Best known to Southern California Radio listeners, Whittinghill also amassed quite a career as a Working Actor, (as evidenced by the company he kept in the above photos which were graciously provided by his family) which qualifies him for this special Profile.

Dick Whittinghill was born March 5, 1913 in Helena, Montana. He grew up with 3 brothers and 2 sisters and matriculated to the University of Montana and the Sigma Phi Fraternity. After 3 years of study he took off for Los Angeles, seeking stardom in the entertainment industry.

Stardom was not immediately forthcoming so he formed a small band the "4 Esquires" which played many gigs throughout the Los Angeles area. Being the "boy singer" of the band led him to becoming one of the original Pied Pipers, a popular vocal group with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

After his sojourn with the Pied Pipers and Tommy Dorsey, he went to radio broadcasting school in Hollywood which catapulted him into a very successful 30 + year career in radio.He started his on the air career at K.I.E.V. and K.G.F.J. In 1950 Dick began a 29 year span of being the No. 1 radio personality in a Los Angeles area. He could be heard on popular music station K.M.P.C. from 6 to 10:00 a.m. daily.......where he coined the phrase "Did You Whittinghill This Morning?" which later became the title of his 1976 best selling autobiography.

Whit used his on air exposure to help others. He worked with the V A to get jobs for Vietnam Vets and through the 15 year "Dick Whittinghill Invitational", (a celebrity golf tournament) raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Long Beach Memorial Hospital and served as co-chairman of the high-profile Southern California Heart Fund drive.

In recognition of his contribution to society and the entertainment world, Whit was honored with a STAR on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame" at 6384 Hollywood Blvd. on December 13, 1978. Dick has also immortalized in the Hollywood Wax Museum.

In 1979 he retired to his long time Toluca Lake residence in the St. Charles Borromeo parish and continued to enjoy his passion for the amenities of Lakeside GC up to his passing on January 24, 2001.

Dick Whittinghill's passing was preceded by his lifetime love, his wife "Willy". (Wilamet) They will always be in the hearts and prayers of their loving family: Daughters Willy and Nora; Grandson, Alex and Granddaughter, Jessica. Both daughters also enjoy careers in the entertainment industry, Willy here in LA, and Nora in Florida.

Always thinking of others, Whit asked be intrusted to Medical Research, as was wife Willy upon her passing.

If you wish to send personal condolences to the family you may contact daughter Willy via email at: willy.whittinghill@disney.com or via snail mail at:

Willy Whittinghill
c/o Walt Disney Studios
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA. 91521-1805

Wildlife Waystation
14831 Little Tujunga Canyon Road
Angeles National Forest, CA. 91342.

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Dick Whittinghill' Credits (partial)

FILM & TV

•  Lively Set, The (1964)  .... Himself
•  Moon Pilot (1962)  .... Colonel Briggs
•  It's Only Money (1962) .... T.V. Speaker
•  Private's Affair, A (1959)
•  Say One for Me (1959)  .... Lou Christy
•  -30- (1959)  .... Fred Kendall
•  Jamboree (1957)  .... Himself
•  Short Cut to Hell (1957) 
•  Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957) .... TV Interviewer

Notable TV guest appearances

• "Adam-12" (1968) playing "Mr Hayes"
• "Emergency!" (1972) playing "Newspaper man"
• "Adam-12" (1968) playing "Paul Foster"
• "Dragnet 1967" (1967) playing "Himself"
• "Dragnet 1967" (1967) playing "Jack Patterson"
• "Dragnet 1967" (1967) playing "Clerk"
• "Perry Mason" (1957) playing "Barman"
• "Perry Mason" (1957) playing "Jerry"
• "Bonanza" (1959)
• "Perry Mason" (1957) playing "Glenn McCoy"
• "Untouchables, The" (1959) playing "Earl Forrest"

For more info and credits see

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Note: Scheduled Profile subject Leon Russom will be featured in a future issue.