| Mike Connors | |
| Birth Name: | Michael Aloysius Connors |
| Birth Place: | New York, United States |
| Birth Date: | 1891 |
| Death Place: | Australia |
| Death Date: | 1949 (aged 57) |
| Occupation: | Radio presenter, vaudevillian |
| Spouse: | Queenie Paul |
Michael Aloysius Connors (1891–1949) was an American-born Australian vaudevillian and radio presenter.
He was born in New York and came to Australia in 1916 on a six-month stage contract as part of a vaudeville act, contracted by Benjamin Fuller.[1]
After arriving in Australia, Connors met Queenie Paul whom he co-starred with in a revue.[2]
Connors and Paul married in Newcastle on 17 November 1917, and the couple subsequently became known for their collaborative stage work.[2] [3] [4] [5]
After gaining financial backing in 1931, Connors and Paul established Con-Paul Theatres.[2] In 1932, Con-Paul Theatres took over the lease of the Grand Opera House in Sydney and renamed it the New Tivoli Theatre.[6]
The couple had three children together, Celestine, Colleen and Paul. Colleen Connors died at the age of five in December 1933 from meningitis.[7]
In 1938, Connors began working in radio at the ABC, hosting a national breakfast program and The Hospital Half-Hour.[8] Connors became seriously ill in 1948 from what was reported to be a blood clot. During his illness, he received many messages of support including one from Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley. [9] He returned to radio in December 1948, only to again fall ill several weeks later with his condition worsening.[10]
Mike Connors died at the age of 57 on 16 January 1949.[11] Fellow entertainers Roy Rene, Jack Davey, Harry Pringle, George Wallace, Jim Gussey and Reg Quartley served as pallbearers at Connors' funeral.[12] Radio announcer Russ Tyson, who was already filling in for Connors during his ill health, replaced Connors on his radio programs.[13] [8]
Connors' widow, Queenie Paul commenced working nine months after the death of her husband.[14]