Bud Collyer (born Clayton Johnson Heermance Jr., June 18, 1908 – September 8, 1969) was an American radio actor and announcer and game show host who became one of the nation's first major television

game show A game show (or gameshow) is a genre of broadcast viewing entertainment where contestants compete in a game for rewards. The shows are typically directed by a game show host, host, who explains the rules of the program as well as commentating a ...

stars. He is best remembered for his work as the first host of the TV game shows ''

Beat the Clock ''Beat the Clock'' is an American television game show. Contestants attempted to complete challenges such as physical stunts within a time limit in order to win prizes. The show was a creation of Mark Goodson- Bill Todman Productions. The sho ...

'' and ''

To Tell the Truth ''To Tell the Truth'' is an American television panel show. Four celebrity panelists are presented with three contestants (the "team of challengers", each an individual or pair) and must identify which is the "central character" whose unusual ...

,'' but he was also famous in the roles of

Clark Kent Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...

Superman Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...

on radio and in animated cartoons, initially in theatrical short subjects and later on television. He also recorded a number of long-playing rpm record albums for children. Some of these featured Bible stories, in keeping with his strong connections with his church and deep spirituality.

Early life and career

Collyer was born in Manhattan to Clayton Johnson Heermance and Caroline Collyer. He originally sought a career in law, attending

Williams College Williams College is a Private college, private liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established as a men's college in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim ...

, where he was a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity, and

Fordham University Fordham University is a Private university, private Society of Jesus, Jesuit research university in New York City, United States. Established in 1841, it is named after the Fordham, Bronx, Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx in which its origina ...

law school. Although he became a law clerk after his graduation, making as much in a month on radio as he did in a year of clerking convinced him to make broadcasting his career. He changed his surname, and by 1940 he had become a familiar voice on all three major radio networks. He held starring or major supporting roles in ''The Man I Married'' (as Adam Waring); '' Kate Hopkins, Angel of Mercy'' (as Tom); ''Pretty Kitty Kelly'' (as Michael Conway); ''Terry and the Pirates'' (as Pat Ryan); ''Renfrew of the Mounted'' (as Renfrew); and ''

Abie's Irish Rose ''Abie's Irish Rose'' is a popular comedy by Anne Nichols, which premiered in 1922. Initially a Broadway theatre, Broadway Play (theatre), play, it has become familiar through repeated stage productions, films and radio programs. The basic premi ...

'' (as Abie Levy). He also was the announcer for a number of radio soap operas, including ''

The Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...

'' and '' The Goldbergs''.

Superman

Collyer's best-remembered radio starring role began in early 1940 in '' The Adventures of Superman'' on the

Mutual Broadcasting System The Mutual Broadcasting System (commonly referred to simply as Mutual; sometimes referred to as MBS, Mutual Radio or the Mutual Radio Network) was an American commercial radio network in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the Golden Age of Radio, ...

, a role he concurrently performed in the animated ''

'' theatrical short films. Collyer supplied the voices of both Superman and his alter ego Clark Kent, opposite radio actress

Joan Alexander Joan Alexander (born Louise Abrass; April 16, 1915 – May 21, 2009)
''

Collyer later commented, "The greatest fun I ever had in radio was playing Superman for 14 years. I could be as hammy as I wanted and nobody objected." Collyer stopped voicing Superman for the animated short films (while continuing to do the radio series) after the ninth short, because

Famous Studios Famous Studios (renamed Paramount Cartoon Studios in 1956) was the first animation division of the film studio Paramount Pictures from 1942 to 1967. Famous was established as a successor company to Fleischer Studios, after Paramount seized contr ...

took over the series and wanted him to record in a New Jersey studio, something which Collyer's radio commitments in New York City made impossible. In 1966, Collyer and Alexander reprised their roles in the

Filmation Filmation Associates was an American production company founded by Lou Scheimer, Hal Sutherland and Norm Prescott in 1962, before closing by Group W Productions on February 3, 1989. Located in Reseda, California, Filmation produced animated ...

animated television series '' The New Adventures of Superman''.

Game-show hosting

Collyer got his first helping of game shows when he co-hosted ABC's (the former NBC Blue network) '' Break the Bank'' with future

Miss America Miss America is an annual competition that is open to women from the United States between the ages of 18 and 28. Originating in 1921 as a "bathing beauty revue", the contest is judged on competition segments with scoring percentages: ''Priva ...

Pageant mainstay Bert Parks; and, when he was picked to host the radio original of the

Mark Goodson Mark Leo Goodson (January 14, 1915 – December 18, 1992) was an American television producer who specialized in game shows, most frequently with his business partner Bill Todman, with whom he created Goodson-Todman Productions. Early life and e ...

- Bill Todman team's first game, '' Winner Take All.'' Collyer went on to host the television versions of both shows. (''Winner Take All'' became, in due course, the first hosting seat for another game show titan,

Bill Cullen William Lawrence Cullen (February 18, 1920 – July 7, 1990) was an American radio and television personality whose career spanned five decades. Known for appearing on game shows and later as a prolific game show host, he hosted 23 shows, ear ...

''Beat the Clock''

In 1950 Bud Collyer got the job which genuinely made him a household name: ''

,'' a game show that pitted couples (usually, but not exclusively, married) against the clock in a race to perform silly (sometimes messy) tasks, which were called "problems" but could with more accuracy be called "stunts." The grand prizes for these usually came in terms of cash or home appliances. (When

Monty Hall Monty Hall (born Monte Halparin; August 25, 1921 – September 30, 2017) was a Canadian-American radio and television show host who moved to the United States in 1955 to pursue a career in broadcasting. After working as a radio newsreade ...

hosted the program in the 1980s, the "problems" did indeed come to be called "stunts.") Collyer hosted the show for eleven years (1950–61), and he also co-produced it for part of its run. Collyer did an excellent job keeping the show fast-paced; he spoke quickly and brightly, and was often moving around the stage as much as the contestants. Frequently Collyer would interrupt a stunt to offer helpful advice, or demonstrate a more efficient way to win the game. One of Collyer's trademarks on the show was securing his long-tubed stage microphone in his armpit (particularly while demonstrating the basics of a stunt for his contestants). He also typically wore bow ties, and liked to point out when contestants were "bow-tie guys" like himself, though initially, through the mid-1950s, he wore straight "four-in-hand" neckties most weeks. He enjoyed meeting families of contestants, and was fond of children. He would always ask about contestants' children, and sometimes would compare the number and sexes with that of his own family. When children were brought onstage with their parents, he would take time to talk to each of them and ask them what they wanted to be when they grew up, in a manner reminiscent of his contemporary, Art Linkletter. At the height of the show's popularity, an installment of ''

The Honeymooners ''The Honeymooners'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired from 1955 to 1956, created by and starring Jackie Gleason, and based on a recurring comedy sketch of the same name that had been part of Gleason's variety show. It f ...

'' (which surfaced years later, when

Jackie Gleason Herbert John Gleason (born Herbert Walton Gleason Jr.; February 26, 1916June 24, 1987), known as Jackie Gleason, was an American comedian, actor, writer, and composer also known as "The Great One". He developed a style and characters from growin ...

released the so-called "Lost Episodes") featured blustery Ralph Kramden and scatterbrained Ed Norton appearing on and playing ''Beat the Clock''. Unlike the show's familiar parody of ''

The $64,000 Question ''The $64,000 Question'' is an American game show broadcast in primetime on CBS-TV from 1955 to 1958, which became embroiled in the 1950s quiz show scandals. Contestants answered general knowledge questions, earning money which doubled as the ...

'' (''The $99,000 Answer''), Gleason's ''Beat the Clock'' episode used the actual show and set, complete with the familiar large 60-second clock emblazoned with sponsor Sylvania's logo, and ending with Collyer and his famous sign-off: "Next time may be ''your'' time to beat the clock."

''To Tell the Truth''

In 1956, Collyer became equally, if not more, familiar as the host of a new Goodson-Todman production, ''

,'' on CBS. This panel show featured four celebrities questioning three challengers all claiming to be the same person. Collyer would read an affidavit from the actual contestant, and then monitor the panel's cross-examination. Because the show depended on conversation instead of physical stunts, Collyer's demeanor on ''To Tell the Truth'' was much calmer and more avuncular than his fever-pitch performances on ''Beat the Clock.'' After the celebrities voted for their choices, Collyer intoned the famous phrase, "Will the real... John Doe... please... stand up?" Collyer always employed pauses to build the suspense. Sometimes one or both impostors would ''pretend'' to stand up before the real contestant did, bringing a moment of last-minute suspense as well as a chuckle from Collyer. The sequence provided an especially riotous moment in 1962, when Collyer purred, with a particularly pronounced twinkle, "Will the real... Bob Miller... please... stand up?" ''Two'' Bob Millers, both pitchers for the newborn

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...

, rose in response. At least once, Collyer added to his call for the real person to stand up, when blues harmonica player/singer

Paul Butterfield Paul Vaughn Butterfield (December 17, 1942May 4, 1987) was an American blues harmonica player, singer, and bandleader. After early training as a Western concert flute, classical flautist, he developed an interest in blues harmonica. He explored ...

appeared as one of three challengers: "Will the real . . . Paul Butterfield . . . stand up . . . and give us some blues?" Butterfield rose, then joined a small band onstage to play and sing his signature song, " Born in Chicago." The show became popular enough to sustain a weekday version as well as a weekly evening version, and Collyer presided over both concurrently.
Among the celebrities who served as ''To Tell The Truth'' panelists during the 14-year run of the show were

Tom Poston Thomas Gordon Poston (October 17, 1921 – April 30, 2007) was an American actor, appearing in television roles from the 1950s through the early to mid-2000s, reportedly appearing in more sitcoms than any other actor. In the 1980s, he played ...

Peggy Cass Mary Margaret "Peggy" Cass (May 21, 1924 – March 8, 1999) was an American actress, comedian, game show panelist, and announcer. As an actress, Cass is best known for originating the role of Agnes Gooch in the 1956 stage and 1958 film ver ...

Orson Bean Orson Bean (born Dallas Frederick Burrows; July 22, 1928 – February 7, 2020) was an American film, television, and stage actor and comedian. He was a game show and talk show host and a "mainstay of Los Angeles’ small theater scene." He ...

, Kitty Carlisle (the foregoing foursome was the resident panel in the weekday series),

Don Ameche Don Ameche (; born Dominic Felix Amici; May 31, 1908 – December 6, 1993) was an American actor, comedian and vaudevillian. After playing in college shows, repertory theatre, and vaudeville, he became a major radio star in the early 19 ...

Peter Lind Hayes Peter Lind Hayes (born Joseph Conrad Lind Jr.; June 25, 1915 – April 21, 1998) was an American vaudeville entertainer and film and television actor. Early life Hayes was born in San Francisco, the son of Joseph Conrad Lind Sr., a railroad man ...

Johnny Carson John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, and writer best known as the host of NBC's ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson is a cultural phenomenon and w ...

Ralph Bellamy Ralph Rexford Bellamy (June 17, 1904 – November 29, 1991) was an American actor whose career spanned 65 years on stage, film, and television. During his career, he played leading roles as well as supporting roles, garnering acclaim and award ...

Polly Bergen Polly Bergen (born Nellie Paulina Burgin; July 14, 1930 – September 20, 2014) was an American actress, singer, television host, writer, and entrepreneur. She won an Emmy Award in 1958 for her performance as Helen Morgan (singer), Helen ...

, Mimi Benzell, Sally Ann Howes, Hy Gardner, Betty White,

Phyllis Newman Phyllis Newman (March 19, 1933 – September 15, 2019) was an American actress and singer. She won the 1962 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Martha Vail in the musical '' Subways Are for Sleeping'' on Broadway ...

, and

Robert Q. Lewis Robert Q. Lewis (born Robert Goldberg; April 25, 1921 – December 11, 1991) was an American radio and television entertainer, comedian, game show host and actor. Although born with the Goldberg name, he grew up as Lewis, his father's profe ...

. Collyer would end every episode by saying "In the meantime, don't you forget To Tell The Truth. Bye."

Other work

Collyer's other game show hosting included the DuMont game shows '' Talent Jackpot'' (1949) and '' On Your Way'' (1953–1954), the game show ''Feather Your Nest,'' and the ABC game '' Number Please'' in 1961, which replaced ''Beat the Clock'' on the Monday after the final ABC episode. On September 24, 1957, Collyer was among the guests on ''To Tell the Truth'' panelist Polly Bergen's premiere episode of her short-lived NBC comedy/variety show, ''The Polly Bergen Show.''

Spirituality and charity

Religion and charitable work were very important to Collyer, and he was always particularly pleased to hear contestants say that they considered donating portions of their winnings to the church, or that they planned to donate to charities. He would often include "God bless you" in his parting words to contestants. He was always particularly happy to have a contestant who was a minister on the show and would ask about his congregation. On ''Beat The Clock,'' he often delivered public service messages about such charitable causes as the

March of Dimes March of Dimes is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies. The organization was founded by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to co ...

and other drives for research of diseases. Collyer taught a Sunday school class at his

Presbyterian Presbyterianism is a historically Reformed Protestant tradition named for its form of church government by representative assemblies of elders, known as "presbyters". Though other Reformed churches are structurally similar, the word ''Pr ...

church in

Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...

for more than thirty-five years and spent some of his off time as a caretaker at his church. According to one story, a parishioner called the church one Sunday during a particularly heavy snowstorm to inquire if the church would have services that day. "Oh yes," Collyer replied, tongue in cheek, "God and I are here." Collyer was known to have contributed to various

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

religious works, including authoring at least one religious book and making a recording of the

New Testament The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus, as well as events relating to Christianity in the 1st century, first-century Christianit ...

of the ''

Good News Bible Good News Bible (GNB), also called the Good News Translation (GNT) in the United States, is an English translation of the Bible by the American Bible Society. It was first published as the New Testament under the name ''Good News for Modern Ma ...

''. He wrote two inspirational books, ''Thou Shalt Not Fear'' (1962) and ''With the Whole Heart'' (1966). Bud Collyer grave 800

Death

When producers

and Bill Todman planned to revive ''To Tell the Truth'' for syndication, they wanted Collyer to once again host the show.Soap Opera Digest: January 1977 Collyer declined, citing poor health. When Goodson and Todman called Garry Moore about the job, he immediately called Collyer, who told Moore that "I am just not up to it." Collyer died at age 61 from a circulatory ailment in

Greenwich, Connecticut Greenwich ( ) is a New England town, town in southwestern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it had a population of 63,518. It is the largest town on Gold Coast (Connecticut), Connectic ...

, on the same day the new ''To Tell The Truth'' premiered in daytime syndication. Collyer is interred at Putnam Cemetery in Greenwich. In 1985, he was posthumously named as one of the honorees by DC Comics in the company's 50th anniversary publication '' Fifty Who Made DC Great''.

Family

Collyer was the brother of film actress

June Collyer June Collyer (born Dorothea Heermance; August 19, 1906 – March 16, 1968) was an American film actress of the 1920s and 1930s. Early life Born in New York City, Collyer chose to use her mother's maiden name when she decided to pursue acting. ...

and film producer

Richard Heermance Richard V. Heermance (February 21, 1910 – January 10, 1971) was an American film producer and film editor.Gevinson p.350 In one round of the October 14, 1958 edition of the television game show To Tell The Truth, he appeared as one of 'three c ...

. He married Heloise Law Green in 1936. The couple had two daughters, Cynthia and Pat, and a son, Michael, who died in 2004. In 1947, he married 1930s movie actress Marian Shockley. In January 1957, his son had appeared as a challenger on ''To Tell the Truth'', under the name of "Pat Rizzuto".Archived a
Ghostarchive
and th
Wayback Machine
One of his daughters also appeared on the show on February 5, 1962.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Collyer, Bud 1908 births 1969 deaths American game show hosts American Presbyterians American male radio actors American male voice actors Filmation people Fordham University alumni Male actors from Greenwich, Connecticut Male actors from Manhattan Williams College alumni 20th-century American male actors Paramount Global people Fleischer Studios people Psi Upsilon Presidents of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Burials at Putnam Cemetery DC Comics people