Ken Niles

Ken Niles (December 9, 1906 – October 31, 1988) was an American radio announcer. Niles was born in Livingston, Montana. He was married to Nadia Niles, and had two children, Kenneth Niles and Denise Niles. His brother, Wendell Niles, was also a radio announcer.

Ken Niles
Born
Kenneth Niles

(1906-12-09)December 9, 1906[1][2]
Livingston, Montana
Died(1988-10-31)October 31, 1988 (aged 81)
Santa Monica, California
NationalityAmerican
OccupationRadio announcer
Children2

Niles debuted in radio on KJR in Seattle, Washington, late in the 1920s.[3] He began a series of original radio dramas called Theater of the Mind in 1928.[4][5] Niles subsequently narrated, or served as announcer, in several other feature films. His most notable film role was the murdered lawyer Leonard Eels in Out of the Past (1947) with Robert Mitchum.

Niles also served as commercial announcer and foil for Bing Crosby in the Bing Crosby Entertains series (1933-1935) and also on several series sponsored by Camel Cigarettes, notably The Abbott and Costello Show.[6] Niles was frequently paired in comedy skits opposite Elvia Allman as his fictitious wife Mrs Niles. Niles was also the announcer for The Amazing Mrs. Danberry.[6]

For his work in radio, he received a "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,[4] as did his brother, making them the first brothers to be so honored. Ken Niles' star is at 6711 Hollywood Avenue, in the Radio section. It was dedicated February 8, 1960.[7]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1937Hollywood HotelKen Niles
1938Men Are Such FoolsBillUncredited
1939Sweepstakes WinnerFirst Radio AnnouncerUncredited
1941Harmon of MichiganKen Niles
1943Hit Parade of 1943AnnouncerUncredited
1943ShantytownRadio AnnouncerUncredited
1944Lady, Let's DanceAnnouncer
1945Swingin' on a RainbowNew York City Radio AnnouncerUncredited
1946The Inner CircleKen - Radio Announcer
1947Magic TownReporterUncredited
1947Out of the PastEels
1948You Were Meant for MeNarratorVoice, Uncredited
1949My Friend IrmaRadio Contest AnnouncerUncredited
1951The Fat ManDr. Henry Bromley D.D.S.Uncredited
1956NBC Matinee TheaterEpisode: "The Young and the Damned"
1962The Donna Reed ShowProfessor EarnshawEpisode: "Explorer's Ten"
1968The Bob Hope Show1 episode, (final appearance)

References
  1. "Ken Niles". IMDb. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  2. "United States Census, 1910 - Livingston Ward 2, Park, Montana". familysearch.org. 26 April 1910. (Age of Kenneth Niles given as 3 in census in April, 1910.)
  3. DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-2834-2. p. 205.
  4. "Ken Niles - Hollywood Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  5. "Ken Niles Dies at 82; a Pioneer Broadcaster". The New York Times. November 2, 1988. p. 27.
  6. Dunning, John. (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. P. 2, 24.
  7. "Ken Niles". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved 31 July 2016.


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