created the Wiziarde Novelty Circus, a traveling circus that appeared at stores and county fairs, in which Frank performed until the act's disbanding at the end of the 1936 season, during the height of the Great Depression. [1] After high school, Frank went to Hollywood and appeared in a few films. In 1947 Frank became a radio announcer for KFEQ in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he became known for his man-on-the-street interviews. [2]
He began his television career in 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri, working for KMBC-TV.[3] The station wanted to produce a children's program, and Wiziarde came up with the idea for Whizzo, based on his experience performing as a clown for his parent's circus acts. His show went on the air in 1954. He switched stations several times going to to KCMO-TV in Kansas City and then WIBW-TV in Topeka, but kept his character of Whizzo the Clown. [2]
Whizzo's last show was on May 20, 1987.
The Whizzo Song
Who's always smiling, never sad? It's Whizzo!
Who makes the boys and girls so glad, Whizzo.
He's a merry fellow with a big red shiny nose,
Dressed in crazy mixed-up clothes
From his head down to his toes.
He has a great big trunk of tricks, has Whizzo.
He'll sing a song or do a dance for you.
And when you're sad, he'll make you glad.
The very best friend you ever had.
Whizzo the clown, that's who.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c "A different kind of big top". Retrieved 2016-12-30.
- ^ a b "Frank Wiziarde - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
- ^ Abstract of archived papers (March 7, 2006). "Frank Oliver Wiziarde (1916-1987) Papers (KC322)". Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City (hosted on website of the University of Missouri-Kansas City). Accessed January 13, 2010.
External links
- Frank Wiziarde at IMDb
- Frank Wiziarde at the Kansas Historical Society
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