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Ron Blaskett to retire at 90

Legendary ventriloquist Ron Blaskett, who has appeared on TV with 'Gerry Gee', is set to retire at the ripe old age of 90.

Legendary ventriloquist Ron Blaskett, who has appeared on countless Australian variety TV shows, is set to retire at the ripe old age of 90.

Blaskett has been performing with his doll Gerry Gee since 1956, starting out 4 days before the launch of GTV9 in Melbourne.

The doll was crafted by Chicago’s Frank Marshall, who made the Charlie McCarthy doll for ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, father of actor Candice Bergen. It was imported from the US at a price of £200 but sold for $17,000 in 2006.

The duo have appeared on The Tarax Show, IMT, The Don Lane Show and Young Talent Time.

Blaskett actually retired in 1990 but was coaxed back into performing at retirement homes and Rotary and Probus clubs, doing ventriloquism and showing footage of Graham Kennedy and The Tarax Show.

“I’m nearly 91 and I’ve just had 10 solid years of darn hard work. I think I can retire now,” he said.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O543a_8Osgk[/youtube]

Source: Herald Sun, The Age

One Response

  1. At the risk of giving away my age I remember going to the Tarax Show as a very little girl and the highlight of my young life was seeing Gerry Gee. Happy retirement Mr Blaskett. I hope it’s a long one.

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