Harold Peary Biography

Fast Facts

• Began performing at the age of 11 as a soprano at events in his neighborhood
• A baritone by the time he was 17, he began touring with musical comedy companies
• Began his radio career on "The Spanish Serenader" in the late 1920s in San Francisco before moving to bigger Chicago radio in 1935
• Also appeared in a series of films based on his successful radio show, including "The Great Gildersleeve," "Gildersleeve's Bad Day, and "Gildersleeve on Broadway․"
• The Great Gildersleeve, based on the supporting character he originated in the radio show "Fibber McGee & Molly," is thought to be the first successful spin-off series
• Best known as a radio performer who played Throckmorton P․ Gildersleeve in "The Great Gildersleeve․"
• Guest starred on TV series like "The Doris Day Show" and "The Brady Bunch" and had recurring roles in "Blondie" and "Willy․"
• His vocal versatility allowed him to play as many as six different roles in a single radio show