r/otr • u/Etymo13 • 3d ago

On This Day in Radio - Willard Waterman Is Born August 29, 1914

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On This Day in Radio - Willard Waterman Is Born August 29, 1914

On this day in 1914, actor Willard Waterman was born in Madison, Wisconsin. Waterman became one of the familiar voices of American radio during the medium's golden age, building a long career as a dependable character actor before stepping into one of radio comedy's best-known roles. He worked extensively in Chicago radio and appeared across a wide range of network programs, developing the warm, polished delivery that made him a natural fit for both comedy and drama.

Waterman is best remembered for taking over the role of Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve on The Great Gildersleeve in 1950, succeeding Harold Peary and carrying the popular character through the later years of the radio series. He also appeared in numerous other broadcasts throughout his career and remained closely associated with the sound of classic network radio. Today we remember Willard Waterman, a versatile performer whose voice helped carry one of old-time radio's most beloved characters into a new chapter.

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5

u/owdbr549 3d ago

Leroy!

6

u/H00tman1 3d ago

The Great Gildersleeve good show

3

u/JahPhooey 3d ago

He's no Hal Perry.  I love Gildersleeve but the Waterman episodes don't do it for me lol

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u/MrsPhilHarris 2d ago

I agree.

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u/Keltik 3d ago

I just watched him in a deadly serious Wagon Train ep. He played a Union doctor who'd been held prisoner in the notorious Andersonville POW camp.

He was convincing, even if his fake beard was not.

/r/ClassicWesterns

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u/MediocreRooster4190 3d ago

SPERDVAC's podcast "behind the dial" has a recent episode with him speaking at a conference with other Chicago actors recorded in the 80s I think.

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u/Mycroft90 1d ago

Went to an OTR convention in the 80's, as I was a Gildersleeve fan when I was a teenager in the 80's. Saw him do a live reading of an episode with other actors.