Bob Elliott
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Born Name:
Robert Brackett Elliott
Born Date: March 26, 1923
Born Place: Winchester, Massachusetts
Died Date: February 2, 2016
Died Place: Cundy Harbor, Maine
Occupations: Comedian, actor
Brief Biography: Bob Elliott known as one-half of the influential comedy duo Bob and Ray. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Elliott and his partner, Ray Goulding, pioneered a deadpan, satirical style of radio and television comedy that influenced generations of comedians.
Early Life and Career:
Military Service: Served in the U.S. Army in Northern Europe during World War II.
Formation of Bob and Ray: Began his radio career at WHDH in Boston in 1946. He met Ray Goulding, a newscaster, and the two began improvising, leading to their show Matinee with Bob and Ray.
Style: Their humor was characterized by quiet, absurd, and dry satire, often targeting the conventions of broadcasting, such as soap operas, man-on-the-street interviews, and commercials.
"Bob and Ray" Success:
Radio and TV: Moved to New York in 1951, appearing on NBC and in various TV roles. They featured on Monitor and had their own show, Bob and Ray, from 1951 to 1953.
Characters: Elliott was famous for portraying characters like slow-talking reporter Wally Ballou.
Broadway and Awards: Debuted on Broadway in 1970 with The Two and Only, and were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995.
Commercials: Famous for voice work in ads, particularly as Bert and Harry Piel for Piel's Beer.
End of Partnership: Worked together until Goulding's death in 1990.
Solo Career and Later Work:
Acting: Appeared in movies including Quick Change (1990) and Cabin Boy (1994).
Collaboration with Chris Elliott: Frequently appeared with his son, comedian Chris Elliott, including playing his father on the cult sitcom Get a Life (1990-1992).
Legacy: Known as the patriarch of a comedy family, he is the father of Chris Elliott and grandfather of Abby Elliott and Bridey Elliott.
Born Date: March 26, 1923
Born Place: Winchester, Massachusetts
Died Date: February 2, 2016
Died Place: Cundy Harbor, Maine
Occupations: Comedian, actor
Brief Biography: Bob Elliott known as one-half of the influential comedy duo Bob and Ray. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Elliott and his partner, Ray Goulding, pioneered a deadpan, satirical style of radio and television comedy that influenced generations of comedians.
Early Life and Career:
Military Service: Served in the U.S. Army in Northern Europe during World War II.
Formation of Bob and Ray: Began his radio career at WHDH in Boston in 1946. He met Ray Goulding, a newscaster, and the two began improvising, leading to their show Matinee with Bob and Ray.
Style: Their humor was characterized by quiet, absurd, and dry satire, often targeting the conventions of broadcasting, such as soap operas, man-on-the-street interviews, and commercials.
"Bob and Ray" Success:
Radio and TV: Moved to New York in 1951, appearing on NBC and in various TV roles. They featured on Monitor and had their own show, Bob and Ray, from 1951 to 1953.
Characters: Elliott was famous for portraying characters like slow-talking reporter Wally Ballou.
Broadway and Awards: Debuted on Broadway in 1970 with The Two and Only, and were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995.
Commercials: Famous for voice work in ads, particularly as Bert and Harry Piel for Piel's Beer.
End of Partnership: Worked together until Goulding's death in 1990.
Solo Career and Later Work:
Acting: Appeared in movies including Quick Change (1990) and Cabin Boy (1994).
Collaboration with Chris Elliott: Frequently appeared with his son, comedian Chris Elliott, including playing his father on the cult sitcom Get a Life (1990-1992).
Legacy: Known as the patriarch of a comedy family, he is the father of Chris Elliott and grandfather of Abby Elliott and Bridey Elliott.