Jack McCarthy (television)

John Joseph McCarthy (August 13, 1914 - May 23, 1996) was an announcer and host at WPIX, Channel 11 in New York City. He is best known for hosting the St. Patrick's Day Parade for 41 years, and as "Cap'n Jack" for hosting WPIX's block of Popeye cartoons in the sixties and early seventies.

Biography

McCarthy was born in Manhattan on August 13, 1914. He attended Commerce High School, graduating in 1932.

McCarthy joined the NBC Radio Network in 1933, first as a page and then as "The Network's youngest staff announcer". He later worked for WABC in New York as a sports and special-events radio broadcaster.

During his career, McCarthy performed in Hollywood and in New York, doing film, radio and TV. From 1963 to 1972, he was the beguiling Cap'n Jack on WPIX's children's cartoon show "Cap'n Jack and Popeye". "No script; I had a ball," said McCarthy. He depended on his abilities as a storyteller to entertain and inform his viewers. He retired in the 1970s but continued with the St. Patrick's Day Parade shows.

He was the anchor of WPIX's coverage of St. Patrick's Day events. Channel 11's annual parade coverage grew out of WPIX's effort to test a new camera and microphone on St. Patrick's Day in 1949.

He died on May 23, 1996 from prostate cancer in Scarsdale, New York. He was 81, and is survived by his three daughters, two sons, and one grandchild.

External links

• Jack McCarthy bio (TV.com)
• New York City Kid Show Roundup: Captain Jack McCarthy (TVParty.com)