Bud Coyller Collection

Bud Collyer
(1908 – 1969)

"This looks like a job – FOR SUPERMAN!"

Read that line again. Better yet, close your eyes and listen to it in your head. Notice how the voice changes in the middle? The way that it changes from mild-mannered Clark Kent's easy tenor to Superman's rich baritone? The voice you are hearing is probably that of Bud Collyer, the first actor to portray the Man Of Steel in any media, and he did more than his share to breathe life into one of the world's favorite fictional characters.

Bud was born Clayton Johnson Heermance Jr in New York City in 1908. Clayton Sr. had several relations in show business, but he hoped that his son would follow him into the legal profession. That was Bud's intent, he went to William's College and studied law at Fordham University, and eventually took a job as a law clerk. Since clerking does not pay all that well, he did some moonlighting as a singer and announcer at a radio station. It did not take him long to realize that he could make more in a month on radio than in a year as a clerk, so he took his mother's maiden name for his radio handle and went into broadcasting full-time.

Bud was a "jack-of-all-trades" on his side of the microphone, and worked as a singer, an announcer, and acted in all sorts of roles and genres. At the beginning of his career, he spent a lot of time involved in juvenile dramas. He had supporting parts on Terry and the Pirates and The Blue Beetle, as well as the title role in Renfrew of the Mounted. He was one of the players to portray Albie Levy on Albie's Irish Rose and had his share of soap opera work in The Guiding Light and The Goldbergs.

The Man Of Steel is the role Bud is best remembered for, even though it was far from the highlight of his career. In fact, he played Superman in three different media but was never seen in the role by the audience. In fact, most of the time he played the part he was not credited. When DC comics brought their flagship character to the airwaves, they insisted that the actor's name be kept a secret so as to maintain the illusion that the real Superman was on the radio. Collyer provided the voice for Paramount's Fleischer animated theatrical shorts and kept the role on the radio until 1951.

Along with Superman's catchphrases, several elements of the Superman universe came from Collyer's association with the character. The plot device of "kryptonite" was invented so that Collyer could take time off for summer vacations. When Superman was weakened in the presence of kryptonite to the point that he couldn't talk or just moan, the Collyer family could escape the city for a few days.

When Superman on the radio finally ran its course, Bud made the transition to game-shows both on radio and TV. He started on the radio versions of Break the Bank with Bert Parks and Winner Take All, and later hosted both shows on TV. He became a household name for hosting Goodman-Todman's Beat the Clock from 1950 to 1961. Although the "puzzles" set for the contestants was the programs draw, it was Collyer's personality and interest in the contestant's families, especially the children, that made the show a favorite. He was so good with the kids that he was often compared to his contemporary, Art Linkletter.

In 1956, Bud was tapped to host To Tell The Truth, which would be as popular if not more than Beat the Clock. The new show was more thoughtful and calm in comparison to Beat the Clock's zaniness, but Collyer easily made the transition. "Will the real… (name here) … please… stand up?!" soon became a common phrase.

For all his years in show business, Bud Collyer was an uncommonly decent fellow. He was a Sunday School teacher at his church in Connecticut for 35 years and worked as a church caretaker in his off-time. In 1969, Goodman-Todman decided to bring Beat the Clock back to television syndication with a new, younger host. Legend has it that nervous new host Jack Narz was flying to New York to tape the show and happened to take a seat on the plane next to Bud Collyer. Throughout the flight, Bud coached Narz on how to handle his new job. Within the week, everyone on the crew from the old show received a hand-written letter from Collyer, wishing them success with the new program. Most of Bud Collyer's fan mail was answered in longhand.

To Tell The Truth stayed on the air until the 1968 season. The decision was made in 1969 to bring it back in syndication as well, and Bud was offered the hosting position. He declined, sighting failing health. When Gary Moore was offered the job, his first move was to call Bud who said "I'm just not up to it". Moore hosted the show until forced to retire in 1977 by throat cancer.

A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6150 Hollywood Blvd honors Bud Collyer's contributions to Radio. The location is shared by Stars honoring Jerry Lewis and Irene Rich.