Posted on 01/11/2006 9:32:21 AM PST by NormsRevenge
MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (AP) - George Walsh, a longtime newsman and announcer for the "Gunsmoke" radio and television programs, has died. He was 88.
Walsh died of congestive heart failure Dec. 5 at Garfield Medical Center in Monterey Park, said his daughter, Fran.
He became the "Gunsmoke" announcer in 1952, introducing the live, weekly radio series with the following words: "Around Dodge City and in the territory out West, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal and the smell of 'Gunsmoke.'" He remained the announcer when the show moved to television in 1955.
In the Los Angeles area, Walsh was a longtime fixture at KNX-AM radio, serving as an interviewer, sports reporter, newscaster and announcer from 1952 to 1986. His voice also was used in the Smokey Bear forest fire prevention campaign and on the now-closed Disneyland rides Flight to the Moon and Mission to Mars.
In June 1947, he scored what appeared to be a huge scoop while working at a radio station in Roswell, N.M., breaking a story about a UFO landing based on an Air Force press officer's claim that a flying saucer had been captured near the city. The military eventually determined that the UFO was in fact a radar target, but the story by then had spread worldwide.
In addition to his daughter, Fran, Walsh is survived by his wife of 49 years, Charlotte; two other daughters, Janice and Carolyn; two brothers; two sisters; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
I remembered the name.
Gee, sorry to hear of his passing. I grew up in Southern California and remember another George; George Putnam.He may still be alive I heard he had some sort of syndicated show.
I also remember that perhaps the lead, James Arness and Peter Graves of Mission Impossible were brothers in real life. Anybody know about that.
Heck, I am waxing nostalgic. Must be the two days of Alito hearings. ha!
Yes. It was Burt, pre-toupee.
I always watched the show, but had no idea Chester was a Hobbit!
Of course, way back then, I had no idea what a Hobbit was.
Did you know this man?
Nope. I saw this in the Times this morning. Never heard of him.
Here's a bit more
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-walsh11jan11,0,6831960.story?coll=la-news-obituaries
Art Bell used to have that clip on his old website. It was only a 15 or 20 second blurb.
James and Peter are (or were) brothers.
In June 1947, he scored what appeared to be a huge scoop while working at a radio station in Roswell, N.M., breaking a story about a UFO landing based on an Air Force press officer's claim that a flying saucer had been captured near the city. The military eventually determined that the UFO was in fact a radar target, but the story by then had spread worldwide.
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