Trivia

Had his own daily 15 minute radio show from 1945-1953.

Known as "The Man With the Smile In His Voice," he was nicknamed "Smilin' Jack Smith," according to Laura Wagner's incisive article on him in "Classic Images," so he wouldn't be confused with another popular singer of the 1920s named "Whispering Jack Smith" whose hushed voice was the result of being gassed during WWI and couldn't sing above a whisper.

He was a three-time president of Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, an organization of radio and television professionals. Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his radio work.

Sang with Phil Harris and his Orchestra in the early 1930s.

Turned down David O. Selznick for movies in 1946 because he would have had to give up his radio show and was uncertain of his chances in film.

Working for the government teaching aircraft instrumentation for the war effort, he lost the lead role in the Mary Martin Broadway hit "One Touch of Venus" in 1943 because his job wouldn't allow him.

He was also a sensation singing Spanish songs on radio, such as "Babalu."

In the 1960s, he was the host for a "live" Cerebral Palsy Telethon for a television station in Albany, NY. One of the guests appearing with him was Jayne Mansfield.

Sang professionally at the age of 16 at the Cocoanut Grove in Hollywood with friends, Martin Sperzel and Al Teeter, as "The Three Ambassadors".

Older brother of actor Walter Reed.

Sang at the Coconut Grove with Martin Sperzel and Al Teeter as "The Three Ambassadors".