Smilin' Ed McConnell

Smilin' Ed McConnell
Elmer Holloway / NBC

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Smilin' Ed McConnell
Radio: South side of the 6600 block of Hollywood Boulevard
Radio Personality | TV Host
Born James Ed McConnell on 1882
Died July 23, 1954 of heart attack

Ed McConnell's genial storytelling brought joy, wonder and laughter to children for more than three decades.

His "Smilin' Ed's Gang" program, which began on radio in 1943 and moved to television in 1951, was believed to have been the oldest sponsored show on air at the time of his death in 1954.

He died of an apparent heart attack aboard his boat moored near his Newport Beach home. Because he had pre-taped most of the shows for the upcoming season, his program continued for a time after his death.

— Los Angeles Times July 27 and Aug. 2, 1954

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