If you grew up in central Indiana in the 1960s, you know Hal Fryar although you might better recognize him by his stage name: Harlow Hickenlooper, host of the “Three Stooges” show on Channel 6.
He died Sunday at the age of 90.
Here’s a message from the family:
June 8, 1927 – June, 25, 2017
Hal Fryar, age 90, of Bradenton, Florida passed away on June 25, 2017 after a life well lived and well loved by many.
Born in 1927, Hal became an actor and television personality and rose to prominence as “Harlow Hickenlooper”, the host of The Three Stooges Show on Channel 6 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Hal began his broadcasting career as an announcer, emcee, and writer as a teenager in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the mid-1940s. He graduated from Indiana University in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in speech, and by the 1960s, he had developed his entertainment talents as host of programs geared to young audiences in radio
and TV in Ohio.
Hal served as the host for a local Indianapolis children’s show on WFBM-TV that ran from 1960 to 1972, that highlighted the old Three Stooges movie shorts. He appeared under the name “Harlow Hickenlooper” and was one of a trio of hosts with Curley Myers and Captain Star (Jerry Vance aka Larry Vincent). Together, they sang songs and did skits for a live studio audience of children. His idea of Harlow Hickenlooper’s
personality was for him to be a character for whom nothing ever went right, no matter how hard he tried and Hickenlooper regularly ended up with a (shaving) cream pie in his face.
Hal was also the host for several other children’s shows over his 43 years in local television. In 1965, Fryar was cast in the Original Three Stooges movie, The Outlaws Is Coming, playing the part of Johnny Ringo and in 2008, he was inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.
Hal is survived by his wife of 37 years Henrietta Fryar, his daughter Pam Allen, his son Gary Fryar, stepdaughters Connie Linton and Marsha McMullin and grandchildren, Joseph Galimi, Amber Clark, Michael Craney, Jami Kong, Jessica Truax, Jonathan Linton, Matthew Linton, Great-grandchildren Hailey McMullin, Arden Kong, Talan Kong, Odelle Linton, Hayden Truax, Alaina Kong, Catalina Galimi, Ethan Clark, Vivian Clark nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be a private ceremony held at his home in Bradenton, Florida.
Hal was always generous, witty, and dedicated to entertaining, often volunteering his talent to community events. He always expressed personal interest in others and was forever introducing people to create new connections and friendships. Hal was a dedicated member of the Emanuel Methodist Church of Bradenton.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice House of Bradenton, 3355 26th St W., Bradenton, Florida 34205. Condolences can be sent through Hal’s contact page. The family would like to thank friends, WFYI, Hospice House of Bradenton.
Luke.23, 42,43 “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
