TV Cowboy: Kirby Grant was famous for the popular TV show “Sky King” in which he played a lawman who made his way through the west in a small plane in search of outlaws.
He was born Kirby Grant Hoon in 1911 and was a child violin prodigy who debuted with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra at age 12. He also played semipro baseball later in life.
Kirby Grant worked in radio and sang with a Chicago dance band. Then in 1937 he entered a “Gateway to Hollywood” talent contest and won first prize which was a six-month contract with RKO Pictures. After making his fame as “Sky King, Grant also operated the Sky King Ranch of America for homeless teens.