Phil Harris

Phil Harris (June 24, 1904 – August 11, 1995) was a United States singer, songwriter, jazz musician and actor.

Related Topics:
June 24 - 1904 - August 11 - 1995 - United States - Singer - Songwriter - Jazz - Musician - Actor

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Harris was born Wonga Phillip Harris in Linton, Indiana, on June 24, 1904. He began his career in show business as a band drummer in San Francisco. In the late 1920s, he formed an orchestra with Carol Lofner, and began a long run at the St. Francis Hotel. By 1932, the partnership had broken up, and Phil Harris was leading and singing with his own band based in Los Angeles.

Related Topics:
Linton, Indiana - 1932

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Harris married an Australian, Marcia Ralston, in 1928. The couple divorced in 1939. Their adopted son, Phil Harris, Jr., was born in 1935.

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In 1936, Harris became the musical director of the Jack Benny show. In addition to singing and leading the band, Harris was an important member of Jack's gang on this ensemble show, playing himself as a hard-drinking, brash, egotistical, illiterate Southerner. His obnoxious but good-natured character was a popular addition to the cast, known for his musicians' hipster slang, and his casual use of nicknames for the rest of the cast. His usual entry line was to greet Benny with a cheery, "Hiya, Jackson!" His signature song from the program was "That's What I Like About the South."

Related Topics:
1936 - Jack Benny

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In 1941, Harris married actress Alice Faye, and in 1946-48, the two hosted radio's The Fitch Bandwagon. Originally a showcase for big bands, The Fitch Bandwagon evolved into a situation comedy with Harris and Faye. The couple continued in their own radio program, The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, from 1948 to 1954. In this domestic situation comedy, Harris and Faye played themselves, while actresses played their daughters Alice, born in 1942, and Phyllis, born in 1944.

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Harris made many guest appearances on popular television programs during the 1960s and into the 1970s, with many appearances on the Kraft Music Hall, The Dean Martin Show, Hollywood Palace and other musical variety programs.

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Harris also worked as a vocalist and voice actor for animated films, with performances in the Disney animated features The Aristocats, playing Thomas O'Malley, and The Jungle Book where he voiced the character of "Baloo the Bear" and sang one of the movie's showstoppers, "The Bare Necessities." He was also the voice of Little John in the 1973 animated movie Robin Hood. One of his last animated film projects was in the 1991 film 'Rock-A-Doodle' directed by Don Bluth, in which he played the friendly, laid back farm dog Patou. Song hits by Harris included the early 1950s novelty record, "The Thing." The song describes the hapless finder of a box with a mysterious secret and his efforts to rid himself of it.

Related Topics:
Disney - The Aristocats - The Jungle Book - Little John - 1973 - Robin Hood

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A close friend and associate of Bing Crosby, Harris was a longtime resident and benefactor of Palm Springs, California. He died in Palm Springs in 1995. Until shortly before his death, Harris returned annually to his hometown of Linton for a celebrity golf tournament in his honor. He also performed at the local high school and distributed scholarships to promising students. In 1993, Harris was inducted into the Indiana Hall of Fame. He is buried in the Palm Springs Mortuary & Mausoleum. Faye died in 1998.

Related Topics:
Bing Crosby - Palm Springs, California - Palm Springs Mortuary & Mausoleum

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