Grant Sullivan(1924-2011)

Ex-Californian athlete Grant Sullivan was a telephone lineman by day and an auto racer by night in his home state. After four years in the US Navy with his earnings after 148 auto races, he came to New York for work in a series of stock-company roles. Finally he landed a part in the George Gershwin-George S. Kaufman-Morrie Ryskind Pulitzer-Prize musical production "Of Thee I Sing", and there he was noticed by television casting directors. He met and married a co-star from that production in June, 1951 - contralto Mary Samuel, who sang with the Phil Spitalny Hour of Charm All-Girl Orchestra as featured vocalist "Maxine".