Norm Blackburn

Biography

Norman Blackburn began his career with Walt Disney as an animator. He later joined NBC in New York and was one of the first National Program Directors. He redesigned the Howdy Doody puppet and ordered his design refined by some of his old Disney friends. He had puppet maker Velma Dawson create the Howdy that became famous. He moved back to Hollywood and joined J. Walter Thompson ad agency and was the talent buyer for such radio shows and The Lux Radio Playhouse and The Elgin Watch Shower of Stars. His television credits include Circus Boy (1956) which he created and produced and Celebrity Golf which was one of the first golf shows on TV. It was filmed at Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank, California, where he was a member for many years and eventually made an honorary member.