Madman Muntz

Madman Muntz
Muntz in 1975[1]
Born
Earl William Muntz[2]

(1914-01-03)January 3, 1914
Elgin, Illinois, US
DiedJune 21, 1987(1987-06-21) (aged 73)
Rancho Mirage, California, US
Occupations

Earl William "Madman" Muntz (January 3, 1914 – June 21, 1987)[3] was an American businessman and engineer who sold and promoted cars and consumer electronics in the United States from the 1930s until his death in 1987. He was a pioneer in television commercials with his oddball "Madman" persona; an alter ego who generated publicity with his unusual costumes, stunts, and outrageous claims. Muntz also pioneered car stereos[3] by creating the Muntz Stereo-Pak, better known as the 4-track cartridge, a predecessor to the 8-track cartridge developed by Lear Industries.[4]

He invented the practice that came to be known as Muntzing, which involved simplifying otherwise complicated electronic devices. Muntz produced and marketed the first black-and-white television receivers to sell for less than $100, and created one of the earliest functional widescreen projection TVs.[5] He was credited with coining the abbreviation "TV" for television,[6] although the term had earlier been in use in call letters for stations such as WCBS-TV. A high school dropout,[7] Muntz made fortunes by selling automobiles, TV receivers, and car stereos and tapes.[8] A 1968 Los Angeles Times article noted that in one year he sold $72 million worth of cars; five years later he sold $55 million worth of TV receivers, and in 1967 he sold $30 million worth of car stereos and tapes.[3]

After his success as a used car salesman and with Kaiser-Frazer dealerships in Los Angeles and New York City,[3][9] Muntz founded the Muntz Car Company, which made the "Muntz Jet", a sports car with jet-like contours. The car was manufactured between 1951 and 1953, although fewer than 400 were produced.

Muntz married seven times.[10] His wives included actress Joan Barton (who appeared in Angel and the Badman with John Wayne) and Patricia Stevens of the Patricia Stevens finishing schools.[11] Phyllis Diller was among his many girlfriends. He was friends with celebrities such as singer Rudy Vallee, comedian Jerry Colonna, actor Bert Lahr,[8] television presenter Dick Clark, and cowboy actor Gene Autry.[10]

  1. ^ Rosenblatt, Robert A. (November 9, 1975). "Earl (Madman) Muntz Back with Giant-Screen TV". News Journal. Los Angeles Times. p. 36. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  2. ^ Rosenblatt, Robert A. (November 9, 1975). "Earl (Madman) Muntz Back with Giant-Screen TV". News Journal. Los Angeles Times. p. 36. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Earl Muntz is dead; as radio 'Madman,' he sold used cars". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 21, 1987. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
  4. ^ Thompson, Dave (April 11, 2008). "Whatever happened to 8-track's 'four'runner?". Goldmine.
  5. ^ Robert C. Post (October 2005). "Henry Kaiser, Troy Ruttman, and Madman Muntz: three originals". Technology and Culture. 46 (4). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISSN 0040-165X.
  6. ^ Erskine, Chris (June 21, 2006). "And the pitch is ... wild". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
  7. ^ Zaloudek, Mark (March 13, 2005). "Madcap millionaire Muntz". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
  8. ^ a b Walker, Janelle (February 7, 2005). "First 'crazy' car dealer focus of movie". Sun-Times News Group, (Illinois Courier News).
  9. ^ "Muntz Car Co. to handle Graham-Paige products". The New York Times. October 10, 1946. p. 41.
  10. ^ a b Turnquist, Jerry (July 17, 2005). "A one-in-a-million 'Madman' movie spotlights Elgin's Earl Muntz, quintessential entrepreneur". Daily Herald.
  11. ^ "Mad Man Muntz weds model agency director". Los Angeles Times. January 29, 1956. p. 35.