Biography

Paul Ritts was born on May 14, 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He was a writer and actor, known for NBC Children's Theatre (1963), NBC Special Treat (1975) and Go (1973). He was married to Mary Ritts. He died on October 18, 1980 in Monroe, Michigan, USA.

Father of Mark Ritts

Puppeteers-Puppet makers Paul, Mary & Mark Ritts served as the fourth and last hosts/performers and instructors of WNBC TV Ch. 4 NYC's "Family" weekday mornings from Monday August 31, l959 to Friday September 7, 1962.

The Ritts Puppets were a menagerie that originally included Geoffrey the Giraffe, Albert the Chipmunk, Calvin the Crow and Magnolia the Ostrich debuted on "In the Park," a Sunday family TV series on CBS from 1951 to 1953 starring Bill Sears. His wife Mary supplied the voice for Magnolia the Ostrich, a quintessential Southern belle with long eyelashes and a soprano singing voice. Paul provided the voices for the male puppets.

Began his career as announcer in the Armed Forces Radio network. Became director at WCAU TV a CBS affiliate in Philidelhia of sportscasts with announcer Bill Sears. He built a small puppet which became a mainstay on the sportscast, that lived in the file cabinet of the announcer in the booth. So widely received a show spun off called "In The park".