Gil Stratton, originally billed as Gil Stratton, Jr., made his Broadway debut at the tender age of 19, taking on the role of Bud Hooper in the 1941 musical "Best Foot Forward". This marked the beginning of his career in the spotlight, as he showcased his singing and dancing talents.
Stratton's early success on stage and radio led to his first major film role in "Girl Crazy" (1943),alongside Hollywood legends Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. He went on to land more film roles, often playing himself in movies such as "Dangerous Years" (1947) and "Half Past Midnight" (1948).
Stratton's notable performances include his portrayal of "Cookie", the stuttering narrator, in "Stalag 17" (1953),and "Mousie", a member of Marlon Brando's motorcycle gang, in "The Wild One" (1953). His small stature landed him the role of "Junior Jackson" in the 1954 sitcom "That's My Boy".
Stratton's career took an unexpected turn when he was offered a job as the daily sportscaster for the local Los Angeles CBS affiliate KNXT, a position he held for over 20 years, earning him a reputation as one of the best sportscasters in the business.
In addition to his work in television, Stratton continued to appear in films, often playing himself as an announcer, most notably in Mae West's final film, "Sextette" (1977). Although officially retired and living in Hawaii since 1984, Stratton still occasionally keeps his hand in the film and TV business, such as his role in the 2003 film "Dismembered".
Today, Stratton maintains a home in the Toluca Lake area of Los Angeles, but spends most of his time in Hawaii, where he also owns a radio station.
