Parker Fennelly
Parker Fennelly was an American actor and playwright who appeared in ten films, numerous television episodes and hundreds of radio programs.
Early life
The son of gardener Nathan Fennelly and Estelle Dolliver Fennelly, he was born and raised in Northeast Harbor, Maine, and studied classical acting in Boston. He was a member of Boston's Toy Theater company and participated in Chautauqua readings. He studied under performing arts educator Leland T. Powers.Stage
In 1915 and 1916, Fennelly toured on the Midland Chautauqua Circuit with the Maud Scheerer Shakespeare Players. In 1919, he traveled and acted with the Jack X. Lewis Stock Company. Fennelly and his wife, Catherine Reynolds Fennelly, formed the Parker Fennelly Duo, presenting short plays, readings and impersonations.Fennelly's performances on Broadway included Mr. Pitt, The Small Timers, Florida Girl, Babbling Brookes, Black Velvet, The County Chairman, Yours, A. Lincoln, Our Town, Happily Ever After, Live Life Again, Loco, and The Southwest Corner. His other Broadway credits include directing Technique, providing source material for Fulton of Oak Falls, and writing Cuckoos on the Hearth.
Radio
Fennelly and Arthur Allen played "Yankee codgers" on two programs, The Stebbins boys of Bucksport Point and Snow Village Sketches, in the early years of radio.Allen's Alley
Fennelly personified the crusty New England Yankee in roles on radio, films and television. He was heard weekly as Titus Moody on the "Allen's Alley" segment of Fred Allen's radio show where he delivered his famous opening line: "Howdy, Bub."Other radio
Fennelly's other roles on radio included the following:| Program | Character |
| Lawyer Tucker | Tucker |
| Ma and Pa | Pa |
| Mother and Dad | Dad |
| Mr. Feathers | Mr. Feathers |
| Prairie Folks | Smiley |
| The Adventures of the Thin Man | Eb |
| Valiant Lady | Mike Hagen |
In 1960, Fennelly recorded Moody Speaking, a series of "sparkling one-minute and five-minute vignettes" produced by Banner Radio Company for local stations.
Television and films
Fennelly made numerous appearances on live television shows of the early 1950s, including Lux Video Theatre, The Philco Television Playhouse and Studio One. In 1970-71, he played Mr. Purdy on Headmaster on CBS. In 1956 he guest starred on an episode of Father Knows Best as a housepainter.In film, Fennelly portrayed the millionaire in Alfred Hitchcock's The Trouble with Harry, and he replaced Percy Kilbride as Pa Kettle in the final film of the "Ma and Pa Kettle" series, The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm. After Angel in My Pocket, his last movie role was Universal's movie How to Frame a Figg starring Don Knotts.
In later years he became a familiar face as the Pepperidge Farm's television spokesman between 1956 and 1977, delivering the slogan "Pepperidge Farm remembers" in his New England accent, before turning over the role to Charles C. Welch.
Personal life
In 1918, Fennelly met and married Catherine Deane "while both of them were playing in a stock company in Moline, Illinois." They had two daughters, Mary and Jane, and a son, John.Recordings
In 1950, Fennelly made a children's record, Ride 'Em Cowboy . In 1953, he recorded another children's item, Hunters of the Sea.Death
Fennelly died January 22, 1988, aged 96, at his home in Peekskill, New York. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, four grandsons, and one great-grandson.His widow, Catherine Fennelly, died five months later, aged 95. Their remains were interred in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York.