Johnny Grant (radio personality) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Grant
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Johnny Grant (right) with U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen (left), 2000
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| Born | May 9, 1923 |
| Died | January 9, 2008 (aged 84) Hollywood, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Radio personality Television producer |
| Years active | 1939–2008 |
| Title | 13th Honorary Mayor of Hollywood |
Johnny Grant (born May 9, 1923 – died January 9, 2008) was an American radio personality and television producer. He was also known as the honorary mayor of Hollywood. In this role, he often attended important Hollywood events. This included the special ceremonies where new stars were added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A street just north of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue is named "Johnny Grant Way" in his honor.
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Early Life and Career
Johnny Grant was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He started his career in entertainment on the radio in 1939. He worked as a local newscaster in his hometown.
He became well-known for his unique reporting of a murder trial in North Carolina. Mr. Grant convinced the judge to let him stand in the courtroom doorway. From there, he broadcast live updates about the trial. This was the first time a live microphone was allowed in a courtroom. The person on trial was found guilty. He was allowed to write a final speech, and Mr. Grant read it on the air.
After World War II, Grant moved to California. He worked as a disc jockey at radio stations in Los Angeles. In 1952, he helped host the first national telethon. This event raised money to send American athletes to the Helsinki Olympics. He worked alongside famous stars like Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Frank Sinatra.
In the 1950s, Johnny Grant appeared in several movies. He often played characters who were hosts. For example, he played a TV show host in the 1954 film White Christmas. He also played the Master of Ceremonies in the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It. Grant also won two Emmy Awards for his work.
Honorary Mayor of Hollywood
In 1980, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce named Johnny Grant the honorary Mayor of Hollywood. He held this special position for the rest of his life. The previous honorary mayor, Monty Hall, suggested Grant for the role. Monty Hall was the host of the popular game show Let's Make a Deal.
Johnny Grant believed his main goal was to share the story of Hollywood with everyone. He greeted celebrities on the red carpet at the Oscars. He also had small roles in movies. He produced the yearly Hollywood Christmas Parade. Grant said he was most proud of three things in Hollywood: the Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Hollywood postmark. He explained that Hollywood was not its own city, so it wasn't supposed to have its own postmark. But he managed to get one.
Achievements and Recognition
Johnny Grant helped arrange for Hollywood stars to visit wounded soldiers. These soldiers were veterans of the Vietnam War. They were recovering at places like San Antonio's Brooke Army Medical Center. Famous actors like Christopher George joined these visits.
Grant was also a retired major general in the California State Military Reserve. This group is a volunteer force that supports the California National Guard. He served as chairman for several important commissions. These included the Los Angeles City Fire Commission and the Los Angeles County Social Service Commission. He was also part of the Burbank, California Police Commission. Later, he was a member of the Los Angeles City Cultural Heritage Commission.
For his contributions to television, Johnny Grant received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located at 6937 Hollywood Boulevard. He received a second star for his work in the Hollywood community. This one is at 6897 Hollywood Boulevard. In 2009, Grant was added to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
Death
On January 9, 2008, Johnny Grant was not feeling well. He had lunch with a spokeswoman for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Later that day, he told his business manager he felt "lousy." That evening, an associate found Grant unconscious in his bed. He lived in a suite at the Roosevelt Hotel. He was the only full-time guest there.
Paramedics were called, but Johnny Grant was pronounced dead. He was 84 years old. It appeared he died of natural causes.
On January 11, 2008, Grant's sister, Peggy G. Adams, announced that Johnny did not want a funeral. Instead, a private memorial service was held at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, California. Many reports said that Grant wanted to be cremated. He wished for his ashes to be scattered under the Hollywood Sign. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce did not immediately name someone to take over his role as mayor. Gary Owens was interested in the job and claimed Grant chose him as his successor. However, Owens passed away in 2015.
After Grant's death, Leron Gubler took over his role. Gubler was the President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. He became the new MC for unveiling new stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Johnny Grant para niños
