Les Lye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Les Lye
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| Born |
Leslie Ernest Lye
November 18, 1924 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Died | July 21, 2009 (aged 84) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Actor comedian radio personality writer voice artist |
| Years active | 1948–1990 |
| Spouse(s) | Jonni Lye 1949-2009 (his death) |
Leslie Ernest Lye (born November 18, 1924 – died July 21, 2009) was a famous Canadian actor, comedian, and radio star. He was also a writer and a voice artist. Many people remember him from the children's TV show You Can't Do That on Television. Les Lye had a long career in both television and radio, lasting over 50 years!
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
After finishing high school, Les Lye joined the Canadian Armed Forces. Later, he went to the University of Toronto. There, he earned a degree in arts. He then studied at Lorne Greene's Academy of Radio Arts. This helped him start his exciting career.
Radio Star
In 1948, Les Lye moved to Ottawa. He joined the CFRA radio station. He worked as a radio announcer. He also hosted many live events.
Later, he worked with comedian Rich Little. In 1963, they even made a comedy album together. It was called My Fellow Canadians.
TV Adventures
Les Lye started working in television in 1958. His first TV job was co-hosting a talk show called Contact. This show lasted for three years.
In 1961, a new TV station, CJOH-TV, opened. Les Lye became a writer and performer there. He soon teamed up with entertainer Bill Luxton. They created funny characters for Bill's morning show.
Uncle Willy & Floyd
In 1966, Les Lye and Bill Luxton took over a kids' show. It was called Cartoonerville. They renamed it Uncle Willy & Floyd. This show became very popular.
Many famous people visited the show. These included Klea Scott and Margaret Trudeau. Uncle Willy & Floyd ran for 22 years. It became the longest-running Canadian TV show that was shown across the country.
Les Lye also worked for other big TV networks. These included the CBC, CTV, and Global.
You Can't Do That on Television
Les Lye became famous around the world for his role in You Can't Do That on Television. This Canadian children's show was a huge hit. It was very popular in the United States on Nickelodeon.
The show ran for ten seasons, from 1979 to 1990. Les Lye was one of only two adults on the show. He played all the adult male characters. He was the only cast member who stayed for the whole series!
Les Lye's Characters
Les Lye played many memorable characters. Here are some of them:
- Ross Ewich, the show's director.
- Lance Prevert, a messy senator and father.
- Barth, the owner and chef of a very bad burger place.
- Blip, a greedy arcade owner.
- Snake Eyes, a bus driver who always crashed his bus.
- Mr. Schidtler, a strict and sarcastic school teacher.
- An unnamed school principal, who gave out tough punishments.
- Nasti, the Dungeon Master, a German jailer.
- El Capitano, a military officer.
- An unnamed doctor or dentist, who looked a bit like Groucho Marx.
His co-stars said he was "a legend" and "a hoot."
Voice Acting
Les Lye also used his voice for cartoons. He was a guest star on The Raccoons. He also voiced Professor Coldheart in the first two Care Bears TV specials. These were The Care Bears in the Land Without Feelings and The Care Bears Battle the Freeze Machine.
In 1987, he became the voice of Quellor on The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin. He also did voices for Dennis the Menace.
Lifetime Achievements
In 2003, Les Lye and Bill Luxton received special awards. The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) honored them. This was for their amazing work on Willy & Floyd.
Les Lye also helped the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He was writing a book about his life when he passed away. In 2019, a theatre in Ottawa was named after him. It is now called the Les Lye Studio Theatre.
Passing Away
Les Lye passed away in Ottawa, Ontario, on July 21, 2009. He had been living with Type 2 diabetes for ten years. He had also had a mild heart attack in 2002. He was 84 years old. Les Lye was survived by his wife, Jonni, and their three children: Brett, Daralyn, and Emily.
Images for kids
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Lye (right) filming You Can't Do That on Television, with Teddy Wilson
