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

Ken Niles
Publicity Photo of Ken Niles
Born
Kenneth Niles

(1906-12-09)December 9, 1906[1]
Died(1988-10-31)October 31, 1988 (aged 81)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationRadio announcer
SpouseNadia Niles
Children2

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

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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

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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

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  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.
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