Rollon Parker

Rollon Parker circa 1968

Rollon Parker (November 3, 1907- December 11, 1968) was an american actor. He appeared in a number of radio programs including The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet. He originated the roll of the newsboy in the latter and took over the roll of Kato when original actor Raymond Muramoto departed the series.

Early life

Rollon Lee Parker was born on November 3, 1907 in San Jose California to Harvey and Blanche Parker. He eventually moved to Detroit and he married Lelinde Parker there on October 9, 1940.

Career

Parker was hired as an actor and announcer at WXYZ during the mid 1930s, occasionally performing commercials.. During this time, James Jewell was the director of dramatic programming at the station and his stock company of actors, known as the Jewell Players, staffed the majority of roles in the station's programs. Parker became a long-time member of the company, and participated in their final performance in 1955. He joined the cast of The Lone Ranger radio series in 1935. No later than April 1938, he was also appearing in a newly created role in The Green Hornet, who would become one of the series' longest-running characters: the newsboy who cried out the title character's recent exploits at the end of most episodes.

In 1942, following the Pearl Harbor attacks and the United States entry into World War II, the U.S. government threatened to deport Kato actor Raymond Muramoto, who was of Japanese heritage, to Japan, and the actor suddenly disappeared. As a result, the station had to unexpectedly recast the character's roll and Parker was ultimately placed in the part.

By 1946, Parker had moved to New York and was acting in radio series produced by the major networks. However, in 1948, he was back in Detroit, appearing in the local television program Inside Hollywood.

Later life and death

Following the Jewell Players' disbanding in 1955, Parker continued to act and, by 1958, had taken a job as part of the resident company at the Cherry County Playhouse in Traverse City, Michigan. He was still living in Traverse City in 1968, when he narrowly survived drowning at Clinch Park beach after being rescued by the lifeguards on duty. The story made the front page of the local newspaper. Parker died months later, at age 61, in Highland Park General Hospital in Highland Park, Michigan. He was survived by his son and daughter. He is interred at White Chapel Cemetery.