Durward Kirby
Encyclopedia
Homer Durward Kirby known professionally as Durward Kirby (sometimes misspelled Durwood Kirby), was an American television host and announcer. He is best remembered for The Garry Moore Show
in the 1950s, and Candid Camera
, where he appeared with Allen Funt
from 1961 through 1966.
. His family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana
, when he was 15. Kirby graduated from Arsenal Technical High School
in Indianapolis, then entered Purdue University
to study engineering. However, he dropped out to become a radio announcer. He served in the United States Navy
during World War II
. Following the war, he hosted Club Matinee in Chicago
with Garry Moore on the NBC Blue radio network before moving to television in 1949 as an announcer. He was a regular on Moore's television shows from 1950 to 1968. Kirby also appeared as a host, announcer, or guest on other television programs, including serving as one of NBC
Radio's Monitor
"Communicators".
Kirby stood 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall and had a mellow personality that served well as a foil for the stars he worked with. A versatile performer, he acted in sketches, sang, and danced. He moved with ease from slapstick
to suave sales pitches for sponsor's product. Critic John Crosby
called him "one of the most versatile muggers and comedians on the air."
His most-embarrassing moment came during a Polaroid
commercial, during which he forgot to pull the tab after taking a picture of Garry Moore
holding his Christmas list. After nearly a minute of one of Polaroid's people yelling "Pull the tab!" from the audience, Kirby gave a mighty yank with his long arms, and pulled all seven remaining pictures out of the camera. This required a fair amount of strength, not only to burst the developer pods, but to rip through the stop pins on the film roll. (Peter Wensberg, Land's Polaroid, chapter 16)
Kirby also wrote three books: My Life, Those Wonderful Years, Bits and Pieces of This and That, and a children's book, Dooley Wilson.
Durward Kirby died of congestive heart failure in Fort Myers, Florida
in 2000 at the age of 87. He was buried next to his wife in Coburn Cemetery in Fairfield County, Connecticut
, where he had a summer home. He was survived by his two sons.
, where a man's hat was called the "Kirward Derby". It supposedly had magic powers that made its wearer the smartest person in the world. Kirby considered suing, but his business manager pointed out that it would only bring more attention to the show. (Jay Ward
, producer of The Bullwinkle Show, supposedly offered to pay Kirby to sue him.)
In the movie Pulp Fiction
(1994), the character of Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman
) orders a "Durward Kirby" Burger. This is a humorous reference to the soundtrack in the scene, when "Bullwinkle" is being played.
The Garry Moore Show
The Garry Moore Show is the name for several separate American variety series on the CBS television network in the 1950s and 1960s. Hosted by experienced radio performer, Garry Moore, the series helped launch the careers of many comedic talents, such as Don Adams, George Gobel, Carol Burnett, Don...
in the 1950s, and Candid Camera
Candid Camera
Candid Camera is a hidden camera/practical joke reality television series created and produced by Allen Funt, which initially began on radio as Candid Microphone June 28, 1947...
, where he appeared with Allen Funt
Allen Funt
Allen Funt was an American television producer, director and writer, television personality, best known as the creator and host of Candid Camera from the 1940s to 1980s, as either a regular television show or a television series of specials...
from 1961 through 1966.
Early life
Kirby was born in Covington, KentuckyCovington, Kentucky
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile . There were 20,448 housing units at an average density of 1,556.5 per square mile...
. His family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, when he was 15. Kirby graduated from Arsenal Technical High School
Arsenal Technical High School
Arsenal Technical High School is a public high school in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States which is run by the Indianapolis Public Schools school system. Established in 1912, the school consists of a , multiple building campus east of downtown Indianapolis and is the only such type school in...
in Indianapolis, then entered Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
to study engineering. However, he dropped out to become a radio announcer. He served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Following the war, he hosted Club Matinee in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
with Garry Moore on the NBC Blue radio network before moving to television in 1949 as an announcer. He was a regular on Moore's television shows from 1950 to 1968. Kirby also appeared as a host, announcer, or guest on other television programs, including serving as one of NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
Radio's Monitor
Monitor (NBC Radio)
NBC Monitor was an American weekend radio program broadcast from June 12, 1955, until January 26, 1975. Airing live and nationwide on the NBC Radio Network, it originally aired beginning Saturday morning at 8am and continuing through the weekend until 12 midnight on Sunday...
"Communicators".
Kirby stood 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall and had a mellow personality that served well as a foil for the stars he worked with. A versatile performer, he acted in sketches, sang, and danced. He moved with ease from slapstick
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
to suave sales pitches for sponsor's product. Critic John Crosby
John Crosby (media critic)
John Crosby was a newspaper columnist, radio-television critic, novelist and TV host. During the 1950s, he was generally regarded as the leading critic of television....
called him "one of the most versatile muggers and comedians on the air."
His most-embarrassing moment came during a Polaroid
Polaroid Corporation
Polaroid Corporation is an American-based international consumer electronics and eyewear company, originally founded in 1937 by Edwin H. Land. It is most famous for its instant film cameras, which reached the market in 1948, and continued to be the company's flagship product line until the February...
commercial, during which he forgot to pull the tab after taking a picture of Garry Moore
Garry Moore
Garry Moore was an American entertainer, game show host and comedian best known for his work in television...
holding his Christmas list. After nearly a minute of one of Polaroid's people yelling "Pull the tab!" from the audience, Kirby gave a mighty yank with his long arms, and pulled all seven remaining pictures out of the camera. This required a fair amount of strength, not only to burst the developer pods, but to rip through the stop pins on the film roll. (Peter Wensberg, Land's Polaroid, chapter 16)
Kirby also wrote three books: My Life, Those Wonderful Years, Bits and Pieces of This and That, and a children's book, Dooley Wilson.
Durward Kirby died of congestive heart failure in Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
in 2000 at the age of 87. He was buried next to his wife in Coburn Cemetery in Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
, where he had a summer home. He was survived by his two sons.
Cultural references
Kirby's name was spoofed in the animated series The Rocky and Bullwinkle ShowThe Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959 to June 28, 1964 on the ABC and NBC television networks...
, where a man's hat was called the "Kirward Derby". It supposedly had magic powers that made its wearer the smartest person in the world. Kirby considered suing, but his business manager pointed out that it would only bring more attention to the show. (Jay Ward
Jay Ward
J Troplong "Jay" Ward was an American creator and producer of animated television cartoons. He produced animated series based on such characters as Crusader Rabbit, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Dudley Do-Right, Peabody and Sherman, Hoppity Hooper, George of the Jungle, Tom Slick, and Super Chicken...
, producer of The Bullwinkle Show, supposedly offered to pay Kirby to sue him.)
In the movie Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction (film)
Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American crime film directed by Quentin Tarantino, who co-wrote its screenplay with Roger Avary. The film is known for its rich, eclectic dialogue, ironic mix of humor and violence, nonlinear storyline, and host of cinematic allusions and pop culture references...
(1994), the character of Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman
Uma Thurman
Uma Karuna Thurman is an American actress and model. She has performed in leading roles in a variety of films, ranging from romantic comedies and dramas to science fiction and action movies. Among her best-known roles are those in the Quentin Tarantino films Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill...
) orders a "Durward Kirby" Burger. This is a humorous reference to the soundtrack in the scene, when "Bullwinkle" is being played.