Paul Douglas

Stars

Actor | Radio Host Born April 11, 1907 in Philadelphia, PA

Paul Douglas parlayed his initial career as a radio announcer into one in movies, stage and television.

To start his acting career, Douglas tossed a $2,500 a week job as a sports announcer and radio straight man to accept $250 weekly for a role in the Broadway play "Born Yesterday," and became an overnight sensation by his decision.

The decision was hard at first because Douglas was in constant demand for spot announcing jobs. He was Jack Benny's first announcer-straight man, and served in the same capacity for George Burns and Gracie Allen, Fred Allen and many other top stars.

Once launched in "Born Yesterday," however, Douglas remained to play the lead in 1,024 performances before leaving the show to go to Hollywood.

Douglas actually got the acting bug while attending West Philadelphia High School and went on to take entrance examinations at Yale, although he never attended the college.

Among other film credits are "Beau James," "This Could Be the Night," "Solid Gold Cadillac," "Never Wave at a Wac," "Executive Suite," "Clash by Night" and "Forever Female."

His last movie, one that brought him glowing praise from critics, was as the fun-loving farmer in "The Mating Game" with Debbie Reynolds and Tony Randall.

— Walter Ames in the Los Angeles Times Sept. 12, 1959