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Home > Index > Children's Show Hosts > Skipper Frank Herman
       
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Skipper Frank HermanSkipper Frank Herman- Local children's show personality who hosted CARTOON CAROUSEL and FOR KIDS ONLY on KTLA-TV Channel 5 in Los Angeles in the 1950s and 1960s. Dressed in a captain's hat, a blue blazer, and white slacks, Skipper Frank offered a menu of cartoons, magic tricks and ventriloquism courtesy of his wooden sidekick Julius. Skipper Frank also starred on MAGIC PARTY on Channel 11 from 1956 to 1963. Frank Herman arrived in the United States by way of Edmonton, Canada where he was a well-know radio celebrity for five years after World War II. Intrigued with the  potential of the newly emerging television industry, Herman left Canada for Los Angeles to seek his fortune. Originally, entertainer Mel Blanc (voice of Bugs Bunny) got the nod to become the star of the show CARTOON CAROUSEL, but when Blanc demanded too much money, the part fell to newcomer Frank Herman. To prepare for his new role as kiddie show host, Herman fingered through a wardrobe room and found the only jacket that seemed to fit, a navy blue nautical blazer. Donning the yachting jacket and a captain's hat, the character "Skipper" Frank Herman was born. As part of his duties as a children's show host, Skipper Frank often traveled to supermarkets and other events to promote his show and hawked a number of merchandise including Kellogg's Cornflakes under the "Cartoon Carousel" banner. After a successful run as a children's show host, Herman left the kiddie show circuit in 1963 to host a nighttime talk show in San Diego. The remainder of his career was spent in cable television industry as manager for TelePrompter and the New York advertising firm Foote, Cone & Belding. In the 1970s a bout with cancer left Frank almost totally deaf, but despite his disability, he continued to perform magic shows for children at schools and other venues. Born November 16, 1916, in Poughkeepsie, New York, Frank Joseph "Skipper Frank" Herman died January 4, 2000, of pneumonia at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California. He was survived by his wife, Gloria, four sons and seven grandchildren. Besides his family, Frank's legacy included being one of the founding member of the now famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. TRIVIA NOTE: Early in his TV career, Skipper Frank reportedly had a dummy named Ziggy. Unfortunately, it was stolen from his car while performing at a supermarket event. Saddened, Skipper Frank made a plea on the air for the return of his wooden sidekick, but it was never found. Skipper Frank Herman - LA Local Legends

 
     
 
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