San Jose-born Al Pearce found his way to radio stardom in his 30’s almost by accident. After selling insurance door-to-door, Pearce had moved on to real estate sales. He and his brother Cal were singing in the San Francisco Real Estate Glee Club when KFRC program director Helen O’Neil heard them.
The Pearce brothers’ musical act (Al sang and played banjo) was soon eclipsed by Al Pearce’s comedic talents. A KFRC writer created a character named Elmer Blurt, a nervous door-to-door salesman who would knock on the door and mutter, “Nobody home, I hope, I hope, I hope.” It would become a national catchphrase as Pearce’s career skyrocketed.
The Happy Go Lucky Hour debuted on KFRC and was soon a hit on the Don Lee network. CBS carried the show for years. NBC picked it and renamed it Al Pearce and His Gang, and then it was back to CBS for a run that lasted until 1947.
In 1943, Pearce played both the fictional Elmer Blurt and himself in the feature film Here Comes Elmer, which also starred Dale Evans, Frank Albertson and Nat King Cole.
Al Pearce was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1965.
Al Pearce died in 1961 at age 62.