# Ed Prentiss

Paul Edward Prentiss (September 9, 1908 – March 19, 1992) was an actor in the era of old-time radio. He was perhaps best known for portraying the title role on the radio version of Captain Midnight.

## Early years

Prentiss was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the University of Iowa.

## Radio

Radio historian Jim Harmon noted, in his book The Great Radio Heroes, "Ed Prentiss was not the first actor to play Captain Midnight, contrary to some published reports." After Bill Bouchey had the role in the program's second season, Prentiss auditioned for the third season, got the part, and continued as Captain Midnight for seven years.
On The Guiding Light soap opera, Prentiss played Ned (a "neglected youth") and was the program's "omniscient host." Beginning in 1943, Prentiss was narrator for an hour-long block consisting of three soap operas: Today's Children, The Guiding Light and Woman in White. The three programs had interconnecting story lines, with Prentiss's narration "introducing each program segment and linking all three together."
Prentiss's other roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.
| Program | Role |
| Armstrong of the SBI | Announcer |
| The First Nighter Program | Host$^{:118}$ |
| Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy | Announcer$^{:167}$ |
| Johnny Lujack of Notre Dame | Lujack's sidekick$^{:178}$ |
| Silver Eagle | Narrator$^{:304}$ |
| Sweet River | Minister$^{:324}$ |
| A Tale of Today | Michael Denby |
Prentiss had his own syndicated program, This Is The Story. An ad for the 15-minute program described it as follows: "Ed Prentiss, America's greatest story teller ... offers true and unusual tales, each with a surprisingly different ending."
He also was a regular on Arnold Grimm's Daughter, Painted Dreams, Bud Barton, The Romance of Helen Trent, Springtime and Harvest and Holland Housewarming.$^{:153}$

## Film

Prentiss appeared in Westbound (1959) and The FBI Story (1959).

## Television

Prentiss played Dr. Snyder on As the World Turns. He was one of the hosts of Action Autographs, was the host for Majority Rules.$^{:643}$ and played Edward Elliott on Morning Star.$^{:716}$ He also was the announcer for That's O'Toole. He also played roles in various TV Westerns of the late 1950s-early '60s, often as a sheriff. He is easily recognized by his voice, as well as his physical appearance. In 1957 Prentiss appeared as Bob Gentry on the TV western Cheyenne in the episode titled "Top Hand."
Prentiss appeared on Perry Mason, "The Case of the Badgered Brother" (season 7, episode 12) as the recorded voice reading a will in Mason's office.

## Personal life

Prentiss married Ivah Davidson on November 21, 1941. They had a son, born September 14, 1943.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1957 | Cheyenne | Ben Gentry | Episode: Top Hand |
| 1958 | Violent Road | Mr. Nelson | |
| 1958 | Home Before Dark | Dr. Collins | Uncredited |
| 1959 | Westbound | James Fuller - U.S. Post Office | Uncredited |
| 1959 | The FBI Story | U.S. Marshal | |
| 1959 | Beloved Infidel | Attendee at Preview | Uncredited |
| 1960 | Wanted Dead or Alive (TV series) | Sheriff Truxton | Episode: Mental Lapse |
| 1960 | Man on a String | Adrian Benson | |
| 1960 | The Crowded Sky | Joseph Bruce aka J.B. | Uncredited |
| 1960 | Sunrise at Campobello | Barker | Uncredited |
| 1961 | A Fever in the Blood | Convention Chairman | Uncredited |
| 1961 | Ada | Clergyman at Legislative Meeting | Uncredited |
| 1961 | The Children's Hour | Head of Hospital | Uncredited |
| 1961 | Lover Come Back | Zachary, Ad Council Member | Uncredited |
| 1961 | The Outsider | Speaker | Uncredited |
| 1963 | A Gathering of Eagles | Duty Controller | |
| 1963 | Wall of Noise | Paddock Steward | |
| 1963 | Leave it to Beaver | Mr. Bailey | Episode: The Clothing Drive |
| 1964 | One Man's Way | Mr. Boardman | |
| 1964 | Kisses for My President | Max Kloch | Uncredited |
| 1964 | Quick, Before It Melts | Dentist in Antarctica | Uncredited |
| 1967 | Eight on the Lam | Minister | Uncredited |
| 1968 | Project X | Hicks | |
| 1968 | The Virginian (TV series) | Carl Jensen | saison 7 episode 6 (Image of an outlaw) |
| 1969 | The Virginian (TV series) | Dave Owens | saison 7 épisode 16 (Last grave at socorro creek) |
| 1971 | The Barefoot Executive | Harry - Justice Dept. Man | |
| 1971 | The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker | Mr. Franklin | |