John Lawrence Narz Jr. (November 13, 1922 – October 15, 2008) was an American radio personality, television host, and singer.

Early years

Narz was born to John and Ado Narz, in Louisville, Kentucky, of Lithuanian descent, along with sister Mary and younger brother James Edward (1927–2020).

Narz served as a military fighter pilot during World War II, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for missions flown in the China-Burma theater. He worked as an announcer at California radio stations KXO-AM, El Centro; KWIK-FM, Burbank; KIEV, Glendale; and KLAC-AM, Los Angeles.

In 1955, as he did on radio, Narz served as the announcer-sidekick of bandleader Bob Crosby on The Bob Crosby Show on daytime TV. That same year, he also worked as announcer on Place the Face, a game show hosted by Bill Cullen and earlier by Jack Bailey.

By the end of 1957, Narz's success led him to relocate with his family from Southern California to the suburbs of New York City.

Dotto

In January 1958, Narz began hosting his own game show, presiding over CBS's Dotto. daughter of Oscar-winning composer Heinz Roemheld and the sister of Bill Cullen's wife, Ann. They had three sons, John, Michael, and David, and a daughter, Karen. They divorced in 1961.

On November 14, 1964, Narz married radio station program director Barbara Bricker, a former model and television actress. They divorced in 1966.

In 1969, he married Dolores "Doe" Vaichsner.

Death

On October 15, 2008, Narz died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills, California, following two strokes and complications from kidney failure. He was 85.

See also

  • List of people from the Louisville metropolitan area

References

  • Narz Family Official Tribute Page