John "Bud" Hallam Hiestand, also known as Bud Hallam (January 16, 1907 – February 5, 1987) was an American actor and announcer. He began his career acting on radio in the early 1930s and soon also began work as an announcer in shows and commercials. During World War II, he worked for the U.S. Office of War Information, becoming chief of theater operations in the southwest Pacific. After the war, he continued to appear as a radio announcer, but also acted in films and TV series from the 1930s to the 1980s, sometimes in the roles of narrator or radio or TV announcer.
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Early life
Hiestand was born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1907. He graduated from Stanford University with a BA in political science in 1930.
Career
Hiestand started his career in radio in 1933, appearing first on station KHJ as an actor in a program called Catherine the Great, and soon became an announcer with station KFI. In 1936, he was described in the Los Angeles Times as "the blond Norse god of KFI-KECA". He also appeared on radio programs broadcast by Don Ameche, Al Jolson, Harriet Hilliard and Ozzie Nelson, and in such shows as Feg Murray's The Baker's Broadcast, Amos 'n' Andy and The Fred Allen Show. He recorded commercial advertisements for radio and TV, including during Rudy Vallée's radio program. In 1938, a columnist in the Los Angeles Daily News gave Hiestand an "honorable mention for doing a swell job of selling the sponsor's stuff ... [his] chores on the Vallee radioshow are pleasing to the ears ... simple, but effective commercials." In 1942, a reviewer wrote that he "made a splendid appearance on the stage" as announcer for a live performance by The Hour of Charm All-Girl Orchestra.
During World War II, Hiestand served in the U.S. Office of War Information producing The Philippine Hour, and he became chief of theater operations in the southwest Pacific. After the war, he appeared as the announcer in further radio shows like Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge, The Great Gildersleeve, The Mel Blanc Show, and Meet Corliss Archer.
He appeared in many films from the 1930s to the 1980s, often in the roles of narrator or radio or TV announcer. He also appeared in many TV series, including Gangbusters, The Public Defender, Telephone Time, Frontier Doctor, Surfside 6, Hazel, Bewitched, The Bold Ones, Temperatures Rising and The Waltons.
Personal life
Hiestand married actress and writer Jeane Wood, daughter of film director Sam Wood, in 1936. They adopted a daughter in 1939. They divorced in 1952, and he married actress Jeane McGee in 1953. They had one daughter, and this marriage lasted until his death in 1987. Hiestand had a brother, Bob, who worked as a sound-effects engineer, and a sister, Betty, who was married to Glann Heisch, a radio producer. Hiestand collected world maps, and had over 800 in 1940.
Filmography
Film
Source
Two Against the World (1936) - Radio Announcer 1 (uncredited)
Stage Struck (1936) - Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Black Legion (1937) - First Radio Announcer Breaking Story (uncredited)
Mountain Justice (1937) - Radio Announcer at Ruth's Trial (uncredited)
A Day at the Races (1937) - Radio Announcer (uncredited)
The Singing Marine (1937) - Amateur Hour Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Mr. Dodd Takes the Air (1937) - 3rd Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Reported Missing! (1937) - Radio Announcer (uncredited)
The Perfect Specimen (1937) - Radio Commentator (uncredited)
Navy Blue and Gold (1937) - Commentator 1 (uncredited)
Big Town Girl (1937) - Announcer (uncredited)
Missing Witnesses (1937) - Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Love and Hisses (1937) - Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Man-Proof (1938) - Radio Reporter in Ring (uncredited)
Happy Landing (1938) - Announcer (uncredited)
Daredevil Drivers (1938) - KFWB Announcer (uncredited)
Television
Gangbusters - The Dennis Case (1952) TV Episode....Lt. John Winters
The Public Defender - Eight Out of a Hundred (1955) TV Episode....Dunsmore
Our Miss Brooks - Here Is Your Past (1955) TV Episode....Jeff Cartwright
My Little Margie - Margie's Elopement (1955) TV Episode....Private Detective
Big Town - Out on Parole (1955) TV Episode....Governor Ryan
The Man Behind the Badge - The Case of the Deadly Homburg (1955) TV Episode....Harry
Waterfront - The Hideout (1955) TV Episode....Sam Jordan
Telephone Time - Felix the Fourth (1956) TV Episode....uncredited
How to Marry a Millionaire - The Three Pretenders (1957) TV Episode....Admiral
M Squad - Killer in Town (1957) TV Episode....Police Driver
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp - Siege at Little Alamo (1957) TV Episode....Mr. Jones - Woman Trouble (1957) TV Episode....Brother Dolph
Alcoa Presents One Step Beyond - Night of April 14th (1959) TV Episode....Drunk
Frontier Doctor - Man to Man (1959) TV Episode....Sheriff Beal
Bachelor Father - Bentley and the Revolving Housekeepers (1957) TV Episode....Poker Pal 2 - Bentley and the Social Worker (1958) TV Episode....Poker Pal 1 - A Sister for Kelly (1958) TV Episode....Man 2 - Woman of the House (1958) TV Episode....Mr. Richardson - Peter Falls in Love (1958) TV Episode....Hal - Parent's Night (1958) TV Episode....Man - Bentley and the Teenage Siren (1958) TV Episode....Herb - A Phone for Kelly (1959) TV Episode....Ted - Bentley the Proud Father (1959) TV Episode....Committee Member - Kelly's Idol (1959) TV Episode....Harry