Hal Fryar

Hal Fryar
June 18, 1927 - June 25, 2017

Hal left us to walk with Jesus after a life well lived and well loved by many.

Born in 1927, Hal became an actor and television personality and rose to prominence as "Harlow Hickenlooper", the host of The Three Stooges Show on WFBM Channel 6 in Indianapolis, Indiana..

Hal began his broadcasting career as an announcer, emcee, and writer as a teenager in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the mid-1940s. He graduated from Indiana University in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in speech, and by the 1960s, he had developed his entertainment talents as host of programs geared to young audiences in radio
and TV in Ohio.

Hal served as the host for a local Indianapolis children's show on WFBM-TV that ran from 1960 to 1972, that highlighted the old Three Stooges movie shorts. He appeared under the name "Harlow Hickenlooper" and was one of a trio of hosts with Curley Myers and Captain Star (Jerry Vance aka Larry Vincent). Together, they sang songs and did skits for a live studio audience of children. His idea of Harlow Hickenlooper's
personality was for him to be a character for whom nothing ever went right, no matter how hard he tried and Hickenlooper regularly ended up with a (shaving) cream pie in his face.

Hal was also the host for several other children's shows over his 43 years in local television. In 1965, Fryar was cast in the Original Three Stooges movie, The Outlaws Is Coming, playing the part of Johnny Ringo and in 2008, he was inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.

Hal is survived by his wife of 37 years Henrietta Fryar, his daughter Pam Allen, his son Gary Fryar, stepdaughters Connie Linton and Marsha McMullin and grandchildren, Joseph Galimi, Amber Clark, Michael Craney, Jami Kong, Jessica Truax, Jonathan Linton, Matthew Linton, Great-grandchildren Hailey McMullin, Arden Kong, Talan Kong, Odelle Linton, Hayden Truax, Alaina Kong, Catalina Galimi, Ethan Clark, Vivian Clark nieces and nephews.

Hal was always generous, witty, and dedicated to entertaining, often volunteering his talent to community events. He always expressed personal interest in others and was forever introducing people to create new connections and friendships. Hal was a dedicated member of the Emanuel Methodist Church of Bradenton, Florida.

Hal had always been active in church and community affairs.  After returning to Indianapolis he became a member of the Advisory Board of CICOA (Central Indiana Council on Aging) where he served for many years. He was also a member of the Johnson County Council on Aging where he has served many years.

Hal was employed part time with Community Development, Inc. (CDI), a builder of homes for baby boomers who have reached the age of 55 years or more.  He participated in community activities for CDI and was a model home host. He often appeared at health fairs for seniors and had donated his time for many charity events over the years.