My First Job: Bob Newman, makeup man

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July 10, 2005

My First Job: Bob Newman, makeup man

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Bob Newman

Current position: Makeup man at KCTS-TV.

First job: "Gertrude" on the "J.P. Patches Show," the popular, long-running show on KIRO-TV/Channel 7 from 1958 to 1981.

How I got the job: After serving in the Marines in the Korean War, I graduated from the University of Washington School of Communications, and started paying the dues. "Hi there, station KOMO can't get along without me. How about a job?" Next, a door slam!!! Followed by "Hi there, station KING can't get along without me. How about a job ?" — another door slam and on and on. Finally, the guys at KIRO gave in and hired me as a weekend floor director. Later, while working on the "J.P. Patches Show" one morning, J.P. asked his unseen phone operator Gertrude a favor and he dropped the imitation phone on the floor. I saw the opportunity and screamed into the overhanging microphone in a geeky voice, "OK, dear, I'll send it right down," and the rest is history. Sometime later, the director's wife, Bonny Flory (a seamstress extraordinaire), made me a Raggedy Ann dress and hair mop and on I went, showbiz, here I come. Then there was Ketchikan the Animal Man, Boris S. Wort, Gorst the friendly Frple, Ms. Smith the Delivery Lady, and on and on. I did a total of 18 characters on that show and to this day, when I'm in public, people ask about it all. HA!

What I learned: I am an epileptic and have multiple sclerosis, along with RLS and a bunch of other dumb medical stuff, but you know when the sun's out and I'm driving my convertible 2000 yellow 'Vette, I look up and say "Thanks for it all, Sir. Life is good, bring on the next item."

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