Peter Donald

Peter Donald (June 6, 1918 – April 20, 1979) was a British-born actor, comedian, and writer who built a career across American stage, radio, and television. Born in Bristol, England, he came from a performing family — his father worked as a comedian and his mother as a singer, both in vaudeville. Donald completed his formal education at the Professional Children's School in New York, graduating in 1936.

His introduction to performance came early. In 1927, at age nine, he made his first radio appearance playing Tiny Tim in a production of A Christmas Carol. By age eleven he was serving as announcer for Uncle Olie and His Kne-Mel Gang on CBS, and he joined CBS as a staff announcer in 1931. He became widely recognized for his dialect work, earning a reputation as one of radio's foremost dialecticians. Among his most prominent radio roles was Ajax Cassidy on Fred Allen's program, an Irishman given to lamenting that he was "not long for this world." Beyond Allen's Alley, Donald was a regular presence on Radio Reader's Digest, Stage Door Canteen, and We, the People. He hosted County Fair during the 1940s and read jokes on the panel program Can You Top This? In 1947, he hosted a transcribed program on WINS radio in New York City, sponsored by Stanback and featuring the Three Flames instrumental group. In 1952, he filled in as host of Don McNeill's Breakfast Club for six weeks during McNeill's absence.

On Broadway, Donald appeared in Bitter Sweet during the 1929–1930 season and in Give Me Yesterday in 1931. His stage work also extended to writing, as he composed plays, satirical sketches, and song lyrics.

In television, Donald hosted two early series: The Ad-Libbers in 1951 and Masquerade Party from 1954 to 1956. He also hosted the Texaco Star Theater on NBC on September 14, 1948, the broadcast during which he announced that Milton Berle would take over hosting duties the following week. His television guest appearances spanned comedy programs including The Colgate Comedy Hour and The NBC Comedy Hour, as well as panel shows such as Pantomime Quiz, What's My Line?, and To Tell the Truth. His acting credits on television included Prize Performance and ABC Showcase, both in 1950. He appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1962, and among his final television appearances was the daytime panel program Get the Message in 1964.

Donald was married to Jo Janis, an actress in radio. He was identified with advocacy on behalf of underprivileged children and devoted considerable personal time to efforts aimed at curbing juvenile delinquency. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Television category, is located on Hollywood Boulevard and was dedicated on February 8, 1960.