Bob Elliott

Robert Brackett Elliott (March 26, 1923 – February 2, 2016) was an American comedian and actor, one-half of the comedy duo of Bob and Ray. He was the father of comedian/actor Chris Elliott and grandfather of actresses and comedians Abby Elliott and Bridey Elliott. He is most remembered for the character of radio reporter Wally Ballou. the son of Gail Marguarite (née Brackett), a needleworker, and Fred Russell Elliott, who worked in insurance. Bob Elliott served in the U.S. Army in Northern Europe during World War II. On radio, he appeared in programs with his long-time partner Ray Goulding. These were in different series and time slots over decades, beginning in the late 1940s at Boston's WHDH radio on the show Matinee with Bob and Ray.

Bob and Ray in a publicity photo with Tedi Thurman for Monitor, where all were program regulars On television, Elliott and Goulding hosted Bob and Ray from 1951 to 1953. He appeared on a number of other television programs, including Happy Days; Newhart; and Bob & Ray, Jane, Laraine & Gilda in 1979 (with Goulding, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman and Gilda Radner); The David Steinberg Show; and Saturday Night Live. He would star in made-for-TV-Movie's such as Between Time and Timbuktu and FDR: A One Man Show. Elliott also made television commercials,

In 1970, the duo debuted in The Two and Only on Broadway. Bob and Goulding worked together up until Goulding's death in 1990. In 1990, he portrayed "Fred Peterson" in the television series Get a Life, which starred Chris as his son. Four years later, the elder Elliott appeared in the Tim Burton production Cabin Boy, playing Chris's father again. In 2004, he appeared in a skit on the Air America radio program The O'Franken Factor. Elliott appeared on radio with Garrison Keillor in The American Radio Company of the Air. In 1954, Elliott married Knight's widow, Lee (née Peppers). They were married for 58 years until her death in 2012. They adopted Lee and Ray Knight's two children, Colony Elliott Santangelo and Shannon Elliott.

Elliott died in Cundy's Harbor, Maine, on February 2, 2016, from throat cancer at the age of 92.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1959 Test Dive Buddies Bob Short film directed by Ed Graham Jr. 1960 Kid Gloves Bob Short film directed by Ed Graham Jr. 1971 Cold Turkey Hugh Upson/David Chetley/Sandy Van Andy Satirical comedy film directed by Norman Lear. 1980Vengeance Luke Directed and written by Bob Bliss. 1981 B.C.: A Special Christmas Peter (voice) American animated short film directed by Vlad Goetzelman. 1982 Author! Author! Patrick Dicker American comedy drama film directed by Arthur Hiller and written by Israel Horovitz. 1984 Kidco Policeman #2 Comedy film directed by Ronald F. Maxwell. 1987 The Gnomes' Great Adventure Fred 1990 Quick Change Bank Guard 1994 Cabin Boy William Mayweather

Television Year Title Role Notes 1951–53 Bob and Ray Co-Host 15-minute television series on NBC. 1972 Between Time and Timbuktu Bud Williams, Jr. 1976 The David Steinberg Show Episode: "Episode #1.1 (Pilot)" 1978 Saturday Night Live Interviewer Episode: "Elliott Gould/Peter Tosh" 1979 Happy Days Gil Crawford Episode: "Here Comes the Bride, Again" 1981 The Steve Allen Comedy Hour Episode: "Episode #1.22" 1985 Trapper John, M.D. Zeke Rainey Episode: "A False Start" 1986 Action Family The Vendor 1987 FDR: A One Man Show Make-Up Man 1988 Coming of Age Episode: "Hale to the Chief" Newhart Bill Loudon Episode: "I Came, I Saw, I Sat" 1990–92 Get a Life Fred Peterson Contract role 1999 LateLine Wally Van Horn Episode: "The Minister of Television" 2008 King of the Hill Edgar Hornsby (voice) Episode: "Square-Footed Monster" (final role)