Biography for
Parley Baer More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

5 August 1914, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Date of Death

22 November 2002, Los Angeles, California, USA (complications from a stroke)

Birth Name

Parley Edward Baer

Spouse

Ernestine Clarke Baer

(9 April 1946 - 5 August 2000) (her death) 2 children

Trivia

The voice of Ernie Keebler on the Keebler cookies commercials.

In addition to his running role of Chester on the Gunsmoke radio series that ran from 1952 to 1961, Baer was frequently heard on such radio programs as The Lux Radio Theater, Escape and Suspense.

During his struggling years, he served as a circus ringmaster for Circus Vargas and Barnum & Bailey. Later he would serve on the board of the community L.A. Circus, and was a docent at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Hefty, balding character actor of mostly comedy hijinks who, during his six-decade career, proved a durable, hot-headed foil for TV's top sitcom stars such as Lucille Ball, Ozzie Nelson and Andy Griffith.

In 1946, he met and married circus aerialist and bareback rider Ernestine Clarke. They were together for 54 years until her death, producing two daughters, Kim and Dale.

Studied drama at the University of Utah.

He played the part of "Chester" on Gunsmoke on radio. The part on TV was played by Dennis Weaver.

Once worked an act of seven tigers, at Jungleland, Thousand Oaks, California.

With Ralph Edwards, co-founded Pioneer Pacific Broadcasters.

Created and toured his own circuses, doubling as Ringmaster and Performance Director, roles he filled as well on other circus titles.

Served in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theatre in WW II, earning seven Battle Stars and a Presidential Citation. Attained rank of Captain.

Wrote publicity for Al. G. Barnes Circus, in winters. Announcer at Salt Lake City radio station, SLM.

Personal Quotes

"Radio is the most nearly perfect medium for an actor. If you have an audience of 5 million people listening to you, you're giving 5 million performances."

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