Herb Sheldon
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Herb Sheldon (January, 1913 - July 21, 1964) was born Herbert Sussman in Brooklyn, New York. Sheldon was originally slated to train for a career in textiles, but a scholarship at The American Academy Of Dramatic Arts and some work in the theater sidetracked his plans.
He worked in some Broadway shows in small character parts. Eventually, he left the stage for a more stable career as a radio broadcaster. Sheldon made his radio debut on WINS Radio as the host/interviewer and performer of a daily talk/variety show in 1941. The show became a hit with NYC's listeners and from there..he went onto a long and successful career mc'ing several programs, including one with interviewer Maggie McNeilis ("Sheldon And Magneilis At The Latin Quarter").
Sheldon made his tv debut on WNBT ( now known as WNBC) TV Ch.4 in New York City in 1946, with the first of severial children's tv shows "Kids Today" on WNBT. From 1946 to 1956, .he mc'd such kids shows as"Saturdays With Herb Sheldon","Sheldon At Six", "Kids Today"and "One Is For Sheldon"
Unfortunatly, Sheldon's tenuire at WRCA was short-lived: he violated his contract with Ch.4 by also working for other stations in the city. After contract was terminated he joined WABD TV Ch.5 as the host of their kids tv shows. He succeeded Sandy Becker as the second host of their successful Sunday comedy/variety kids tv show "Wonderama" in1956. Sheldon's appearances on "Wonderama", "The Bugs Bunny Theater" (during his tenure the title was changed to "Bugs Bunny Presents"),"The Looney Tunes Show" and "Speaking Of Animals."
He also hosted a teens rock and roll dance and music program "Studio Party" and a late night old movie show "Rickey Tickey Playhouse". He again had problems with management for working for other stations, and for working as an mc for nightclub acts. Sheldon was ousted by WABD TV's management on August 8,1958.
He briefly served as the host of two tv shows for WNTA TV Ch.13 in Newark,N.J. "Hold That Camera"(A late night tv game show for adults) and "Funderama" (a Saturday morning clone of Wonderama) in 1958 and 1959.
On Monday September 14, 1959, Herb Sheldon succeeded Paul Tripp as the third host of WOR TV Ch.9 NYC's "Looney Tunes Show". Sheldon wore a straw skimmer,bow tie and striped blazer, and set the show against a e backdrop of an enchanted cottage in the woods; he would entertain his viewers between the reruns of the cartoons. The show was so popular that the program's title was soon changed to "The Herb Sheldon Show". He also hosted"The Mischief Makers" (The syndicated title for the silent "Little Rascals" films) weekday evenings on Ch.9 from Monday September 19,1960 to Friday June 9, 1961.
Sheldon continued to host WOR TV's kids tv shows until heart problems forced him to retire from regular tv work on Friday May 18,1962.
During his retirement years he co-owned a restaurant in Hempstead, N.Y. and also staged, produced and performed in plays at two theaters that he owned, "The Tinkerpond Playhouse" in Sysoset, N.Y. and The Montauk Point Playhouse. Sheldon also worked with many chairities, most notably "The United Cerebrial Palsy Telethons" with Jane Pickens Hoving, Dennis James and Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme".
He succumbed to a massive heart attack on July 21,1964.
