1. John Leonard Olson was an American radio personality and television announcer.
13 Facts About Johnny Olson
1. 2.
Johnny Olson is perhaps best known for his work as an announcer for game shows, particularly the work he did for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions.
3.
Johnny Olson soon was hosting Johnny Olson Rhythm Rascals, where callers would request songs for him to sing.
4.
Johnny Olson's future wife Penny was a frequent caller to the show.
5.
From May 1947 to July 1949, Johnny Olson hosted Doorway to Fame, an evening television talent show on the new DuMont Television Network.
6.
Johnny Olson hosted the Saturday-morning children's show Kids and Company on DuMont from September 1951 to June 1952, with co-host Ham Fisher.
7.
On television, Johnny Olson was an announcer on Break the Bank and was the announcer and sometimes the host on Fun for the Money on ABC-TV in 1949.
8.
Johnny Olson was host of Homemaker's Jamboree, an audience-participation game show that debuted on WJZ-TV on October 5,1952.
9.
Johnny Olson was the announcer for The Jackie Gleason Show from 1962 until its cancellation in 1970.
10.
Johnny Olson was the announcer for five of The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethons from 1966 to 1970.
11.
Johnny Olson warmed up the audiences prior to taping; during taping, he often received on-camera exposure prior to calling out the contestants' names.
12.
On October 6,1985, Johnny Olson suffered a stroke and was taken to St John's Hospital and Health Center in Santa Monica, California, where he died October 12,1985, at age 75.
13.
Johnny Olson was dearly loved by all of us, and he'll be sorely missed.