Marijane Landis

Marijane Louise Landis (August 3, 1928 – December 22, 2015) was an American television broadcaster, producer, host, television personality, and children's television series creator, known for her work with WGAL-TV in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Considered a pioneer in Pennsylvania television broadcasting, Landis created and produced two children's series: Percy Platypus and His Friends,[1] which aired from 1955 until 1974, and Sunshine Corners from 1974 to 1979.[2][3][4]

Landis, who joined the staff of WGAL in October 1952, was originally hired from her previous job at a small theater to host programming focused on women.[3] She was one of the station's first on-air personalities, as well as one of the first women to work in television in Pennsylvania.[3][4]

In 1978, Landis transitioned from on-air to behind-the-scenes when she became the community services manager and personnel director at WGAL.[3] She produced and oversaw much of the station's public service announcements and community outreach efforts during the 1980s and early 1990s.[3] Landis retired in 1993 after 41 years with WGAL.[3]

The puppets which Landis and puppeteer Jim Freed used in Percy Platypus and His Friends were donated to the collection of the State Museum of Pennsylvania during the 1990s.[2] In 1998, Landis was inducted into the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.[2]

Landis was born Marijane Louise Frey on August 3, 1928, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.[5] A resident of Millersville, Pennsylvania, Marijane Landis died on December 22, 2015, at the age of 87.[4]

References
  1. "'Percy Platypus and His Friends' entertained children". wgal.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  2. Bunn, Rachel (2015-12-26). "Central Pa. TV pioneer Marijane Landis dies". Pennlive.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  3. "Television pioneer Marijane Landis dies". WGAL-TV. 2015-12-26. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  4. Pratt, Christopher (2015-12-26). "Longtime WGAL personality Landis dies at 87". Lancaster Online. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  5. "Marijane Landis". Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. Archived from the original on 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
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