Actors
Over the twelve years Yours Truly Johnny Dollar was on the air, eight actors played the bold freelance investigator. Eight actors played the role if you count the auditions. Each actor brought something to the role.
- Dick Powell - 1948 (Audition episode only.) - Dick Powell was known more for his portrayal of tough guys in the film noir genre and as Richard Diamond in the NBC radio show Richard Diamond, Private Detective. He elected to go on to other projects instead of portraying Johnny Dollar.
- Charles Russell - 1949 to 1950 - Russell's Johnny Dollar tipped bellhops, waiters, and taxi drivers by flipping them a silver dollar.
- Edmond O'Brien - 1950 to 1952 - Edmond O'Brien also acted in movies and on television.
- John Lund - 1952 to 1954 - John Lund was a movie actor who did dual duty on radio like many actors of the day.
- Gerald Mohr - 1955 (Audition episode only.) - Gerald Mohr recorded an audition episode that was never aired. He appeared as Philip Marlowe on radio.
- Bob Bailey - 1955 to 1960 - Bob Bailey was considered the best Johnny Dollar actor. Old time radio buffs believe his delivery brought another level to Johnny and the five-episode arcs were considered some of the best radio of the time.
- Bob Readick - 1960 to 1961 - Readick took over the role when CBS moved production from the West Coast to New York City. Bailey chose not to move with the show.
- Mandel Kramer - 1961 to 1962 - Widely considered the second best Johnny Dollar, Mandel Kramer ushered Johnny Dollar, and the age of the radio play, out as radio gave way to television. Kramer later played radio roles in the Mystery Radio Theater of th 1970s.
THE LEADING ROLE OF 'JOHNNY DOLLAR' WAS PLAYED BY VARIOUS ACTORS OVER 14 YEARS: |
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Dick Powell |
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Charles Russell |
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Edmond O'Brien |
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Gerald Mohr |
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Bob Bailey |
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Bob Readick |
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Mandel Kramer |
