Richard Read

Richard Horace Gordon Read, O.G. (April 16, 1908 - November 2, 1980) was an influential Georgeland broadcaster and entertainer who is mostly remembered for his hugely successful television program The Richard Read Show, which ran for twelve seasons from 1958-1970. Read's infectious charm and wit, as well as his very turbulent private life, have led him to become one of Georgeland's most popular entertainers, even in retrospect.

Early life and career
Read was born in 1908 in Dunkirk, Long Island and educated at home by his father, who had been a headmaster. His father was 21 years older than his mother and died when Read was very young. Read attended a public school after his father's death and showed an interest in sports and literature. He was an avid reader from an early age and remained so until his death. In 1927, Read applied to the University of Long Island but was rejected as a student. Instead, he took a job as a copy boy in the office of the Long Island Tribune and Herald newspaper. Read remained at the newspaper through the Depression and became a photographer after locking the paper's editor, the formidable John Cox Hayes, in his office until Cox-Hayes agreed to give Read the job.

Broadcasting career
After several years at the paper, in 1934 Read was offered a job as a news writer for GBC Radio's Long Island edition. Read remained in this position until 1937, when his career took a sudden and dramatic turn. The regular newsreader had suddenly taken ill, and Read stepped in to read the news bulletin in his place. The producers of the news bulletin decided Read, with his deep voice and diction, made a better newsreader and hired him to read the news permanently.

Army service
In 1941, Read enlisted in the Army to fight during the Second World War. He was posted initially to North Africa before transferring to Malaya in 1943. Read held the rank of Corporal in the Georgeland Signal Corps and used his journalistic and radio experience in this regard. He also wrote a number of articles for the forces magazine, Hero. In 1946, following the conclusion of the war and at the end of his tour of duty, Read recieved an honourable discharge.

Successful broadcaster
Read returned to broadcasting. The GBC hired Read to be their national newsreader. Read, however, was more interested in variety and in 1952 was made host of the popular Local Variety Hour which had many similar features to his later television series. Together with Michael Royce, Read broadcast the coronation of Elizabeth II on the radio (television not having come to Georgeland at that time.)