John B. Kennedy

Who was John B. Kennedy?

John Bright Kennedy was an American radio correspondent, journalist, and film narrator.

He was born in Quebec, of a French-Canadian mother and an Irish engineer father. His work included a commentator on the program The Magic Key which ran from 1934 to 1939. He often hosted the People’s Rally, which was an influential current affairs program that featured prominent spokespersons for both pro and con arguments of the day.

His first radio stint took place in 1924, on WJZ, when he was 30 and associate editor of Collier's. In 1925 Collier's installed him on The Collier Hour that continued until 1931. After Collier's Hour went off the air, NBC hired Kennedy as a staff commentator and host of the The Magic Key and the People’s Rally.

Kennedy has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.