James Jewell (February 20, 1906 â€" August 5, 1975) was an American
radio actor, producer and director at radio station WXYZ, Detroit,
Michigan.Jewell was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 20. 1906.
His parents were William I Jewell (born 1873) who immigrated to the US
from Canada in 1875, and Clara (born 1881 in Michigan). His
grandfather had come to Canada from Ireland with a group of Welsh
singers. His mother operated a grocery store in the Corktown section
of Detroit.Jewell first got into radio in 1927. with a background of
summer stock, vaudeville, burlesque, and even touring with a troupe of
marionettes. His first professional engagement was in the Jessie
Bonstelle stock theater in Detroit as a stage hand. He worked his way
up to assistant treasurer, while playing bit parts, and at 21 was
acting in the Paramount studios in Queens.In June 1932, George
Trendle, the owner of radio station WXYZ, decided to drop network
affiliation and produce his own radio programs. Jim Jewell was hired
as the dramatic director for the radio station. He supplied the actors
from his own repertory company, the "Jewell Players".
radio actor, producer and director at radio station WXYZ, Detroit,
Michigan.Jewell was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 20. 1906.
His parents were William I Jewell (born 1873) who immigrated to the US
from Canada in 1875, and Clara (born 1881 in Michigan). His
grandfather had come to Canada from Ireland with a group of Welsh
singers. His mother operated a grocery store in the Corktown section
of Detroit.Jewell first got into radio in 1927. with a background of
summer stock, vaudeville, burlesque, and even touring with a troupe of
marionettes. His first professional engagement was in the Jessie
Bonstelle stock theater in Detroit as a stage hand. He worked his way
up to assistant treasurer, while playing bit parts, and at 21 was
acting in the Paramount studios in Queens.In June 1932, George
Trendle, the owner of radio station WXYZ, decided to drop network
affiliation and produce his own radio programs. Jim Jewell was hired
as the dramatic director for the radio station. He supplied the actors
from his own repertory company, the "Jewell Players".
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