Jan. 30, 2019
The Passing of CAPT Wendell Niles, Jr.
Dear USNPAA Members,
Unfortunately, in my earlier message this week about the passing of Wendell Niles, I mistakenly drew some of the information about Wendell’s life from his father’s biography and obituary. Wendell’s dad was also ‘Wendell’ but was Wendell, Sr.
While Wendell, Sr. was the veteran radio and television announcer who worked with Hollywood stars, Wendell, Jr. began his Hollywood career as a production coordinator at Warner Brothers. He also was a talent services coordinator at the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles before moving on to become the assistant director for radio and television at the Colgate-Palmolive Company in New York. He later co-founded United Pictures Corporation and was a producer for the All American Show at Goldwyn Studios in West Hollywood. Wendell was commissioned in the Naval Reserve in 1972 and worked closely with the NAVINFO LA/West office.
Colleague Mike Sherman who ran NAVINFO West emailed me when he learned about Wendell’s passing. Mike characterized Wendell as a true gentleman who was so proud to be a Naval officer. Mike noted that Wendell never failed to support CHINFO and the Navy in any of our endeavors—always ensuring that everyone in the Hollywood office was treated to all the “Hollywood magic" that Wendell had at his command. Mike says that Wendell was viewed in Hollywood as a significant member of the entire film community. “From stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charlton Heston to potentates (Prince Albert, for example), they all came when he beckoned," said Mike.
Gary Shrout also led the NAVINFO West office and shared his thoughts about Wendell when he learned about his passing. Gary had lunch with Wendell many times during his tenure in Los Angeles and recalled one memorable one when Wendell set up a luncheon with Jackie Cooper. At the luncheon Cooper, who served as a Naval officer in World War II, shared that the Navy had saved his life.
Another former NAVINFO director, Bill Graves, characterized Wendell this way: “Wendell owned the Toluca Lake Tennis Club, where Charlton Heston played tennis. Wendell would twist ‘Chuck’s’ arms to do things for the Navy. Heston did us [the Navy] many favors, thanks to Wendell. Wendell could be depended on to recruit Hollywood celebrities to do things for the Navy. This was not always easy; remember, this was the 1970’s. The country was just coming out of the Vietnam War. We who wore military uniforms were not popular in Hollywood."
Wendell had countless contacts in Hollywood. I don’t think there’s anyone he did not know there. I strongly believe those connections have helped open many doors for the Navy which live on today. When you compare the visibility of the Navy versus the other services on the silver screen and in TV shows, the Navy stands out as having a far stronger presence. And in my mind, Wendell, Jr. is a big part of that stature.
Wendell is survived by his wife Nelle. Wendell’s family and friends will gather on Saturday, February 9, from 1400-1700 at the Toluca Lake Tennis Club in Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with Nelle and family during this difficult time.
Again, my apologies to all for some of the errors in my previous announcement.
Tom Jurkowsky
More Notes from the Admiral
The Passing of CAPT Wendell Niles, Jr.
Dear USNPAA Members,
Unfortunately, in my earlier message this week about the passing of Wendell Niles, I mistakenly drew some of the information about Wendell’s life from his father’s biography and obituary. Wendell’s dad was also ‘Wendell’ but was Wendell, Sr.
While Wendell, Sr. was the veteran radio and television announcer who worked with Hollywood stars, Wendell, Jr. began his Hollywood career as a production coordinator at Warner Brothers. He also was a talent services coordinator at the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles before moving on to become the assistant director for radio and television at the Colgate-Palmolive Company in New York. He later co-founded United Pictures Corporation and was a producer for the All American Show at Goldwyn Studios in West Hollywood. Wendell was commissioned in the Naval Reserve in 1972 and worked closely with the NAVINFO LA/West office.
Colleague Mike Sherman who ran NAVINFO West emailed me when he learned about Wendell’s passing. Mike characterized Wendell as a true gentleman who was so proud to be a Naval officer. Mike noted that Wendell never failed to support CHINFO and the Navy in any of our endeavors—always ensuring that everyone in the Hollywood office was treated to all the “Hollywood magic" that Wendell had at his command. Mike says that Wendell was viewed in Hollywood as a significant member of the entire film community. “From stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charlton Heston to potentates (Prince Albert, for example), they all came when he beckoned," said Mike.
Gary Shrout also led the NAVINFO West office and shared his thoughts about Wendell when he learned about his passing. Gary had lunch with Wendell many times during his tenure in Los Angeles and recalled one memorable one when Wendell set up a luncheon with Jackie Cooper. At the luncheon Cooper, who served as a Naval officer in World War II, shared that the Navy had saved his life.
Another former NAVINFO director, Bill Graves, characterized Wendell this way: “Wendell owned the Toluca Lake Tennis Club, where Charlton Heston played tennis. Wendell would twist ‘Chuck’s’ arms to do things for the Navy. Heston did us [the Navy] many favors, thanks to Wendell. Wendell could be depended on to recruit Hollywood celebrities to do things for the Navy. This was not always easy; remember, this was the 1970’s. The country was just coming out of the Vietnam War. We who wore military uniforms were not popular in Hollywood."
Wendell had countless contacts in Hollywood. I don’t think there’s anyone he did not know there. I strongly believe those connections have helped open many doors for the Navy which live on today. When you compare the visibility of the Navy versus the other services on the silver screen and in TV shows, the Navy stands out as having a far stronger presence. And in my mind, Wendell, Jr. is a big part of that stature.
Wendell is survived by his wife Nelle. Wendell’s family and friends will gather on Saturday, February 9, from 1400-1700 at the Toluca Lake Tennis Club in Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with Nelle and family during this difficult time.
Again, my apologies to all for some of the errors in my previous announcement.
Tom Jurkowsky
More Notes from the Admiral