Richard Kollmar (November 15, 1910 – September 13, 1971) was an American actor, journalist, radio and television personality, and Broadway producer. He is perhaps best known for his marriage to journalist and television game‑show panelist Dorothy Kilgallen.
Early life and education
Richard Kollmar was born in New York City. Details of his early education and family background are limited in publicly available sources.
Career
Radio and television
Kollmar began his broadcasting career in the 1930s, working as a news commentator and announcer for various New York radio stations. In the early 1950s he co‑hosted the television program The Dorothy Kilgallen Show (also known as What's the Story?), a nightly news and interview series that aired on NBC. He also appeared as a guest panelist on several television quiz and talk shows during the 1950s and 1960s.
Theatre
In addition to his broadcasting work, Kollmar was involved in Broadway productions. He co‑produced the musical The Girl in Pink Tights (1954) and acted in several stage performances, though his theatrical work did not achieve the same prominence as his media appearances.
Journalism
Kollmar contributed articles and columns to newspapers and magazines, often focusing on entertainment and current events. His writing was occasionally syndicated in conjunction with his wife’s newspaper column.
Personal life
In 1940, Kollmar married Dorothy Kilgallen, a prominent journalist, author, and television panelist best known for her work on the game show What Did You Do? The couple had one daughter, Dorothy “Dede” Kollmar, born in 1943. Their marriage was a frequent subject of media attention, both for Kilgallen’s high public profile and for occasional reports of marital discord.
Later years and death
After Kilgallen’s sudden death in 1965, Kollmar largely withdrew from public life. He suffered from health problems in his later years and died of a heart attack on September 13, 1971, in New York City, at the age of 60.
Legacy
Richard Kollmar is remembered primarily for his role in mid‑20th‑century American broadcast media and for his association with Dorothy Kilgallen. While not a leading figure in any single field, his contributions to early television news programming and Broadway production reflect the multifaceted nature of entertainment careers during that era.
