Freeman F. Gosden

Born today in 1899 he was a pioneer during the earliest days of the radio sitcom.

Along with his partner Charles J. Correll they created the popular sitcom "Amos N' Andy" in the late 1920's.  At first it was a daily fifteen minute radio drama though, until 1944 when it became a weekly thirty minute comedy.  The actor provided the voice of Amos Jones and also George "Kingfish" Stevens.  On occasion he could also be heard as Lightnin' the slow moving janitor, lodge member "Brother" John Crawford, another lodge brother named Flukey and newspaper columnist Fred Gwendel.  Correll could be heard as Andy Brown and society snob Henry Van Porter.  Before actresses Ernestine Wade, Amanda Randolph and Lillian Randolph were brought on board, he also provided the voice of all female characters on the program. 

His radio career spanned from 1926 to 1960.  In 1961 he began working on the cartoon "Calvin and the Colonel" as the voice of Colonel Montgomery J. Klaxon.  This project also included his partner Charles J. Correll as well as seasoned voice actors Paul Frees and Virginia Gregg.  The show from 1961 to 1962 and produced 26 episodes. 

He was a wonderful talent and truly a master of his craft.  He passed away on December 10, 1982 and was inducted in the Radio Hall of Fame in 1988.

In Memoriam Remembers:
Freeman F. Gosden

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