Lou Merrill (April 1, 1912 â€" April 7, 1963) was an American actor,
who worked primarily in radio from the 1930s through the 1950s.Lou
Merill was born on April 1, 1912 in Winnipeg, Canada.He performed in
Lux Radio Theater as a utility supporting player in nearly every
broadcast from 1937â€"1939 (notably as Sleepy in Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs), and also served as an assistant director handling the
crowd scenes during that time. He continued to work the show
sporadically until 1953. His career in the 1930s also included roles
in the children's Christmas series The Cinnamon Bear (as Santa Claus),
the crime drama Big Town (as various gangsters and a stand-in for
Edward G. Robinson as Steve Wilson), the soap opera Those We Love (as
con man Ed Neely), and The Mickey Mouse Theater of the Air. He later
worked for Arch Oboler on Arch Oboler's Plays and Lights Out. As
related by Mr. Oboler on the Speaking of Radio show (1976), in one
dramatic real-life confrontation, Mr. Oboler broke his hand on Mr.
Merrill's jaw when the former became incensed over the latter's
offensive attitude. A mutual respect resulted from the incident.In
1941, he starred as the Nemo-like Captain Craig McKenzie in the now
mostly lost sci-fi radio series Latitude Zero (on which the 1969 film
of the same name is based). 12 years later, he starred on the true
crime anthology drama series Crime Classics. Merrill played Thomas
Hyland, the host/narrator who was fascinated with crime, playing the
role deadpan but with subtle humor. Radio comedy appearances included
Point Sublime (a regular as jeweler Aaron Saul) and Abbott and
Costello (guesting as Santa Claus) and the Life of Riley as Punchy (a
punch drunk ex-prize fighter). He also appeared on Escape, The Man
Called X, Suspense, NBC University Theater, On Stage, The CBS Radio
Workshop, Rogue's Gallery, and The Six Shooter.
who worked primarily in radio from the 1930s through the 1950s.Lou
Merill was born on April 1, 1912 in Winnipeg, Canada.He performed in
Lux Radio Theater as a utility supporting player in nearly every
broadcast from 1937â€"1939 (notably as Sleepy in Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs), and also served as an assistant director handling the
crowd scenes during that time. He continued to work the show
sporadically until 1953. His career in the 1930s also included roles
in the children's Christmas series The Cinnamon Bear (as Santa Claus),
the crime drama Big Town (as various gangsters and a stand-in for
Edward G. Robinson as Steve Wilson), the soap opera Those We Love (as
con man Ed Neely), and The Mickey Mouse Theater of the Air. He later
worked for Arch Oboler on Arch Oboler's Plays and Lights Out. As
related by Mr. Oboler on the Speaking of Radio show (1976), in one
dramatic real-life confrontation, Mr. Oboler broke his hand on Mr.
Merrill's jaw when the former became incensed over the latter's
offensive attitude. A mutual respect resulted from the incident.In
1941, he starred as the Nemo-like Captain Craig McKenzie in the now
mostly lost sci-fi radio series Latitude Zero (on which the 1969 film
of the same name is based). 12 years later, he starred on the true
crime anthology drama series Crime Classics. Merrill played Thomas
Hyland, the host/narrator who was fascinated with crime, playing the
role deadpan but with subtle humor. Radio comedy appearances included
Point Sublime (a regular as jeweler Aaron Saul) and Abbott and
Costello (guesting as Santa Claus) and the Life of Riley as Punchy (a
punch drunk ex-prize fighter). He also appeared on Escape, The Man
Called X, Suspense, NBC University Theater, On Stage, The CBS Radio
Workshop, Rogue's Gallery, and The Six Shooter.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.