Harold (Hal) Peary born José Pereira de Faria, July 25, 1908 – March 30, 1985, was an American actor, comedian and singer in radio, film, television and animation, with an unmistakable, booming voice, who is remembered best as the title character of the popular radio comedy series The Great Gildersleeve.

Early life

Born in San Leandro, California to Portuguese parentsDistinguished Americans and Canadians of Portuguese Descent: José Pereira de Faria, Peary (pronounced Perry) began working in local radio as early as 1923, according to his own memory, and had his own show as a singer, The Spanisher Serenader, in San Francisco, but moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1937. In Chicago his radio work included Fibber McGee and Molly, where he originated the Gildersleeve character as a Fibber McGee neighbor and nemesis in 1938 and went through several first names and occupations before settling on Throckmorton Philaharmonic. He also worked on the horror series Lights Out and other radio programs.