Freeman Gosden

Freeman Fisher "Gozzie" Gosden (May 5, 1899 – December 10, 1982) was an American radio comedian, actor and pioneer in the development of the situation comedy form.He is best known for his work for the radio series Amos 'n' Andy.

Gosden was born in Richmond, Virginia, the son of Emma L. (Smith) and Walter W. Gosden Sr. While attending school in Richmond, Gozzie worked part-time in Tarrant's Drug Store at 1 West Broad Street. During World War I, he served in the United States Navy as a wireless operator, which prompted his great interest with the young medium of radio.

During 1921, Gosden first teamed with Charles Correll to do radio work, presenting comedy acts and hosting variety programs. They had met in Durham, North Carolina, both working for the Joe Bren Producing Company. Their first regular series was begun during 1925 with their WEBH Chicago program Correll and Gosden, the Life of the Party. For this program, the two told jokes, sang, and played music (Correll played piano and Gosden ukulele or banjo).

During 1926, Gosden and Correll had a success with their radio program Sam 'n' Henry broadcast by Chicago radio station WGN. Sam & Henry is considered by some historians to have been the first situation comedy.

From 1928 to 1960, Gosden and Correll broadcast their program Amos 'n' Andy, which was one of the most famous and popular radio series of the 1930s. Gosden voiced the characters "Amos", "George 'Kingfish' Stevens", "Lightning", "Brother Crawford", and some dozen other characters.

During 1961–1962, Gosden and Correll provided the voices for the animated television series Calvin and the Colonel broadcast by American Broadcasting Company-TV.

During 1969, Gosden was honored with a symbolic star shape on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work for radio. During 1974 Gosden was living in Palm Springs, California and was the best man for Frank Sinatra's 1976 wedding to Barbara Marx. During 1977, Gosden was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame along with Correll.

Freeman Gosden died from congestive heart failure in Los Angeles, California during 1982 at the age of 83. Gosden was the father of four children: Virginia, Craig, Freeman Jr., and Linda. Freeman Gosden was a Charter Member of the Augusta National Golf Club, joining the club at its inception, in 1931.He was a long-term good friend of Clifford Roberts, who, along with famed golfer Bob Jones, co-founded the Augusta National Golf Club. On September 26, 1977, Freeman Gosden placed Clifford Roberts on a private jet airplane in Los Angeles, California, for a flight to Augusta, Georgia. Roberts took his life there, by gun shot, four days later on the grounds of the Augusta National, behind the Eisenhower cabin.