Jordan Quinn

Don Quinn was an American writer whose career began in Chicago as a cartoonist before transitioning to radio. He discovered his talent for writing captions when his drawings were discarded by publications, but his written contributions were retained. This led him to a writing position at WENR, where he met Jim and Marian Jordan.

Quinn became widely recognized as the primary writer for the popular old-time radio show 'Fibber McGee and Molly,' contributing for 17 years. He also wrote for the show's stars, Jim and Marian Jordan, for two decades. His creative output extended to other radio and television programs, including 'The Beulah Show,' a spin-off from 'Fibber McGee and Molly,' and 'The Halls of Ivy.' Quinn was also credited with creating the memorable character Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve for 'Fibber McGee and Molly.' He passed away in 1967.

Born in November 1900, Don Quinn's early life and initial career as a cartoonist in Chicago remain largely undocumented. However, it's understood that his artistic endeavors with magazines and newspapers often saw his drawings rejected while his accompanying captions were kept. This realization steered him toward a writing career. He secured a position at WENR in Chicago, where he wrote for emerging comedians. It was during this period, in 1931, that Quinn encountered Jim and Marian Jordan, established vaudeville performers who were then working at a rival radio station. Quinn was engaged to write scripts for their program, 'The Smith Family.'

In 1931, Quinn, alongside Jim and Marian Jordan, developed the radio program 'Smackout,' which later evolved into the nationally syndicated 'Fibber McGee and Molly' after a Johnson Wax executive heard the show. Quinn was instrumental in the success of 'Fibber McGee and Molly,' serving as its sole writer for many years and later as head writer under Phil Leslie. He was known for his unique writing process, often waiting until the last minute before isolating himself with food and coffee to produce scripts that required minimal revision. Quinn was a full partner in the show, sharing in its financial success. He also created the character Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve for the program.

Quinn's prolific writing career extended beyond 'Fibber McGee and Molly.' In 1945, he created 'The Beulah Show' for CBS Radio, a spin-off featuring the character Beulah Brown, who had been the McGee's maid. This show also had a television adaptation. Later, in 1950, Quinn developed 'The Halls of Ivy,' a comedy focusing on the president of a small Midwestern college and his wife, which aired on both radio and television. Quinn also ventured into television writing, serving as a story editor for 'Four Star Playhouse' and writing episodes for various other series, including 'Climax!,' 'The Dinah Shore Chevy Show,' 'The Addams Family,' and 'Petticoat Junction.' He is also credited with composing the theme song for the western series 'Yancy Derringer.'

Don Quinn was married twice. His first wife, Garnette Steve, passed away in a traffic accident in 1938. He later remarried Edythe Quinn, a former reporter for the Chicago American. Quinn had no children. He died on December 30, 1967, at the age of 67. His death received minimal public notice, according to author Tony Scott. Quinn and his widow, Edythe, are interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.