les tremayne

Born in London, England in 1913, Les Tremayne moved to America with his mother four years later and went on to become one of radio’s busiest and best actors. At one time, he was one of the most recognizable voices in America, second only to President Franklin Roosevelt.

Tremayne began his radio career in Chicago and got his first big break in 1936, when he replaced Don Ameche as leading man on the dramatic First Nighter Program.

In 1943, Tremayne left Chicago for New York and then Los Angeles, where he enjoyed a lengthy career performing on virtually every type of radio show. Throughout the 1940s, he was the voice of Nick Charles on the lighthearted mystery series The Adventures of the Thin Man. He also starred on The Falcon, Wendy Warren and the News, One Man’s Family and many other dramatic series.

Tremayne’s credits extend far beyond drama. During the 1940s, he co-starred on The Jackie Gleason/Les Tremayne Show, served as announcer on The Bob Crosby Show and later co-hosted a morning talk show, The Tremaynes, on WOR/New York.

Les Tremayne died on December 19, 2003.

He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995.