Arthur Morton Leo Godfrey, who discovered several new talents, started his career as radio-announcer and appeared in TV commercials.
Along with his very successful radio shows, Godfrey had his Primetime variety TV-show ‘Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Show’ (1948-1958) which provided a platform for many upcoming young talents. He further hosted another primetime informal variety show ‘Arthur Godfrey And his Friends’ (1949-1959). In 1950, he hosted TV-series ‘Arthur Godfrey and His Ukulele.’ Next, his radio show ‘Arthur Godfrey Time’ was also broadcast on TV (1952-1958).
Godfrey’s success with his commercials further enhanced his popularity. He helped many relatively unknown performers get great exposure as ‘Little Godfreys.’
Godfrey was narrator of documentary-film ‘Fifty Years Before Your Eyes’ (1951). He appeared on various TV-specials such as ‘The Arthur Godfrey Show’ (1959, 1961), ‘Arthur Godfrey in Hollywood’ (1962), ‘Arthur Godfrey Loves Animals’ (1963), ‘The Arthur Godfrey Thanksgiving Special’ (1963), and more. With Lucile Ball he co-hosted TV-special ’50 Years of TV’ (1978).
Godfrey played a cameo role in comedy Western film ‘4 for Texas’ (1963). He co-starred alongside Doris Day and Rod Taylor in romantic-comedy film ‘The Glass Bottom Boat’ (1966). Further he appeared in comedy-film ‘Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows’ (1968), ‘The great Bank Hoax’ (1977), ‘Angels Brigade’ (1979) and as himself in TV-film ‘Rickles’ (1975).
Godfrey co-hosted few episodes of ‘Candid Camera’ (1960-1961). He also appeared on many TV-series and shows including ‘Password,’ ‘What’s My Line?’ ‘I’ve Got a Secret,’ as guest-host on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,’ ‘The David Frost Show,’ ‘The Lucy Show,’ as guest performer at ‘Rowan & Martin Laugh-In’ and many more.
During his career, Godfrey received three ‘Emmy’ nominations (1950, 1953, 1954) for ‘Most Outstanding Personality.’
