Biography
Les Lye was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on November 18, 1924. Following a stint in the armed forces after high school, he attended the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and then enrolled in Lorne Greene's Academy of Radio Arts. In 1948, he moved to Ottawa to join Frank Ryan's CFRA team.
As a radio announcer, Les worked with the station's popular groups and was also in demand as an MC at their many live appearances. After heading back to Toronto to work for a short time at CKEY, he returned to Ottawa and CFRA with his alter ego, Abercrombie. Les became one of radio's top personalities before turning to the new medium of television in 1958. His first job, as a co-host on the talk show "Contact", lasted three years.
In 1961, CJOH-TV went on the air with Les as a freelance writer and performer. Meanwhile, local entertainer Bill Luxton was busy with several shows, including a morning magazine. Forming what would become a long-lasting partnership, Les soon began creating comic characters for Bill to interview on his morning show.
When puppeteer John Conway decided to give up hosting the CJOH kids show "Cartoonerville" in 1966, the station's programmers asked Les and Bill to team up and take over. "Uncle Willy & Floyd" was born. Over the years, such personalities as Alanis Morissette, Klea Scott, Bruno Gerussi and Margaret Trudeau, would drop by for surprise guest appearances.
In addition to Luxton, Les has worked with Don Harron, Ruth Buzzi and Orson Bean, and has worked for the CBC, CTV and Global networks. "Uncle Willy & Floyd" ran for 22 years in syndication across Canada, and "You Can't Do That on Television" enjoyed a 10-season run and international acclaim. Among his many accomplishments, Les has appeared in a number of stage shows and was a major contributor to Rich Little's career.
In 2003, Les and Bill were honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), for their work on "Willy & Floyd." Now retired, Les continues to work as an active member of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and is also writing a book of his memoirs.
