# Scott Ellsworth

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Scott_Ellsworth
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Scott_Ellsworth.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Ellsworth
> Source revision: 1357296260
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Scott Ellsworth** (*née* **Harvey Charles Ellsworth**, January 4, 1927) is an American radio personality, news presenter, and actor. The host of *Scott's Place*, a jazz radio broadcast that came to prominence in the late 1960s, he has been on the air at [Financial News Network](/source/Financial_News_Network), [KFI](/source/KFI), [KCOP-TV](/source/KCOP-TV), [KNX-TV](/source/KCBS-TV) in Los Angeles and [KWXY](/source/KWXY) in [Cathedral City, California](/source/Cathedral_City,_California).[1][2][3][4]

## Early life and education

Scott Ellsworth was born Harvey Charles Ellsworth in [Plymouth, Pennsylvania](/source/Plymouth,_Pennsylvania) in 1927.[5] He moved with his family to [Pompton Lakes, New Jersey](/source/Pompton_Lakes,_New_Jersey) where he graduated from [Pompton Lakes High School](/source/Pompton_Lakes_High_School) in 1944.[6] His father, Harvey Warren Ellsworth, was as a "[song plugger](/source/Song_plugger)" who also played the trumpet and led Ellsworth to his first inspiration to go into the arts and entertainment.[5] His father was also a vocalist first at [KDKA](/source/KDKA_(AM)) in Pittsburgh in and then to New York City on NBC radio, movie theaters and stage productions.[5] Ellsworth would play the trumpet and [cornet](/source/Cornet) during high school up until he entered the Armed Forces during [WWII](/source/WWII). Directly following high school School Ellsworth served in the [United States Merchant Marine](/source/United_States_Merchant_Marine), he would serve in the [Pacific Theater](/source/Pacific_War) of the war.[7]

Following his military service, Ellsworth moved to [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn), New York in 1948 and enrolled in [New York University](/source/New_York_University) in [Manhattan](/source/Manhattan). He signed up for a speech class, and was told by the professor he had a "'professional sounding voice" and could make it "his profession".[5] Ellsworth earned a [Bachelors of Arts](/source/Bachelors_of_Arts) degree in both [Psychology](/source/Psychology) and Drama from [NYU](/source/NYU) in 1952. After graduating Ellsworth moved to [Montrose, Colorado](/source/Montrose,_Colorado) to pursue his dream in broadcasting after having cut an audio, audition disc for producer Pat Kelly at [NBC](/source/NBC) studios in New York.[5]

## Radio and television career

### 1952–1965: Colorado and Utah

In 1952, Ellsworth moved his family to [Montrose, Colorado](/source/Montrose,_Colorado) where he worked in numerous capacities as newscaster, program manager and announcer for [KUBC](/source/KUBC) at $400 a month.[8][9] They allowed Ellsworth to exercise a number of ideas he had for the station. In 1955 the KUBC owner bought [KVOD](/source/KVOD) in [Denver](/source/Denver) and wanted Ellsworth to become program director; he moved to Denver and worked in radio and T.V. broadcasting for the next 5 years for [KBTV](/source/KUSA_(TV)) and KVOD. Ellsworth eventually resigned from his position at KVOD and moved to station [KLZ](/source/KLZ) in Denver. He would create successful shows such as "Active Radio" which was an on the spot news and events broadcast. He would soon move back to KVOD (now [KHOW](/source/KHOW)) as operations manager. Another ownership change and other difficult circumstances with management prompted Ellsworth to eventually move to [KALL](/source/KALL), an [ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company) affiliate in [Salt Lake City](/source/Salt_Lake_City).[5]

In 1963 Ellsworth resigned from KHOW and moved his family from Colorado to Salt Lake City where he served as a newscaster and program director at KALL (1963–65).[10][11][12][13] KVOD was an ABC affiliate station, the primary ABC network business manager helped Ellsworth secure the position at KALL at the top of the pay scale (ABC affiliate in Salt Lake City). In 18 months of moving there Ellsworth and his family realized this was not the right position or the location they ultimately desired to live in.[5]

### 1965–1984: Los Angeles, California

On June 12, 1965, Ellsworth traveled to Los Angeles looking for work and was doing taping for TV commercials, he visited the [KFI](/source/KFI) studio (affiliate of [NBC](/source/NBC)), where he was offered a job after auditioning for KFI station manager Pat Kelly.[5] He was given duties of being a staff announcer going from studio to studio doing commercial and station IDs, as well as other on-air responsibilities.[5] On June 5, 1968, Ellsworth was the on-site reporter for [KFI](/source/KFI) during [Robert F. Kennedy](/source/Robert_F._Kennedy)'s victory speech for the California, Democratic Party primary.[14] He was literally within arm's distance of witnessing and reporting on Kennedy's assassination at the hands of [Sirhan Sirhan](/source/Sirhan_Sirhan).[15]

Ellsworth moved his family to the [Southern California](/source/Southern_California)/Los Angeles region settling in the [Reseda](/source/Reseda,_Los_Angeles) area in the [San Fernando Valley](/source/San_Fernando_Valley), just north of the KFI, [Burbank](/source/Burbank,_California) studios. He worked for [KFI](/source/KFI#Former_hosts_and_on-air_alumni) radio and then KCBS-FM in 1973. He later worked for [KCOP-TV](/source/KCOP-TV) as a newscaster, sportscaster, writer, announcer and talk show host for several years.[16][17] At KCOP-TV Ellsworth produced, wrote and hosted *Daybreak* and *Who Can I Turn To* which were weekly talk shows dealing with financial and medical topics. For 2 years he was the talk show host for [KNX-TV](/source/CBS)'s (Los Angeles) *Noontime* midday show. In 1974 Ellsworth lent his talent to the [Toshiko Akiyoshi](/source/Toshiko_Akiyoshi)/[Lew Tabackin](/source/Lew_Tabackin) Big Band album *[Kogun](/source/Kogun)*. His voice is heard on the track *Memory* as part of a narrative and story telling relating to [Japanese folklore](/source/Japanese_folklore). *Memory* is also included on the 2008 [Mosaic](/source/Mosaic_Records) 3 CD compilation, *[Mosaic Select: Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band](/source/Mosaic_Select:_Toshiko_Akiyoshi_-_Lew_Tabackin_Big_Band)*.[5]

In 1965 KFI's station manager Pat Kelly who suggested Ellsworth use the name "Scott." In August 1984 Ellsworth officially changed his name from "Harvey Charles Ellsworth" to his professional and stage name, "Scott Ellsworth."[18]

In early 1981 Ellsworth signed on with the [Financial News Network](/source/Financial_News_Network) as news anchor.[19] In 1983, [Financial News Network](/source/Financial_News_Network) (FNN) established a 24-hour feed on cable TV only. At night, it added SCORE (television), a mini-network that aired sports events and news. Ellsworth become the evening news anchor and interviewer for FNN, broadcasting out of their [Santa Monica](/source/Santa_Monica) studio.[20][21] FNN was sold to [CNBC](/source/CNBC) around 1991, and Ellsworth went back to being a jazz music DJ, hosting *Scott's Place* on KWXY from 1992 until the station traded hands around 2012.[22]

### *Scott's Place*

Ellsworth created and hosted on the radio program *Scott's Place*. It aired on [KFI-AM 640](/source/KFI-AM) in Los Angeles from 1968 through 1974, Monday through Saturday for 4 hours live midnight to 4 am.[23][5][24] Ellsworth moved the show to [KWXY](/source/KWXY) near [Palm Springs](/source/Palm_Springs) during the 1990s, and broadcast from KWXY for ten years. He left KWXY when the format changed in 2011.[25] Ellworth continued his on-line radio program from his own studio, which he initiated in April 2014.[1][26][27]

NBC was trying to finally get out of the radio business in 1968. During this transition their affiliate KFI was losing numerous DJs to include [Al "Jazzbeaux" Collins](/source/Al_%22Jazzbo%22_Collins) who would eventually move to the [San Francisco Bay](/source/San_Francisco_Bay) area.[28][5] With the sudden exit of Collins, Scott Ellsworth was able to obtain a program time slot. The new show, *Scott's Place*, aired midnight until 4:00 am daily and featured jazz and big band music, interspersed with interviews with musicians and entertainers.[5] Due to KFI's wide distribution, the show was heard across the United States and gained national attention.[5][29]

Artists would bring some of their favorite recordings to *Scott's Place* and talk about their music and careers over a 2 to 3-hour period.[5] [Count Basie](/source/Count_Basie) recorded a song written especially for Ellsworth, *Scott's Place* composed by [Sammy Nestico](/source/Sammy_Nestico) (recorded on the Basie *[Have and Nice Day](/source/Have_a_Nice_Day_(Count_Basie_album))* LP) This became the opening theme music for Ellsworth's show.[5] Ellsworth also did special broadcasts from the [Monterey Jazz Festival](/source/Monterey_Jazz_Festival), [Disneyland](/source/Disneyland)'s "All That Jazz Weekend" and other live locations featuring jazz artists.[30][31][32][5][33]

In early-1972, Ellsworth was approached by KFI to change his format to popular [Rock & Roll](/source/Rock_%26_Roll).[34] His last guest was [Johnny Mercer](/source/Johnny_Mercer).[5] Ellsworth's interviews from the show are archived at the American Jazz Institute in [Pasadena, California](/source/Pasadena,_California).[5]

As an extension of the radio program, for a short time Ellsworth hosted his own music performance venue at "Torches West" in [Woodland Hills](/source/Woodland_Hills,_Los_Angeles) starting in June 1972.[35][5][36] [Tex Beneke](/source/Tex_Beneke) offered his band for the first weekend and the venue also hosted the bands of [Freddy Martin](/source/Freddy_Martin), [Charlie Barnett](/source/Charlie_Barnet) and vocalist [Kay Starr](/source/Kay_Starr). It only latest four weeks due to less than desired attendance and the heavy financial burden taken on by Ellsworth. For starting this venue and his past support of artists, he received the "Friend of the Musicians" honor from the [American Federation of Musicians](/source/American_Federation_of_Musicians) (AF of M) local 47 in Los Angeles due to his continual support for the preservation of jazz.[36][35]

### Acting career

Ellsworth began working as an actor in the early 1970s. His credits include TV shows and movies, including *Girls Are for Loving* (1973), *[The F.B.I.](/source/The_F.B.I._(TV_series))* (1972–1973), *[Cannon](/source/Cannon_(TV_series))* (1975), *The Moneychangers* (1976), *[79 Park Avenue](/source/79_Park_Avenue)* (1977), *[The Rockford Files](/source/The_Rockford_Files)* (1977–1978), *[Grandpa Goes to Washington](/source/Grandpa_Goes_to_Washington)* (1978–1979), *[H.O.T.S.](/source/H.O.T.S.)* (1979), *[Beyond Westworld](/source/Beyond_Westworld)* (1980), and *[The A-Team](/source/The_A-Team)* (1985), among others. He has been featured in theater productions to include *[Hostile Witness](/source/Hostile_Witness)*, *[The Best Man](/source/The_Best_Man_(play))*, *[Becket](/source/Becket)*, *Move Over, Mrs Markham*, *[Social Security](/source/Social_Security_(play))* and *[Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?](/source/Who's_Afraid_of_Virginia_Woolf%3F)*.[37][38][39][40]

## Education career

Ellsworth was an adjunct professor in the Communication and Media studies department at [California State University, Long Beach](/source/California_State_University,_Long_Beach). He was also an instructor at [College of the Desert](/source/College_of_the_Desert), [Santa Monica College](/source/Santa_Monica_College) and the Don Martin School of Radio and Television Arts and Sciences.[5]

## Radio and T.V. program/station affiliation

Years Station Show or occupation Media 1952–1955 KUBC Producer/News Anchor Radio 1955–1963 KVOD, KLZ, KBTV, KHOW Producer/News Anchor Radio and television 1963–1965 KALL Producer/News Anchor Radio 1966–1972 KFI Scott's Place/News Anchor Radio 1973 KGBS-FM News Anchor Radio 1975–1976 KNX-TV Noontime/talk show host Television 1972–1981 KCOP-TV News anchor/talk show host Television 1981–1985 Financial News Network News Anchor/Commentator Cable television 1985–2012 KWXY and syndication Scott's Place/Mid-day program, special features Radio 2014–present independent Scott's Place Radio

## Television appearances (partial list)

Year Title Role Production company 1971–72 O'Hara two episodes Universal 1972–73 The F.B.I. two episodes QM Productions 1973 General Hospital Network Executive ABC 1975 Cannon four episodes QM Productions 1976 Days of Our Lives Navy Medical Doctor NBC 1977–78 Rockford Files four episodes Universal 1978 Lou Grant T.V. Newsman MTM Enterprises Young and the Restless Prosecuting Attorney CBS 1980 Sanford Playboy Tandem Productions Beyond Westworld T.V. Commentator MGM Television 1985 The A-Team T.V. Newsman Cannell Entertainment

## Filmography

Year Title Role Production company 1971 Dead Men Tell No Tales Dave 20th Century 1973 Girls Are For Loving James L. Whitney Derio Prod. A Christmas Visit Supporting Role Zavada 1976 The Moneychangers Treasury Secretary Ross Hunter Productions 1977 79 Park Avenue Vice-detective Universal Secrets Love Interest Paramount 1978 Grandpa Goes to Washington Senator Paramount To Save His Life Movie Director 20th Century Loose Change Play Director Universal 1979 H.O.T.S. Professor Great Amer. Movie Mach. Anatomy of a Mugging Detective Paramount

## References

1. ["Radio's Voice of Jazz Launches Internet Broadcast"](https://news.allaboutjazz.com/radios-voice-of-jazz-launches-internet-broadcasts.php). *All About Jazz*. April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.

1. Hentoff, Nat (April 1, 2004). ["Bringing Up New Jazz Listeners"](https://jazztimes.com/columns/final-chorus/bringing-up-new-jazz-listeners/). *JazzTimes*. Retrieved April 6, 2019.

1. Herman, David (June 4, 2006). "Melodic Trip Back in Time". *Riverside Press Enterprise*. p. B1.

1. Leavelle, Ardele. Fred Directory of Radio, Fear & Loathing, 1980.

1. ["Association of Recorded Sound Collections, interview with Scott Ellsworth, 2011 ARSC Conference"](http://www.arsc-audio.org/conference/audio/ARSC_conf_2011_Gries_Ellsworth_audio.mp3) (MP3)

1. ["Carolyn Hoffman Wed in Pompton"](https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/526692330/), *The News*, March 8, 1949. Accessed February 7, 2022, via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com). "The marriage of Miss Carolyn Mae Hoffman, daughter of Mrs. Carolyn Hoffman of 438 Van Dyke St. and Harvey C. Ellsworth, of 81 Lakeside Ave., Pompton Lakes, took place Saturday at the Pompton Reformed Church.... The bridegroom, a graduate of Pompton Lakes High School, is a student at New York University, and is employed in the university store."

1. Form MS-73, Certificate of Graduation, U.S Maritime Service Training Station, Sheepshead Bay New York, Ellsworth, Harvey Charles, service #4414-16740. signed and dated September 18, 1944

1. [Mulvey, Tom. "Denver Radio: 80 Years of Change" BPC. Referred to as Harvey Ellsworth in this article working KHOW](http://broadcastpioneersofcolorado.com/denver-radio.html)

1. The Working Press of the Nation, Volume 3. National Research Bureau, 1960. pp. 21

1. Billboard. "Vox Jox". Harvey C. Ellsworth takes over as manager at KALL. August 17, 1963. pp. 43

1. Salt Lake Tribune. April 6, 1964, pp. 32, Harvey Ellsworth listed in program guide for Daily broadcast on KALL/ABC Radio

1. Broadcasting, Broadcasting Publications Incorporated, 1964. Ad listed by Harvey Ellsworth for KALL pp. 91

1. Sponsor, Volume 17, Part 3. "Harvey C. Ellsworth to program director and John Cavanaugh to the news department at KALL". pp. 60

1. Pasik, Herb. "As Newsman, actor, Ellsworth was there when..." Weekend Desert Post. May 6, 1988. pp. 36

1. Youtube: ABC Television report. June 6, 1968. Ellsworth appears @ 1:42 in the left side of screen as RFK passes him shortly after speech is completed on the stage. Ellsworth is very blonde and stands out.

1. The Los Angeles Times, March 15, 1972, Wed., Page 102. Listing of KFI programming to included Scott Ellsworth

1. [Earth Signals, listing and portraits/pictures of KFI Announcers from the 50s to the 80s](http://www.earthsignals.com/Newcomb/Announcers.htm)

1. U.S. Department of State, Affidavit Regarding Change of Name, Signed by witness, Deborah Everett and Passport Agent Hildreth M Sokoloff, August 24, 1984

1. Feature article, Scott Ellsworth, Cable Vision magazine, May 24, 1982

1. [FNN Staff citations and History](http://fnnstaff.org)

1. [Cable Vision, Volume 8, Cahners Business Information, 1983, pp.190](https://books.google.com/books?id=JkgcAQAAMAAJ&q=scott+ellsworth+financial+news+network)

1. [Where Are They Now? LARP – E Compiled by Don Barrett](http://www.laradio.com/wheree.htm)

1. [ATVaudio.com. Scotts Place. March 30, 1970 – April 1, 1972 KFI 640 Los Angeles AM Radio](https://www.atvaudio.com/ata_search.php)

1. Hellman, Jack. "Light and Airy" Variety Magazine. April 5, 1971

1. Grandi, John. Stay Tuned. Big Bear Grizzly ([Big Bear Lake, CA](/source/Big_Bear_Lake,_CA)). July 23, 2003

1. Johns, Howard. "Palm Springs Confidential: Playground of the Stars!" Barricade Books, 2004, Notation on Scott Ellsworth in Palm Springs, pp. 278

1. [Scott's Place online](http://scottsplace.org/Scotts_Place/Welcome.html)

1. Fox, John. "Don't lose touch while traveling" [Orange County Register](/source/Orange_County_Register). October 26, 1997. [KEZY](/source/KEZY) morning personality speaking of earlier mentors Collins and Ellsworth.

1. Hall, Claude. Billboard Magazine "Vox Jox". December 12, 1970. pp. 36

1. Chilton, John. "Let The Good Times Roll:: The Story of Louis Jordan and His Music" University of Michigan Press, 1997. Louis Jordan, KFI interview with Scott Ellsworth, April 26, 1971 cited throughout book. Chapt 1, 2, 6 and 8

1. Harris, Steven. "The Kenton Kronicles: A Biography of Modern America's Man of Music, Stan Kenton" Dynaflow, 2003, Interview by Scott Ellsworth with Stan Kenton December 19, 1970. pp. 336

1. Stratemann, Klaus. Scott Ellsworth interview with Duke Ellington. "Duke Ellington, Day by Day and Film by Film" JazzMedia, 1992. pp. 611

1. Shaw, Arnold. BMI: The Many Worlds of Music. Interview with John Williams. Broadcast Music, Incorporated, 1972. pp. 32

1. Page, Don. "Clarifying Some Radio Rumors" February 6, 1972, Calendar Section

1. Reference to Ellsworth being host of June 1972 performance. Coda. Volume 10, Issues 6–11, 1973, pp. 38.

1. Sippel, John. *Billboard*. June 10, 1972. pp. 12

1. Review: Kolber, Al. "3 Starred Adventures Mark Mrs Markham" Orange County News. June 18, 1986. pp. 7

1. Britton, Jeff. Review: Tea and Sympathy. The Desert Sun. January 15, 1993. pp. 14

1. Turnbill, Lisa. Review: Social Security. The Desert Sun. November 6, 1990

1. Graham, Elizabeth. Review: Move Over. *Los Angeles Times*. June 20, 1986

## External links

- [American Jazz Institute](http://www.amjazzin.com)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Scott Ellsworth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Ellsworth) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Ellsworth?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.