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RIP Danny Williams

11:48 AM EST on February 20, 2013

Dan D Dynamo

Oklahoma City radio, television and broadcasting legend Danny Williams passed away yesterday. Via NewsOK:

Oklahoma City radio and television icon Danny Williams has died.

Williams died from complications following a heart attack in October, daughter Shevaun Williams said.He was 85.

“He was fabulous. Loved by everyone,” she said.

Williams was known for his on-air phrases and sayings, including “watch out for flying chairs!” which he coined after being struck by one during a broadcast for “Live Wrestling,” a professional wrestling program.

“He was just a very popular dude. He had a certain personality that clicked with Oklahomans,” said Ronnie Kaye, on-air personality at KOMA-FM 92.5. “He communicated in a special way, right down there with the people. The man just had that genius about him.”

Williams, a devout Christian since age 12, was also fond of telling callers to his morning radio show, “God bless you!” and “I love you. Pass it on.”...

His broadcasting career began in 1947 at a radio station in Austin, Texas. He was hired by WKY-4, an Oklahoma City television station, in 1950. That same year, “The Danny Williams Show” debuted. He played Spavinaw Spoofkin on the “Gismo Godkin Show” and was an announcer for “Live Wrestling” in his first years at the station.

In 1953, “The Adventures of 3-D Danny” debuted. Williams became known as Dan D. Dynamo for the series, which he wrote, starred in and produced. He also played character parts, including Xavier T. Willard, on the “Foreman Scotty Show” in 1960.

Starting in 1967, He hosted “Dannysday,” a daytime talk and variety program, for 17 years.

Kent Jones, program director at KOMA, first met Williams in 1992 when he came to host their morning show.

“I'm sorry to have lost a good friend. ... And he was an encourager to younger broadcasters. So many people, including me, learned a lot from Danny Williams,” Jones said.

Kaye worked with Williams for 53 years.

“He was kind of like a big brother. We were all a family. I don't think there will ever be someone who comes close to being like him. The time was unique, and he was unique.”

That's sad. I was either a) not alive, or b) too young to remember Danny's television career. Here are some old clips I found on You Tube. They are worth watching:

This clip is from his after school TV show 3-D Danny. It features two of the greatest things in life — a mysterious girl from outer space and a 1950s robot.

Can we bring 3-D Danny back on the air? I'd much rather watch it than the Doctors or NewsChannel 4 at 4:30. If not, can we at least replace Linda Cavanaugh with a 1950s robot? Who wouldn't watch that?

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These clips are from his 1970s morning show Danny's Day. Notice that his co-host is Mary Hart from Entertainment Tonight fame:

If we did a retro list of the 20 Hottest Women in the Oklahoma City Media, Mary Hart would be in the top 10. Also, who knew Gene Wilder was such a perv.

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This clip is from Danny's final show on KOMA. It features an phone interview with Mary Hart:

I totally forgot about the KOMA morning show echo. I always thought they recorded the show in a cave.

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Anyway, Danny Williams was by all accounts a great guy. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. He'll be missed.

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