Robert Albert Nicholson, also known as "Bobby Nicholson" and "Nick
Nicholson" (April 29, 1918â€"September 23, 1993) was an American actor
and musician.Nicholson was a trombonist in big bands of the 1930s and
1940s. After a tour of duty in World War II, and more work with dance
bands in the Buffalo New York area, he was hired in October 1952 by
NBC director E. Roger Muir, at the request of Bob Smith (who Nicholson
had worked with in Buffalo), for The Howdy Doody Show, formerly known
as "Puppet Playhouse." Nicholson played various characters during the
show's early years, among them J. Cornelius "Corny" Cobb. He assumed
the role of Clarabell the Clown, after the show's original Clarabell,
Bob Keeshan, was fired in late 1952 over a salary dispute. At
Nicholson's request, he was replaced as Clarabell by musician Lew
Anderson in 1954 and reverted to his role of Corny Cobb, which he kept
until the end of the show in 1960. Nicholson also assumed the voice
roles for several of the puppets after Allen Swift left the show in
1956.Prior to joining The Howdy Doody Show, Nicholson formed the
studio Soundac, which is best known for producing the animated series
Colonel Bleep. After Nicholson left, Robert D. Buchanan took his
place.Nicholson got his nickname of "Nick" on the show, as there were
up to six men named "Bob" on the cast and crew at any given time.
Nicholson" (April 29, 1918â€"September 23, 1993) was an American actor
and musician.Nicholson was a trombonist in big bands of the 1930s and
1940s. After a tour of duty in World War II, and more work with dance
bands in the Buffalo New York area, he was hired in October 1952 by
NBC director E. Roger Muir, at the request of Bob Smith (who Nicholson
had worked with in Buffalo), for The Howdy Doody Show, formerly known
as "Puppet Playhouse." Nicholson played various characters during the
show's early years, among them J. Cornelius "Corny" Cobb. He assumed
the role of Clarabell the Clown, after the show's original Clarabell,
Bob Keeshan, was fired in late 1952 over a salary dispute. At
Nicholson's request, he was replaced as Clarabell by musician Lew
Anderson in 1954 and reverted to his role of Corny Cobb, which he kept
until the end of the show in 1960. Nicholson also assumed the voice
roles for several of the puppets after Allen Swift left the show in
1956.Prior to joining The Howdy Doody Show, Nicholson formed the
studio Soundac, which is best known for producing the animated series
Colonel Bleep. After Nicholson left, Robert D. Buchanan took his
place.Nicholson got his nickname of "Nick" on the show, as there were
up to six men named "Bob" on the cast and crew at any given time.
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