William Lorne Nimmo (June 18, 1917 – February 22, 2011)[1][better source needed] was a television and radio personality whose career spanned seven decades.
After a short stint as a teacher, he returned to Cincinnati in 1947 and landed a job as an overnight disc jockey at WLW-AM with his distinctive baritone voice. In 1948 Bill became Cincinnati's first television star on WLWT-TV serving as an announcer, newscaster, and host of various shows.[2][3][4]
In 1959, Nimmo recorded a narration, "The Little Rascals" for RCA Victor (LBY 1023).[5]
When Nimmo left the show in 1957, he recommended Ed McMahon as his replacement. When Carson and McMahon moved to The Tonight Show in 1962, Nimmo returned to Who Do You Trust? as announcer-sidekick for new host Woody Woodbury.[7] Although Bill would later admit leaving Carson was one of the biggest mistakes of his life, he had no regrets.[8]
After a year working on The Regis Philbin Show in Los Angeles, Nimmo returned to southwest Ohio for the remainder of his life. In 1966-67 he was the emcee on Be Our Guest (WLWT) with future wife Marian Spelman. Between 1967 and 1975, he served as the Community Relations Director at the University of Cincinnati, and was the producer of various television and radio shows. From 1975 to 1983 he was an associate professor of history at Southern State Community College in Fincastle, Ohio. In 1988 he narrated Powel Crosley and the 20th Century, bringing him full circle in his broadcasting career. In addition, he was a volunteer broadcaster at WMKV (89.3 MHz FM), hosting the radio show Two on the Aisle and WMKV Goes to the Pops.[12][13]
Personal lifeedit
Nimmo was married three times and had three children. He was preceded in death by wives: Helen Matthews (died 1969) Helen Gillette (died 2008) and Marian Spellman (died 2007), and one of his sons, Doug (died 1998).[14]
Awards and honorsedit
1956: 'Best Announcer' award from The Auctioneers of America 1966: Appointed Kentucky Colonel 1991: Cincinnati Broadcasting Hall of Fame 1998: Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Cincinnati [15]
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William Lorne Nimmo June 18 1917 February 22 2011 1 better source needed was a television and radio personality whose career spanned seven decades William Lorne NimmoBorn 1917 06 18 June 18 1917Cincinnati Ohio U S DiedFebruary 22 2011 2011 02 22 aged 93 Milford Ohio U S Allegiance United States of AmericaService wbr branch United States ArmyYears of service1941 1946RankMajorUnit1st Infantry DivisionBattles warsWorld War IIAwardsSilver Star Bronze Star Purple Heart Invasion Arrowhead 4 Campaign StarsRelationsMariam first wife Helen second wife Geoffrey son Doug son Jane daughter Other workTelevision and radio personality Community Relations Director Associate Professor of History Contents 1 Early life and pre network career 2 Career on national television 3 Career after national television 4 Personal life 5 Awards and honors 6 Medals and decorations 7 ReferencesEarly life and pre network career editNimmo was born on June 18 1917 in Cincinnati Ohio After graduating from Western Hills High School he attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music He volunteered for the US Army in 1941 prior to the declaration of WWII While serving with the 1st Infantry Division in North Africa he was awarded the Purple Heart Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals plus an Invasion Arrowhead and four Campaign Stars Following a year of diplomatic service at the U S Embassy in Paris in 1945 46 he was honorably discharged with the rank of Major After a short stint as a teacher he returned to Cincinnati in 1947 and landed a job as an overnight disc jockey at WLW AM with his distinctive baritone voice In 1948 Bill became Cincinnati s first television star on WLWT TV serving as an announcer newscaster and host of various shows 2 3 4 In 1959 Nimmo recorded a narration The Little Rascals for RCA Victor LBY 1023 5 Career on national television editIn 1951 Nimmo moved to New York and went to work for network television He played Bill the Bartender on the Pabst Blue Ribbon Wednesday Night Fights CBS in which he appeared live during the commercials to promote the sponsor Pabst Blue Ribbon beer 6 He was also Johnny Carson s original sidekick on the shows Do You Trust Your Wife and later Who Do You Trust When Nimmo left the show in 1957 he recommended Ed McMahon as his replacement When Carson and McMahon moved to The Tonight Show in 1962 Nimmo returned to Who Do You Trust as announcer sidekick for new host Woody Woodbury 7 Although Bill would later admit leaving Carson was one of the biggest mistakes of his life he had no regrets 8 Nimmo was also an announcer for The Jackie Gleason Show in 1952 53 Crime Syndicated The Plainclothesman and This Is Show Business as well as for Jack Lemmon Garry Moore and Arthur Murray to name just a few He was the spokesperson on long running shows for Pepsodent Newport cigarettes and Schick electric shaver 9 In addition he was the host of the game shows Keep It in the Family in 1957 58 10 For Love or Money in 1958 and announcer on The Regis Philbin Show in 1964 65 11 Career after national television editAfter a year working on The Regis Philbin Show in Los Angeles Nimmo returned to southwest Ohio for the remainder of his life In 1966 67 he was the emcee on Be Our Guest WLWT with future wife Marian Spelman Between 1967 and 1975 he served as the Community Relations Director at the University of Cincinnati and was the producer of various television and radio shows From 1975 to 1983 he was an associate professor of history at Southern State Community College in Fincastle Ohio In 1988 he narrated Powel Crosley and the 20th Century bringing him full circle in his broadcasting career In addition he was a volunteer broadcaster at WMKV 89 3 MHz FM hosting the radio show Two on the Aisle and WMKV Goes to the Pops 12 13 Personal life editNimmo was married three times and had three children He was preceded in death by wives Helen Matthews died 1969 Helen Gillette died 2008 and Marian Spellman died 2007 and one of his sons Doug died 1998 14 Awards and honors edit1956 Best Announcer award from The Auctioneers of America 1966 Appointed Kentucky Colonel 1991 Cincinnati Broadcasting Hall of Fame 1998 Distinguished Alumni Award University of Cincinnati 15 Medals and decorations edit nbsp Silver Star nbsp Bronze Star nbsp Purple Heart nbsp World War II Victory Medal nbsp Combat Infantryman Badge Invasion Arrowhead 4 Campaign Stars 16 References edit Good night Posterous Bill Nimmo 93 WLWT pioneer Cincinnati com cincinnati com News cincinnati com 2011 02 22 Retrieved 2011 02 27 WLWT Broadcaster Bill Nimmo Dies At 93 Cincinnati News Story WLWT Cincinnati Wlwt com 2011 02 23 Archived from the original on 2011 07 18 Retrieved 2011 02 27 Bill Nimmo s resume Review Spotlight on Albums Billboard April 27 1959 p 28 Retrieved October 14 2020 Bill Nimmo s resume Bill Nimmo s resume Comment made by Bill Nimmo Bill Nimmo s resume Bill Nimmo at IMDb Bill Nimmo s resume Bill Nimmo Obituary View Bill Nimmo s Obituary by The Cincinnati Enquirer Legacy com Retrieved 2011 02 27 Bill Nimmo s resume Profile permanent dead link anythinggoes fm accessed June 14 2015 Bill Nimmo s resume Nimmo curriculum vitae Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bill Nimmo amp oldid 1152821697, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
