Reid Kilpatrick, a born broadcast announcer, was instantly recognizable to anyone who had ever heard his voice, with his distinctive tone reminiscent of a familiar voice from the past. With a career spanning decades, Kilpatrick's roles were often as the "voice" of an announcer, a testament to his natural talent for broadcasting.
At the tender age of 22, Kilpatrick married Elinor Olst and began his radio career in the Detroit area. His first notable role was as an announcer in the 1932 film "The Crowd Roars," and by his next role in 1937, he had relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. However, his marriage to Elinor did not withstand the test of time, and he later married Frances, a co-ed 11 years his junior, in 1940.
Kilpatrick's initiation into acting began in 1943 at the East Bakersfield auditorium, where he played the role of Mortimer Brewster in the play "Arsenic and Old Lace." Although his performance was met with mixed reviews, with some critics finding it bordering on the burlesque.
Throughout his film career, Kilpatrick was often cast as an announcer, with notable roles in films such as "Divorce" (1945),"Allotment Wives" (1945),and "Bad for Each Other" (1953). His appearances were often brief, with his character seeming to be an important figure before disappearing from the scene.
Kilpatrick retired from Hollywood in his early forties but continued to work in radio until his passing in 1983, leaving behind a legacy as a talented broadcast announcer and occasional actor.
