Ray Heatherton (June 1, 1909 – August 15, 1997) was a American singer, Broadway musical theatre performer, and a popular New York television personality in the early days of the medium. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located Musical theatre is a form of Theatre combining Music, Songs spoken Dialogue and Dance. The City of New York
Early career
Ray Heatherton was born in Orange, New Jersey (some sources give Jersey City) and first introduced to music when he joined a local boys' choir at his church. The City of Orange is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. Jersey City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. He sang with the choir until his family moved to Floral Park, New York. Floral Park is an incorporated village in Nassau County, New York on Long Island.
During his high school years, he continued to find outlets for his singing talents. He performed with bands at various local functions and won a radio talent contest sponsored by the manufacturer of radio sets Atwater Kent. Arthur Atwater Kent (1873&ndash1949 was an inventor and prominent radio manufacturer based in Philadelphia His first appearance on Broadway was in The Garrick Gaieties, which opened at Guild Theatre on June 4, 1930, four days after Ray's 21st birthday. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located The Garrick Gaieties was a revue which opened on Broadway on May 17, 1925, at the Garrick Theatre was first of a long line of musicals The August Wilson Theatre, located at 245 West 52nd Street in New York City, is a legitimate Broadway theatre. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Also in the cast were future comedy veterans Imogene Coca and Sterling Holloway. Imogene Fernandez de Coca ( November 18[[ 908]] – June 2[[ 001]] was an American Emmy -winning comic actress best known for her role opposite Sterling Price Holloway Jr (January 4 1905 – November 22 1992 was largely a character actor appearing in 150 films and television shows and a long-standing voice actor for the The show ran for 158 performances, closing on October 8. Events 314 - Roman Emperor Licinius is defeated by his colleague Constantine I at the Battle of Cibalae, and loses
Shortly afterwards, Ray's singing talents came to the attention of renowned "King of Jazz" bandleader-songwriter Paul Whiteman, who hired the young man to become a featured vocalist on his late 1920's] CBS musical radio program The Old Gold Hour. Paul Whiteman ( March 28, 1890 &ndash December 29, 1967) was an American orchestral CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. Heatherton continued to sing on the show, while also performing in the musical Midnight Frolics at Manhattan's New Amsterdam Theatre. Manhattan Island, in New York Harbor, is much the largest part of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the Five Boroughs which form the City of New York The New Amsterdam Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 214 West 42nd Street in the heart of Times Square in New York City.
Following his father's death during the difficult years of the Depression, he was temporarily forced to leave the financially-uncertain world of show business to work for the New York Telephone Company. The New York Telephone Company (NYTel was organized in 1896, taking over the New York City operations of the American Bell Telephone Company. The allure, however, was too strong and Heatherton returned to radio, where he continued to perform on many musical variety series and also found opportunities to perform in nightclubs and theater. He had his own orchestra that recorded and performed at the Biltmore Hotel in NYC.
Broadway shows, recordings and pre-World War II television
Heatherton appeared in the musicals The Desert Song, Anniversary Waltz and Babes in Arms, where he became the first male vocalist to sing the hit tune "My Funny Valentine", long before Frank Sinatra's hit recording revived it in the 1960s. The Desert Song is an Operetta with Music by Sigmund Romberg and Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Babes in Arms is a 1937 Musical theater production which tells the story of a boy who puts on a show to avoid being sent to a work farm For the album by Miles Davis see My Funny Valentine (album " My Funny Valentine " is a Show tune from the 1937 Richard Rodgers and Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra (December 12 1915 &ndash May 14 1998 was an American singer and actor The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 Also in the cast of Babes were The Nicholas Brothers, future stars Dan Dailey and Alfred Drake as well as former child star Mitzi Green with whom Ray performed the "Funny Valentine" number. The Nicholas Brothers were a famous African-American team of dancing brothers Fayard ( 1914 &ndash 2006) and Harold Nicholas ( 1921 Daniel James Dailey Jr ( December 14, 1915 &ndash October 16, 1978) was an American dancer and Actor. Alfred Drake ( October 7, 1914 - July 25, 1992) was an American Actor and Singer. Mitzi Green (born Elizabeth Keno) ( October 22 1920 – May 24, 1969) was an American child actress The show opened at the Shubert Theatre on April 14, 1937, moved to the Majestic Theatre on October 25 and closed on December 18 after a good run of 289 performances. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Majestic Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 245 West 44th Street in midtown Manhattan. Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the
In 1938 Heatherton recorded two children's records for the Decca label and in 1939 twice performed on the then-experimental medium of television, appearing on NBC's New York station W2XBS (now WNBC) in Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance (as Frederic) and H.M.S. Pinafore (as Ralph Rackstraw). Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Decca Records is a British Record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's WNBC Channel 4 is the flagship station of the NBC television network located in New York City. WNBC Channel 4 is the flagship station of the NBC television network located in New York City. Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian era partnership of Librettist W The Pirates of Penzance, or The Slave of Duty is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and Libretto by W HMS Pinafore, or The Lass that Loved a Sailor, is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and Libretto by
Single film appearance and war service in the Marines
As World War II arrived, Ray's career in the entertainment field was interrupted by service in the U.S. Marine Corps. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Before leaving, he was able to complete what would become his only film appearance, performing a song and a few lines of dialogue in low-budget studio PRC's musical Follies Girl, released on June 26, 1943. Producers Releasing Corporation was one of the more humble Hollywood Film studios on Poverty Row in the late 1930s-mid-1940s Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire. Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Early television and The Merry Mailman
Returning from the service, he worked in radio and began his full-time television career as the host, performer, and interviewer of Heatherton House, a weekday-morning talk/variety series. Heatherton House was one of the first daytime programs on ABC's newly-opened New York flagship station WJZ (now WABC), Channel 7. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. WABC-TV, channel 7 is the flagship station of the Walt Disney Company -owned American Broadcasting Company, located in New York City. WABC-TV, channel 7 is the flagship station of the Walt Disney Company -owned American Broadcasting Company, located in New York City. The series was broadcast during the Spring of 1949 and was seen only locally. Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It went off the air after a few weeks.
Heatherton's next TV series, however, was a more successful endeavor. In October 1949, New York's independent station WOR-TV, Channel 9 signed on the air for the first time. WWOR-TV, channel 9 is a MyNetworkTV -affiliated television station licensed to Secaucus New Jersey, and serving the New York City metropolitan area The station was in need of a quality children's program, so executives at WOR contacted Heatherton and asked him to audition as the host of one of their first kids' TV series. He agreed, and the successful audition became the start of the long-running show that he created and shaped with radio and TV producer-director (and future major film producer) Sandy Howard. Sandy Howard ( August 1, 1927 &ndash May 16, 2008) was an American Film producer and Television producer. The show was based upon a character that Heatherton performed on one of his children's disks in 1938. The Merry Mailman debuted on WOR-TV Monday evening, October 16, 1950. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Every weekday afternoon and evening, as well as on Saturday afternoons, The Merry Mailman Ray Heatherton and his comedy assistants Milt Moss and "The Topsey-Turvey Auctioneer" Chic Darrow would entertain and inform their studio audiences and the kids at home with games, songs, stories, craftmaking, hobbies, comedy, puppet skits, magic tricks, interviews with guest performers and personalities, and informational segments. As with virtually all children's shows of the 1950s 60s, the format was structured so that the live segments were interspersed with cartoons-- in this case, primarily the theatrical Terrytoons and the first made-for-TV animated series Crusader Rabbit. The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 Terrytoons was an Animation studio founded by Paul Terry. The studio located in New Rochelle New York, United Crusader Rabbit was the first American Animated series produced especially for Television. At the same time, Heatherton hosted other radio and TV series, including a radio edition of The Merry Mailman which was heard on The Mutual Radio Network Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1953 to 1955. The Mutual Broadcasting System ( MBS) was an American Radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999 Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar)
Career setback and continued work
In late 1955, Ray Heatherton fell victim to one of the excesses of the Cold War era. Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the Along with the guilty, a number of innocent performers were accused of Communist affiliations and lost their careers. Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based Unfounded public accusations of that nature were aimed at Heatherton by an individual from Upstate New York, resulting in the loss of sponsors and bad publicity for the station. Upstate New York is the region of New York State north of the core of the New York metropolitan area. WOR executives accepted Heatherton's word that the allegations were false and tried to keep The Merry Mailman on the air as a station-sustained program. It was not enough, however, and The Merry Mailman broadcast its final show on Friday, March 22, 1956. Events 238 - Gordian I and his son Gordian II are proclaimed Roman emperor. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Heatherton was able to clear his name of the defamation and went on to host two more programs for WOR-TV: The Ray Heatherton Theater, a combination live-action and film musical anthology series for teens; and The Cartoon Parade. Both programs were seen during the remainder of WOR's 1956 season. Heatherton also served as the sea captain host-performer on the weekend evening edition of The Popeye Show on another New York independent station, WPIX-TV, Channel 11 from Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9, 1956 to Sunday, April 13, 1958. Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional hero famous for appearing in comic strips and animated films as well as numerous TV shows WPIX, channel 11 is a television station in New York City. It has been owned by the Tribune Company since its inception and is currently an affiliate of the Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1111 - Henry V is crowned Holy Roman Emperor. 1204 - The Fourth Crusade sacks Constantinople Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Between 1958 and 1961, he went into a new career as the head of public relations for Franklin National and European American Banks, The Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO) was a member of Board of Directors, and The Garden City Hotel{mid 1980's to early 1990's}
The 1960s and the return of The Merry Mailman
Heatherton returned to television and radio work three more times during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Franklin National Bank, based in Franklin Square in Long Island, New York was once the United States ' 20th largest bank Citibank is a major international Bank, founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, later First National City Bank of New York. The Long Island Lighting Company, or LILCo "lil-co", was an electrical power company and Natural gas utility for the communities of Long Island Garden City New York is a village in central Nassau County, New York, in the USA, which was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. On Monday, September 23, 1961 The Merry Mailman was once again a part of the lives of children in the New York City broadcast area. Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WPIX, Channel 11 broadcast The Merry Mailman's Funhouse weekday afternoons during the noon-12:45 period when many schoolchildren came home for lunch. However, the series fell prey to creative problems from station management and The Merry Mailman's Funhouse went off the air on Friday, May 31, 1963. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Family, later work, illness, and death
Ray Heatherton married Davenie Ross Watson in 1941 and their 46-year marriage lasted until her death in 1987. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Their two children, Dick and Davenie Johanna (Joey), both made their careers in show business—Dick as a performer/director/consultant and Joey as an actress, singer and dancer, who became a major television star in the 1960s. Joey Heatherton (born September 14, 1944) is an American actress dancer and singer who reached the peak of her popularity in the 1960s Ray's son Dick Heatherton was a D. J. on NYC radio station WCBS-FM from the mid 1970's to the late 1980's. He did the drive time show. Later on he produced Ray's "New Day Dawning" tv show.
In July 1975, Ray and Joey had a brief moment of network glory with their own TV variety hour, Joey and Dad. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Times had changed and variety shows, as well as Joey's once-hot career fell victim to changing tastes, while Ray was seen on TV at the time as the commercial spokesman for Tropicana Orange Juice. Tropicana Products, is an American based company and was founded in 1947 by Anthony T However, for four weeks, July 6 – 27, they were the stars of the Sunday 7:30-8:30 p. Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. m. summer replacement for Cher's variety hour. Cher ( IPA: /ʃɛr/ born Cherilyn Sarkisian, May 20 1946 Comedy performers Pat Paulsen, Henny Youngman and Bob Einstein were supporting regulars and, by summer-show standards, the program received relatively good notices and ratings. Patrick Layton Paulsen (July 6 1927 – April 24 1997 was an American Comedian and satirist notable for his roles on several of the Smothers Henry "Henny" Youngman ( March 16, 1906 – February 24, 1998) was a British -born American Comedian and violinist Robert "Bob" Einstein (born November 20, 1942, in Los Angeles California) is an American Actor and comedy Writer In a nostalgic moment on the first show, Ray put on his old Merry Mailman uniform and performed his familiar "I am the Merry Mailman" theme song.
During the late 1960's, Heatherton returned to radio as the host/performer and interviewer of a nationally-syndicated talk/variety program Ray Heatherton's Breakfast Club. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 His last regular TV series was another talk/variety show, this time aimed at "mature" adults and senior citizens, A New Day's Dawning. This final series was seen locally in New York on New York City Board of Education's TV station WNYE, Channel 25 and in national syndication between 1983 and 1985. The New York City Department of Education ( NYCDOE) is the branch of municipal government in New York City that manages the city's public school system Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) On Thursday night, October 11, 1984, Ray Heatherton appeared for the last time on WOR-TV, Channel 9 during the station's evening-long celebration of its 35th anniversary on the air. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Four years later he made his final TV appearance on a very similar program, WPIX-TV, Channel 11's day-long celebration and retrospective of its 40 years on the air "WPIX at 40" on Thursday night, September 29, 1988. Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Following this last appearance, Ray Heatherton began showing signs of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease ( AD) also called Alzheimer disease or simply Alzheimer's, is the most common form of Dementia.
In 1993, he was admitted to The Actor's Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Englewood is a city located in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 26203 Despite the debilitating effects of the disease he was still able to entertain at some local functions near the Home. Ray Heatherton died two months after his 88th birthday.
External references
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