A Gent Named Jack Sterling

I learned of Jack Sterling (Jack Sexton,1915-1990) whilst research Electric Vaudeville, my upcoming book on radio and tv variety. Sterling was the ringmaster and host of the CBS children’s program Big Top (1950-55), the host of the prime time variety series The Fifty Fourth Street Revue (1949), as well as a long time local radio personality in New York, helming The Jack Sterling Show on WCBS from 1948 through 1966 in the time slot that previously belonged to Arthur Godfrey. It was one of the last radio shows to feature a live band.

Sterling’s parents were Jack Sexton and Edna Cable, who performed in vaudeville, tent shows,show boats, and stock company melodrama throughout the midwest. The boy joined his parents in the act when he was only two years old, in the inevitable production of East Lynne. For a time he did a minstrel act, which for the record we do not endorse or condone. In 1934, he teamed with a four year old kid named Bud Walker in a comedy act. There’s an account of that here.

Sterling began his radio career in the midwest in 1939, working his way from smaller regional stations to the big time. A decade later came his short foray into national television. In addition to himself as hostm The Fifty-Fourth Street Revue (1949) featured regulars Carl Reiner,Cliff Edwards, Joe Silver, Al Bernie, Russell Arms, The Harry Sosnick Orchestra, Patricia Bright, Marilyn Day, Bambi Linn, and Anabelle Lyon, and special guests like Lillian Roth,Bill Robinson, Bob Fosse,Elaine Stritch, et al. The came Big Top (1950-55), where Ed McMahon was his second banana, assisted by strong man Dan Lurie. The show booked top notch circus and vaudeville acts like the great clown Felix Adler, the Colleano family, The Flying Zacchinis, and dozens of other acts. It was sponsored by Sealtest — a very sensible pairing of product and program.

Sterling was also a jazz drummer and a singer. In 1959 he and his quintet released the LP Cocktail Swing on Columbia Records.

After The Jack Sterling Show ended in 1966, Sterling continued to work as a producer and announcer in local radio through 1979.

For more about vaudeville, where Jack Sterling got his start please check out No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous — and stay tuned for my upcomingElectric Vaudeville: A Century of Radio and TV Variety.