Person
Rudy Vallee
Island Pond, Vermont, USA
Rudy Vallee started his career as a saxophone player and singer and later became a band leader. In the 1920s and early 30s he had a hit radio program, The Fleishmann's Yeast Hou…
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Rudy Vallee started his career as a saxophone player and singer and later became a band leader. In the 1920s and early 30s he had a hit radio program, The Fleishmann's Yeast Hour (where he was hated by his cast and crew due to his explosive ego-driven personality). In the early 1930's he was ranked with the likes of Bing Crosby and the tragic Russ Columbo in the Hit Parade. A huge hit on radio in 1933 with his program, initially known as 'The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour,' Vallee was considered a slave driver by his staff. He was known to instigate fist fights with virtually anyone who got on his nerves. During the run of his show he slugged photographers, threw sheet music in the faces of pianists' heads and if provoked, would sock hecklers in the nose. While audiences loved him, he was hated by most of his staff. As a very popular star in night clubs and on records, as well as in movies, he helped other singers like Alice Faye - who was for a while his band singer - and Frances Langford to start their careers. In his early movies he often played the romantic lead, but he switched later to stuffy and comic parts. He also appeared on Broadway. The mid-60's Broadway hit "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" was filmed in 1967 with him in his original Broadway role.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2015
Chita Rivera: A Lot Of Livin' To Do
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1995
Betty Boop: Queen of the Cartoons
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1987
The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood
TV show Self
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1984
Going Hollywood: The '30s
Movie (archive footage)
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1981
The Perfect Woman
Movie Tock
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1980
Men Who Rate a 10
Movie Self
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1977
CHiPs
TV show Arthur Forbinger
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1976
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
Movie Autograph Hound
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1975
Ellery Queen
TV show Alvin Winer
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1975
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1975
Slashed Dreams
Movie Proprietor
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1971
The Chicago Teddy Bears
TV show
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1971
Alias Smith and Jones
TV show
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1970
Night Gallery
TV show Dr. Francis Deeking
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1970
The Phynx
Movie Rudy Vallee
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1968
The Night They Raided Minsky's
Movie Opening Narrator (voice)
More credits
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1968
Live a Little, Love a Little
Movie Louis Penlow
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1968
Here's Lucy
TV show Rudy Vallee
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1968
The Name of the Game
TV show Myron Lesser
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1967
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Movie J. B. Biggley
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1966
Batman
TV show Lord Marmaduke Ffogg
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1963
Petticoat Junction
TV show
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1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV show Self
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1962
The Merv Griffin Show
TV show Self
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1961
The Mike Douglas Show
TV show Self - Co-Host
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1958
Hansel and Gretel
Movie Father
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1957
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
TV show Rudy Vallee
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1957
The Helen Morgan Story
Movie Self
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1956
Jazz Ball
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1955
Gentlemen Marry Brunettes
Movie Rudy Vallee
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1954
Ricochet Romance
Movie Worthington Higgenmacher
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1954
December Bride
TV show
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1950
The Colgate Comedy Hour
TV show Self
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1950
The Admiral Was a Lady
Movie Peter Pedigrew
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1950
The Golden Twenties
Movie Self (archive footage)
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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
Father Was a Fullback
Movie Mr. Jessup
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1949
The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend
Movie Charles Hingleman
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1949
Mother Is a Freshman
Movie John Heaslip
