Sonny Fox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sonny Fox
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Sonny Fox in 2018
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| Born |
Irwin Fox
June 17, 1925 |
| Died | January 24, 2021 (aged 95) Encino, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Television host, executive and broadcasting consultant |
| Years active | 1956–2015 |
| Known for | Host of Wonderama |
Irwin "Sonny" Fox (born June 17, 1925 – died January 24, 2021) was a famous American television host. He was best known for hosting the children's TV show, Wonderama. Throughout his career, he also hosted other fun and educational shows for kids. These included Let's Take a Trip, Just for Fun, and On Your Mark. He also worked on family shows like The $64,000 show. Sonny Fox was also a producer for movies such as And Baby Makes Six and Mysterious Two.
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Early Life and Army Days
Irwin Fox was born on June 17, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York. His family was Jewish. His father worked in textiles, and his mother sold theater tickets. He went to James Madison High School in Brooklyn.
In 1943, he joined the army during World War II. He served in England and France. During the Battle of the Bulge, German forces captured him. He became a prisoner of war. His life was saved by Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds. Edmonds told the Nazi officers, "We are all Jews here," when they asked for Jewish prisoners. Later, an American clerk at the camp marked him as Protestant. This kept him from being sent to a harsh labor camp in Berga, Germany.
After the war, he returned to the United States. He graduated from New York University in 1947. He earned a degree in television and radio production.
Sonny Fox's TV Career
Starting in Radio and TV
Sonny Fox began his career in radio. He was a producer for Candid Microphone. This radio show later became the famous TV show Candid Camera. After that, he worked for Voice of America for three years. He was a reporter and later a war correspondent during the Korean War.
His first time working on children's TV was in 1954. He hosted The Finder on KETC-TV in St. Louis. This show was a news and travel program for kids. He would find interesting things for children to learn about. In 1955, CBS brought him to national TV. For three years, he co-hosted Let's Take a Trip. This show took two children on a live "electronic field trip" every week.
Hosting Wonderama
In 1959, Metromedia hired Sonny Fox to host Wonderama. This show aired on WABD (later WNEW-TV) in New York. He became the main host until 1967. Sonny Fox's Wonderama was a mix of funny moments and serious topics. The show was very long, running for four hours on Sunday mornings.
On Wonderama, kids could see many different things. There were short plays based on Shakespeare. Famous guests like John Lindsay and Robert Kennedy appeared. Magician James "The Amazing" Randi showed magic tricks. There was also art instruction, spelling bees, and learning games. Sonny Fox even turned down another talk show to stay with Wonderama.
Just for Fun! and On Your Mark
In 1959, Sonny Fox also created and hosted Just For Fun!. This Saturday morning children's show also aired on WNEW-TV. It was like the "color war" team games at summer camps. Kids competed in many different contests. Famous guests included Yogi Berra and Tim Conway. Sonny Fox left this show in 1965.
In 1960, he hosted On Your Mark for ABC. This was a game show where children answered questions about different jobs. The show lasted for one season.
Other Projects and Later Work
In 1966, Sonny Fox appeared in the movie The Christmas That Almost Wasn't. He also co-hosted a daily talk show for adults called The New Yorkers in 1967. In the 1970s, he worked as a lecturer at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Later in his career, he produced TV movies. These included And Baby Makes Six (1979), Mysterious Two (1982), and Brontë (1983).
In September 2012, Sonny Fox published his memories in a book. It was called But You Made the Front Page! Wonderama, Wars and a Whole Bunch of Life.
Personal Life and Passing
Sonny Fox married Gloria (née Benson) Fox. They had three sons and one daughter. Their marriage later ended.
Sonny Fox passed away on January 24, 2021. He was 95 years old. He died from problems related to COVID-19 in Encino, California.
See also
In Spanish: Sonny Fox para niños
- Entertainment-Education
- David Poindexter
- Miguel Sabido
