It was 55 years ago today, January 21st, 1967, that the legendary Betty White was in San Antonio with her husband Allen Ludden.
Allen Ludden, the host of the popular TV show “Password”, was educated in San Antonio, graduating from Jefferson High School, so he was no stranger to the Alamo City, and made numerous visits to the city over the years, but on this day in 1967, he brought his talented wife with him.
Allen Ludden, the host of the popular TV show “Password”, was educated in San Antonio, graduating from Jefferson High School, so he was no stranger to the Alamo City, and made numerous visits to the city over the years, but on this day in 1967, he brought his talented wife with him.
Photo: Showbiz Cheat Sheet
That night, during a banquet in the Anacacho Room at the St Anthony Hotel, Allen Ludden was presented with the “Texan of the Year” award by the Texas Press Association. At the ceremony, also attended by Betty White, over 300 newspaper men and women honored Allen Ludden with the TPA’s highest award. At the award ceremony, the TPA President Jim Barnhill praised Allen Ludden, citing him as one “who both in person and on the air frequently and proudly refers to Texas as his home state. He has given the Lone Star State millions of dollars in publicity”
The award was given annually to a former Texan now residing outside the state, and bringing recognition to Texas.
Photo: Crystal City Zavala County Sentinel
During the visit, Allen Ludden was interviewed on TV as well.
Photo: San Antonio Express News
Interesting to note, that during an interview with the San Antonio Express News while she was visiting, Betty White then described herself as “somewhat of a freelancer.” She said,” I do commercials and appear on game shows. I try to build my life around his”
It proved to be a great visit to San Antonio with the couple winning more fans where ever they went.
Some additional stories:
- According to the San Antonio Light, one little-known fact is that during the marriage breakup and separation of Mary Tyler Moore and her husband Grant Tinker, it was Betty White and Allen Ludden who arranged a special birthday party for Grant Tinker in January 1974, and he used they opportunity to invite Mary to the gathering, and that eventually led to the couple’s reconciliation.
Photo: Twitter
- As reported in the “Burnett Bulletin”, in 1942, Allen Ludden entered the Army and rose to the rank of Captain. He also won a Bronze Star. During his time in the military, he worked with renowned Shakespearean actor Maurice Evans producing and directing over 40 Army shows in the Pacific. Following his service, he became Evans’ personal Manager and was involved in his national tour as “Hamlet”
Maurice Evans became known to millions of fans in later years as Samantha Stevens’ father on the TV show “Bewitched” ( also known as Maurice)
Sources:
San Antonio Light
San Antonio Express News
Burnett Bulletin
Wikipedia
http://www.thefamouspeople.com
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