Benjamin Franklin Grauer (June 2, 1908 – May 31, 1977) was a US radio and TV personality, following a career during the 1920s as a child actor in films and on Broadway. He began his career as a child in David Warfield's production of The Return of Peter Grimm. Among his early credits were roles in films directed by D.W. Griffith.Grauer was born in Staten Island, New York. After graduating from Townsend Harris High School, he received his B.A. from the City College of New York in 1930. Grauer started in radio as an actor but soon became part of the broadcasting staff at the National Broadcasting Company. He was one of the four narrators, along with Burgess Meredith, of NBC's public affairs series The Big Story, which focused on courageous journalists.In 1954, he married interior designer Melanie Kahane.
Survived by his wife; a step-daughter, Joan Porter; two grandchildren, Joshua and Rachel; a sister, Zaza; and a brother, Alvin.
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Announcer for many of legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini's radio concerts with the NBC Symphony Orchestra; he also served as the announcer for the original simulcasts (on live television and radio) of Toscanini's television concerts.
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Host of NBC Radio's "Sleep No More" (1956-1957).
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sunday Showcase
1960
TV Series
Narrator
Goodyear Playhouse
1951
TV Series
In Town Today
1951
TV Movie
Host
Author in Babyland
1945
Short
Narrator
Does It Pay?
1923
The Boy (as Bunny Grauer)
My Friend the Devil
1922
George Dryden - as a boy
The Town That Forgot God
1922
David, as a boy (as Bunny Grauer)
Annabelle Lee
1921
David Martin - as a child
The Idol Dancer
1920
Native Boy
His Woman
1919
Short
The Mad Woman
1919
Short
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962-1968
TV Series
Himself
Tactic
1959
TV Series
Himself - Host
The March of Medicine
1958
TV Series documentary
Narrator
The Big Story
1955-1957
TV Series
Himself - Narrator / Himself - Host
This Is Your Life
1954-1956
TV Series
Himself
Jazz Ball
1956
TV Movie documentary
Himself (narrator)
Producers' Showcase
1954
TV Series
Himself
All Star Revue
1952
TV Series
Himself
What Happened?
1952
TV Series
Himself / Moderator
Kon-Tiki
1950
Documentary
Narrator (US introductory sequence) (voice)
College of Musical Knowledge
1949
TV Series
Himself
NBC's Tenth Anniversary Program
1949
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Host
Ten Years Ago Today
1949
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Host
Toscanini: The Television Concerts, Vol. 5 - Verdi: Aida
1949
TV Movie
Himself (announcements for live 1949 broadcast only) (voice)
Say It with Acting
1949
TV Series
Host
Toscanini: The Television Concerts, Vol. 1 - Music of Wagner
1948
TV Special documentary
Offscreen announcer (in original 1948 television version only)
Behind Your Radio Dial
1948
Documentary short
Narrator
Fight of the Wild Stallions
1947
Documentary short
Narrator
Eye Witness
1947
TV Series documentary
Himself - Host
Americana
1947
TV Series
Himself / Moderator (1948-1949)
Screen Snapshots Series 26, No. 6: Behind the Mike