Biography
Jack Sterling (born Jack Sexton) was the son of Jack Sexton and Edna Cable. Both of his parents worked in show business for almost 40 years, and it was natural that Jack was destined to continue the family tradition.
He first appeared as an actor, at age 2, playing Little Willie in East Lynne (1916). By the time he was 7 years old, Jack Sterling had worked up a routine as a minstrel and played the same bill as his parents in their coast-to-coast tours. At 15, Sterling was a leading player in the John D. Winninger stock company which toured Midwestern cities.
In 1934, Jack traveled with the Norma Ginnivan Dramatic Company (a tent show that traveled a circuit through south central Michigan and north western Ohio, bringing vaudeville entertainment to small towns). He performed a comedy team act with a young Bud Walker (whose parents were in the show).
In 1939, he settled down in Peoria, Illinois, where he joined WMBD as an announcer and producer. One year later, he moved to WTAD in Quincy, Illinois, as Program Director, and from there to CBS Radio's KMOX, St. Louis. In 1947, after two years at KMOX, he was promoted to Program Manager of CBS Radio's WBBM, Chicago.
On November 5, 1948, Sterling made his debut on WCBS Radio in the early morning time slot formerly occupied by Arthur Godfrey, with "The Jack Sterling Show", which was broadcast until 1966. He continued hosting this radio show all while he appeared as Ringmaster on the live CBS TV circus show, Big Top (1950) from 1950 to 1957. He did not retire from working in radio until 1979.
Jack married Barbara MacGregor and they had eight daughters: Jane, Marsha, Beth, Linda, Catherine, Nancy, Patricia and Susan. The Sterlings lived in New Canaan, Connecticut, later moving to Florida.
Jack Sterling died at his home in Stuart, Florida. His wife and daughters survived him.
