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Lee Bowman

December 15, 2023

Lee Bowman (December 28, 1914 – December 25, 1979) was an American film and television actor. According to one obituary, "his roles ranged from romantic lead to worldly, wisecracking lout in his most famous years".[1]

Lee Bowman
Bowman as Andy Anderson in The Impatient Years (1944)
Born(1914-12-28)December 28, 1914
Cincinnati, U.S.
DiedDecember 25, 1979(1979-12-25) (aged 64)
Brentwood, Los Angeles, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1937–1968
Spouse(s)Helene Rosson Bowman
(m. 19??; his death 1979)
Children2

Career edit

Born in Cincinnati, Bowman dropped out of the University of Cincinnati Law School to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He was spotted by a Paramount Pictures agent and went to Hollywood in 1934, but was not used at first.[2] Instead he worked as a radio singer and appeared in stock plays including The Old Lady Shows His Medals.[3]

Bowman eventually made his film debut in I Met Him in Paris (1937) for Paramount.[1] He worked at that studio for a while, then RKO, before moving to MGM.

The lack of leading men in World War II was a boost to Bowman's career and he co-starred with Rita Hayworth in Cover Girl and Jean Arthur in The Impatient Years. According to a film writer at the time, "his Hollywood career has not been spectacular but has gained him a large following."[3] He was signed by Columbia Pictures.

The Impatient Years was a hit and Bowman was described in late 1944 as "now a very hot commodity in Hollywood."[4] However, he never quite progressed beyond supporting female stars and his status as a leading man faded.

Bowman was a much in-demand radio actor, and also worked on Broadway. He was the original actor who played Lucille Ball's husband in the audition program serving as a pilot for My Favorite Husband, airing on CBS Radio July 5, 1948;[5] however, he was not available for the full series after CBS approved it, so when it debuted later that month it starred Ball and Richard Denning as the leads.[6] This series would later go on to spawn I Love Lucy for television in 1950, with Ball's real-life husband Desi Arnaz replacing Denning at Ball's insistence.[7]

After making his TV debut in The Silver Theatre in 1950,[8] he appeared regularly on television including several guest appearances in the television series Robert Montgomery Presents and Playhouse 90.[citation needed] On November 16, 1950, he starred in "Suppressed Desires" on The Nash Airflyte Theater.[9]

In the early 1950s, he became television's second Ellery Queen, stepping into the role after the first, Richard Hart, died unexpectedly of a coronary. Bowman hosted the short-lived game show What's Going On? on ABC in late 1954.

In 1961, he co-starred with Rocky Graziano in the private-eye series Miami Undercover, the first television series made in its entirety before being sold to a network. Bowman also guest-starred in The Fugitive.[10]

Media career edit

In his later career, Bowman was a pioneer in developing media training for the Republican leadership in Washington. In 1969 he was hired by the Nixon administration to help freshman representatives and politicians from marginal districts with their delivery, content and staging. (The job was described as being similar to Robert Montgomery's work with Dwight Eisenhower.[11]) He also served as Master of Ceremonies for the 1968 and 1972 conventions.[10]

From 1974 until his death, he was Chairman of the Kingstree Group, an international consulting firm, which offers communication advice to business and political leaders all over the world. Kingstree's global headquarters is now located in London, England. Bowman was responsible for developing the 'conversational' approach to spoken communication, which is recognized today as the only successful model for business and political presentations and media interviews.[12]

For fifteen years Bowman was communications consultant for Bethlehem Steel.[1]

Death edit

He died from a heart attack in Brentwood, Los Angeles, on Christmas Day 1979, three days before his 65th birthday.

Bowman was married to Helene Rosson, Victor Fleming's step daughter. Their son, also called Lee Bowman, continued with the Kingstree Group.[12] Bowman also had a step daughter from an early marriage by Rosson.[2]

Selected filmography edit

Select theatre credits edit

  • The Magic and the Loss

Radio appearances edit

Year Program Episode/source
1952 Suspense "I Won't Take a Minute"[13]
1952 Cavalcade of America A Thousand to One[14]
1953 Cavalcade of America The Secret Road[15]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Lee Bowman, Actor; Was a Star in Movies And TV Ellery Queen: Did Serious Roles on Broadway". New York Times. Dec 28, 1979. p. A20.
  2. ^ a b Biography at Ellery Queen fan site
  3. ^ a b Daugherty, Frank (Apr 21, 1944). "New Film for Jean Arthur Like 'More the Merrier'". The Christian Science Monitor. p. 5.
  4. ^ SHER, CORPORAL JACK. (Dec 31, 1944). "A NICE GUY: This Co. B corporal may be eating K rations by now. But oh, the memory of that lunch with Lee Bowman in Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. p. E10.
  5. ^ Monush, Barry; Sheridan, James (2011). "My Favorite Husband: Background". Lucille Ball FAQ: Everything Left to Know About America's Favorite Redhead. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. ISBN 978-1617740824. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  6. ^ Sanders, Coyne; Gilbert, Tom (1993). Desilu: The Story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Harper Collins. pp. 23–25. ISBN 0688135145. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  7. ^ Andrews, Bart (1976). Lucy & Ricky & Fred & Ethel: The Story of "I Love Lucy". Dutton. p. 13. ISBN 0525149902. Retrieved 2017-05-27.
  8. ^ Aaker, Everett (2006). Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6409-8. P. 61.
  9. ^ "(photo caption)". The News-Herald. Pennsylvania, Franklin. November 10, 1950. p. 9. Retrieved April 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b "Actor Lee Bowman Dies; Suave Star of Films, TV". Los Angeles Times. Dec 31, 1979. p. 10.
  11. ^ "Lee Bowman, Actor, to Coach G.O.P. Speakers on TV Style". New York Times. July 22, 1969. p. 13.
  12. ^ a b It's the way you tell 'em, says speech guru: [1GB Edition] Oldfield, Claire. Sunday Times [London (UK)] 18 June 2000: 14.
  13. ^ http://www.oldtimeradioreview.com/suspense---i2.html  
  14. ^ Kirby, Walter (November 30, 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 48. Retrieved June 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  15. ^ Kirby, Walter (March 8, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 46. Retrieved June 23, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lee Bowman.

December 15, 2023
bowman, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, march, 2013, learn, when, remove, this, template, message, december, 1. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message Lee Bowman December 28 1914 December 25 1979 was an American film and television actor According to one obituary his roles ranged from romantic lead to worldly wisecracking lout in his most famous years 1 Lee BowmanBowman as Andy Anderson in The Impatient Years 1944 Born 1914 12 28 December 28 1914Cincinnati U S DiedDecember 25 1979 1979 12 25 aged 64 Brentwood Los Angeles U S OccupationActorYears active1937 1968Spouse s Helene Rosson Bowman m 19 his death 1979 Children2 Contents 1 Career 2 Media career 3 Death 4 Selected filmography 5 Select theatre credits 6 Radio appearances 7 References 8 External linksCareer editBorn in Cincinnati Bowman dropped out of the University of Cincinnati Law School to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts He was spotted by a Paramount Pictures agent and went to Hollywood in 1934 but was not used at first 2 Instead he worked as a radio singer and appeared in stock plays including The Old Lady Shows His Medals 3 Bowman eventually made his film debut in I Met Him in Paris 1937 for Paramount 1 He worked at that studio for a while then RKO before moving to MGM The lack of leading men in World War II was a boost to Bowman s career and he co starred with Rita Hayworth in Cover Girl and Jean Arthur in The Impatient Years According to a film writer at the time his Hollywood career has not been spectacular but has gained him a large following 3 He was signed by Columbia Pictures The Impatient Years was a hit and Bowman was described in late 1944 as now a very hot commodity in Hollywood 4 However he never quite progressed beyond supporting female stars and his status as a leading man faded Bowman was a much in demand radio actor and also worked on Broadway He was the original actor who played Lucille Ball s husband in the audition program serving as a pilot for My Favorite Husband airing on CBS Radio July 5 1948 5 however he was not available for the full series after CBS approved it so when it debuted later that month it starred Ball and Richard Denning as the leads 6 This series would later go on to spawn I Love Lucy for television in 1950 with Ball s real life husband Desi Arnaz replacing Denning at Ball s insistence 7 After making his TV debut in The Silver Theatre in 1950 8 he appeared regularly on television including several guest appearances in the television series Robert Montgomery Presents and Playhouse 90 citation needed On November 16 1950 he starred in Suppressed Desires on The Nash Airflyte Theater 9 In the early 1950s he became television s second Ellery Queen stepping into the role after the first Richard Hart died unexpectedly of a coronary Bowman hosted the short lived game show What s Going On on ABC in late 1954 In 1961 he co starred with Rocky Graziano in the private eye series Miami Undercover the first television series made in its entirety before being sold to a network Bowman also guest starred in The Fugitive 10 Media career editIn his later career Bowman was a pioneer in developing media training for the Republican leadership in Washington In 1969 he was hired by the Nixon administration to help freshman representatives and politicians from marginal districts with their delivery content and staging The job was described as being similar to Robert Montgomery s work with Dwight Eisenhower 11 He also served as Master of Ceremonies for the 1968 and 1972 conventions 10 From 1974 until his death he was Chairman of the Kingstree Group an international consulting firm which offers communication advice to business and political leaders all over the world Kingstree s global headquarters is now located in London England Bowman was responsible for developing the conversational approach to spoken communication which is recognized today as the only successful model for business and political presentations and media interviews 12 For fifteen years Bowman was communications consultant for Bethlehem Steel 1 Death editHe died from a heart attack in Brentwood Los Angeles on Christmas Day 1979 three days before his 65th birthday Bowman was married to Helene Rosson Victor Fleming s step daughter Their son also called Lee Bowman continued with the Kingstree Group 12 Bowman also had a step daughter from an early marriage by Rosson 2 Selected filmography editClarence 1937 Man in Cafe uncredited Swing High Swing Low 1937 El Greco Patron uncredited Internes Can t Take Money 1937 Interne Weeks I Met Him in Paris 1937 Berk Sutter The Last Train from Madrid 1937 Michael Balk Easy Living 1937 Motorcycle Policeman uncredited Sophie Lang Goes West 1937 Eddie Rollyn This Way Please 1937 Stu Randall The First Hundred Years 1938 George Wallace Having a Wonderful Time 1938 Buzzy Armbruster A Man to Remember 1938 Dick Abbott Tarnished Angel 1938 Paul Montgommery Next Time I Marry 1938 Count Georgi Love Affair 1939 Kenneth Bradley Society Lawyer 1939 Phil Siddall The Lady and the Mob 1939 Fred Leonard Stronger Than Desire 1939 Michael McLain Miracles for Sale 1939 La Claire Dancing Co Ed 1939 Freddy Tobin Fast and Furious 1939 Mike Stevens The Great Victor Herbert 1939 Dr Richard Moore Florian 1940 Archduke Oliver Gold Rush Maisie 1940 Bill Anders Wyoming 1940 Sergeant Connelly Third Finger Left Hand 1940 Philip Booth Buck Privates 1941 Randolph Parker III Model Wife 1941 Ralph Benson Washington Melodrama 1941 Ronnie Colton Married Bachelor 1941 Eric Santley Design for Scandal 1941 Walter Caldwell Kid Glove Killer 1942 Gerald Ladimer We Were Dancing 1942 Hubert Tyler Pacific Rendezvous 1942 Lt Bill Gordon Tish 1942 Charles Charlie Sands Tish s Nephew Three Hearts for Julia 1943 David Torrance Bataan 1943 Capt Henry Lassiter Cover Girl 1944 Noel Wheaton Up in Mabel s Room 1944 Arthur Weldon The Impatient Years 1944 Andy Anderson Tonight and Every Night 1945 Squadron Leader Paul Lundy She Wouldn t Say Yes 1945 Michael Kent The Walls Came Tumbling Down 1946 Gilbert Archer Smash Up the Story of a Woman 1947 Ken Conway My Dream is Yours 1949 Gary Mitchell There s a Girl in My Heart 1949 Terrence Dowd House by the River 1950 John Byrne Youngblood Hawke 1964 Jason PrinceSelect theatre credits editThe Magic and the LossRadio appearances editYear Program Episode source1952 Suspense I Won t Take a Minute 13 1952 Cavalcade of America A Thousand to One 14 1953 Cavalcade of America The Secret Road 15 References edit a b c Lee Bowman Actor Was a Star in Movies And TV Ellery Queen Did Serious Roles on Broadway New York Times Dec 28 1979 p A20 a b Biography at Ellery Queen fan site a b Daugherty Frank Apr 21 1944 New Film for Jean Arthur Like More the Merrier The Christian Science Monitor p 5 SHER CORPORAL JACK Dec 31 1944 A NICE GUY This Co B corporal may be eating K rations by now But oh the memory of that lunch with Lee Bowman in Hollywood Los Angeles Times p E10 Monush Barry Sheridan James 2011 My Favorite Husband Background Lucille Ball FAQ Everything Left to Know About America s Favorite Redhead Applause Theatre amp Cinema Books ISBN 978 1617740824 Retrieved 2017 05 31 Sanders Coyne Gilbert Tom 1993 Desilu The Story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Harper Collins pp 23 25 ISBN 0688135145 Retrieved 2017 05 31 Andrews Bart 1976 Lucy amp Ricky amp Fred amp Ethel The Story of I Love Lucy Dutton p 13 ISBN 0525149902 Retrieved 2017 05 27 Aaker Everett 2006 Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters McFarland amp Company Inc ISBN 978 0 7864 6409 8 P 61 photo caption The News Herald Pennsylvania Franklin November 10 1950 p 9 Retrieved April 13 2021 via Newspapers com a b Actor Lee Bowman Dies Suave Star of Films TV Los Angeles Times Dec 31 1979 p 10 Lee Bowman Actor to Coach G O P Speakers on TV Style New York Times July 22 1969 p 13 a b It s the way you tell em says speech guru 1GB Edition Oldfield Claire Sunday Times London UK 18 June 2000 14 http www oldtimeradioreview com suspense i2 html nbsp Kirby Walter November 30 1952 Better Radio Programs for the Week The Decatur Daily Review p 48 Retrieved June 14 2015 via Newspapers com nbsp Kirby Walter March 8 1953 Better Radio Programs for the Week The Decatur Daily Review p 46 Retrieved June 23 2015 via Newspapers com nbsp External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lee Bowman Lee Bowman at IMDb Lee Bowman at AllMovie Lee Bowman at the Internet Broadway Database nbsp Lee Bowman at TCMDB Biography at Ellery Queen Site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lee Bowman amp oldid 1115496314, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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