John Wesley Bailey Jr. (September 15, 1907 – February 1, 1980)Cox, Jim (2008). This Day in Network Radio: A Daily Calendar of Births, Debuts, Cancellations and Other Events in Broadcasting History. McFarland & Company, Inc. . was an American actor and daytime game show host. He died of complications of pneumonia on February 1, 1980 in Santa Monica, California, at age 72.
Career A former vaudeville musician and World's Fair barker, Bailey is best remembered as the host of Queen for a Day, a daytime game show which first aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1945 and later moved to television, where it ran locally in the Los Angeles area from 1948 through 1955, on the NBC Television network from January 3, 1956 to September 2, 1960, and on the ABC network from September 5, 1960 to October 2, 1964. Each episode started with a different introduction (some of which were parodies of other popular shows of the time period), but inevitably the opening would resolve when Bailey pointed to the camera (and the audience) and loudly asked, "Would you like to be Queen for a Day?" as the live audience, mostly women, cheered.
Prior to his success with Queen for a Day, Bailey had a varied career, including "playing with jazz bands, directing musical comedy, tent shows and barking for the World's Fair in Chicago in 1933." He was an announcer for several radio programs, including The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Duffy's Tavern, and Meet the Missus.
Bailey also hosted the television game shows Place the Face (1953 – February 1954) and Truth or Consequences from 1954 to 1956.
His other work in television included appearances in episodes of The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford, Mister Ed, Green Acres, I Dream of Jeannie, Gunsmoke, and Ironside, plus narration for the Walt Disney organization. He had a small part in the Frank Capra film It's a Wonderful Life and he also toured the country in musical stage productions, such as Hello Dolly, The Sound of Music, and The Music Man.
Bailey joined Alcoholics Anonymous around 1948 and was a public supporting member of the organization for more than 30 years.
He was awarded two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—one for his radio career, at 1708 Vine Street, and one for his work in television, at 6411 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
Family Bailey was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol. He was survived by his second wife, Jean. He had no children.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1939 Goofy and Wilbur Goofy Voice, uncredited 1944 The Contender Second Fight Ring announcer Uncredited 1946 It's a Wonderful Life One of Vi's Suitors Uncredited 1948 He Walked by Night Witness in Pajamas and Robe Uncredited 1950 Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone Game Show host 1951 Queen for a Day Jack Bailey 1952Carson's CellarHimselfTelevision Seriesone episode1955Walt Disney's Wonderful World of ColorAnnouncerTelevision Seriesone episode 1965 Mister Ed Purser Television Seriesone episode 1966 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre Albert House Television Seriesone episode 1966 Green Acres Announcer Television Seriesone episode 1966 Batman Debate moderator, Dizzoner the Penguin Television Seriesone episode 1967 The Monroes Crick Television Seriesone episode 1967 I Dream of Jeannie Dr.Dawson Television Seriesone episode 19671969 Gunsmoke Ben LearyJudge Brooker Television Seriestwo episodes 1969 Lancer Evans Television Seriesone episode 1971 The Days of the Wolves The Mayor 1971 The D.A. Lindsey Television Seriesone episode 1972 Adam-12 George Nash Television Seriesone episode 1973 Emergency! Homer Television Seriesone episode 1974 How to Seduce a Woman Mr.Tolkas 1974 Dusty's Trail Gen. Cunningham Television Seriesone episode 1974 Police Story Riley Television Seriesone episode 1974 Apple's Way Kilkenny Television Seriesone episode 1975 The Strongest Man in the World Jack
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