Wendell Niles, 89; Veteran Radio, Television Announcer

Wendell Niles, a veteran radio and television announcer who worked with such performers as Bob Hope, George Burns and Milton Berle, has died at his San Fernando Valley home. He was 89.

A Toluca Lake resident for 55 years, Niles died Monday of cancer, said his son, Wendell Niles Jr.

Among his many credits, Niles served as announcer for such radio and television programs as “The Bob Hope Show,” “The Milton Berle Show,” “The Colgate Comedy Hour,” “The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show,” “It Could Be You” and “The Chase and Sanborn Hour,” with ventriloquist Edgar Bergen.

“He was one of the greatest radio personalities of our time and he was a great friend,” Berle said in a prepared statement. “He had one of the best voices the radio has ever known.”

Niles also appeared in more than three dozen motion pictures, including the 1940 film “Knute Rockne, All American,” with Ronald Reagan. In 1960, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in radio.

In addition to his son, Wendell, Niles is survived by another son, Richard Niles; a brother, Donald Niles; a sister, Grace Campbell, and nine grandchildren.