Biography
Ken Murray (born Kenneth Abner Doncourt, July 14, 1903 – October 12, 1988) was an American comedian, actor, radio and television personality and author. After finding success on the vaudeville stage, Murray moved to Hollywood and made his film debut in the 1929 romantic drama Half Marriage, followed by a role in Leathernecking in 1930. Murray was the host of a weekly radio variety show (The Ken Murray Show) on NBC 1932-33 and on CBS 1936–37. He later was the original host (1945-57) of Queen for a Day, on the Mutual Broadcasting System radio show, which was simulcast on KTSL (now KCBS-TV), Channel 2 in Los Angeles. During World War II, Murray was one of the many celebrities to volunteer at the Hollywood Canteen. In 1947, he produced Bill and Coo, a feature film using trained birds and other animals as actors. Bill and Coo won a special Academy Award for "novel and entertaining use of the medium of motion picture" and "artistry and patience" . He was also the host of The Ken Murray Show, a weekly music and comedy show on CBS Television that ran from 1950 to 1953. The show was the first to win a Freedom Foundation Award. Murray also guest starred on several television series, inclu…
Movies & TV Shows
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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) — Doc Willoughby
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The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964) — Anton Korbel
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Son of Flubber (1963) — Mr. Hurley
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Follow Me, Boys! (1966) — Melody Murphy
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The Power (1968) — Grover
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What's My Line? (1950) — Self
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Red Light (1949) — Ken Murray
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The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) — Self
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Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976) — Souvenir Salesman
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You're a Sweetheart (1937) — Don King
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This Is Your Life (1952) — Self
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Bill and Coo (1948) — Ken Murray
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Burke's Law (1963) — Charles P. Banner
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Ladies of the Jury (1932) — Spencer B. Dazy
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Hollywood Without Make-Up (1963) — Self - Host
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Frank Capra's American Dream (1997) — Self (archive footage)
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From Headquarters (1933) — Mac
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963)
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Half Marriage (1929) — Charles Turner
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A Night at Earl Carroll's (1940) — Barney Nelson
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The Marshal's Daughter (1953) — 'Smiling Billy' Murray
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Hollywood My Home Town (1965) — Self
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The Hollywood Palace (1964) — Self
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The Judy Garland Show (1963) — Self
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A Preferred List (1933)
- The Ken Murray Show (1950)
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Crooner (1932) — Peter Sturgis
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Disgraced! (1933) — Jim McGuire
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Swing It Soldier (1941) — Jerry Traynor
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1963)
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The Bing Crosby Show (1964)
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Swing, Sister, Swing (1938) — Nap Sisler
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Leathernecking (1930) — Frank
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Juke Box Jenny (1942) — Malcolm Hammond
- The Lux Show (1957) — Self
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Screen Snapshots Series 21 No. 1 (1941) — Self
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Peeks at Hollywood (1946)