KEN CHRISTY

November 23, 1894

Ken Christy was born as Robert Kenneth Christy in Greenville, Pennsylvania. Christy served in World War One. 

Although busy on stage and on radio, his first screen appearance was in 1940. He was mainly uncredited and did small roles, sometimes in short films.  A 1950 newspaper article said that “in 98 out of 100 film roles he has played an officer of the law.” Christy said, “I’d give anything to stop making arrests and be the guy who commits the crime for once.”

Christy first worked with Lucille Ball on an episode of her radio show “My Favorite Husband” titled “The Cuckoo Clock” that aired on January 3, 1951. It also featured the voices of Hans Conried, GeGe Pearson, and June Foray.

His first television show was a 1949 episode of the anthology series “Arch Oboler Comedy Theatre” that also featured “Lucy” regular Hans Conried. 

Although primarily found in small roles, Christy was a recurring character on “Meet Corliss Archer” in 1954 playing Bill Franklin. 

His first onscreen appearance opposite Lucille Ball was on the “I Love Lucy” episode “Oil Wells” (ILL S3;E18), first aired on February 15, 1954, but filmed on January 14, 1954. Christy played Ken, a Private Detective friend of Fred’s who the gang believe may be looking into whether the Johnsons (the new neighbors) may be scam artists selling fake oil wells. 

In 1956, Christy returned to “I Love Lucy” to play the NYC dock agent who directs Lucy to the pilot boat and then the helicopter that lowers her onto the deck of the S.S. Constitution in “Bon Voyage” (ILL S5;E13). It was filmed December 1, 1955 and was the most expensive episode of “I Love Lucy” ever filmed. 

In 1959, he returned to Desilu for an episode of their hit series “The Real McCoys” playing Mr. Sackett alongside “I Love Lucy” performers Eleanor Audley and Richard Crenna. 

In 1961, he did an episode of “My Three Sons” with William Frawley and Fred MacMurray, filmed on the Desilu back lot. 

His final screen appearance was in a March 1962 episode of “Shannon” starring George Nader. 

Ken Christy died on July 23, 1962 at age 67.