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Old-time radio actor · 1921–2018

Herb Ellis

Dragnet: helped Jack Webb devise it, played Frank Smith.

We have him in 157 episodes of 27 series, 1948 to 1960, and 18 of our live channels play them around the clock, free.

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About Herb Ellis

Herb Ellis in the TV series I Married Joan
Herb Ellis in the TV series I Married Joan.Public domain in the United States (copyright not renewed). Wikimedia Commons

Hear all 157 Herb Ellis episodes, and every episode of every show, on demand: Potato Plus, $5 a month.

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He was born Herbert Siegel in Cleveland, Ohio, on January 17, 1921. Source: Wikipedia

Deadline's obituary describes him as a radio actor and director before his television work. Source: Deadline (via Yahoo)

He and Jack Webb came up with the name and concept for Dragnet after an earlier project of theirs, Joe Friday, Room Five, went nowhere. Source: Wikipedia

He was one of the charter members of Webb's Dragnet stock company, heard on the audition program; the series premiered on NBC on Friday, June 3, 1949. Source: Goldtime Radio (World Radio History)

On radio's Dragnet he was the first to play Frank Smith, introduced in "The Big Safe" on May 1, 1952, before Ben Alexander took the part later that year. Source: Wikipedia

Western episode logs list him as a guest on Tales of the Texas Rangers from 1950 to 1952, on Gunsmoke in 1952, The Six Shooter in 1953 and Frontier Gentleman in 1958. Source: OTRWesterns.com

He is credited on a dozen Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar entries and on Dangerous Assignment. Source: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Deadline also lists his radio work on Escape and The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe, and notes that on television he played Officer Frank Smith opposite Webb in the first episodes of the 1952 Dragnet series. Source: Deadline (via Yahoo)

He died at his home in San Gabriel, California, on December 26, 2018, at 97. Source: Wikipedia

Listen live: the channels that play Herb Ellis

Free 24/7 stations. These play the episodes below, in rotation with the rest of their shows.

Illustrated cover for Suspense: a single desk lamp in a dark room, a revolver and a telephone off the hook on the desk, long shadows across the floor

The series' own channel

Suspense

7 of his episodes: Suspense (7)

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William Conrad, the voice of Marshal Matt Dillon on CBS Radio's Gunsmoke, in a 1952 publicity photo

The series' own channel

Gunsmoke

6 of his episodes: Gunsmoke (6)

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Illustrated cover for Escape: a jungle trail at dusk, an old brass compass and a torn map on a rock, a rope bridge over a gorge

The series' own channel

Escape

5 of his episodes: Escape (5)

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Larry Thor on a rain-slick Broadway at night

The series' own channel

Broadway Is My Beat

3 of his episodes: Broadway Is My Beat (3)

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Illustrated cover for Lux Radio Theatre: a 1930s Hollywood theatre stage before a closed gold curtain, a single ribbon microphone in a spotlight

The series' own channel

Lux Radio Theatre

3 of his episodes: Lux Radio Theatre (3)

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Black-and-white close-up of James Stewart in a tweed jacket and tie

The series' own channel

The Six Shooter

2 of his episodes: The Six Shooter (2)

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John Dehner in a dark vest, white shirt and tie on a frontier-town street

The series' own channel

Frontier Gentleman

1 of his episodes: Frontier Gentleman (1)

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Jack Webb on a foggy San Francisco dock at night

The series' own channel

Pat Novak, for Hire

1 of his episodes: Pat Novak, for Hire (1)

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Sal Vitale, the host of Gumshoe

Mixed channel

Gumshoe

88 of his episodes: Dragnet (31), Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (19), This Is Your FBI (13), This is Your FBI (6), Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator (5), Dangerous Assignment (5), Broadway Is My Beat (3), Pat Novak, for Hire (1), Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1), Jeff Regan, Investigator (1), Rocky Fortune (1), New Adventures of Nero Wolfe (1), The Line Up (1)

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Marshal Ramrod, the host of Dry Gulch

Mixed channel

Dry Gulch

30 of his episodes: Tales of the Texas Rangers (20), Gunsmoke (6), The Six Shooter (2), Frontier Gentleman (1), Wild Bill Hickok (1)

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Illustrated cover for Opening Night: the front of a 1930s art-deco movie palace on premiere night, crossed searchlight beams in the sky

Mixed channel

Opening Night

18 of his episodes: Family Theater (15), Lux Radio Theatre (3)

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Buster Pratt, the host of Laugh Track

Mixed channel

Laugh Track

4 of his episodes: Fibber McGee and Molly (2), The Halls of Ivy (1), Father Knows Best (1)

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Herb Ellis’s shows on Stupid Potato

SeriesYearsEpisodes
Dragnet1952 to 195528
Tales of the Texas Rangers1950 to 195220
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar1955 to 196019
Family Theater1953 to 195715
This Is Your FBI1950 to 195213
Suspense1954 to 19587
Gunsmoke1952 to 19546
This is Your FBI1949 to 19516
Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator1954 to 19555
Dangerous Assignment1951 to 19535
Dangerous Assignment1951 to 19535
Escape1952 to 19545
Broadway Is My Beat19533
Dragnet19523
Lux Radio Theatre1949 to 19553
Fibber McGee and Molly19542
The Six Shooter1953 to 19542
Father Knows Best19531
Frontier Gentleman19581
Jeff Regan, Investigator19481
New Adventures of Nero Wolfe19501
Pat Novak, for Hire19491
Richard Diamond, Private Detective19491
Rocky Fortune19531
The Halls of Ivy19521
The Line Up19521
Wild Bill Hickok19541

Herb Ellis episodes: 5 free to hear

Each one names Herb Ellis on the air, in its cast list or in the show itself. Each title opens the episode’s page: what happens, the transcript from the moment he is named, and listens from any line.

  1. Ben Slade's SaloonGunsmoke · May 24, 1952 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast
  2. The Boughten BrideGunsmoke · July 12, 1952 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast
  3. LochinvarGunsmoke · October 17, 1952 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast
  4. CowardThe Six Shooter · September 27, 1953 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast
  5. Dear Dead LadyNew Adventures of Nero Wolfe · November 3, 1950 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast

Hear all 157 Herb Ellis episodes, and every episode of every show, on demand: Potato Plus, $5 a month.

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All 157 Herb Ellis episodes, by show

The 152 marked Potato Plus are for members: join to hear every one of them, whole, from any moment.

Dragnet 28 episodes, 1952 to 1955
  1. The Big MailMay 15, 1952 · Potato Plus
  2. The Big ShakedownMay 22, 1952 · Potato Plus
  3. The Big WhiffJune 5, 1952 · Potato Plus
  4. The Big HateJuly 10, 1952 · Potato Plus
  5. The Big ImpressionAugust 7, 1952 · Potato Plus
  6. The Big PaperAugust 21, 1952 · Potato Plus
  7. The Big TestAugust 28, 1952 · Potato Plus
  8. The Big RaySeptember 4, 1952 · Potato Plus
  9. The Big BullSeptember 14, 1952 · Potato Plus
  10. The Big LieOctober 12, 1952 · Potato Plus
  11. The Big ImpossibleMarch 15, 1953 · Potato Plus
  12. The Big CompulsionApril 12, 1953 · Potato Plus
  13. The Big SlipSeptember 22, 1953 · Potato Plus
  14. The Big FraudOctober 27, 1953 · Potato Plus
  15. The Big BrinkDecember 15, 1953 · Potato Plus
  16. The Big BidJanuary 26, 1954 · Potato Plus
  17. The Big BroadFebruary 9, 1954 · Potato Plus
  18. The Big PipeFebruary 23, 1954 · Potato Plus
  19. The Big ConfessionMarch 30, 1954 · Potato Plus
  20. The Big NetApril 20, 1954 · Potato Plus
  21. The Big LiftApril 27, 1954 · Potato Plus
  22. The Big CutSeptember 14, 1954 · Potato Plus
  23. The Big MannikinOctober 19, 1954 · Potato Plus
  24. The Big LockerNovember 2, 1954 · Potato Plus
  25. The Big BoboJuly 19, 1955 · Potato Plus
  26. The Big MissusAugust 9, 1955 · Potato Plus
  27. The Big RulingSeptember 6, 1955 · Potato Plus
  28. The Big DaughterSeptember 13, 1955 · Potato Plus
Tales of the Texas Rangers 20 episodes, 1950 to 1952
  1. Clean UpSeptember 30, 1950 · Potato Plus
  2. The White SuitNovember 5, 1950 · Potato Plus
  3. Room 114December 3, 1950 · Potato Plus
  4. Deadhead FreightJanuary 7, 1951 · Potato Plus
  5. The TrapFebruary 25, 1951 · Potato Plus
  6. BreakdownMarch 25, 1951 · Potato Plus
  7. ConspiracyApril 15, 1951 · Potato Plus
  8. Pick-UpDecember 16, 1951 · Potato Plus
  9. Killer's CropDecember 30, 1951 · Potato Plus
  10. Clip JobJanuary 13, 1952 · Potato Plus
  11. The Rub OutFebruary 3, 1952 · Potato Plus
  12. HitchhikerFebruary 10, 1952 · Potato Plus
  13. Cold BloodFebruary 17, 1952 · Potato Plus
  14. Bright BoyFebruary 24, 1952 · Potato Plus
  15. Troop TrainApril 6, 1952 · Potato Plus
  16. Address UnknownApril 27, 1952 · Potato Plus
  17. Little SisterMay 4, 1952 · Potato Plus
  18. Unleashed FuryMay 11, 1952 · Potato Plus
  19. Illegal EntryJune 8, 1952 · Potato Plus
  20. Misplaced PersonAugust 31, 1952 · Potato Plus
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar 19 episodes, 1955 to 1960
  1. The Macormack Matter - Ep 5October 7, 1955 · Potato Plus
  2. The Broderick Matter - Ep 5November 18, 1955 · Potato Plus
  3. The Henderson Matter - Ep 5December 2, 1955 · Potato Plus
  4. The Forbes Matter - Ep 5December 30, 1955 · Potato Plus
  5. The Mc Clain Matter - Ep 5February 10, 1956 · Potato Plus
  6. The Clinton Matter - Ep 5March 16, 1956 · Potato Plus
  7. The Lonely Hearts Matter - Ep 5April 27, 1956 · Potato Plus
  8. The Pearling Matter - Ep 5June 22, 1956 · Potato Plus
  9. The Crystal Lake Matter - Ep 5August 17, 1956 · Potato Plus
  10. The Primrose Matter - Ep 5October 12, 1956 · Potato Plus
  11. The Blooming Blossom MatterJanuary 20, 1957 · Potato Plus
  12. The Confederate Coinage MatterJuly 28, 1957 · Potato Plus
  13. The Poor Little Rich Girl MatterSeptember 1, 1957 · Potato Plus
  14. The Time and Tide MatterFebruary 16, 1958 · Potato Plus
  15. The Wayward Moth MatterMarch 9, 1958 · Potato Plus
  16. The Salkoff Sequel MatterMarch 16, 1958 · Potato Plus
  17. The Hapless Ham MatterJanuary 3, 1960 · Potato Plus
  18. The Twisted Twin MatterAugust 21, 1960 · Potato Plus
  19. The Twins of Tahoe MatterOctober 16, 1960 · Potato Plus
Family Theater 15 episodes, 1953 to 1957
  1. Turn on the LightsOctober 7, 1953 · Potato Plus
  2. Something in the AirJanuary 20, 1954 · Potato Plus
  3. Clean and Crisp and EvenJune 23, 1954 · Potato Plus
  4. Tennessee's PartnerSeptember 22, 1954 · Potato Plus
  5. The Dotted LineJune 29, 1955 · Potato Plus
  6. It Isn't CricketSeptember 14, 1955 · Potato Plus
  7. The FledglingSeptember 28, 1955 · Potato Plus
  8. The RedheadOctober 19, 1955 · Potato Plus
  9. Ladies' ManDecember 7, 1955 · Potato Plus
  10. Funny ValentineFebruary 8, 1956 · Potato Plus
  11. CoincidenceApril 11, 1956 · Potato Plus
  12. RoughneckJune 6, 1956 · Potato Plus
  13. ShowdownJuly 11, 1956 · Potato Plus
  14. First Law of the JungleNovember 21, 1956 · Potato Plus
  15. To the Losers Belong the SpoilsMarch 6, 1957 · Potato Plus
This Is Your FBI 13 episodes, 1950 to 1952
  1. The Hollywood Frame UpFebruary 10, 1950 · Potato Plus
  2. The Surplus Safe CrackersMarch 10, 1950 · Potato Plus
  3. The Mercy ManhuntApril 7, 1950 · Potato Plus
  4. The Muscle FactoryApril 21, 1950 · Potato Plus
  5. The Vanishing WitnessAugust 18, 1950 · Potato Plus
  6. The International HeistOctober 27, 1950 · Potato Plus
  7. The Penny LenderFebruary 16, 1951 · Potato Plus
  8. The Adopted ThiefAugust 10, 1951 · Potato Plus
  9. The Tropical Frame-UpOctober 12, 1951 · Potato Plus
  10. Citizen CaldwellOctober 26, 1951 · Potato Plus
  11. The Unwelcome FugitiveFebruary 22, 1952 · Potato Plus
  12. Man HuntMay 16, 1952 · Potato Plus
  13. The Sixteen Millimeter StickupJuly 25, 1952 · Potato Plus
Suspense 7 episodes, 1954 to 1958
  1. The Giant of ThermopylaeMay 3, 1954 · Potato Plus
  2. The ShelterOctober 28, 1954 · Potato Plus
  3. The OperationJanuary 27, 1955 · Potato Plus
  4. Fragile-Contents DeathMay 22, 1956 · Potato Plus
  5. The FlameMay 29, 1956 · Potato Plus
  6. The Twelfth RoseJune 5, 1956 · Potato Plus
  7. The ChainMarch 9, 1958 · Potato Plus
Gunsmoke 6 episodes, 1952 to 1954
  1. Ben Slade's SaloonMay 24, 1952 · Episode guide · Free
  2. The Boughten BrideJuly 12, 1952 · Episode guide · Free
  3. LochinvarOctober 17, 1952 · Episode guide · Free
  4. Joke's on UsJanuary 9, 1954 · Potato Plus
  5. MonopolyMay 22, 1954 · Potato Plus
  6. Bone HuntersDecember 11, 1954 · Potato Plus
This is Your FBI 6 episodes, 1949 to 1951
  1. Apprentice of LarcenyMay 13, 1949 · Potato Plus
  2. The Gentle KillerJune 17, 1949 · Potato Plus
  3. The Innocent HostageDecember 16, 1949 · Potato Plus
  4. The Delinquent DoctorJanuary 13, 1950 · Potato Plus
  5. The Night RiderJune 1, 1951 · Potato Plus
  6. The Un-American PatriotDecember 7, 1951 · Potato Plus
Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator 5 episodes, 1954 to 1955
  1. Murder by ErrorJuly 13, 1954 · Potato Plus
  2. For Love of MurderAugust 3, 1954 · Potato Plus
  3. Midsummer LunacyAugust 17, 1954 · Potato Plus
  4. The Sneak AssassinNovember 21, 1954 · Potato Plus
  5. Two Dead MenJune 23, 1955 · Potato Plus
Dangerous Assignment 5 episodes, 1951 to 1953
  1. Operation Hot Foot (Trinidad)May 18, 1951 · Potato Plus
  2. The Smuggling Racket (Havana)November 5, 1952 · Potato Plus
  3. Road Sabotage (Turkey)December 17, 1952 · Potato Plus
  4. The Hunt for Charon (Mexico)January 28, 1953 · Potato Plus
  5. The Hired Assassin (Havana)May 27, 1953 · Potato Plus
Dangerous Assignment 5 episodes, 1951 to 1953
  1. Operation Hot FootMay 18, 1951 · Potato Plus
  2. HavanaOctober 29, 1952 · Potato Plus
  3. Mr. Alexander's File (Turkey)November 12, 1952 · Potato Plus
  4. Street Car 17December 31, 1952 · Potato Plus
  5. A Hired AssassinMay 27, 1953 · Potato Plus
Escape 5 episodes, 1952 to 1954
  1. 154- Robert of HuntingdonOctober 26, 1952 · Potato Plus
  2. 170- Wild Jack Rhett -Harry BartellFebruary 15, 1953 · Potato Plus
  3. 175- PressureMarch 22, 1953 · Potato Plus
  4. 179- El GuitarreroApril 19, 1953 · Potato Plus
  5. 220- Night of the GunsJuly 31, 1954 · Potato Plus
Broadway Is My Beat 3 episodes, 1953
  1. The Joe Turner Murder CaseFebruary 21, 1953 · Potato Plus
  2. The John Rand Murder CaseJuly 4, 1953 · Potato Plus
  3. The Harry Brian Murder CaseJuly 11, 1953 · Potato Plus
Dragnet 3 episodes, 1952
  1. The Big PlantFebruary 28, 1952 · Potato Plus
  2. The Big BorderMarch 20, 1952 · Potato Plus
  3. The Big StreetcarApril 3, 1952 · Potato Plus
Lux Radio Theatre 3 episodes, 1949 to 1955
  1. High WallNovember 7, 1949 · Potato Plus
  2. Detective StoryApril 26, 1954 · Potato Plus
  3. War of the WorldsFebruary 8, 1955 · Potato Plus
Fibber McGee and Molly 2 episodes, 1954
  1. Successful Steel Seal TestJune 3, 1954 · Potato Plus
  2. Mc Gee's FortuneSeptember 12, 1954 · Potato Plus
The Six Shooter 2 episodes, 1953 to 1954
  1. CowardSeptember 27, 1953 · Episode guide · Free
  2. Blood RelationsMay 27, 1954 · Potato Plus
Father Knows Best 1 episode, 1953
  1. Too Many RabbitsDecember 3, 1953 · Potato Plus
Frontier Gentleman 1 episode, 1958
  1. The Lost MineMarch 2, 1958 · Potato Plus
Jeff Regan, Investigator 1 episode, 1948
  1. The Guy from Gower GulchNovember 13, 1948 · Potato Plus
New Adventures of Nero Wolfe 1 episode, 1950
  1. Dear Dead LadyNovember 3, 1950 · Episode guide · Free
Pat Novak, for Hire 1 episode, 1949
  1. The Only Way to Make Friends Is to DieJune 18, 1949 · Potato Plus
Richard Diamond, Private Detective 1 episode, 1949
  1. The Lynn Knight CaseAugust 6, 1949 · Potato Plus
Rocky Fortune 1 episode, 1953
  1. Double IndemnityOctober 13, 1953 · Potato Plus
The Halls of Ivy 1 episode, 1952
  1. Astronomy ExamMarch 5, 1952 · Potato Plus
The Line Up 1 episode, 1952
  1. The Lugar Lugging Laddie Case (aka-Drug Store Robberies)July 8, 1952 · Potato Plus
Wild Bill Hickok 1 episode, 1954
  1. The Trap At Pistol SpringsApril 16, 1954 · Potato Plus

Who Herb Ellis worked with most

Named in the same cast lists, counted across the episodes above.

The supporting cast of old-time radio: every actor · Every series, A to Z

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