Byron Palmer

Byron Palmer (June 21, 1920 – September 30, 2009) was an American movie actor and television host.

Early years Palmer was the second of four children of Harlan G. Palmer, a politician, judge, and most notably the owner and publisher of the historic Hollywood Citizen News. While attending Occidental College, Palmer wrote obituaries for his father's paper and later joined CBS as a page eventually leading him to become a CBS radio news reporter and announcer.

Film and stage Palmer made his debut in film in the 1953 film Tonight We Sing. He starred with Jack Palance in Man in the Attic, with Gordon MacRae in The Best Things in Life Are Free and in several other films including Emergency Hospital and Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki and the 1956 film Glory. After acting as master of ceremonies for a touring “Hollywood on Ice” show, he starred with Ray Bolger in Where's Charley? on Broadway in 1948. He was also featured in the early 1950s Broadway revue "Bless You All" with Pearl Bailey, and the 1956 film Glory.

Television Palmer hosted the Miss Universe 1958 and Miss Universe 1959 beauty pageants on the CBS television network. Additionally, he hosted the syndicated variety program This is Your Music in 1955 and was co-host of Bride and Groom, which was originally broadcast on CBS and later on NBC in the 1950s.

Palmer made a number of television appearances, including episodes of Perry Mason, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Betty White Show, Pete and Gladys, How to Marry a Millionaire, Lawman, Soldiers of Fortune, Cavalcade of America, Matinee Theatre and more.

Personal life Palmer married his high school sweetheart, JoAnn Ramson, in 1944. He later remarried to beauty queen and actress Ruth Hampton in 1954.

In 1974, Palmer remarried once again to actress and professional dancer Georgine Darcy who is best known for her role as Miss Torso in the highly acclaimed Alfred Hitchcock film Rear Window. They remained married until her death in 2004.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1953 Tonight We Sing Gregory Lawrence 1953 Man in the Attic Insp. Paul Warwick 1955 Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki Bob Baxter 1956 Glory Hoppy Hollis 1956 The Best Things in Life Are Free Hollywood Star 1956 Emergency Hospital Ben Caldwell