Homer Durward Kirby, sometimes misspelled Dirwood or Durwood Kirby, was an American television host and announcer.
22 Facts About Durward Kirby
2.
Durward Kirby is best remembered for The Garry Moore Show in the 1950s and Candid Camera, which he co-hosted with Allen Funt from 1961 through 1966.
3.
Homer Durward Kirby was born on August 24,1911 in Covington, Kentucky to father Homer C Kirby and mother Alma Haglage.
4.
Durward Kirby's family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, when he was 15.
5.
Durward Kirby graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, then entered Purdue University to study engineering.
6.
In 1936, Kirby was an announcer for WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio.
7.
Durward Kirby worked at radio stations in Chicago and Indianapolis.
8.
Durward Kirby served in the United States Navy during World War II.
9.
Durward Kirby worked on Meet Your Navy and Honeymoon in New York on network radio.
10.
Durward Kirby was a regular on Moore's television shows from 1950 to 1968.
11.
Durward Kirby appeared as a host, announcer, or guest on other television programs.
12.
Durward Kirby served as one of NBC Radio's Monitor "Communicators".
13.
Durward Kirby acted in summer stock theatre, including three years' appearances in productions at the Cherry County Playhouse in Michigan.
14.
Durward Kirby moved with ease from slapstick to suave sales pitches for the sponsor's product.
15.
Durward Kirby wrote three books: My Life, Those Wonderful Years; Bits and Pieces of This and That; and a children's book, Dooley Wilson.
16.
Durward Kirby married Mary Paxton Young on June 15,1941, in Chicago, Illinois.
17.
Durward Kirby died of congestive heart failure in Fort Myers, Florida, on March 15,2000, at the age of 88.
18.
Durward Kirby was buried next to his wife, Mary, in Coburn Cemetery in Fairfield County, Connecticut, where they had a summer home.
19.
Durward Kirby's name was spoofed in the animated series The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, wherein a man's hat was called the "Kirward Derby".
20.
Durward Kirby considered suing, but his business manager pointed out that it would only bring more attention to the show.
21.
Jay Ward, producer of The Bullwinkle Show, even offered to pay Durward Kirby to sue him; however, he did not pursue any further action.
22.
Durward Kirby says they should have saved money and hired Kirby.