Kenny Baker

Biography

Kenny Baker was an American singer and actor who became a featured vocalist on radio's The Jack Benny Program in the 1930s. Born in Monrovia in 1912, he got his start in the Vitaphone chorus at Warner Bros. before joining Benny's show in 1935, replacing Frank Parker. He played a high-voiced, innocent young man and stayed until 1939. After leaving, he appeared in 17 film musicals, among them The Harvey Girls (1946), At the Circus (1939), and Mr. Dodd Takes the Air (1937), and he starred in the 1939 movie version of The Mikado. He also co-starred with Mary Martin in the Broadway production of One Touch of Venus (1943). Later radio work included Fred Allen's Texaco Star Theater (1940 to 1942), Blue Ribbon Town, Glamour Manor, and his own programs. He retired from performing in the early 1950s, later recording albums of hymns and working as a motivational speaker.

72years old at death

Born September 30, 1912Monrovia
Died August 10, 1985Solvang
Star sign: LibraThe sign runs September 23 to October 22
Kenneth Laurence Baker (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 6
Career span: 13 years1933 to 1946

Genres

Comedy100%, 6 films
Music50%, 3 films
Romance50%, 3 films
Animation17%, 1 film
Musical17%, 1 film

First and latest

Did you know?!

Big break
Hired to replace singer Frank Parker, Baker made his first appearance on Jack Benny's weekly radio program on November 3, 1935. Many thought Benny would lose listeners, but Baker reportedly won the audience over quickly and even became more popular than Parker.

Kenny Baker movies on Netflix

The Harvey Girls1946IMDb rating 7.0as Terry O'Halloran
Stage Door Canteen1943IMDb rating 6.3as Kenny Baker
At the Circus1939IMDb rating 6.8as Jeff Wilson
The Mikado1939IMDb rating 6.3as Nanki-Poo
Mr. Dodd Takes the Air1937IMDb rating 5.5as Claude Dodd
The Night Before Christmas1933IMDb rating 7.0as Singing Narrator (voice)

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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At the Circus1939 Comedy, Musicas Jeff Wilson
IMDb rating 6.86.9K votes
The Harvey Girls1946 Comedy, Music, Romance, Westernas Terry O'Halloran
IMDb rating 7.05.5K votes
The Night Before Christmas1933as Singing Narratorvoice
IMDb rating 7.01.1K votes
The Mikado1939as Nanki-Poo
IMDb rating 6.3902 votes
Mr. Dodd Takes the Air1937as Claude Dodd
IMDb rating 5.5310 votes
Stage Door Canteen1943as Kenny Baker
IMDb rating 6.31.9K votes

Worked with

Kenny Baker shares two films with Ray Bolger, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Ray Bolger

Irving Bacon

Angela Lansbury

Henry O'Neill

Katharine Hepburn

Jack ChefeEdward BuzzellDirector, 1 film

George SidneyDirector, 1 film Frank BorzageDirector, 1 film

Films together

Ray Bolger2 films together, 1943 to 1946
Ray Bolger's page
- The Harvey Girls1946IMDb rating 7.0Baker as Terry O'HalloranBolger as Chris Maule
- Stage Door Canteen1943IMDb rating 6.3Baker as Kenny BakerBolger as Ray Bolger
Irving Bacon1 film together, 1939
Irving Bacon's page
- At the Circus1939IMDb rating 6.8Baker as Jeff WilsonBacon as Telegraph Clerk
Angela Lansbury1 film together, 1946
Angela Lansbury's page
- The Harvey Girls1946IMDb rating 7.0Baker as Terry O'HalloranLansbury as Em
Henry O'Neill1 film together, 1937
Henry O'Neill's page
- Mr. Dodd Takes the Air1937IMDb rating 5.5Baker as Claude DoddO'Neill as D.M. Gateway
Katharine Hepburn1 film together, 1943
Katharine Hepburn's page
- Stage Door Canteen1943IMDb rating 6.3Baker as Kenny BakerHepburn as Katharine Hepburn
Jack Chefe1 film together, 1937
Jack Chefe's page
- Mr. Dodd Takes the Air1937IMDb rating 5.5Baker as Claude DoddChefe as Mme. Moro's Party Guest
Edward BuzzellDirector, 1 film, 1939
All films by Edward Buzzell
- At the Circus1939IMDb rating 6.8Baker as Jeff Wilson
George SidneyDirector, 1 film, 1946
All films by George Sidney
- The Harvey Girls1946IMDb rating 7.0Baker as Terry O'Halloran
Frank BorzageDirector, 1 film, 1943
All films by Frank Borzage
- Stage Door Canteen1943IMDb rating 6.3Baker as Kenny Baker

Awards

One award and honor.

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Kenny Baker's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Film	Result
Other honors
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame		Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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