User:Gerry Matthews

Gerry,aka,Gerald Matthews is a retired actor from New York City now living in Walla Walla, WA. since 1989. He was born in Waco, Texas in 1931, attended the University of Texas in 1949 and 1950 than worked at the Alley Theater, among others, in Houston before moving on to New York in 1953 and a career in show biz.

Teaming with school chum Tom Jones of Fantastics fame and actor Tom Poston he formed a club act and earned his first real check in 1954 at the Reuban Bleu supper club under Julius Monk. Next he was featured in the title role of Shaw's The Admirable Bashville at the Cherry Lane Theater before Mr. Monk persuaded him to join him in a new club called The Downstairs at the Upstairs. That gig expanded to nearly 10 years in Monk's reviews finishing in the 60's at the Plaza Hotel.

Those reviews were as follows: Four Below, Son of Four Below, Take Five, Demi Dozen, Pieces of Eight, Dressed to the Nines, Dime a Dozen, Baker's Dozen and Bits and Pieces.

During those years he also was regularly featured in prime time television on The Nurses, The Defenders, The Gary Moore Show, The Red Buttons Show, U.S. Steel Hour, Studio One, Kraft Playhouse, Tonight Show, Today Show, Naked City, Brenner, Play of the Week, The Shari Lewis Show among others.

Gerry's Broadway credits include "Don't Drink the Water", "On a Clear Day You can See Forever" and "Nathan Weinstein, Mystic Connecticut". Gerry had his greatest financial success in tv and radio commercials, best known as the voice of Sugar Bear for Post Cereals for 40 years, and the little man in the boat for Tydibowl toilet bowl cleaner.

A five year effort in Los Angeles as a writer from 1984 to 1989 produced enough credits to earn him a membership in WGA and another pension to go with those provided by AEA, AFTRA and SAG. His major credit in Hollywood was a script for the series Harry and the Hendersons.

Divorced four times, and the father of four grown men with seven grandchildren, Gerry has been happily married since 1980 to Tony Award winner Pat Stanley. They share their retirement with a dog, a parrot and four hens. They are also the creators and curators of the Museum of Un-Natural History in Walla Walla which can be viewed at www.wallawalladada.com.Gerry Matthews (talk) 23:54, 30 September 2009 (UTC)