Ed Sullivan Biography

For 23 years this fumbling, wooden presenter fronted 'The Ed Sullivan Show', and managed to entertain his extremely diverse audience at least some of the time.

As a sports reporter, gossip columnist and some time radio presenter, Sullivan was known on the Broadway scene from the early 1930s. He also acted in some comedy films and musicals during the 1930s and 1940s.

Only in 1948 did Sullivan become a famous man. He was hired by CBS to host the network's first variety show, 'The Toast of the Town', later renamed after Sullivan.

Sullivan had little stage presence, wandering around aimlessly, yet the audience seemed not to mind; here was an ordinary man bringing them the stars of the present and future. Sullivan had a knack of balancing his show for his audience, mixing a classical pianist with rock and rollers, and unassailable music legends with fresh unknown faces. He had an eye for new trends and sounds, and was a talent scout for the nation; generations of pop fans remember him introducing Americans to Britain’s biggest ever band with an awkward “Here they are, THE BEATLES!”

The series came off air in 1971 and Sullivan made numerous cameo appearances in films until he died in 1974.