Gil Stratton
'Calls em as he sees em'
and has for many years
Thursday,
August 21, 2003
This is my latest bio that I use for my lecture series aboard Cruise
Lines. Obviously there are lots of things eliminated, so feel free if you
have any memories that would add or change this.
A
veteran of three different successful careers, Gil Stratton shares a multitude
of stories that are as varied as his colorful experiences. Gil started life as
an actor in a pair of Broadway hits, "Life With Father",
and "Best Foot Forward."
While appearing on Broadway Gil attended Poly Prep in Brooklyn and graduated
from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.
Following service as a bombardier in the Army Air Corps during World War
II, he resumed his acting career in Hollywood in such films as STALAG
17, that earned William Holden the Best Actor Oscar, THE WILD ONE
with Marlon Brando, and joining Micky & Judy in GIRL CRAZY. He
also appeared on radio in the popular MY LITTLE MARGIE
series, and on television as Eddie Mayehoff's unathletic son in THAT'S
MY BOY .
Stratton
entered the TV business in the mid-50s as Sports Director of KCBS-TV,
a second career that saw him honored with multi-awards from the Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys), the California Associated Press Television
and Radio Association. and the Radio and Television News Association of Southern
California (Golden Mikes).
He has covered the entire sports spectrum including golf, tennis, track and
field, hockey, soccer, the Kentucky Derby and feature races from Santa Anita,
Hollywood Park, and Del Mar. He reported from the Rome Olympics, and was the
one-time "Voice of the Los Angeles Rams".
During his early years in Hollywood, Gil spent his summers as a professional baseball umpire, eventually moving up to the Pacific Coast League
He and his wife, singer-actress Dee, live in Toluca Lake.
Thanx
and Best Regards,
Gil (the guy who got you out of radio and into TV)
(Editors note, I confirm this. Gil's words to Ed Miller is what got this kid transferred from radio to TV in the early 1950s.. Thanks Gil I had the privilege of being the "mixer" on the My Little Margie show. I was also the "mixer" of another CBS Radio show that Gil starred in; Junior Miss, directed by Hank Garson) bob lawson
One of those famous stories attributed to Gil and Bill.
"A few "Rainmaker" tales of Bill Keene and me at the Room at the Top, or the Rams Horn.
One nite we were at the bar and the "Dunph"
was dining with a beautiful girl in a booth
at the Rams Horn. He never recognized Keene or me, despite our staring,
until he left. When he came by the bar and said hello, he added, "You
know
my daughter," and it was! We were embarrassed to say the least."
Typical Stratton/Keene stuff, it's great. bob