Johnny McGovern

[Yhtapmys]

Questions are raised periodically about who is still alive who appeared on Jack's radio show.
One is Johnny McGovern, who played the New Year and one of the first Beavers.

I wasn't sure what happened to him but he's still around as a producer. I notice this story from the Los Angeles Times, Jan. 28, 1958.

Actor Has Film Name John Wilder Legalized
Superior Judge Burnett Wolfson was a bit puzzled yesterday when a young man named John M. McGovern asked for permission to change his name to John Wilder.
“Back In Minnesota I knew a football player named John McGovern,” said the judge. “It’s a fine name.”
The 21-year-old petitioner, no kin to the football player, agreed. But he explained that for the last two years he has been playing film roles as John Wilder because there is a John McGovern on the New York stage and Actors Equity says he has priority to the name.
The judge suggested that he continue using Wilder professionally but keep McGovern as his legal name.
“Too Confusing. I’ve been doing that for two years but it leads to too much confusion,” the petitioner replied.
Judge Wolfsen granted the petition but told Wilder he would be glad to give him the McGovern name back if he ever changed his mind.
Wilder, who has acted in radio, television and the movies since he was 9 years old, presented his petition through Atty. Mitchell Aaronson.
NAME CHANGE John M. McGovern, legalize acting name John Wilder.

Yhtapmys