Ed Prentiss | |
|---|---|
 Ed Prentiss is pictured in his role of Ned in the radio soap opera The Guiding Light. | |
| Born | Paul Edward Prentiss September 9, 1908 |
| Died | March 19, 1992 (1992-03-20) (aged 83) |
| Alma mater | University of Iowa |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse | Ivah Davidson (1941-?) |
| Children | 1 son |
Paul Edward Prentiss[1] (September 9, 1908 – March 19, 1992) was an actor in the era ofold-time radio.[2] He was perhaps best known for portraying the title role on the radio version ofCaptain Midnight.
Prentiss was born inChicago, Illinois.[2] He attended theUniversity of Iowa.[3]
Radio historianJim Harmon noted, in his bookThe Great Radio Heroes, "Ed Prentiss was not the first actor to play Captain Midnight, contrary to some published reports."[4] After Bill Bouchey had the role in the program's second season, Prentiss auditioned for the third season, got the part, and continued as Captain Midnight for seven years.[4]
OnThe Guiding Light soap opera, Prentiss played Ned (a "neglected youth") and was the program's "omniscient host."[5] Beginning in 1943, Prentiss was narrator for an hour-long block consisting of three soap operas:Today's Children,The Guiding Light andWoman in White. The three programs had interconnecting story lines, with Prentiss's narration "introducing each program segment and linking all three together."[6]
Prentiss's other roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.
| Program | Role |
|---|---|
| Armstrong of the SBI | Announcer[7] |
| The First Nighter Program | Host[7]: 118 |
| Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy | Announcer[7]: 167 |
| Johnny Lujack of Notre Dame | Lujack's sidekick[7]: 178 |
| Silver Eagle | Narrator[7]: 304 |
| Sweet River | Minister[7]: 324 |
| A Tale of Today | Michael Denby[8] |
Prentiss had his own syndicated program,This Is The Story. An ad for the 15-minute program described it as follows: "Ed Prentiss, America's greatest story teller ... offers true and unusual tales, each with a surprisingly different ending."[9]
He also was a regular onArnold Grimm's Daughter,[10]Painted Dreams,Bud Barton,[11]The Romance of Helen Trent,Springtime and Harvest[12] andHolland Housewarming.[7]: 153
Prentiss appeared inWestbound (1959)[13] andThe FBI Story (1959).[14]
Prentiss played Dr. Snyder onAs the World Turns.[15] He was one of the hosts ofAction Autographs,[16] was the host forMajority Rules.[16]: 643 and played Edward Elliott onMorning Star.[16]: 716 He also was the announcer forThat's O'Toole.[17]He also played roles in various TV Westerns of the late 1950s-early '60s, often as a sheriff. He is easily recognized by his voice, as well as his physical appearance. In 1957 Prentiss appeared as Bob Gentry on the TV westernCheyenne in the episode titled "Top Hand."[citation needed]
Prentiss appeared onPerry Mason, "The Case of the Badgered Brother" (season 7, episode 12) as the recorded voice reading a will in Mason's office.
Prentiss married Ivah Davidson on November 21, 1941.[18] They had a son, born September 14, 1943.[19]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Cheyenne | Ben Gentry | Episode: Top Hand | |
| 1958 | Violent Road | Mr. Nelson | ||
| 1958 | Home Before Dark | Dr. Collins | Uncredited | |
| 1959 | Westbound | James Fuller - U.S. Post Office | Uncredited | |
| 1959 | The FBI Story | U.S. Marshal | ||
| 1959 | Beloved Infidel | Attendee at Preview | Uncredited | |
| 1960 | Wanted Dead or Alive (TV series) | Sheriff Truxton | Episode: Mental Lapse | |
| 1960 | Man on a String | Adrian Benson | ||
| 1960 | The Crowded Sky | Joseph Bruce aka J.B. | Uncredited | |
| 1960 | Sunrise at Campobello | Barker | Uncredited | |
| 1961 | A Fever in the Blood | Convention Chairman | Uncredited | |
| 1961 | Ada | Clergyman at Legislative Meeting | Uncredited | |
| 1961 | The Children's Hour | Head of Hospital | Uncredited | |
| 1961 | Lover Come Back | Zachary, Ad Council Member | Uncredited | |
| 1961 | The Outsider | Speaker | Uncredited | |
| 1963 | A Gathering of Eagles | Duty Controller | ||
| 1963 | Wall of Noise | Paddock Steward | ||
| 1963 | Leave it to Beaver | Mr. Bailey | Episode: The Clothing Drive | |
| 1964 | One Man's Way | Mr. Boardman | ||
| 1964 | Kisses for My President | Max Kloch | Uncredited | |
| 1964 | Quick, Before It Melts | Dentist in Antarctica | Uncredited | |
| 1967 | Eight on the Lam | Minister | Uncredited | |
| 1968 | Project X | Hicks | ||
| 1968 | The Virginian (TV series) | Carl Jensen | saison 7 episode 6(Image of an outlaw) | |
| 1969 | The Virginian (TV series) | Dave Owens | saison 7 épisode 16(Last grave at socorro creek) | |
| 1971 | The Barefoot Executive | Harry - Justice Dept. Man | ||
| 1971 | The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker | Mr. Franklin |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
