Ken Niles (December 9, 1906 – October 31, 1988) was an American radio announcer. Niles was born in Livingston, Montana.
Niles debuted in radio on KJR in Seattle, Washington, late in the 1920s.DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. . p. 205. He began a series of original radio dramas called Theater of the Mind in 1928. Niles subsequently narrated, or served as announcer, in several other feature films. His most notable film role was the murdered lawyer Leonard Eels in Out of the Past (1947) with Robert Mitchum.
Niles also served as commercial announcer and foil for Bing Crosby in the Bing Crosby Entertains series (1933-1935) and also on several series sponsored by Camel Cigarettes, notably The Abbott and Costello Show. Niles was frequently paired in comedy skits opposite Elvia Allman as his fictitious wife, "Mrs. Niles". He was also the announcer for The Amazing Mrs. Danberry.Dunning, op. cit., "The Amazing Mrs. Danberry" p. 24.
For his work in radio, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as did his brother, making them the first brothers to be so honored. Ken Niles' star is at 6711 Hollywood Boulevard, in the Radio section. It was dedicated February 8, 1960.
Family He was married to Nadia Niles, and had two children, Kenneth Niles and Denise Niles. His elder brother, Wendell Niles, was also a radio announcer.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1937 Hollywood Hotel Ken Niles 1938 Men Are Such Fools Bill Uncredited1939 Sweepstakes Winner First Radio Announcer Uncredited1941 Harmon of Michigan Ken Niles 1943 Hit Parade of 1943 Announcer Uncredited1943 Shantytown Radio Announcer Uncredited1944 Lady, Let's Dance Announcer 1945 Swingin' on a Rainbow New York City Radio Announcer Uncredited1946 The Inner Circle Ken - Radio Announcer 1947 Magic Town Reporter Uncredited1947 Out of the Past Eels 1948 You Were Meant for Me Narrator Voice, Uncredited1949 My Friend Irma Radio Contest Announcer Uncredited1951 The Fat Man Dr. Henry Bromley D.D.S. Uncredited1956 NBC Matinee Theater Episode: "The Young and the Damned"1962 The Donna Reed Show Professor Earnshaw Episode: "Explorer's Ten"1968 The Bob Hope Show 1 episode, (final appearance)
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