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Bob Bailey 06.13.1913 - 08.13.1983 (70 years old)

Let George Do It and Your's Truly, Johnny Dollar are two of the best loved shows in radio. What do they have in common? Why Bob Bailey, of course. Bailey was born in 1913 to performer parents in Toledo, Ohio almost in a trunk so show business was in his blood. He made his stage debut while still in diapers at 18 months then, in 1925, he started on radio working with his dad. In Chicago, Bailey worked steadily in radio until 20th Century Fox gave him a contract just after the start of World War 2. Bob headed to Hollywood where he made seven movies, the most prominent of which were two Laurel and Hardy movies, Jitterbugs and Dance Masters.

Bailey didn't fit the mold of the typical Hollywood leading man. Though he worked regularly in radio, movies, and television, he is best known for his two well-loved characters George Valentine and Johnny Dollar. Let Geroge Do It started in 1946 and ran for nine seasons.While overseas during WW2, George decided he wanted to work for himself so he crafted a job out of nothing for himself. Then in 1954 Bailey took over the role of Johnny Dollar, continuing in the role until it moved to New York in 1960. Many OTR fans consider Bailey's Johnny Dollar to be the definitive portrayal of them all. Click here to read more about Bob Bailey

Thanks

This actor appeared in the following radio shows



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Johnny Dollar is one of the best series ever on radio and Bob bailey did more episodes of the long running series than anyone. How this ranking was obtained is a complete mystery to me.

jake

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Love Bob Bailey. He was the best Johnny Dollar!!!

Dwight

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Bob Bailey was the best Yours Truly Johnny Dollar ever!

Patt

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Love Bob Bailey

Todd

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I’ve always wanted an Action-Packed Expense Account!! Johnny Dollar to me is always Bob Bailey...

Joy

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Love that show!!!

Tim

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Bailey was always great as Dollar. The five-part serialized episodes were particularly good and the highlight of this always great series.

Tim

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I listened to Johnny Dollar as a child and youth and now I listen to the CDs of his series...

Halford

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I like his voice so much that I even enjoy listening to Johnny Dollar marathons I've heard multiple times over the years and never turn the dial. Great work Bob. You are missed!

scott

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As an insurance agent I just live that show!!'

Tim

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i love Johnny Dollar

Teressa

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One of my favorites on "Radio Classics".

Mark

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I love his voice also . Wish I had known about him along time ago you are missed

Joyce

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I love Bob Bailey.

Jean

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Best Johnny dollar ever.

Jacob

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best of the Dollars. 1st image I have seen of him, not what I pictured. voice and face just do not match.

Allan

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Bob Bailey, great radio actor! Their faces never seem to match your idea of what they should look like...

Rosee

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My FAVORITE radio show is anything with this man!

Tania

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The best Johnny dollar

John

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Let George Do It. One of my favorite shows

Amir

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I love Bob Belly

Robert

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One of my favs

Ruth

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Love Bob Bailey!

Allison

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Definitely my favorite of all the radio programs!

Jean

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My favorite radio show of all time!

Bob

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One of my favorite radio shows the big expense account yours truly Johnny Dollar

Calina

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I really like Bob Bailey's show. Like Bob Bailey very much.

Bill

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Today we celebrate the 1949 premiere of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. The adventures of the man with the action packed expense account premiered on CBS and lasted over 12 years with many actors taking on the starring role

Andrew

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Bob Bailey is my favorite Johnny Dollar!!

Karen

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Bob Bailey ranks as one of my favorites, right along with Bill Johnstone as the Shadow and Bill Forman as the Whistler.

Jim

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Watched "The Lineup" 1958 last night on the over the air movie channel. Robert (Bob) Bailey had a small part. I liked the movie because it had trains, ships, planes, and the blimp along with scenes of 1950's San Francisco, and Johnny Dollar.

Randall

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Virginia Gregg pops up everywhere

Steve

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Not that there's anything wrong with that.

David

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no of course not she’s great. I do laugh at myself when there is a sexy voiced lady on a show and they announce it’s Jan Miner or Virginia Christine

Steve

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Virginia Gregg is the female Howard McNear

Randall

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I'm watching The Rifleman on AMC and seeing people like Les Tremayne, Jack Kruschen, Parley Baer, Arnold Moss and other radio folk..and even one episode directed by William Conrad.

David

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Bailey, Bob Born in Toledo, Ohio 6/13/1913; died 8/13/1983 in Lancaster, California. He had been living in a convalescent home for a decade before his death due to complications from a stroke. Bailey began his career in 1925 as a stage actor.

Jack

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One of five actors to play John Knight on the NBC-Radio soap, Girl Alone (1935-1941). Gooch on Mortimer Gooch for CBS-Radio (1936-1937). Bob Jones on the CBS-Radio soap, Kitty Keene (1937-?). Phil Hayworth on That Brewster Boy for NBC-Radio; CBS-Radio (1941-1945). Bill Mead on the NBC-Radio West Coast soap, Aunt Mary (1942-1951). George Valentine on Let George Do It for Mutual-Radio, in syndication (1946-1954). Harry Archer on Meet Corliss Archer for CBS-Radio and ABC-Radio (1943-1956). Johnny Starr on the NBC-Radio soap, The Story Of Holly Sloan (1947- 1948). Regular performer on Romance for CBS-Radio (1954-1957). Johnny Dollar on Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar for CBS-Radio (1955-1960). Raymond Borden on the NBC-Radio soap, One Man's Family (?-?).

Jack

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My Fave too, and love Bob Bailey'she is the Best Johnny Dollar and Handsome too!

Shirley

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Easily one of the best programs on Radio Classics!

Zack

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I think Johnny Dollar is my favorite radio show on Radio Classics! Wasn’t around to hear the originals, but LOVE listening to them now!

Joy

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You don’t get any better than Gunsmoke & Johnny Dollar. Superbly written and brilliantly portrayed.

Dan

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This guy was terrific. Continues to entertain us.

Bruce

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Love Bailey as Dollar than as Valentine.

Dale

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Johnny Dollar is my favorite, I could listen to it all day!

Ruth

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My favorite five part JD serial. This was based on the "Chicago Fraud Matter" episode staring John Lund as Johnny.

Adam

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My kid was trying to figure out how to dress up as Johnny Dollar for Halloween... I told her no one over 50 would get it...unless they listen to Radio Classics!

Deb

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That would certainly be unique! No one was even close to his performance. The best.

Michael

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"The man with the action packed expense account" One of my favorite programs on Radio Classics.

Jim

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Love Johnny Dollar!!!!! One of my faves...right up there with Gunsmoke

Dawn

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Happy birthday to our favorite freelance investigator! Bob Bailey was born on this day in 1913!

Paul

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Happy Birthday, Yours Truly.. Johnny Dollar!

Shirley

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We love listening to our Johnny Dollar CDs . Love all the shows, but Bob Bailey is definitely my favorite Johnny Dollar. Thank you Radio Classics for bringing us these great shows to enjoy again and again.

Terry

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Love Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar!!! I wish that I could have told him this!!!!

Dawn

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I love him as Johnny Dollar! Radio is all about the voice and for me, his is instantly recognizable.

Vicki

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My favorite OTR voice. Never get tired of listening to him.

Timothy

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Enjoyed all his work! Johnny Dollar is my favorite of the classic detectives!

Dam

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When I’m on a long drive and Johnny Dollar comes on, I have missed exits because I’m so wrapped up in the story! But every time he says “Yours truly...” I tip my imaginary hat “...Johnny Dollar”!

Liz

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Heh I do the same danged thing. Tip my hat at “yours truly”

Erica

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a couple of episodes I have listened to which have Bob Bailey in them Cavalcade of America 47-05-05 School For Men Criminal At Large 47-09-11 Murder In Stone (Audition)

Michael

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Love Johnny Dollar, Bob is the best. Just immortal voice like Webb and Friday. Love that era so much more substance than some of the stuff today.

Sylvie

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Bob Bailey and Virginia Gregg.
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