Rarified Heir Podcast #101: Ron DeFore (Don DeFore)

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Ron DeFore, son of actor Don DeFore and singer Marion Holmes. Ron came to us via a previous guest, Peter Ackerman so there is a true classic television connection. Don DeFore is best known for his roles as “Throny” in The Adventures of Ozzy and Harriet as well as Mr. B on Hazel. What we didn’t know when we were connected was that Don DeFore is the stuff of legend to Disneyland fans the world over. Why? Because Don owned the only restaurant in Disneyland history that featured a celebrity’s name on it. For five years, at the inception of Disneyland, you could chow down on home fixings at the Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbeque restaurant in Frontierland. What’s more is that son Ron wrote a book that discusses that chapter in his life (and more) entitled Growing Up in Disneyland. And that’s literally too. Because when Walt gave the restaurant to his father, the DeFore’s bought a house in Anaheim and spent summers, weekends and holidays at Disneyland. A 10 year old’s dream if ever there was one.

We also talk to Ron about his mother, who while little known today, made one song very, very famous. Of course Josh picks the wrong song but you’ll hear all about it on the podcast. What’s more we discuss, President & actor Ronald Reagan, Captain Disco, ‘The Flying DJ”, John Lennon, The Odd Couple, long-lost Polynesian restaurant favorite Kelbo’s, more stories about SAG and how Don DeFore was instrumental in getting the Emmy Awards televised for the first time ever as the President of the Television Academy and much more. So set your internal clocks back a little bit for this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.