Press & broadcasting / Comedy
Dick Purtan
born 1936 · radio host, comedian
Detroit morning-radio comedian for 45 years, from WKNR 'Keener 13' in 1965 to WOMC in 2010, whose on-air charity drives raised millions for the Salvation Army.
- Born
Buffalo, New York
age 90- Birth name
- Paul Richard Purtan
- Detroit years
- 1965–present
- Field
- Press & broadcasting, Comedy
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
A Buffalo native, Purtan came to Detroit in 1965 to join the Top 40 station WKNR, 'Keener 13', after stints in Syracuse and Cincinnati. Over the next 45 years he worked mornings at WKNR, WXYZ, CKLW across the river in Windsor, WCZY/WKQI and finally WOMC, where he stayed from 1996 until he retired in 2010. His show, built around prank calls, sketch characters and a cast of sidekicks known as Purtan's People, was one of the most popular in the market for decades. He also used the show for the annual radiothon for the Salvation Army's Bed and Bread program, raising millions of dollars and funding food trucks that serve hungry Detroiters every day. He had a cameo in the film Detroit 9000 (1973) and is a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame.
Highlights
- 45 years on Detroit morning radio (1965–2010)
- Stations: WKNR, WXYZ, CKLW, WCZY/WKQI and WOMC
- Radiothons for the Salvation Army Bed and Bread Club
- National Radio Hall of Fame member
- Cameo in the film Detroit 9000 (1973)