Herb Sheldon
Encyclopedia
Herb Sheldon was born Herbert Sussman in Brooklyn
, New York
. Sheldon was originally slated to train for a career in textiles, but a scholarship at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
and some work in the theater sidetracked his plans.
in small character parts. Eventually, he left the stage for a more stable career as a radio broadcaster
. Sheldon made his radio debut on WINS
Radio as the host and interviewer and as a performer of a daily talk/variety show in 1941. The show became a hit with NYC's listeners and from there he went onto a long and successful career mc
'ing several programs, including one with interviewer Maggie McNellis ("Sheldon And McNellis At The Latin Quarter").
Sheldon made his TV debut on WNBT (now known as WNBC
) TV in New York City
in 1946, with the first of several children's TV shows "Kids Today" on WNBT. From 1946 to 1956, he hosted such kids shows as "Saturdays With Herb Sheldon", "Sheldon At Six", "Kids Today" and "One Is For Sheldon"
Unfortunately, Sheldon's tenure at WRCA
was short-lived: he violated his contract with WNBT by also working for other stations in the city. After contract was terminated he joined WABD TV Channel 5 as the host of their kids TV shows. He succeeded Sandy Becker
as the second host of their successful Sunday comedy/variety kids TV show "Wonderama" in 1956.
Sheldon's appearances on "Wonderama", "The Bugs Bunny Theater" (during his tenure the title was changed to "Bugs Bunny Presents"), "The Looney Tunes
Show" and "Speaking Of Animals").
He also hosted a teens rock and roll
dance and music program "Studio Party" and a late night old movie show "Rickey Tickey Playhouse". He again had problems with management for working for other stations, and for working as an MC for nightclub acts. Sheldon was ousted by WABD TV's management on August 8, 1958.
He briefly served as the host of two TV shows for WNTA
TV Ch.13 in Newark, N.J. "Hold That Camera" (a late night TV game show for adults) and "Funderama" (a Saturday morning clone of Wonderama) in 1958 and 1959.
On Monday September 14, 1959, Herb Sheldon succeeded Paul Tripp
as the third host of WOR-TV
Channel 9 NYC's "Looney Tunes Show". Sheldon wore a straw skimmer, bow tie and striped blazer, and set the show against the backdrop of an enchanted cottage in the woods; he would entertain his viewers between the reruns of the cartoons. The show was so popular that the program's title was soon changed to "The Herb Sheldon Show". He also hosted "The Mischief Makers" (the syndicated title for the silent "Little Rascals" films) weekday evenings on WOR from Monday September 19, 1960 to Friday June 9, 1961.
During his retirement years, he co-owned a restaurant in Hempstead
, N.Y. and also staged, produced and performed in plays at two theaters that he owned, "The Tinkerpond Playhouse" in Syosset, N.Y. and The Montauk Point Playhouse. Sheldon also worked with many charities, most notably "The United Cerebrial Palsy Telethons" with Jane Pickens Hoving, Dennis James
and Steve Lawrence
and Edie Gorme".
He succumbed to a massive heart attack
on July 21, 1964.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Sheldon was originally slated to train for a career in textiles, but a scholarship at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
and some work in the theater sidetracked his plans.
Television career
He worked in some Broadway showsBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in small character parts. Eventually, he left the stage for a more stable career as a radio broadcaster
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
. Sheldon made his radio debut on WINS
WINS (AM)
WINS , known on-air as "Ten-Ten Wins", is a radio station in New York City, owned by CBS Radio. WINS's studios are in the combined CBS Radio facility at 345 Hudson Street in the TriBeCa section of Manhattan, and transmitting towers in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.WINS is one of the nation's oldest...
Radio as the host and interviewer and as a performer of a daily talk/variety show in 1941. The show became a hit with NYC's listeners and from there he went onto a long and successful career mc
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
'ing several programs, including one with interviewer Maggie McNellis ("Sheldon And McNellis At The Latin Quarter").
Sheldon made his TV debut on WNBT (now known as WNBC
WNBC
WNBC, virtual channel 4 , is the flagship station of the NBC television network, located in New York City. WNBC's studios are co-located with NBC corporate headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan...
) TV in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1946, with the first of several children's TV shows "Kids Today" on WNBT. From 1946 to 1956, he hosted such kids shows as "Saturdays With Herb Sheldon", "Sheldon At Six", "Kids Today" and "One Is For Sheldon"
Unfortunately, Sheldon's tenure at WRCA
WRCA
- External links :*...
was short-lived: he violated his contract with WNBT by also working for other stations in the city. After contract was terminated he joined WABD TV Channel 5 as the host of their kids TV shows. He succeeded Sandy Becker
Sandy Becker
George Sanford Becker , who was known professionally as Sandy Becker, was a television announcer, actor, and comedian who hosted several popular children's programs in New York City...
as the second host of their successful Sunday comedy/variety kids TV show "Wonderama" in 1956.
Sheldon's appearances on "Wonderama", "The Bugs Bunny Theater" (during his tenure the title was changed to "Bugs Bunny Presents"), "The Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
Show" and "Speaking Of Animals").
He also hosted a teens rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
dance and music program "Studio Party" and a late night old movie show "Rickey Tickey Playhouse". He again had problems with management for working for other stations, and for working as an MC for nightclub acts. Sheldon was ousted by WABD TV's management on August 8, 1958.
He briefly served as the host of two TV shows for WNTA
WNET
WNET, channel 13 is a non-commercial educational public television station licensed to Newark, New Jersey. With its signal covering the New York metropolitan area, WNET is a primary station of the Public Broadcasting Service and a primary provider of PBS programming...
TV Ch.13 in Newark, N.J. "Hold That Camera" (a late night TV game show for adults) and "Funderama" (a Saturday morning clone of Wonderama) in 1958 and 1959.
On Monday September 14, 1959, Herb Sheldon succeeded Paul Tripp
Paul Tripp
Paul Tripp was a musician, author and television and film actor born in New York City. He was a partner of fellow composer George Kleinsinger. Tripp was the creator of 1945's "Tubby the Tuba", a children's song that has become his best-known work. Early in his career, he was the host of CBS' Mr....
as the third host of WOR-TV
WWOR-TV
WWOR-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the flagship station of the MyNetworkTV programming service, licensed to Secaucus, New Jersey and serving the Tri-State metropolitan area. WWOR is owned by Fox Television Stations, a division of the News Corporation, and is a sister station to Fox network flagship...
Channel 9 NYC's "Looney Tunes Show". Sheldon wore a straw skimmer, bow tie and striped blazer, and set the show against the backdrop of an enchanted cottage in the woods; he would entertain his viewers between the reruns of the cartoons. The show was so popular that the program's title was soon changed to "The Herb Sheldon Show". He also hosted "The Mischief Makers" (the syndicated title for the silent "Little Rascals" films) weekday evenings on WOR from Monday September 19, 1960 to Friday June 9, 1961.
Retirement
Sheldon continued to host the stations TV's kids shows until heart problems forced him to retire from regular TV work on May 18, 1962.During his retirement years, he co-owned a restaurant in Hempstead
Hempstead (village), New York
Hempstead is a village located in the town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 53,891 at the 2010 census.Hofstra University is located on the border between Hempstead and Uniondale.-Foundation:...
, N.Y. and also staged, produced and performed in plays at two theaters that he owned, "The Tinkerpond Playhouse" in Syosset, N.Y. and The Montauk Point Playhouse. Sheldon also worked with many charities, most notably "The United Cerebrial Palsy Telethons" with Jane Pickens Hoving, Dennis James
Dennis James
Dennis James was an American television personality, actor, and announcer. He is credited as the host of television's first network game show, the DuMont Network's Cash and Carry in 1946...
and Steve Lawrence
Steve Lawrence
Steve Lawrence is an American singer and actor, perhaps best known as a member of a duo with his wife Eydie Gormé, billed as "Steve and Eydie"...
and Edie Gorme".
He succumbed to a massive heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on July 21, 1964.