Fred Allen, American comedian, radio host, game show panelist, and author (d. 1956)
John Florence Sullivan (May 31, 1894 – March 17, 1956), known professionally as Fred Allen, was an American comedian. His absurdist, topically pointed radio program The Fred Allen Show (1932–1949) made him one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the Golden Age of American radio.His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it was only part of his appeal; radio historian John Dunning (in On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio) wrote that Allen was perhaps radio's most admired comedian and most frequently censored. A master ad libber, Allen often tangled with his network's executives (and often barbed them on the air over the battles) while developing routines whose style and substance influenced fellow comic talents, including Groucho Marx, Stan Freberg, Henry Morgan, and Johnny Carson; his avowed fans also included President Franklin D. Roosevelt, humorist James Thurber, and novelists William Faulkner, John Steinbeck, and Herman Wouk (who began his career writing for Allen).
Allen was honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for contributions to television and radio.
1894May, 31
Fred Allen
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Events on 1894
- 14Apr
Kinetoscope
The first ever commercial motion picture house opened in New York City using ten Kinetoscopes, a device for peep-show viewing of films. - 11May
Pullman Palace Car Company
Pullman Strike: Four thousand Pullman Palace Car Company workers go on a wildcat strike in Illinois. - 4Jul
Sanford B. Dole
The short-lived Republic of Hawaii is proclaimed by Sanford B. Dole. - 25Aug
Bubonic plague
Kitasato Shibasaburō discovers the infectious agent of the bubonic plague and publishes his findings in The Lancet. - 1Nov
Annie Oakley
Buffalo Bill, 15 of his Indians, and Annie Oakley were filmed by Thomas Edison in his Black Maria Studio in West Orange, New Jersey.