Old Ned

Arizona Historymakers™

Arizona Historical Society

Ladmo Kwiatkowski, Wallace & Ladmo Team

1928 - 1994

Honored as Historymaker 1992

Creators & Performers for Longest Running Children's TV Show

Oral History Transcript:

Video by Pam Stevenson, Agave Productions Inc., for the Historical League

Ladmo Kwiatkowski came to Arizona State University from Cleveland, Ohio, to play baseball, and graduated with a degree in journalism. He joined KPHO-TV as a cameraman, but when Bill Thompson needed a sidekick for his children’s television show in 1954, Mr. Kwiatkowski, better known as “Ladmo,” was recruited and a phenomenally successful comedy team was born, adding up to thirty-six years of “fun.”

As the show progressed, it became enormously popular with children and parents alike. In addition to performing on the “Wallace and Ladmo Show," Mr. Kwiatkowski has made hundreds of personal appearances throughout the state, distributing “Ladmo Bags” to appreciative audiences and raising millions of dollars for charity.

Ladmo Kwiatkowski and his wife, Patsy, live in Ahwatukee, Arizona. They have five children and seven grandchildren. Ladmo now works in public relations, allowing him to continue his work with charities and meeting children of all ages.