Red Skelton Overview:

Legendary actor, Red Skelton, was born Richard Bernard Skelton on Jul 18, 1913 in Vincennes, IN. Skelton died at the age of 84 on Sep 17, 1997 in Rancho Mirage, CA and was laid to rest in Forest Lawn (Glendale) Cemetery in Glendale, CA.

MINI BIO:

Red-haired American comedian, the son of a circus clown, who usually wore clothes slightly too big, and mugged madly through MGM comedies and musicals for 14 years, whether as leading man or in black and white comedies or comic relief in big color musicals. It's said that he was at his best as a radio comedian: certainly his visual style has dated. His TV show though, which started in 1951, ran for 20 years. Died from pneumonia.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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He was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the categories of Television and Radio. Red Skelton's handprints and footprints were 'set in stone' at Grauman's Chinese Theater during imprint ceremony #64 on Jun 18, 1942. In addition, Skelton was inducted into the TV Hall of Fame and Radio Hall of Fame and was immortalized on a US postal stamp in 2009. Skelton was never nominated for an Academy Award.

BlogHub Articles:

Classic Movie Travels October:

By Annette Bochenek on Oct 5, 2023 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Classic Movie Travels October: Richard was born on July 18, 1913, in Vincennes, Indiana. He was the fourth son born to Joseph and Ida Skelton. Skelton had three older brothers named Denny, Christopher, and Paul. Skelton?s father, a grocer and former Hagenbec... Read full article


Classic Movie Travels: The Museum of American Comedy

By Annmarie Gatti on Jul 8, 2015 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

The Museum of American Comedy is probably one of the most endearing American comics. Maintaining a simple brand of patriotic comedy, stemming from the clowning tradition, Skelton charmed audiences through live performance, radio, and television broadcasts. Skelton stood for ... Read full article


: The Lost Episodes on DVD

By Rick29 on Feb 5, 2014 From Classic Film & TV Cafe

, the clown prince of classic television, dominated U.S. airwaves for 20 years. In fact, when CBS cancelled the The Hour in 1970--after its 19th season--Red's show still ranked in the Top Ten in the Nielsen ratings. CBS's decision was driven by its desire to attract younger, m... Read full article


By Annette Bochenek on Sep 23, 2013 From Hometowns to Hollywood

“I left home because I was hungry.” - is probably one of the most endearing American comics. Maintaining a simple brand of patriotic comedy, stemming from the clowning tradition, Skelton charmed audiences through live performance, radio, and television broadcasts. ... Read full article


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Red Skelton Quotes:

Frank V. Bailie: [threatening Wally with a gun] Git back agin that wall!
Wally 'The Fox' Benton: [cowardly] Thanks. I need something to hold me up.


Sylvester: [Impatient with Wally's stubbornness] Let me persuade him. I won't leave any marks.
Wally 'The Fox' Benton: Listen, I'm more stubborn when I'm unconscious.
Sylvester: Yeah, well, how can you tell when you're unconscious?
Wally 'The Fox' Benton: [With false bravado] Oh, I got ways. I got ways.


Wally 'The Fox' Benton: Don't worry about me - Because that's what I'm doing.


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Grauman's Imprints

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Red Skelton on the
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Red Skelton Facts
A bridge was built and named after him that spans the Wabash River separating Indiana and Illinois on US 50, just outside his hometown of Vincennes, Indiana. Vincennes University is also building a Performing Arts Center in his memory.

The Red Skelton Performing Arts Center at 20 Red Skelton Blvd. in Vincennes, Indiana is within a block of Red Skelton's birthplace.

In 1971, following a successful 30 year run on CBS (often placing among the top ten shows) his ratings finally slipped and "The Red Skelton Hour" (1951) was quickly canceled by the network. He never forgave them. Television historians have long suspected that he was a victim of the 1971 television purge that took place after the success of "All in the Family" (1968) wherein CBS rid itself of all "nice shows" and "rural shows" in favor of shows with edgier subject matter.

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Radio Hall of Fame

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