Remembering Kirby Grant: TV's "Sky King"

by GREG MAY
(Photo by Bob Banas)

In the late 70's and 80's there was an elite group of people who promoted Florida tourism to Central Florida's senior citizen community.

Led by Orlando Sentinel columnist HELEN PEIKIN and Sea World Public Relations Director JOE WERNER, these energetic promoters made sure the theme parks recognized Florida's seniors.

One of the people who jumped on this busy bandwagon was motion picture and television star KIRBY GRANT.

Grant began his career as a singer during the Depression. One night, he and his band were performing in a Chicago nightclub. After they finished, a man approached them and asked them to play longer. The band complied and the man gave Grant and each of his fellow band members a $100 bill! That was a LOT of money back in those days. This man was none other than the infamous AL CAPONE!

During the 40's KIRBY GRANT appeared in a lot of "B" movie westerns for Universal and Monogram Studios. But it was his role as Schuyler J. King in the popular 1950's TV series "Sky King" that brought him his greatest fame.

Kirby and his wife, Carolyn, founded the non-profit Sky King Youth Ranches of America which provided homes for abandoned and orphaned children.

In 1970 the couple moved to Florida. Kirby was hired by Sea World as a Public Relations Representative. Together with Helen and Joe, they promoted Florida tourism with a special emphasis on Florida's seniors.

Kirby was tragically killed on October 30, 1985 just outside Titusville as the Central Florida media were on their way to watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger at Cape Canaveral.

On that day, KIRBY GRANT was to be honored by the shuttle astronauts for his achievements.