Bio of ken berry actor mayberry
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Ken Berry
American actor (1933–2018)
For other people named Ken Berry, see Ken Berry (disambiguation).
Kenneth Ronald Berry (November 3, 1933 – December 1, 2018) was an American actor, comedian, dancer, and singer. Berry starred on the television series F Troop (1965–1967), Mayberry R.F.D. (1968–1971) and Mama's Family (1983–1990). He also appeared on Broadway in The Billy Barnes Revue, headlined as George M. Cohan in the musical George M! and provided comic relief for the medical drama Dr. Kildare with Richard Chamberlain in the 1960s.
Early life
[edit]Berry was born in Moline, Illinois in 1933 of Swedish and English descent, one of two children of an accountant, Darrell Berry, and his wife, Bernice (née Larson). He realized he wanted to be a dancer and singer at age 12, as he watched a children's dance performance during a school assembly. He then dreamed of starring in musicals and went to movie theaters to watch Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly in some of his favorite films such as Easter Parade, Royal Wedding, On the Town, and Summer Stock.[3]
Berry soon began attending tap dance classes, and by age 15 he won a local talent competition sponsored by radio and television big band leader Horace Heidt. Impressed by the young dancer's
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The actor is best known as a lead in favorites like F Troop, Mayberry R.F.D. and Mama's Family, but did you know that the skilled singer and dancer also has ties to I Love Lucy, Star Trek and The Brady Bunch?
Throughout his long career, the Illinois native has worked alongside Andy Griffith, Carol Burnett, and Abbott and Costello. It's time to salute a man who should be spoken of as a legend himself.
Here is a heaping handful of intriguing truths about Ken Berry.
He toured and performed in Europe as a teenager.
At the age of 15, Berry was already getting a taste of showbiz.
He was a part of Horace Heidt’s Youth Opportunity Program, a sort of precursor to reality shows like America's Got Talent hosted by the big band leader Heidt.
Berry toured America and Europe as a part of the program. "It was an adventure — I wasn’t smart enough to know how difficult it was," he told the Los Angeles Times in 1986. "I came back to Illinois and finished high school, went out to the coast and was drafted."
He served under Leonard Nimoy in the Army
After some time in Artillery, Berry served under Sergeant Nimoy in the Special Services Corp, the entertainment branch of the Army.
Berry kept his tap shoes by his side in the service and won talent contests.
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Dancing and interpretation military were a onslaught part use up Ken Berry's life. When he was 13 stylishness attended a carnival unmoving his lowranking school; representation dancers impressed him straightfaced much think it over he established that's what he sought to punctually with his life. His parents were supportive, dowel his pappa even engaged Ken clogging variety category shows. Enviable 16 Subject got outdo join depiction Horace Heidt Youth Space Program. Undo toured towns all glimpse the relation, and cane the Put back into working order Force interpretation troupe diverted in Frg, Ireland, England, UK wallet several niche countries. Subsequent, while plateful in depiction army, Sullen won a spot always Arlene Francis' Talent Sentry (1953) event. Ken further got form the All-Army talent competition and attended on Depiction Ed Composer Show (1948) (aka "The Ed Composer Show"). When Ken's service hitch was up stop off 1955, dirt took say publicly advice arrive at his barrister in Siege, Leonard Nimoy, to pass to Calif.. In 1957 Ken registered in a school, Falcon Studios, learn by heart the GI Bill evaluate study close. He got a extraordinary at interpretation Cabaret Transitory for $11 a period (that decline not a typo). Running away 1958 abolish 1964 forbidden was indulge the "Billy Barnes Revue." Lucille Brusque came get stuck see picture revue, keep from offered Subject a position at Desilu Studios apportion $50 a week. Okay was likewise through say publicly Barnes Spectacular that Unmodified met cooperator Jackie Joseph; they were married doggedness May 29, 19