Person
Fred Allen
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
John Florence Sullivan (May 31, 1894 – March 17, 1956), known professionally as Fred Allen, was an American comedian whose absurdist, topically pointed radio show (1932–1949) made…
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John Florence Sullivan (May 31, 1894 – March 17, 1956), known professionally as Fred Allen, was an American comedian whose absurdist, topically pointed radio show (1932–1949) made him one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the so-called classic era of American radio. His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it was only part of his appeal; radio historian John Dunning (in On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio) wrote that Allen was radio's most admired comedian and most frequently censored. A master adlibber, Allen often tangled with his network's executives (and often barbed them on the air over the battles), while developing routines the style and substance of which influenced contemporaries and futures among comic talents, including Groucho Marx, Stan Freberg, Henry Morgan and Johnny Carson, but his fans also included President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and novelists William Faulkner, John Steinbeck and Herman Wouk (who began his career writing for Allen). Ironically, in view of his often barbed observations of the medium, Fred Allen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for contributions to television
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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1991
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio
Movie Self - Predicts Demise of Radio (archive footage)
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1976
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
Movie Self - Tribute Montage (archive footage)
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1971
The Great Radio Comedians
Movie Self (Archive footage)
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1953
Judge for Yourself
TV show Himself
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1952
O. Henry's Full House
Movie Sam "Slick" Brown (segment "The Ransom of Red Chief")
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1952
We're Not Married!
Movie Steve Gladwyn
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1950
The Jack Benny Program
TV show Fred Allen
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1950
The Colgate Comedy Hour
TV show Self
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1950
Your Show of Shows
TV show
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1950
What's My Line?
TV show Self
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1949
Behind Your Radio Dial
Movie
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1947
Is Everybody Listening?
Movie Fred Allen - Fred Allen Radio Program
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1945
It's in the Bag!
Movie Fred Floogle
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1940
Love Thy Neighbor
Movie Fred Allen
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1940
Buck Benny Rides Again
Movie Fred Allen (voice)
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1938
Sally, Irene and Mary
Movie Gabby Green
More credits
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1935
Thanks a Million
Movie Ned Lyman
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1931
Success
Movie Writer
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1930
The Still Alarm
Movie First Fireman
- 1929
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1929
The Installment Collector
Movie Newspaper Editor
