AllMovie

The career of actor and announcer Dennis James was filled with firsts: first television variety show host, first sports show host, first television wrestling announcer, and first live television newsreel commentator. James was also the first to host an Easter Parade broadcast and the first to do a videotaped commercial. In addition to these accomplishments, James hosted early incarnations of game shows such as The Name's the Same (from 1954-55), the syndicated version of The Price Is Right (1972-76) and Name That Tune ( 1974-75). The Jersey City native began his career in radio, but switched to television 1938, working for the DuMont TV station in New York City. DuMont founded its own network in 1946 and James became the host of a few of its game shows and served as the commentator to their wrestling matches. James also hosted the daytime variety show Okay, Mother. His television career continued through 1975. James also sporadically appeared in a few feature films, including Rocky III (in 1982, as a wrestling commentator) and The Method (1997). James died of lung cancer at the age of 79.