Career
Dudley"s career began in 1925 on a children"s radio program on WTNT radio in Nashville, Tennessee. Following graduation from high school, he started a repertory company in a renovated barn, and wrote plays, some of which featured a young Dinah Shore. He later became an announcer on We Shield Millions (Department of Administration and Management), and in 1938 moved to New York City where, after holding several jobs, he joined National Broadcasting Company as a page, moving up the ranks to the position in staff announcer in 1940.
He was among the first to announce the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
During World World War II, Dudley was based in London, where he served as program director of the American Forces Network. After the war, Dudley returned to National Broadcasting Company, where he announced on such radio shows as The Adventures of Archie Andrews, The Aldrich Family, The Catholic Hour, and The Eternal Light.
His television announcing credits included the original 1949 television version of Ripley"s Believe lieutenant or Not!, Arturo Toscanini"s television concerts, the original 1950s version of The Price Is Right (as a substitute announcer), The Today Show, and Not for Women Only. In addition, he also handled local booth announcing work, including public service announcements, for National Broadcasting Company"s New York outlet W National Broadcasting Company-television He retired from National Broadcasting Company in 1985.
Dudley was also host of recorded-music programs on W National Broadcasting Company radio.
Dudley died of a brain tumor at age 84.
