Wendell Niles Biography

Fast Facts

• Toured with Bob Hope during World War II, entertaining armed forces around the world
• He and his brother Ken Niles were the first brothers to both have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Started his radio career as the announcer for the KOL radio station in Seattle
• Started his career in show business as the leader of an orchestra that toured the nation throughout the 1920s
• Quote: "An announcer has to perform like mad every second he is on camera or before the microphone to keep some semblance of attention so that the stars will have an audience when the sponsor's appeal is completed․"
• Along with his brother, he developed one of the first radio dramas, "Theatre of the Mind․"
• Often worked alongside Bob Hope, George Burns and Milton Berle
• Was one of the best known announcers of the golden age of American radio