Comedian Ed Gardner became familiar to millions of Americans as Archie on radio and television's "Duffy's Tavern." Gardner would start the popular '40s show by answering a telephone and saying, "Duffy's Tavern, where the elite meet to eat. Archie speakin'. Duffy ain't heah."
Duffy never did appear at the tavern. The role of Miss Duff was played by actress Shirley Booth, to whom Gardner was married from 1929 to 1942. Booth remained on the program until 1943, and the two stayed good friends after their divorce. They had no children.
A native of Astoria, N.Y., Gardner was a representative for the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency before he became a radio show producer.
He originated the Rudy Vallee-John Barrymore radio show and later directed George Burns and Gracie Allen, Bing Crosby and Al Jolson in their radio shows.
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