Introduction
Robert J. Sherwood, Jr. (May 30, 1914 in Indianapolis, Indiana – January 23, 1981 Auburn, Massachusetts), known professionally as Bobby Sherwood, was a trumpet player, bandleader, actor and composer. He appeared in three films including Pal Joey in 1957.
Early years
Sherwood's parents were Bob and Gail Sherwood. When they lived in Kokomo, Indiana, Bob Sherwood operated a movie theater and Gail Sherwood "organized an orchestra which was among the first ones to play popular syncopated music." Bobby Sherwood began playing banjo with that group when he was 12 years old.
Career
Radio
Beginning October 2, 1940, Sherwood was the bandleader on Eddie Cantor's program on NBC. That same year, he was a regular on the Hillman Hour program on KFWB in Los Angeles, California. In the mid-1940s, he had his own program, Bobby Sherwood Orchestra on the Mutual Broadcasting System.
In 1953, he had a daily early morning program on WJZ, in New York City, and at one time he had a disc jockey show on WNEW (also in New York City).
Television
Sherwood was a regular performer on The Red Buttons Show on TV in the 1950s. He hosted the DuMont Television Network variety show Stars on Parade (1953–54), was the announcer for DuMont's The Morey Amsterdam Show, and the host for the ABC game show Quick as a Flash (March to May 1953).
In the mid-1950s, he was host of Step This Way, a dance-oriented program broadcast on Saturday evenings on WABC-TV in New York City.
Composing
Sherwood composed the music for at least one film, Campus Sleuth (1948). He is most closely identified with the songs "Sherwood Forest" and "Elks' Parade", which he composed and which were recorded by his band.
Recognition
Sherwood has a star at 1825 Vine Street, in the Television section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal life
Sherwood was brother-in-law to Judy Garland. His sons Billy and Michael are both musicians, and his nephew is trumpeter Carl Saunders.
Death
Sherwood died of cancer January 23, 1981, at his home in Auburn, Massachusetts.