Chuck McCann, legendary actor and WPIX personality, dead at 83: friends

Chuck McCann, the beloved comedic actor whose long career included children`s shows on WPIX as well as iconic commercials and appearances on countless TV shows and movies, has died at 83, friends confirmed to PIX11.

[seishsmom]

RIP Chuck McCann! He was my favorite tv host when I was a kid! My favorite show was "Let's Have Fun" on Sunday morning on Ch.11. When the New York Daily News paper went on strike he read all the comics dressed as the characters on live tv! He had great skits and puppets! Thanks for the laughs! To be a kid in the 60's was special!

[vibra]

Part of my childhood is gone. Thanks Mr. McCann for the laughs. God bless you.

[marcgothic]

RIP Chuck . . . you brought so much enjoyment to a young boy!

[barbarabutterfield]

Rest in peace Mr. McCann. Thanks for the laughter. I especially liked the Beatles puppets! A life well lived.

[ichaffee]

I just watch The Heart is a Lonely Hunter..I watched it last night, still thinking about it. I remember watching Chuck McCann on TV as a kid. I loved his show and his pleasant face. I dont remember seeing him in a dramatic role before. His character was a tragic figure, he should have gotten an award for his acting. Great movie

[annette]

Some of my best childhood memories! He was awesome! He did a bit where you'd send in 5 lines on a piece of paper and he would turn it into a drawing. He read the comics to us, including Dick Tracy, Little Orphan Annie, and Dondi. He had a sweet, funny nature and was just sooo talented. I remember being so shocked years later seeing him in commercials or Columbo. It seemed so random! Oh wait! HE'S AN ACTOR??
There were a lot of TV hosts for children in those days. There was Sandy Becker, who we'd watch after running our legs off to get home from school and Soupy Sales : both hysterical. The edgy Wonderrama guy, Sonny Fox. He didn't seem to really like children. Lol. Officer Joe Bolton, i think he may have been under the influence. Lol. But Chuck McCann, the hours and hours a day with Chuck McCann : fantastic! And he did seem to be on everyday for hours and hours... ps: I thought he was on channel 5 in NY.

[ellenromero]

He was my favorite kids progam host. When President Kennedy died I was 10 and so disappointed I couldn't watch him because of the news coverage. My dad said he did the best Oliver Hardy ever. I remember the puppets, the skits, and cartoons. I remember seeing him in a Subway commercial in the late 90's as Oliver Hardy and someone said that guy is great. I said, "That's Chuck McCann". RIP, thanks for all the childhood memories.

[rty]

He also did many voice acting as well. I immediately recognized his voice at Disney's EPCOT I. World of Imagination as The Dreamfinder

[rty]

He actually started on WABD channel 5 in NY. When it became WNEW, i was in the studio many times when his show aired. Very funny and friendly guy

[lednew]

RIP Chuck. I grew up with "Let's Have Fun, " "The Chuck McCann Show, " and "Laurel & Hardy & Chuck." You and Paul Ashley were an incredible team and I still remember Homer and Mildred and the Little Little Theater so fondly. Thanks for being a great guy as well.

[revinhatol]

_"I find you guilty, of being delicious!"_
- His Honor Judge Gramps (Cuckoo Court)

[williamkotenski]

I loved coming home from school and turn on chuck McCann until my parents come home from work

[JohnSmith-uysv]

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by God's grace are we saved through faith; not by works, (or being a firefighter or law enforcement or a hero or a veteran or actor or a soul singer or a sports hero or a fashion designer or a writer or a super pop star or bounty hunter or race car driver or country music singer or a Disney star actor or making people laugh or making people happy or dying for your country or never killing anyone) 9 it is the free gift of God, not that anyone can boast of their salvation." Eternity will not be about any of us or what we have done. It will all be about Jesus Christ who died on a cross to save us from our sins. We all deserve hell.