Early life and career

Murray was born Kenneth Doncourt in New York City to a family of vaudeville performers. According to Murray's autobiography (Life on a Pogo Stick), he changed his name because he did not want to ride the coat-tails of his father's success - he wanted to make a name for himself. Many sources inaccurately list Murray's birth name as "Don Court."

He became famous for his "Blackouts," a stage variety show at the El Capitan Theatre on Vine Street in Hollywood. The Blackouts played to "standing room only" audiences for almost nine years. He was also known for his home movies of celebrities (which he showcased on several TV specials and variety shows).

During World War II, he was one of the many celebrities to volunteer at the Hollywood Canteen. He later was the original host (1945-1957) of Queen for a Day, on the Mutual Broadcasting System radio broadcast, which was simulcast on KTSL (now KCBS-TV), Channel 2 in Los Angeles. In 1947 he produced a movie Bill and Coo cleverly using trained birds and other animals as actors. He was also the host of The Ken Murray Show, a weekly music and comedy show on CBS Television that ran between 1950 and 1953.

Murray filmed Hollywood celebrities and collected them in compilation films such as Hollywood Without Makeup (1963). He was also the author of a number of books, including his own story published in 1960 and the only complete life story in print of Broadway theatre impresario Earl Carroll. He also appeared in an episode of the ABC sitcom The Bing Crosby Show (1964-1965) and in the Walt Disney film Follow Me, Boys! (1966).

Death

Ken Murray died in Burbank, California, aged 85. For his contribution to the radio industry, Murray has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street.