Rudy Vallee
Rudy Vallee started his career as a saxophone player and singer and later became a band leader. In the 1920s and early 30s he had a hit radio program, The Fleishmann's Yeast Hour (where he was hated by his cast and crew due to his explosive ego-driven personality). In the early 1930's he was ranked with the likes of Bing Crosby and the tragic Russ Columbo in the Hit Parade. A huge hit on radio in 1933 with his program, initially known as 'The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour,' Vallee was considered a slave driver by his staff. He was known to instigate fist fights with virtually anyone who got on his nerves. During the run of his show he slugged photographers, threw sheet music in the faces of pianists' heads and if provoked, would sock hecklers in the nose. While audiences loved him, he was hated by most of his staff. As a very popular star in night clubs and on records, as well as in movies, he helped other singers like Alice Faye - who was for a while his band singer - and Frances Langford to start their careers. In his early movies he often played the romantic lead, but he switched later to stuffy and comic parts. He also appeared on Broadway. The mid-60's Broadway hit "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" was filmed in 1967 with him in his original Broadway role.
Acting
TV
Batman
as Lord Marmaduke Ffogg
1966
Movie
The Palm Beach Story
as John D. Hackensacker III
1942
TV
CHiPs
as Arthur Forbinger
1977
Movie
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
as Tommy
1947
Movie
Unfaithfully Yours
as August Henshler
1948
TV
Night Gallery
as Dr. Francis Deeking
1970
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
1962
Movie
I Remember Mama
as Dr. Johnson
1948
Movie
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
as J. B. Biggley
1967
TV
Ellery Queen
as Alvin Winer
1975
TV
Petticoat Junction
1963
TV
Alias Smith and Jones
1971
Movie
The Sin of Harold Diddlebock
as Lynn Sargent
1947
TV
Here's Lucy
as Rudy Vallee
1968
Movie
Live a Little, Love a Little
as Louis Penlow
1968
TV
What's My Line?
as Self
1950
TV
What's My Line?
as Self - Panelist
1950
Movie
My Dear Secretary
as Charles Harris
1948
Movie
The Night They Raided Minsky's
as Opening Narrator (voice)
1968
TV
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
1948
Movie
International House
as Himself
1933
Movie
Gentlemen Marry Brunettes
as Rudy Vallee
1955
Movie
Glorifying the American Girl
as Self
1929
Movie
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
as Autograph Hound
1976
