Most people in Kansas City know Jerry Fogel, 76, from his days on the radio, most famously with Mike Shanin on the iconic morning “Fogel and Shanin” show on KCMO that aired for more than 15 years.
He also was vice president, owner, President and CEO of Martin Fromm & Associates from 1980 to 2001
But Fogel, who attended West Point, also had a fairly substantial acting career on television before that from 1966 to 1980.
In fact, Fogel’s first series, “The Mothers-in-Law,” which ran on NBC from 1967 through 1970, will begin airing on KMBC’s Me-TV starting this Sunday (6/24) at 1 p.m.
(Photo cutline: Kaye Ballard, Deborah Walley, Fogel and Eve Arden.)
He can also be seen on episodes of “Mary Tyler Moore,” Bob Newhart,” “Big Valley,” and other shows that still air on cable today. In fact, he was involved with 125 other television productions and some 150 commercials.
He had featured roles in three major motion pictures: “Tora!Tora!Tora!,” “The Day of the Locust” and “Marathon Man,” starred in summer stock for four years throughout the country and performed at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
The “Mother-in-Law” series was produced and often directed by Desi Arnaz, who was married to TV superstar Lucille Ball and starred with her in the famous “I Love Lucy” series that ran from 1951-57.
In “The Mothers-in-Law” Fogel played the husband to Walley. The show also featured Arden and Ballard. Fogel and Ballard are the only living members of the cast.
Fogel has had some health issues the past few years, but made it clear he is still available for work.
“Feel great, cancer in remission for almost two years and the Fogel heart is beatin’ better and stronger than ever!” he told Bottom Line. “I am open to audition and interview for anyone…”
MeTV airs on Time Warner Channel (985); Comcast Channel (247); Surewest/Everest Channel (611) and Sunflower Cable Channel (199).