"...And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way!" Remember that familiar voice on TV's Adventures of Superman (1952)? That belonged to Bill Kennedy. Kennedy's moneymaker was in his rich, resonant voice. One of the more prolific ...
When I was dropped summarily by Warner Bros., here I was. I didn't know anything about the freelance world and I was about to find out it was a jungle out there. I got this part at Monogram, which is really the end of the road as far as being a bit-time actor is concerned. In those days, if you worked at Monogram, it was a stigma; you were on your way down."
2
It was a brand-new thing when I was a kid. I was about 13 or 14 when [the crystal radio sets] came out. And I used to listen to whatever programs they had on radio in those days and I thought, "I can do this," and that's how I became intrigued with becoming an announcer.
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Fact
1
Kennedy recorded the Opening announcement for Superman during an all-night session, related by him on his movie-host program. After being paid $350 for the Opening announcing, performed at an all-night recording session according to Kennedy uncredited announcer, he was brought back many times as an uncredited bit player or off-screen voice. He appeared as the Announcer at a Race Track in his only credited role, during the color episode Joey, Season 4, Episode 1.
2
Married twice, his first wife bore him three children. She died tragically in 1958 after choking on food. He later married Suzanne Wiggins, who survived him.
3
His one-time recording deal as the "Superman" announcer netted him only $350. He regretted not asking for screen credit which would have earned him much more in the long run.
4
Usually cast in officious or straight-laced roles such as reporters, cops or bankers, in an offbeat bit of casting, he played the character who sets fire to Ingrid Bergman in the role of Joan of Arc (1948).
5
In the last half of the 1950's and well into the 60's he hosted a movie show on CKLW (Channel 9). The show originated in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, but was widely received in the greater Detroit area. His show specialized in films from the 30's and 40's; and he occasionally featured films he had appeared in. He answered questions mailed in to him about Hollywood, and frequently shared his experiences from his days in Hollywood and his knowledge of movie stars from his era.
6
In addition to acting in movies, Kennedy worked as a television newscaster for WWJ and WDIV-TV in Detroit during the 1950's. He later moved to Windsor, Ontario, broadcasting for CLKW-TV; and in 1969 to Southfield, Michigan, for WKBD-TV. He returned to Detroit in the early 1980's.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Don't Make Waves
1967
Reporter (uncredited)
Male and Female Since Adam and Eve
1961
Adam
Adventures of Superman
1952-1958
TV Series
Announcer / Race Track Announcer / Narrator / ...
The Silent Service
1957
TV Series
The Millionaire
1956
TV Series
Truck Driver
Sky King
1956
TV Series
Bishop
Bill Kennedy at the Movies
1956
TV Series
Bill Kennedy
Death Valley Days
1954-1955
TV Series
Brigham Young / George Cluett / DA Leonard Pike / ...
$1.9 Million
