Family Story of Fibber McGee and Molly
⭐ Who Were They?
Fibber McGee and Molly were a husband-and-wife comedy team made famous by their long-running radio show, one of the most popular in American history.
Real Names:
Fibber McGee was played by Jim Jordan.
Molly McGee was played by Marian Jordan, his real-life wife.
🏡 Early Life
Jim Jordan was born in Peoria, Illinois, in 1896.
Marian Jordan was also from Peoria, born in 1898.
They met while singing in a church choir, and married in 1918.
Before radio, they performed together in vaudeville acts, singing and doing comedy skits.
📻 How Fibber and Molly Began
They got their start in radio in the 1920s with a show called "The O'Henry Twins".
Their big break came in 1935, when Fibber McGee and Molly premiered on NBC radio.
Sponsored by Johnson’s Wax, it quickly became one of the most beloved radio comedies in America.
🤣 What Was the Show About?
The show centered on Fibber McGee, a lovable blowhard who always had a scheme or story, and his wise, patient wife Molly, who often had the last word.
Famous for running gags, like:
Fibber’s Hall Closet – when opened, an avalanche of junk crashed down (always to audience laughter).
Neighbors like Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve (who later got his own show).
Regular visits from colorful characters like Mayor La Trivia, Doc Gamble, and Wallace Wimple.
❤️ Real-Life Love Story
Jim and Marian Jordan weren’t just acting—they really were married, and their warm chemistry came through in every performance. Even when Marian took a break due to illness, Jim adjusted the show to reflect her absence without replacing her.
They had two children:
James Jordan Jr. – later a producer and director.
Catherine Jordan – kept a more private life.
📺 The Later Years
The show peaked in the 1940s, then transitioned to a 15-minute version in the early 1950s.
Attempts were made to move to television, but it never captured the magic of the radio version.
Marian Jordan passed away in 1961.
Jim Jordan lived until 1988, continuing voice work (he was the voice of the albatross Orville in Disney's The Rescuers).
📚 Legacy
Fibber McGee and Molly are considered pioneers of the sitcom format.
They influenced later shows like The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, and Cheers.
Their recordings are still available and cherished by fans of old-time radio.