John Condon update as of July 2003
Email address: walesroad@aol.com
(In response to my request for information to update pages I received the following from my good friend John)
John Condon. Born 12/7/26 Reno,
Nevada. First full-time announcing job at KYA
San Francisco 1943-44.
University of Washington
until joining the Army Air Corp and
Armed Forces Radio 1945-47.
Returned to Seattle and staff announcing job at KJR
1947-51.
Luckily hired by CBS-KNXT
December 1951 as 5th member of station's first fulltime staff (Bill
Harpel, John Harlan, Wes Battersea and Johnny Carson.) While on Peter
Potter's Juke Box Jury was on-camera spokesman for Cal-Fame Orange Juice,
Bell Brand Potato Chips, and Dr. Pepper. On-camera for Chevrolet Dealers of
Southern California, Evening News with Clete Roberts (Bill Stout, Gil
Stratton and Austin Green.). Did Big News
opening (Jerry Dunphy) 1961-72
Show Announcer on Johnny Carson's first shows, Carson's
Cellar and his
39-week network show for General Foods (June of '55-April '56) doing voice-over
Jello commercials. Quizmaster on Arnold
Shapiro's Scholarquiz, four seasons 1966-1967.
Last on-camera appearance for American Express Credit Cards 1967. Booth
announcer for KCBS-TV until retirement
February 1988.
Have spent retirement years in Cambria and Palm Springs, California.
Presently living in Westport, Connecticut.
-End of update-
Submitted by John Condon.
An envelope, full of vintage photos-with comments, from John. They are terrific.
|
Jerry Dunphy "Big News anchor Jerry Dunphy relaxes with some of the behind the camera staff." |
Mr. Jerry Dunphy-1966 "When news anchors wore red jackets-Jerry in profile, an aspect seldom seen by the TV viewer." |
"Big News control room as Mike Cozzi calls the shots and TD Jerry DeHaan keeps his cool." |
|
"Pacific Palisades High School "Scholarquiz" Championship team of 1964 with Host John Condon, Producer Arnold Shapiro and, among the four student players, Michael Medved, now a nationally known talk show host and culture critic." |
Joseph Benti, One of Channel 2 News anchors, before he went to the CBS Morning News and, later, to PBS. |
"At the lighting board, right on stage during the heyday of the Big News, here is the unforgettable, Rex Mealy." (ed. note-The cap was mandatory. Rex's politics were far right of Ronald Reagan.) |
|
Berte Hackett's parting words after every meeting.. "God Bless." Announcer George Arthur to AD Larry Waughtel..."Larry. you're an old movie buff. What's the name of that...?." Grant Holcomb KNXT-CBS newsman's frequent salutation, "Hey-Hey." Wes Battersea at sign on: "Good Morning Little Ol' World." |
|
"J. Grant Wilson applies the final touches to the visage of Maury Green, another of the original Big News Team." |
A list of the KNXT-KCBS-TV Announce Staff might be in order. More than 23 were in the announce booth and even on camera, from CBS's acquisition of Channel 2 in 1951 until its last full-time announcer, John Condon, retired in 1988.
Yes, *Johnny Carson was a KNXT staff announcer from 1951 until sometime in late 53. Though being a Hollywood announcer might not have been one of his big dreams, staff pay of $125-135 a week took care of the rent and groceries while he awaited the inevitable call to fame.
|
Bill Harpel |
Jim Haskin |
Johnny *Carson |
Charlie Dugdale |
|
John Galbraith |
Bob Jones |
Stan BORMAN |
Sarah Harris |
|
Ted Kenworthy |
Wes Battersea |
John McKart |
Bruce Buell |
|
Dean Webber |
Chuck Bennett |
Jane Webb |
Les Lampson |
| John Harlan |
George Arthur |
John Condon |
Dick Whittington |
|
Dick Root |
Carol Hoffine |
Bob Shannon |
