Network radio announcer Jean Paul King

Jean Paul King (December 1, 1904 – August 21, 1965) was born in Alda, Nebraska, but grew up in Tacoma. He was a prominent figure in radio during the 1930s, particularly known for his work as a network announcer for NBC’s West Coast network. Tacoma is where he spent his formative years. King attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, for two years before transferring to the University of Washington, graduating in 1926. At UW, he was active in the University Players, glee club, and sports, which likely honed his performance and public speaking skills. King’s radio career began after he gained acting experience with a stock theater company during his college years, including work with the Henry Duffy Players in Oakland. His theatrical background transitioned into radio when he started as an announcer for a radio drama in San Francisco.

NBC West Coast Network: By the 1930s, King had risen to prominence as the head announcer for NBC’s West Coast network, a significant role during the Golden Age of Radio. His work included announcing for major programs such as:
Ziegfeld Follies of the Air
The Lanny Ross Show
Palmolive Beauty Box Theater
Myrt and Marge
Clara, Lu, and Em
The Shadow
Gang Busters
John’s Other Wife
The Lamplighter
The Voice of Experience

After his time at NBC, King worked at several notable radio stations, including KGW in Portland, KHQ in Spokane, and WLW in Cincinnati.
He later returned to Tacoma as the director of public relations for the Buckley-King company.

Beyond radio announcing, King narrated Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer newsreels for two years and worked on Vitaphone films such as Mechanix Illustrated (1938) and Northern Lights (1936), as well as Warner Bros. travelogues like Sweden (1936). His voice work extended to television, with appearances in shows like Burke’s Law (1963), Peter Gunn (1958), and Highway Patrol (1955).
King contributed articles to Radio Digest and other magazines, showcasing his broader engagement with the media industry.
In 1950, King was named program director of KDYL in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he also hosted a daily 30-minute program. His later years included television roles and public relations work in Tacoma.
Jean Paul King passed away on August 21, 1965, in Los Angeles, California, and is buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Jason Remington

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