Freeman Gosden

Life and career

Gosden was born in Richmond, Virginia, the son of Emma L. (Smith) and Walter W. Gosden, Sr. During World War I, he served in the United States Navy as a wireless operator, which prompted his great interest in the young medium of radio. While attending school in Richmond, Gozzie worked part-time in Tarrant's Drug Store at 1 West Broad Street.

In 1921, Gosden first teamed up with Charles Correll to do radio work, presenting comedy acts, sketches, and hosting variety shows. They met in Durham, North Carolina, both working for the Joe Bren Producing Company. Their first regular show came in 1925 with their WEBH Chicago show Correll and Gosden, the Life of the Party. On this show, the two told jokes, sang, and played music (Correll played piano and Gosden banjo).

In 1926, Gosden and Correll had a hit with their radio show Sam 'n' Henry on Chicago radio station WGN. Sam & Henry is considered by some historians to have been the first situation comedy.

From 1928 to 1960, Gosden and Correll broadcast their Amos 'n' Andy show, which was one of the most famous and popular shows on radio in the 1930s. Gosden voiced the characters "Amos", "George 'Kingfish' Stevens", "Lightning", "Brother Crawford", and some dozen other characters.

In 1961-1962, Gosden and Correll provided the voices for the animated series Calvin and the Colonel on ABC-TV.

In 1969, Gosden was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in radio. In 1974 Gosden was living in Palm Springs, California and was the best man for Frank Sinatra's 1976 wedding to Barbara Marx. In 1977, Correll was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame along with Gosden.

Freeman Gosden died from congestive heart failure in Los Angeles, California in 1982 at the age of 83. Gosden was the father of four children: Virginia, Craig, Freeman, Jr., and Linda.