Henry Morgan

Did you know?!

1. First role

   Morgan started his radio career in 1932 as a page at WMCA, a station in New York City. After that he worked a number of radio jobs, among them announcing.

2. About the name

   Morgan fought hard against using the professional name Morgan, but he was told that von Ost, his birth name, was exotic and hard to pronounce. This started a long history of arguments with executives.

3. Behind the camera

   Morgan wrote that his introduction, "Good evening, anybody; here's Morgan," was a dig at Kate Smith, the popular singer whose show opened with a condescending "Hello, everybody."

4. A change of course

   Morgan targeted his sponsor Adler Shoe Stores, saying he would not wear their new fall colors to a dogfight, and when Old Man Adler demanded a retraction, Morgan said on air that he would wear them to a dogfight.

5. Behind the camera

   Morgan wrote three pieces for Mad magazine in 1957 and 1958. At that time the magazine was adapting material from comedians including Bob and Ray, Ernie Kovacs and Sid Caesar.