Hank Ladd

Hank Ladd (December 12, 1908 – June 9, 1982) was an American comedian, monologist, actor, and writer whose career spanned vaudeville, radio, film, television, and Broadway. Born Henry Ladd in Chicago, Illinois, he became known for a dry, sardonic delivery that he employed across nightclub performances, stage productions, and broadcast work throughout several decades.

Ladd's early career included vaudeville and nightclub engagements, and he established a presence in radio beginning in the 1930s. He was among three comedians who portrayed Beetle the ghost on The Phil Baker Show, which aired on CBS and NBC Radio Networks out of Chicago from 1931 to 1939. In 1939 he appeared in Columbia Workshop episode 149, a radio play by William Saroyan that aired on August 10 of that year. He subsequently formed a comedy partnership with Bert Wheeler, of Wheeler and Woolsey fame, and the two were featured on The New Old Gold Show for NBC-BLUE from 1941 to 1942. He also appeared on Command Performance episode 30, a broadcast starring Bing Crosby, James Cagney, and Larry Adler, which aired August 30, 1942, and performed in USO tours. His radio work extended to The Judy Canova Show, for which he also contributed writing, including the episode "A Quiet Christmas Party," which aired December 21, 1946.

On Broadway, Ladd appeared in three productions between 1942 and 1949. He was part of the cast of New Priorities of 1943, which ran from September 15 to October 11, 1942. His most prominent stage credit was Angel in the Wings, which ran from December 11, 1947, to September 4, 1948. In that production he served as both a monologist and master of ceremonies and contributed writing to several of the show's sketches. His third Broadway appearance was in Along Fifth Avenue, which ran from January 13 to June 18, 1949.

Ladd's film appearances included Las Vegas Nights in 1941, Laffing Time in 1959, and The Errand Boy in 1961. On television, he hosted The Arrow Show on NBC-TV in 1949 and appeared in Waiting for the Break on NBC-TV in 1950. He later appeared on The Colgate Comedy Hour in 1950 and worked on The Jackie Gleason Show, known as Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine, in 1966, serving the program as both a performer and a writer.

Ladd was married to actress Francetta Malloy, who died on July 17, 1978. He died in Los Angeles on June 9, 1982.