Arthur Godfrey
Biography
Arthur Godfrey was an American broadcaster and entertainer whose career centered on radio and television; at his peak in the early 1950s he appeared on CBS radio and television as often as six days a week and sometimes in nine separate broadcasts. Born in Manhattan in 1903, he served in the Navy as a radio operator before becoming an announcer in Baltimore and then Washington, D.C., where he adopted a relaxed, informal on-air style. He became nationally known in 1945 for his live account of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's funeral procession. His programs included Arthur Godfrey Time and Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. A popular commercial pitchman, he also recorded hits including Too Fat Polka and What is a Boy? In 1953, his on-air firing of Julius La Rosa damaged his image with the public. He later appeared in Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows (1968) and The Glass Bottom Boat (1966). He received a Peabody Award in 1971.
79years old at death
- Born Manhattan
- Died Manhattan
- Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
- Also credited as Arthur Morton Godfrey
Movie Career
- Films
- 6
- Career span
- 13 years1966 to 1979
Genres
- Comedy100%, 6 films
- Drama33%, 2 films
- Action17%, 1 film
- Documentary17%, 1 film
- History17%, 1 film
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First role
While in the Coast Guard in Baltimore, Godfrey took part in a local talent show that was broadcast on October 5, 1929, and he grew popular enough to get his own short weekly program.
Beyond film
Written by Ross MacLean and Arthur Richardson, the novelty song "Too Fat Polka (She's Too Fat for Me)" became a surprise hit record for Godfrey in 1947, reaching number two in the US charts.
Beyond film
Godfrey's 1951 spoken-word record "What is a Boy?" topped the Billboard charts in August 1951, with "What is a Girl?" on the B-side.
A role that slipped away
Godfrey's talent show rejected Elvis Presley after an unsuccessful audition in April 1955, following Presley's appearances on the Louisiana Hayride.
A change of course
Godfrey learned to fly in 1929, while he was working in broadcast radio around Washington, D.C. He began with gliders and later learned to fly airplanes.
Own stunts
In January 1954, Arthur Godfrey flew his DC-3 low over the Teterboro Airport control tower, which led to a six-month suspension of his certificate. He afterwards made a humorous song about the event, "Teterboro Tower".
Arthur Godfrey movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Worked with
Arthur Godfrey made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Harry Dean Stanton's page
Ed Begley Jr.'s page
Bruce McGill's page
Jack Palance's page
Ellen Corby's page
Rance Howard's page
Frank TashlinDirector, 1 film, 1966
All films by Frank Tashlin
All films by Greydon Clark
James NeilsonDirector, 1 film, 1968
All films by James Neilson
Awards
Four awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1987 | National Aviation Hall of Fame (posthumous) | Won | |
| Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey | Won | ||
| Peabody Awards | Won | ||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.