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Ed Prentiss
American actor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Paul Edward Prentiss[1] (September 9, 1908 – March 19, 1992) was an American actor in the era of old-time radio.[2] He was perhaps best known for portraying the title role on the radio version of Captain Midnight.
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Early years
Prentiss was born in Chicago, Illinois.[2] He attended the University of Iowa.[3]
Radio
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Radio historian Jim Harmon noted, in his book The Great Radio Heroes, "Ed Prentiss was not the first actor to play Captain Midnight, contrary to some published reports."[4] After Bill Bouchey had the role in the program's second season, Prentiss auditioned for the third season, got the part, and continued as Captain Midnight for seven years.[4]
On The Guiding Light soap opera, Prentiss played Ned (a "neglected youth") and was the program's "omniscient host."[5] Beginning in 1943, Prentiss was narrator for an hour-long block consisting of three soap operas: Today's Children, The Guiding Light and Woman in White. The three programs had interconnecting story lines, with Prentiss's narration "introducing each program segment and linking all three together."[6]
Prentiss's other roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.
Prentiss had his own syndicated program, This Is The Story. An ad for the 15-minute program described it as follows: "Ed Prentiss, America's greatest story teller ... offers true and unusual tales, each with a surprisingly different ending."[9]
He also was a regular on Arnold Grimm's Daughter,[10] Painted Dreams, Bud Barton,[11] The Romance of Helen Trent, Springtime and Harvest[12] and Holland Housewarming.[7]: 153
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Film
Prentiss appeared in Westbound (1959)[13] and The FBI Story (1959).[14]
Television
Prentiss played Dr. Snyder on As the World Turns.[15] He was one of the hosts of Action Autographs,[16] was the host for Majority Rules.[16]: 643 and played Edward Elliott on Morning Star.[16]: 716 He also was the announcer for That's O'Toole.[17] He also played roles in various TV Westerns of the late 1950s-early '60s, often as a sheriff. He is easily recognized by his voice, as well as his physical appearance. In 1957 Prentiss appeared as Bob Gentry on the TV western Cheyenne in the episode titled "Top Hand."[citation needed]
Prentiss appeared on Perry Mason, "The Case of the Badgered Brother" (season 7, episode 12) as the recorded voice reading a will in Mason's office.
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Personal life
Prentiss married Ivah Davidson on November 21, 1941.[18] They had a son, born September 14, 1943.[19]
Filmography
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References
External links
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