Clayton "Bud" Collyer (June 18, 1908 - September 8, 1969)

Bud Collyer was the first person to give a voice to the Man of Steel. On February 12, 1940 "The Adventures of Superman" began on Mutual radio and featured Collyer in the lead as Superman and his mild mannered alter ego Clark Kent. Collyer voiced the visitor from Krypton in more than 2,000 shows before vacating the role in 1950. In order to seperate the voice of Superman and Clark Kent Collyer would drop his voice one octive when speaking as Superman. He also provided the voice of Superman/Clark Kent in 17 animated shorts between 1941 and 1943. The shorts were produced by the Fleischer Studios who were well known for their Betty Boop and Popeye cartoons. Collyer's other radio credits include "Life Can Be Beautiful" in which he played the lead role of Logan Smith, "Terry and the Pirates", "Renfrew of the Mounted" and "Abie's Irish Rose." He also served as an announcer on "The Guiding Light" and "The Goldbergs." On television Collyer served as either a host, emcee or panliest on many game shows, quiz shows and variety shows. Some of the lesser known programs include "Winner Take All", "Break the Bank", "Say it with Acting", "Masquerade Party", "Quick as a Flash", "Look Up and Live", "What's My Line?", "Talent Jackpot", "On Your Way", "Talent Patrol", "Feather your Nest" and "Number Please." The three game shows he would become the most known for were "Beat the Clock" which he hosted from 1950 until 1961, "I've Got a Secret" from 1956 to 1966 and "To Tell the Truth" from 1956 to 1967. In an episode of "The Jackie Gleason Show" Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramden and Art Carney's Ed Norton appear on "Beat the Clock" and Collyer appeared as the host. In 1966, Collyer returned to his Superman roots when he began providing the voice of Superman/Clark Kent on the animated series "The New Adventures of Superman." Between 1966 and 1969 Collyer also provided the voice of Superman/Clark Kent on "Aquaman", "The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure" and "The Batman/Superman Hour." Clayton "Bud" Collyer was a terrific Man of Steel who lent a great deal of pride and honor to the role and set a standard that all actors who followed him would have to live up to.

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