Jerry Lawrence, 93; Announcer for ‘Truth or Consequences’

Jerry Lawrence, 93, early radio and television quiz show host, disc jockey and announcer of such shows as “Truth or Consequences,” died Saturday in Los Angeles of unspecified causes, his family said.

Born in Rochester, N.Y., and brought up in Long Beach, Calif., Lawrence developed his radio career in the 1930s at New York City radio stations WOR, WNEW and the CBS network. During World Was II he was recognized for hosting the music and interview show “Moonlight Savings Time,” broadcast to troop ships and war industry workers from 2:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. As a disc jockey, he promoted the music of a young singer named Frank Sinatra and was an early announcer on “The Frank Sinatra Show” in 1944.

Lawrence returned to the Los Angeles area in 1945 and worked in radio and early television at KTLA, KCOP and KFWB. He hosted CBS’ “The Spade Cooley Show” featuring the orchestra leader in 1951, and helped develop local quiz shows, including “Play Marco” for KTLA. He was an announcer for television’s popular game show “Truth or Consequences” when it was hosted by Jack Bailey on NBC in 1954 and 1955.

As an actor, Lawrence made guest appearances on such television series as “Dragnet” and “The Donna Reed Show” and had small parts in the 1953 suspense film “The Hitch-Hiker” starring Edmond O’Brien and 1961’s “X-15” with Charles Bronson.