Jackie Gleason Show Announcer Bill Nimmo 1917-2011 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 02-23-2011, 11:47 PM

Link

Bill Nimmo, Cincinnati's first TV star who went on to work with Johnny Carson, Jackie Gleason and Regis Philbin, died Tuesday in Milford. He was 93.

"Show business was his whole life. It's what kept him happy until his final days," says Len Goorian of Owensville, who worked with Nimmo in 1947, as WLW radio gave birth to the city's first TV station, WLWT-TV.

Mr. Nimmo often told of how he quit as Carson's sidekick on ABC's "Who Do You Trust?" daytime game show in the late 1950s to star and host on his own game show, "For Love Or Money." Nimmo suggested that Carson hire Ed McMahon as his announcer - and McMahon followed Carson to "The Tonight Show" in 1962.

"Uncle Bill said (leaving Carson) was one of the biggest mistakes of his life, but he didn't regret it," said his niece, Teddy Borchers of Fairfield.

Mr. Nimmo's distinctive baritone voice still can be heard on WMKV-FM (89.3) as host of taped "Two on the Aisle" shows featuring Broadway music 8 p.m. Friday, and "WMKV At the Pops" noon Sunday and 10 p.m. Monday with George Hembrecht and Tom Emmert. He recorded shows until last summer.

William Lorne Nimmo Jr. was born in 1917, the son of the Cincinnati police chief of detectives and founder of the Caledonia Quartet Scottish music group. Young Bill and his brothers performed Scottish ballads while his father played bagpipes.

The Cincinnati native also received a purple heart, silver star and bronze star while serving in the Army during World War II; taught history at Southern State Community College; and did public relations for his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati.

After World War II, and a year of diplomatic service in the Paris Embassy, Nimmo and his wife, Helen, returned here to start a family. His wife saw that WLW-AM needed an overnight DJ in 1947, and suggested he apply, said his daughter, Jane Lejeune of Brookline, Mass.

Mr. Nimmo did about everything on TV. He was an actor, singer, newscaster, emcee and announcer. He appeared on TV's "Teen Canteen" with Goorian and Betty Clooney (Nick's sister and George's aunt), "Melody Showcase" and other shows.

He did much of the same in New York for NBC, CBS, ABC and the old Dumont network from 1951 to 1964, working with Carson, Gleason, Jack Lemmon, Garry Moore and bandleaders Paul Whiteman and Sammy Kaye.

He was well known as "Bill the Bartender," doing live commercials during the "Pabst Blue Ribbon Wednesday Night Fights' in the 1950s. The Auctioneers of America presented him with its "Best Announcer" award in 1956.

Mr. Nimmo spent one year in Los Angeles (1964-65), doing "The Regis Philbin Show" and other programs. He returned to Channel 5 in 1966 to co-host "Be Our Guest" with future wife Marian Spelman.

"He was smart, fun and a real pro. And when we weren't working, had some wonderful stories of his years at the networks," recalled former Channel 5 employee Peter Bright of St. Augustine, Fla.

Nimmo hosted the first broadcast on WXIX-TV (Channel 19) in 1968. He was a UC spokesman in the early 1970s while earning a history degree so he could teach college.

He was inducted into the Cincinnati Broadcast Hall of Fame in 1991, and was presented with a UC distinguished alumni award in 1998.

"Bill Nimmo was a great guy with an exceptional voice. He always had a story or a joke," said Mike Martini, a local broadcast historian and WMKV-FM host. Martini will air a Nimmo salute at 4 p.m. today on WMKV-FM. It repeats at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Nimmo donated his body to UC. There will be no memorial service.

"I know a lot of people will be disappointed, but that's what he wanted," Borchers said.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by a son, Geoffrey of Lebanon, and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by another son, Doug Nimmo.

His daughter suggests that memorial contributions be made to UC, 2600 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, 45221.

Marvo301 · 02-23-2011, 11:57 PM

Bill Nimmo

TV Knowledge Fan · 02-24-2011, 12:36 AM

...Bill was just one of Jackie's announcers during his variety show in the '50s. Gleason's main announcer was Jack Lescoulie (even though he was appearing on Dave Garroway's NBC "TODAY SHOW" on weekdays, Jackie insisted on him as his chief announcer. CBS tried to convince him to audition other announcers, and Jackie said, "All right, I'll hear them. But when they're finished, Jack Lescoulie gets the job"). Bill was an "associate announcer" who pitched one of Gleason's sponsors' products in live commercials during the show {along with Jimmy Blaine- he was the spokesman for Nescafe Instant Coffee}.

But Nimmo was a broadcasting legend.

Zoneboy · 02-24-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...Bill was just one of Jackie's announcers during his variety show in the '50s. Gleason's main announcer was Jack Lescoulie (even though he was appearing on Dave Garroway's NBC "TODAY SHOW" on weekdays, Jackie insisted on him as his chief announcer. CBS tried to convince him to audition other announcers, and Jackie said, "All right, I'll hear them. But when they're finished, Jack Lescoulie gets the job"). Bill was an "associate announcer" who pitched one of Gleason's sponsors' products in live commercials during the show {along with Jimmy Blaine- he was the spokesman for Nescafe Instant Coffee}.

But Nimmo was a broadcasting legend.

I knew about Lescoulie but didn't see any point in clarifying things. Thanks once again for another history lesson, I feel much better now.

catlover79 · 02-24-2011, 02:50 AM

treky · 02-24-2011, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...Bill was just one of Jackie's announcers during his variety show in the '50s. Gleason's main announcer was Jack Lescoulie (even though he was appearing on Dave Garroway's NBC "TODAY SHOW" on weekdays, Jackie insisted on him as his chief announcer. CBS tried to convince him to audition other announcers, and Jackie said, "All right, I'll hear them. But when they're finished, Jack Lescoulie gets the job"). Bill was an "associate announcer" who pitched one of Gleason's sponsors' products in live commercials during the show {along with Jimmy Blaine- he was the spokesman for Nescafe Instant Coffee}.

But Nimmo was a broadcasting legend.

thanx for another "television history" lesson TV KNOWLEDGE FAN!

(I STILL think you must be a TV historian, or something!)

W.B. · 03-09-2011, 06:37 PM

During his years in New York, Mr. Nimmo was also anchor of WPIX Channel 11's 11 P.M. Daily News Report as of 1958 (just a few months before the station first acquired the Classic 39 Honeymooners episodes); the sports report was handled by one Harry Wismer, a few years before he ran the American Football League's New York Titans (which, after a change in ownership in 1963, became the Jets).

02-23-2011, 11:47 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,429	Jackie Gleason Show Announcer Bill Nimmo 1917-2011 Link Bill Nimmo, Cincinnati's first TV star who went on to work with Johnny Carson, Jackie Gleason and Regis Philbin, died Tuesday in Milford. He was 93. "Show business was his whole life. It's what kept him happy until his final days," says Len Goorian of Owensville, who worked with Nimmo in 1947, as WLW radio gave birth to the city's first TV station, WLWT-TV. Mr. Nimmo often told of how he quit as Carson's sidekick on ABC's "Who Do You Trust?" daytime game show in the late 1950s to star and host on his own game show, "For Love Or Money." Nimmo suggested that Carson hire Ed McMahon as his announcer - and McMahon followed Carson to "The Tonight Show" in 1962. "Uncle Bill said (leaving Carson) was one of the biggest mistakes of his life, but he didn't regret it," said his niece, Teddy Borchers of Fairfield. Mr. Nimmo's distinctive baritone voice still can be heard on WMKV-FM (89.3) as host of taped "Two on the Aisle" shows featuring Broadway music 8 p.m. Friday, and "WMKV At the Pops" noon Sunday and 10 p.m. Monday with George Hembrecht and Tom Emmert. He recorded shows until last summer. William Lorne Nimmo Jr. was born in 1917, the son of the Cincinnati police chief of detectives and founder of the Caledonia Quartet Scottish music group. Young Bill and his brothers performed Scottish ballads while his father played bagpipes. The Cincinnati native also received a purple heart, silver star and bronze star while serving in the Army during World War II; taught history at Southern State Community College; and did public relations for his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati. After World War II, and a year of diplomatic service in the Paris Embassy, Nimmo and his wife, Helen, returned here to start a family. His wife saw that WLW-AM needed an overnight DJ in 1947, and suggested he apply, said his daughter, Jane Lejeune of Brookline, Mass. Mr. Nimmo did about everything on TV. He was an actor, singer, newscaster, emcee and announcer. He appeared on TV's "Teen Canteen" with Goorian and Betty Clooney (Nick's sister and George's aunt), "Melody Showcase" and other shows. He did much of the same in New York for NBC, CBS, ABC and the old Dumont network from 1951 to 1964, working with Carson, Gleason, Jack Lemmon, Garry Moore and bandleaders Paul Whiteman and Sammy Kaye. He was well known as "Bill the Bartender," doing live commercials during the "Pabst Blue Ribbon Wednesday Night Fights' in the 1950s. The Auctioneers of America presented him with its "Best Announcer" award in 1956. Mr. Nimmo spent one year in Los Angeles (1964-65), doing "The Regis Philbin Show" and other programs. He returned to Channel 5 in 1966 to co-host "Be Our Guest" with future wife Marian Spelman. "He was smart, fun and a real pro. And when we weren't working, had some wonderful stories of his years at the networks," recalled former Channel 5 employee Peter Bright of St. Augustine, Fla. Nimmo hosted the first broadcast on WXIX-TV (Channel 19) in 1968. He was a UC spokesman in the early 1970s while earning a history degree so he could teach college. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Broadcast Hall of Fame in 1991, and was presented with a UC distinguished alumni award in 1998. "Bill Nimmo was a great guy with an exceptional voice. He always had a story or a joke," said Mike Martini, a local broadcast historian and WMKV-FM host. Martini will air a Nimmo salute at 4 p.m. today on WMKV-FM. It repeats at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday. Nimmo donated his body to UC. There will be no memorial service. "I know a lot of people will be disappointed, but that's what he wanted," Borchers said. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by a son, Geoffrey of Lebanon, and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by another son, Doug Nimmo. His daughter suggests that memorial contributions be made to UC, 2600 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, 45221.
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02-23-2011, 11:57 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Bill Nimmo
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-24-2011, 12:36 AM	#3
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Actually... ...Bill was just one of Jackie's announcers during his variety show in the '50s. Gleason's main announcer was Jack Lescoulie (even though he was appearing on Dave Garroway's NBC "TODAY SHOW" on weekdays, Jackie insisted on him as his chief announcer. CBS tried to convince him to audition other announcers, and Jackie said, "All right, I'll hear them. But when they're finished, Jack Lescoulie gets the job"). Bill was an "associate announcer" who pitched one of Gleason's sponsors' products in live commercials during the show {along with Jimmy Blaine- he was the spokesman for Nescafe Instant Coffee}. But Nimmo was a broadcasting legend.

02-24-2011, 02:50 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

03-09-2011, 06:37 PM	#7
W.B. Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 23, 2005 Location: New York, New York, USA Posts: 389	During his years in New York, Mr. Nimmo was also anchor of WPIX Channel 11's 11 P.M. Daily News Report as of 1958 (just a few months before the station first acquired the Classic 39 Honeymooners episodes); the sports report was handled by one Harry Wismer, a few years before he ran the American Football League's New York Titans (which, after a change in ownership in 1963, became the Jets).