Art Pallan

Who was Art Pallan?

Arthur E. Pallan was an American radio celebrity in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

He was born in Braddock. After graduating from Brentwood High School he landed first radio job at WWSW. Upon graduating from high school, Pallan took an office job with Procter & Gamble. But he dreamed of being in radio and would spend his lunch hours watching the announcers working at KDKA and WWSW. He auditioned several times at WWSW and was finally hired when the station had a shortage of announcers because of World War II. He served in the military himself and was a decorated veteran. Pallan moved over to KDKA in 1956 where his popularity would grow in the Pittsburgh market during the 1960s. Like Cordic, Pallan was mentored by Bill Cullen, who was on staff at WWSW before he left for New York and found national fame as a game show personality.

Pallan spent much of his time at KDKA assigned to the midday slot. He featured a cheerful, upbeat style and referred to himself as "Your Pal Pallan", and often appeared on television promotional announcements for KDKA in his trademark white goatee and brightly colored Hawaiian print or bowling shirts.