Wayne Mack (May 22, 1924 – April 1, 1993) was a broadcast journalist, television entertainer, and sportscaster who served the New Orleans, Louisiana, market from 1958 to 1992.
Early life and education
Mack was born Vernis McGlinn in Pekin, Illinois. He served in the United States military in World War II, after which he worked in a steel mill in Peoria, Illinois. He graduated from the Columbia School of Broadcasting in Chicago, Illinois in 1947. Mack subsequently worked briefly at a variety of radio stations before settling in New Orleans in 1958.
Career as a television personality
Mack was host of 1960s
WDSU-TV, Channel 6, New Orleans, Louisiana children's television program that showed the “
Three Stooges” shorts. His on-screen persona was the "Great McNutt” and he dressed in movie director's garb, along with a large
megaphone. His big line was “Lights, camera, action, start the cotton pickin’ program!” just prior to the start of the
short subject.
In the Three Stooges movie, “The Outlaws is Coming”, he played Jesse James. Mack appeared in a total of seven movies, including “The Killer Bees” and “Pretty Baby” (minor roles).
As in most early day television stations, he played several on-screen parts, including co-host of the “Midday" show, an electronic magazine program, as well as sportscasting in the local evening news. Mack also called radio play-by-play of the New Orleans Saints from 1975 to 1981. A flavor for Mack's broadcast style is provided by WDSU-TV, for whom Mack also served as sports director.
Legacy as a sportscaster
Mack, together with fellow New Orleans sportscasters
Hap Glaudi and
Buddy Diliberto, provided the New Orleans television market with a unique and distinctive repertoire of sports broadcasters. were discussed together by New Orleans journalist Bill Baumgarner. Mack was
Posthumous award named to the Greater New Orleans Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Mack authored a book detailing the early history of the New Orleans Saints professional football team.
On July 13, 1993, Mack was also posthumously given the Fleur De Lis Award by the New Orleans Saints and admitted to their team's Hall of Fame.
Mack was married to Mary Lou Schmidt McGlinn and had six daughters. He died from cancer and was cremated in Metairie, Louisiana.
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