Garry Moore
| Garry Moore | |
|---|---|
Moore with his guests the Marquis Chimps in 1959
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| Born |
Thomas Garrison Morfit, III January 31, 1915 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | November 28, 1993 (aged 78) Hilton Head, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Emphysema, throat cancer |
| Occupation | Entertainer, game show host and comedian |
| Years active | 1937–89 |
| Known for | The Garry Moore Show |
| Spouse(s) | Eleanor "Nell" Borum Little (1939–74; her death); 2 children Mary Elizabeth DeChant (1975–93; his death) |
Garry Moore (January 31, 1915 – November 28, 1993) was an American entertainer, comedic personality and game show host best known for his work in television. He began a long career with the CBS network on radio in the 1940s and was a television host on several variety and game shows from the 1950s through the 1970s.
After dropping out of high school, Moore found success as a radio host and then moved on to the television industry. He was host to several daytime and prime time programs entitled The Garry Moore Show, and the game shows I've Got a Secret and To Tell the Truth. He was instrumental in furthering the career of comedic actress Carol Burnett. He became known for his bow ties and his crew cut fashion early in his career.
After being diagnosed with throat cancer in 1976, Moore retired from the broadcasting industry, only making a few rare television appearances. He spent the last years of his life in Hilton Head, South Carolina and at his summer home in Maine. He died on November 28, 1993, aged 78.
Moore was born Thomas Garrison Morfit, III on January 31, 1915, in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Mason P. Morfit and Mary L. (née Harris) Morfit. He attended Baltimore City College (actually a high school), but dropped out to pursue a career in radio and writing.
Starting in 1937, he worked for Baltimore radio station WBAL as an announcer, writer, and actor/comedian. He used his birth name until 1940, when, while on the air announcing Club Matinee hosted by Ransom Sherman at NBC, Chicago, Sherman held a radio contest to find a more easily pronounceable one. "Garry Moore" was the winning entry, which was submitted by a woman from Pittsburgh who received a prize of $100.
It was on Club Matinee where he met his long-time friend and broadcasting partner Durward Kirby.
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