Warren Hull

John Warren Hull (January 17, 1903 – September 14, 1974), known professionally as Warren Hull, was an American actor, singer and television personality active from the 1930s through the 1960s. He was one of the most popular serial actors in the action-adventure field, playing heroes such as the Spider, Mandrake the Magician and the Green Hornet.

Early years

Born in Gasport, New York, Hull was one of three children born to John and Laura (nee Shafer) Hull. Both of his parents were Quakers. Hull attended Lockport High School, graduating in 1922. He then attended New York University with the intention of pursuing a career in business. He later decided to pursue a career in music and enrolled at the Eastman School of Music, where he studied voice. After completing his studies, he moved to New York City, where he became a chorus boy in Shubert operas and operettas. This eventually led to Hull working in two Broadway musicals; starring as Jack Negly in My Maryland (1927) and as Jack Wayne in Rain or Shine (1928).

In 1923, Hull began working as a radio announcer. He was the master of ceremonies for the first Your Hit Parade radio program and also worked as an announcer for The Beatrice Lillie Show.

Career

Films In the mid-1930s, Hull pursued a screen career.

Pleased with Hull's performance, Columbia cast him as Mandrake the Magician in its 1939 serial. Universal Pictures starred the now-established serial hero in The Green Hornet Strikes Again! (1941) and Columbia put him back in the mask and cloak for The Spider Returns (1941).

Radio and television In the mid-1940s, Hull returned to radio announcing, appearing with frequency on such programs as Your Hit Parade and Vox Pop. During World War II, Hull traveled about the country and in Canada, putting on Vox Pop before servicemen at camps and bases. After the War, he did Vox Pop broadcasts from France, Britain, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. In 1947, he hosted The Warren Hull Show, for CBS radio. During this time, Hull also hosted Cavalcade of Bands for Dumont radio.

In 1948 he replaced Todd Russell as the host of the radio game show Strike It Rich. Hull continued as host when the show was adapted for television in 1951. In 1953–54, former Miss America Bess Myerson co-hosted a game show called "The Big Payoff"; Hull occasionally substituted for regular co-host Robert Paige. During the next two decades he hosted TV programs such as Top Dollar, Beat the Odds, and Public Prosecutor. By the early 1960s, Hull was largely retired and was living in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 1962, he came out of retirement to host the game show Who in the World.

Personal life Hull was married four times and had four children.

Death On September 14, 1974, Hull died of congestive heart failure at Waterbury Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut, at the age of 71.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1935 Personal Maid's Secret Jimmy Miss Pacific Fleet Sgt. Tom Foster 1936 Freshman Love Bob Wilson The Walking Dead Jimmy The Law in Her Hands Asst. Dist. Atty. Robert Mitchell The Big Noise Ken Mitchell Bengal Tiger Joe Larson Love Begins at 20 Jerry Wayne Fugitive in the Sky Terry Brewer 1937 Her Husband's Secretary Barton 'Bart' Kingdon Night Key Jim Travers Michael O'Halloran Dr. Douglas Bruce Rhythm in the Clouds Bob McKay Paradise Isle Kennedy A Bride for Henry Henry Tuttle 1938 Hawaii Calls Cmdr. Milburn The Spider's Web Richard Wentworth / The Spider / Blinky McQuade Serial Smashing the Spy Ring Phil Dunlap 1939 Star Reporter John Randolph / John Charles Benton Mandrake the Magician Mandrake the Magician Serial Should a Girl Marry? Dr. Robert Benson Girl from Rio Steven Ward Crashing Thru Constable Kelly 1940 Yukon Flight Bill Shipley Hidden Enemy Bill MacGregor The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady Bob Penyon The Last Alarm Frank Rogers Marked Men Bill Carver Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride Donald Gregory Remedy for Riches Tom Stewart The Green Hornet Strikes Again! Britt Reid / Green Hornet Serial 1941 The Spider Returns Richard Wentworth / The Spider / Blinky McQuade Serial Bowery Blitzkrieg Tom Brady