Name Jim Ameche Role Don Ameche's brother | Movies The Story of Mankind | |
 | ||
Died February 4, 1983, Tucson, Arizona, United States Siblings Don Ameche, Elizabeth Ameche, Umberto Ameche, Jane Ameche, Louis Ameche, Ann Ameche, Catherine Ameche Parents Barbara Etta Amici, Felice Amici Nieces Bonnie Ameche, Connie Ameche, Lonnie Ameche Nephews Dominic Ameche, Thomas Ameche, Ronald Ameche | ||
Jim Ameche (August 6, 1915 – February 4, 1983) was a familiar voice on radio, including his role as radio's original Jack Armstrong on Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy.
Contents
Early years
Ameche was born James Amici in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Radio
When Ameche's older brother, Don Ameche, left his position as the host and announcer for The Chase and Sanborn Hour in the early 1940s, Jim took over for the remainder of the show's run. He also was heard as mountie Jim West on ABC's Silver Eagle (1951–55). Other shows Ameche was heard on included Grand Hotel, Hollywood Playhouse, and Big Sister.
In the 1940s, he had several programs on WGN radio in Chicago.
He was heard on stations in Los Angeles and Palm Springs in the late 1950s and early 60s. For many years he was a popular local radio personality in the New York City area. By the late 1960s, he was working as an announcer on New York's WHN and the TV pitchman for a Longines Symphonette Society mail-order record album featuring clips of old-time radio broadcasts.
For many years, he was the afternoon announcer on WQXR, the classical radio station of The New York Times, and was a familiar and beloved voice. He also did numerous radio ads in Phoenix, Arizona in his later years.
Film
He portrayed Alexander Graham Bell in the 1957 film The Story of Mankind, the role his brother Don had played in the film biography of Bell in 1939. The two brothers' faces and voices were a close match.
Family
Jim Ameche was married to the former Betty A.Harris of Oak Park, Ill. They had six children, James Peter Ameche Jr., Patrick Anthony Ameche, Bettejean Ameche, Timothy Joseph Ameche, Terry Michael Ameche and Bridget Denise Ameche.
Alan Ameche, the professional football player, was Jim's cousin.
Death
Jim Ameche died February 4, 1983, of lung cancer at Tucson Medical Center.