Person Biography:
Bill Walker was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He first appeared on stage at the age of nine, singing in a kiddie's talent show on CJRM Regina. He worked as an announcer at the same station at the age of 16 and later enlisted in the Air Force in 1941, piloting a Halifax bomber on 35 missions over Germany during World War II. After the war, he returned to CJRM as Morning Man and Program Director and began performing in community theatre.
Walker won the Best Actor award at the Saskatchewan Regional Drama Festival five times and at the Dominion Drama Festival twice. He was also the host of the top-rated morning show, Walker's Wigwam, on CKRC in Winnipeg. He later moved to Toronto and became the host of several TV variety shows, including THE JACK KANE SHOW, MUSIC '60, WORLD OF SPORT, and PARADE.
In addition to his television work, Walker was a successful commercial announcer and appeared in several CBC live dramas and stage productions. He was renowned for his lightning-fast memory and was disdainful of cue cards and teleprompters. Walker retired in 1985 but continued to accept occasional commercial and acting assignments. He died in 1995 at the age of 71.
