Jimmy Hollister, Radio Personality Hosted "Sinister Cinema"
deb...@comcast.net
The co-host of "Sinister Cinema" and a KEX radio personality loved to
talk and make people laugh
Thursday, December 30, 2004
KYM POKORNY
Jimmy Hollister, a longtime Portland radio personality and co-host of
the irreverent and highly popular '70s TV show "Sinister Cinema," died
Dec. 14, 2004, in Folsom, Calif. He was 66.
Mr. Hollister was never happier than when he was entertaining, said his
sister, Linnea Hollister. "He was still entertaining up until the day
he passed away," she said.
Mr. Hollister was born May 15, 1938, in San Francisco, where he grew
up. He trained in theater at the Pasadena Playhouse.
"His first job was on 'Queen for a Day' as a page," his sister
recalled.
He came to Portland in January 1970, arriving in town the same day as
Victor Ives, who hired Hollister in 1970 as a music director for KEX
radio. The two had a long and fruitful partnership.
"He was a major talent," said Ives, his partner on the TV show. "He
could have been a major market talent in any city in the U.S., but he
had a tremendous affection for Portland."
Mr. Hollister started as the afternoon personality for KEX and
eventually took over for morning disc jockey Barney Keep. He was the
morning DJ for 10 years and spent 18 years total at KEX.
A beloved entertainer who loved to talk and make people laugh, Mr.
Hollister will perhaps be best remembered as the nonspeaking partner on
the highly rated "Sinister Cinema." Originally started as a 13-week
promotion for KEX, the popular program featured horror movies with
Hollister and Ives acting as hosts who did satirical skits during the
movie breaks. It became so popular that at one time 60 percent of the
Portland television audience was watching.
Even when he wasn't on radio or TV, Mr. Hollister wanted to perform.
"If we didn't have a public appearance," Ives said, "on Fridays he'd
insist we go down to Meier & Frank and entertain on the escalators. He
loved to entertain and would at the drop of a hat. Wherever he was, it
was a party."
One time, they were hired by a group of secretaries to perform in the
Hilton ballroom.
"We did our jokes, both of them," Ives remembers. "It didn't go well.
We did impromptu comedy, and when we were on, it was really good. But
when we weren't, it was really bad. We weren't.
"I said to him, 'How the hell do we get out of this?' He said, 'Ives,
do exactly what I do. Lean over and grab your knees.' Then he said,
'Ladies and gentlemen, Hollister and Ives presents our interpretation
of the 100-yard dash."
The two partners jumped off the stage, ran down the center aisle and
out the door. They were still running when a woman ran after them,
waving a piece of paper, "Your check," she yelled. "Mail it," Mr.
Hollister yelled back.
The next year, they were invited back.
Ives recently began putting together a Web site in an effort to get his
former colleague interested in the Internet. The site,
www.jimmyhollister.com, has turned into a tribute, complete with clips.
Mr. Hollister was preceded in death by his wife, Julie, in 2002.
Survivors include his son, Jimmy III of Lake Oswego; daughters, Kim
Warmer of San Francisco, Kyle Willis of San Bruno, Calif., and Kelly
Staiman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; sister, Linnea of El Dorado Hills,
Calif.; brothers, Sidney J. of Denver, Dick of Prescott, Ariz., Gary of
Scottsdale, Ariz., and Kirk of San Jose, Calif.; and five grandchildren.
Brigid Nelson
> Entertainer Jimmy Hollister dies at 66
> The co-host of "Sinister Cinema" and a KEX radio personality loved to
> talk and make people laugh
> Thursday, December 30, 2004
> KYM POKORNY
> Jimmy Hollister, a longtime Portland radio personality and co-host of
> the irreverent and highly popular '70s TV show "Sinister Cinema," died
> Dec. 14, 2004, in Folsom, Calif. He was 66.
>
>
at Grandma's house watching SC. This show was my first exposure to
classic horror, and though I rarely made it through the second feature
those guys are responsible for my unabashed adoration of the giant bug
movie.
We miss you Head, may you rest in pieces.
brigid
deb...@comcast.net
hosted a horror movie show on channel 5, I believe, in Los Angeles.
Anyone remember him?