Graham Kennedy

Graham Cyril Kennedy (15 February 1934-25 May 2005) was an Australian radio, television and film performer. Known in his heyday in the 1960s as "The King," he was the greatest star of the first 20 years of Australian television. He later rejected fame and publicity and spent his remaining years in seclusion.

Early life

Kennedy was born in Melbourne and grew up in suburban Balaclava. He was educated at Caulfield North Central School and then Melbourne High School. His parents divorced shortly before World War II, and he was raised by his grandmother. He left school early, working first as a news runner for the Australian Broadcasting Commission on their Radio Australia shortwave service.

Related Topics:
Melbourne - Balaclava - Caulfield North Central School - Melbourne High School - World War II - Australian Broadcasting Commission - Radio Australia - Shortwave

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Leaving the ABC, he moved to radio station 3UZ, initially in the record library and later as panel operator for popular radio personality "Nicky" (Cliff Nicholls, real name Clifford Whitta), his first mentor. Nicholls, who had been broadcasting since 1932, presented a hugely popular housewife's programme, as well as "Chum's Club" with his wife Nancy Lee (real name Kathleen Lindgren). Nicky's typically Australian voice and his distinctive manner of deriding live-to-air advertisements made him the idol of listeners, and was a major influence on Kennedy, who would become famous for the using same approach on his own TV show.

Related Topics:
3UZ - Cliff Nicholls - 1932 - Nancy Lee - Kathleen Lindgren

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