Kay Kyser
Born: 1905-06-18 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA
Died: 1985-07-23
Known For: Acting
Biography
James Kern Kyser (June 18, 1905 – July 23, 1985), known as Kay Kyser, was a popular radio personality and bandleader in the 1930's and 40's. Kyser's most popular show was Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge, which combined popular music with a quiz show format. It aired on Mutual Radio in 1938 and then moved to NBC Radio from 1939 to 1949. Kyser led the band as “The Ol’ Perfessor,” spouting signature catch phrases like, “That’s right—you’re wrong,” “Evenin’ folks, how y’all?” and “C'mon, chillun! Le's dance!” Kyser was also known for having his singers sing the song titles, a device copied by Sammy Kaye and Blue Barron. When the song began, one of the band's lead singers (usually Harry Babbitt) sang the title phrase, and then the first verse or two of the song was performed instrumentally before the lyrics resumed.
Filmography
1999
- Television: The First Fifty Years as Self (archive footage)
1982
- Showbiz Goes to War as (archive footage)
1968
- The Movie Orgy as Self (archive footage)
1961
- The Mike Douglas Show as Self
1944
- Carolina Blues as Himself
- G.I. Journal as Self
1943
- Stage Door Canteen as Kay Kyser
- Thousands Cheer as Kay Kyser
- Show-Business at War as Self
- Swing Fever as Lowell Blackford
- Around the World as Kay Kyser
- Screen Snapshots (Series 23, no. 3) as Himself
1942
- My Favorite Spy as Kay Kyser
1941
- Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2
- Playmates as Kay Kyser
- Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 1 as Self
1940
- You'll Find Out as Himself
- If I Forget You as Orchestra
- Africa Squeaks as Cake Icer (voice)
1939
- That's Right – You're Wrong as Kay Kyser
1933
- Invisible Opponent as Sir Thomas