Phil Harris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phil Harris
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Harris in 1956
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| Born |
Wonga Philip Harris
June 24, 1904 Linton, Indiana, U.S.
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| Died | August 11, 1995 (aged 91) |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery, Cathedral City, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names |
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1933–1991 |
| Spouse(s) |
Marcia Ralston
(m. 1927; div. 1940) |
| Children | 3 |
Phil Harris (born June 24, 1904 – died August 11, 1995) was a talented American actor, comedian, musician, and songwriter. He led his own orchestra and was a big star in early radio comedy shows. He first appeared on The Jack Benny Program. Later, he starred with his wife, singer and actress Alice Faye, in The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show for eight years.
Phil Harris was also famous for his voice work in animated movies. He voiced beloved characters like Baloo the bear in The Jungle Book (1967), Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats (1970), and Little John in Robin Hood (1973). As a singer, he had a number one hit song called "The Thing" in 1950.
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Phil Harris's Early Life and Career
Phil Harris was born in Linton, Indiana. However, he grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and always thought of himself as a Southerner. His most famous song was "That's What I Like About the South." He had a slight Southern accent.
His parents were circus performers. His father led the circus band. Phil got his first job playing drums in his father's band. His unusual first name, "Wonga," comes from a Cherokee word. It means "fast messenger."
Starting a Music Career
Phil Harris began his music career as a drummer in San Francisco in the mid-1920s. He played drums in the Henry Halstead Big Band Orchestra. Later, in the late 1920s, he formed his own orchestra with Carol Lofner. They played for a long time at the St. Francis Hotel.
In the 1930s, the Lofner-Harris orchestra recorded swing music. They made records for companies like Victor and Columbia. By 1932, Phil Harris led his own band in Los Angeles. He was both the singer and the bandleader.
Movies and Hit Songs
In 1933, Phil Harris made a short film for RKO called So This Is Harris! This film won an Academy Award for best live action short film. He then made a longer movie called Melody Cruise. These films were made by the same team who created Flying Down to Rio. That movie helped start the careers of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
Phil Harris also starred in I Love a Bandleader (1945). In this movie, he played a house painter who loses his memory and then starts to lead a band. He recorded the song Woodman, Spare That Tree in 1947. People sometimes called him "Old Curly." In 1950, Harris recorded his famous novelty song "The Thing," which became a number one hit.
He also appeared in movies like The Wild Blue Yonder (1951). He had a small role in the musical Starlift. In 1954, he was featured in The High and the Mighty with John Wayne.
Phil Harris on the Radio
In 1936, Phil Harris became the music director for The Jell-O Program Starring Jack Benny. He sang and led his band. He was good at making quick, funny remarks. So, he joined the cast, playing a cool, fun-loving Southerner. He often gave the other cast members nicknames, like "Jackson" for Jack Benny. His signature song was "That's What I Like About the South." Many of his songs were funny "talking blues" songs.
In 1942, Phil Harris and his band joined the merchant marines. They served for 16 weeks during World War II.
The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show
In 1946, Phil Harris and his wife, Alice Faye, started hosting The Fitch Bandwagon. This was a comedy and variety show that came on after the Jack Benny show. On this show, and later on The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, Phil played a funny, sometimes clumsy husband. Alice Faye played his witty but loving wife. Their show was very popular. The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show ran until 1954. Phil Harris also continued to appear on Jack Benny's show from 1948 to 1952.
Recording Career
Phil Harris started recording songs as early as 1931. One of his most famous songs from the early 1950s is the novelty song, "The Thing." This song tells the story of someone who finds a mysterious box and tries to get rid of it.
Later Career and Voice Acting
In 1956, Phil Harris appeared in the film Good-bye, My Lady. He also made many guest appearances on TV shows in the 1960s and 1970s. These included The Steve Allen Show, F Troop, and The Dean Martin Show. He also appeared on The American Sportsman, which took celebrities on hunting and fishing trips.
Phil Harris became well-known for his voice acting in animated films. He voiced Baloo the bear in The Jungle Book (1967). He also voiced Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats (1970) and Little John in Robin Hood (1973). In 1989, he voiced Baloo again for the cartoon series TaleSpin. His last movie role was in Rock-a-Doodle (1991).
In the 1970s and early 1980s, Phil Harris often led a band in Las Vegas. He frequently performed with bandleader Harry James.
Personal Life
On September 2, 1927, Phil Harris married actress Marcia Ralston in Australia. They adopted a son, Phil Harris Jr. (born 1935). Phil and Marcia divorced in 1940.
In 1941, Phil Harris married Alice Faye. This was the second marriage for both of them. Their marriage lasted for 54 years, until Phil's death.
Phil Harris was a lifelong friend of singer and actor Bing Crosby. He appeared on TV broadcasts of Bing's Pro-Am Golf Tournament. After Bing Crosby passed away in 1977, Phil Harris took over as the commentator for the annual Bing Crosby Pro-Am Golf Tournament.
Phil Harris lived in Palm Springs, California. He was very involved in many local community groups and helped them a lot.
Death and Legacy
Phil Harris passed away from a heart attack at age 91 on August 11, 1995. He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cathedral City, California.
Phil Harris was a generous supporter of his hometown, Linton, Indiana. He created scholarships for high school students there. He also performed at the high school and hosted a celebrity golf tournament in his honor every year. Phil and Alice Faye gave most of their show business items and papers to Linton's public library. Phil Harris was also added to the Indiana Hall of Fame.
In 1994, a Golden Palm Star was placed on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars to honor him.
Partial Discography
- The Thing. RCA, Victor. 1950.
- That's What I LIke About The South. RCA, Victor. 1947 20–2471.
- Loaded Pistol, Loaded Dice. RCA, Victor. 1947.
- Hambone. RCA, Victor. 1952. 47-4584.
Phil Harris starred as Baloo in the 1967 animated film The Jungle Book. He sang the song "The Bare Necessities" in the movie. He also performed with Louis Prima on the song "I Wanna Be Like You (The Monkey Song)".
Images for kids
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Harris in The High and the Mighty
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Harris, Faye, and their two daughters, Alice and Phyllis, in 1948
See also
In Spanish: Phil Harris para niños
