Jerry Lester (February 16, 1910 â€" March 23, 1995) was an American
comedian, singer and performer on radio, television and the stage, who
hosted the first network late night television program as host of
Broadway Open House on NBC, a vaudeville-esque combination of comedy
and music, whose success demonstrated the potential for late-night
television and led to the creation of the Tonight Show.Jerry Lester
was born in Chicago in 1910. His father was a music critic. As a
youth, Lester competed in dance contests and performed in various
venues. Following his graduation from Northwestern University, he
performed nationally in music halls and nightclubs, going on to appear
in vaudeville, several Broadway musicals including Beat the Band and
Jackpot, and Hollywood films in the 1940s, as well as being a
performer on radio.In 1950, he became host of Cavalcade of Stars on
the DuMont Television Network, replacing Jack Carter. After viewers
phoned in their appreciation for Lester's guest appearance on an early
television talk show, NBC president Pat Weaver invited Lester to be
one of the hosts of Broadway Open House, a planned late-night show
whose host, Don Hornsby, died two weeks before the show was scheduled
to premiere. Lester quit Cavalcade of Stars and Jackie Gleason was
hired as his replacement; the show was soon renamed The Jackie Gleason
Show.Broadway Open House went on the air in May 1950 with Lester
hosting three nights a week and Morey Amsterdam hosting two nights,
but Lester soon became the show's sole emcee. The program introduced
and made stars of Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, all of
whom would go on to host the Tonight Show. It also made a star of cast
member Dagmar, who became such a sensation that she overshadowed
Lester, leading him to walk off the show in May 1951.
comedian, singer and performer on radio, television and the stage, who
hosted the first network late night television program as host of
Broadway Open House on NBC, a vaudeville-esque combination of comedy
and music, whose success demonstrated the potential for late-night
television and led to the creation of the Tonight Show.Jerry Lester
was born in Chicago in 1910. His father was a music critic. As a
youth, Lester competed in dance contests and performed in various
venues. Following his graduation from Northwestern University, he
performed nationally in music halls and nightclubs, going on to appear
in vaudeville, several Broadway musicals including Beat the Band and
Jackpot, and Hollywood films in the 1940s, as well as being a
performer on radio.In 1950, he became host of Cavalcade of Stars on
the DuMont Television Network, replacing Jack Carter. After viewers
phoned in their appreciation for Lester's guest appearance on an early
television talk show, NBC president Pat Weaver invited Lester to be
one of the hosts of Broadway Open House, a planned late-night show
whose host, Don Hornsby, died two weeks before the show was scheduled
to premiere. Lester quit Cavalcade of Stars and Jackie Gleason was
hired as his replacement; the show was soon renamed The Jackie Gleason
Show.Broadway Open House went on the air in May 1950 with Lester
hosting three nights a week and Morey Amsterdam hosting two nights,
but Lester soon became the show's sole emcee. The program introduced
and made stars of Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, all of
whom would go on to host the Tonight Show. It also made a star of cast
member Dagmar, who became such a sensation that she overshadowed
Lester, leading him to walk off the show in May 1951.
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