Fred Howard Wright | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frederick Howard Wright September 30, 1896 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 2, 1990 (aged 93) California, U.S. |
Resting place | Los Angeles National Cemetery |
| Education | University of California, San Diego |
| Occupations | Actor, songwriter |
| Years active | 1923–1977 |
| Spouse(s) | Jean—or Laura—Henley (m. 1919; div. ?) Sylvia Jane Worley (m. 1925; div. ?) Theofani Arminda Papadakis (m. 1930; d. 1963) Helen Louise Davis (m. 1969; d. 1985) |
| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
Branch | United States Army |
Service years | 1917–1920 |
Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 1st Cavalry Regiment |
Conflicts | Pancho Villa Expedition |
Frederick Howard Wright (September 30, 1896 – July 2, 1990), credited variously as Fred Howard (for his writing, and for all stage and radio performances), Howard Wright (for his later film and TV work), and, more recently still, Fred Howard Wright, was an American songwriter, vaudeville performer, and character actor of theatre, radio, film and television, best remembered as one half—along with fellow songwriter Nat Vincent—of the popular vaudeville, radio, recording, and songwriting duo, The Happy Chappies.
Born Frederick Howard Wright in San Diego, California on September 30, 1896, Wright was the middle child of five, born to Lucy Simonds (née Wheeler) and William Sherman Wright. He first performed in public at age 9, when, as a reward for having sold the most tickets to a high school operetta, he was tasked not merely with formally presenting the frieze purchased by proceeds from the production, but also asked to sing at the ceremony. After attending the University of California, San Diego, Wright joined the US Army, serving in 1st Cavalry Regiment, with whom he took part in the unsuccessful Pancho Villa Expedition. Eventually rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant, Wright received his discharge in 1920.
Over the next decade, Wright—as Fred Howard—established himself as a successful stage performer, writer, producer, and director, specializing in musical comedy. His singing was showcased in the trio, Harmony Three.
By February 1929, Wright—who, as a solo act, had previously appeared in at least one revue also featuring his soon-to-be partner's recently formed duo—had officially become one half of the Happy Chappies, replacing pianist Nat Vincent's previous partner, tenor Harry Morton, while also facilitating Wright's radio debut on San Francisco's KFRC. They continued together—having reportedly co-authored "486 popular songs" as of December 1935—at least as late as the summer of 1937.
In April 1938, Wright appeared at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel, in the Lambs Club's annual Spring Gambol, co-starring with Walter Woolf King and Gene Wolf in the brief operetta, Tempest in a Teapot, with words and music by Wright.
As a radio actor, some of Wright's more notable roles were C. Pemberton Tooley in Ma Perkins, Mr. Pringle—father of Oogie—in A Date with Judy, and Pa Buskirk on The Opie Cates Show
From 1949 through 1952, Wright was the principal writer on The Ruggles, the Charlie Ruggles sitcom created by Irving Phillips.
In March 1949, Wright—still billed as "Fred Howard"—made his TV debut, starring alongside K. T. Stevens, Marc Lawrence, in the Don Lee Television Workshop episode, "Shoes and Souls". One additional "Fred Howard" credit, for a 1951 appearance on Racket Squad, preceded the actor's unnoticed—and, accordingly, never explained—1953 professional transition to "Howard Wright" on The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok.
Among Wright's more notable television credits are two The Twilight Zone episodes, as "Judge Hardy" in the Season Three episode, "The Jungle (The Twilight Zone)" and an unnamed judge in the previous season's What's in the Box. He also appeared on numerous episodes of the westerns, Bonanza and Death Valley Days.
In his rave review of the 1956 Barry Shipman/William Witney western drama, Stranger at My Door, Variety's William Brogdon—as "Brog"—made a point of assigning every bit as much credit to the film's principal supporting players as to the stars.
The above mentioned players earn plaudits for characters compellingly performed and right along with them are Louis Jean Heydt, as the sheriff, Howard Wright, a doctor, Slim Pickens, horse trader and millwright, and Malcolm Atterbury, a circuit rider.
In 1919 or 1920, Wright became the husband of Jean—elsewhere identified as Laura—Henley, with whom he had one child, a daughter, Jo Ann. Wright was married to actress Sylvia Jane Worley from January 1925 until at least March 1927—when they sailed together from San Francisco to Honolulu—and no later than October 1930, when Greek-born Theofani Arminda Pappadakis became the next Mrs. Wright, as she would remain until her death on March 4, 1963. Their union produced one child, a daughter, Patsy Zo. In 1969, Wright once again was wed, this time to Helen Louise Daves (née Young); she died in 1985.
Wright died on July 2, 1990, at age 93. His remains are interred at the Los Angeles National Cemetery.
All performances credited as "Howard Wright" unless otherwise indicated.
All performances credited as "Howard Wright" unless otherwise indicated.
The Superba Theater, San Diego, Cali., changed its policy on March 18 from a straight movie to half time pictures and a company of eight, to be known as the Superba Players, who will present tabloid versions of late stage successes. The initial performance was 'Thru the Garden Wall'. The plays are to be produced by Fritz Lew Fields with the following cast: Fred Howard, Will H. Locke, John DeWeese, Vernon Bushway, Mary Fladeland, Myrle Burch, and Madge Taylor
This act was booked by the Palace straight picture house, because of its popularity hereabouts through nightly broadcasts over station KMPC. the boys, Fred Howard and Nat Vincent, are the only stage entertainment going with second-run film bill. They make no attempt to be other than radio singers. Act is more or less a personal appearance and well received.
Howard Wright, writer on the Charlie Ruggles TV show, has been set for a part in Panoramic's 'The Raid.'
Sandy Sanders, Morgan Jones, Robert Carson and Howard Wright into 'Wild Bill Hickok' for Broidy Productions.
John Lupton has been set [...] for the lead in the 'Private Mint of Clark, Gruber & Co.' episode of 'Death Valley Days.' Others cast are Jerry Paris, Sue Randall, Alvy Moore, Mal Throne, Bernard Kates, Chet Stratton, Charles Fredericks, E. J. Andre, Howard Wright.
Harry Lauter, 'Death Valley Days,' 'Cheyenne,' 'Empire'; Howard Wright, 'Death Valley Days,' 'Saints and Sinners'; Nestor Paiva, 'Dennis the Menace'
The above mentioned players earn plaudits for characters compellingly performed and right along with them are Louis Jean Heydt, as the sheriff, Howard Wright, a doctor, Slim Pickens, horse trader and millwright, and Malcolm Atterbury, a circuit rider.
Wife, 56, of actor Howard Wright (Fred Howard) died March 4 in Glendale, Cal. Two daughters also survive.