This Is Your Life 1952
★ TMDB users: 6.5/10 from 13 votes Documentary 9 seasons · 289 eps Ended
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Quick answer
What is This Is Your Life?
This Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC. The show originated as a radio series on NBC Radio, airing from 1948 to 1952.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1952
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 289
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- First aired
- Oct 1, 1952
- Last aired
- Apr 30, 1961
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- NBC
- Genres
- Documentary
- Updated
Series guide
At a glance
- Rating
- ★ TMDB users: 6.5/10 from 13 votes
- Format
- 9 seasons · 289 episodes
- Episode runtime
- ~60 minutes
- Status
- Ended
- Network
- NBC
Availability by region
Where to watch in United States
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Trailer
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
This Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC. The show originated as a radio series on NBC Radio, airing from 1948 to 1952. It was later adapted for television, with its original host being its producer, who served in this capacity from 1952 to 1961. The series features a host surprising a guest and taking them through their life in front of an audience, with special guest appearances by colleagues, friends, and family. The show was revived in the 1970s and 1980s, with different hosts, including Ralph Edwards, who returned to host some specials before his death in 2005.
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Should you watch it?
“Ralph Edwards surprises unsuspecting guests by recounting their personal histories before a live television audience.”
Reasons to watch
- features surprise appearances from friends and family
- offers a unique look at personal histories
Keep in mind
- format relies on catching guests off guard
- episodes follow a highly structured formula
Watch it if you enjoy classic television documentary formats that focus on personal stories and surprise reunions.
The program features unscripted emotional reactions and surprise reunions in a studio setting.
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Cast
Comprehensive Directory
Episode guide
🛡️ SPOILER SHIELD
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Future titles & recaps blurred. Tap "Reveal" on any item to peek.
Season 1 · 38 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Laura Stone Marr Mytharc Oct 1, 1952
- E2 Jimmy McHugh Core Oct 8, 1952
- E3 Joan Caulfield Core Oct 15, 1952
- E4 Mary Ross Core Oct 22, 1952
- E5 Casey Stengel Core Oct 29, 1952
- E6 James Templeton Core Nov 5, 1952
- E7 Jeanette MacDonald Core Nov 12, 1952
- E8 Billie Clevenger Core Nov 19, 1952
- E9 Jim McClain Core Nov 26, 1952
- E10 Mrs. Gus Edwards Core Dec 3, 1952
- E11 Sara Berner Core Dec 10, 1952
- E12 Rock Hudson Core Dec 17, 1952
- E13 Ruth Eiler Core Dec 24, 1952
- E14 Nellie Lutcher Core Dec 31, 1952
- E15 Frank Sparks Core Jan 7, 1953
- E16 Roy Rogers Core Jan 14, 1953
- E17 Harris Pottier Core Jan 21, 1953
- E18 Nadia Scarpitti Core Jan 28, 1953
- E19 Lillian Roth Core Feb 4, 1953
- E20 Alett Radzai Core Feb 11, 1953
- E21 Gene Biscailuz Core Feb 18, 1953
- E22 Dinah Shore Core Feb 25, 1953
- E23 Frank T. Coffyn Core Mar 4, 1953
- E24 Helene Ruthling Core Mar 18, 1953
- E25 Fifi D'Orsay Core Mar 25, 1953
- E26 Arthur Franz Core Apr 1, 1953
- E27 Virginia Marmaduke Core Apr 8, 1953
- E28 Demetros Apostolon Core Apr 15, 1953
- E29 Eva McGown Core Apr 22, 1953
- E30 Eddie Janis Core Apr 29, 1953
- E31 Don DeFore Core May 6, 1953
- E32 Corny Pearson Core May 13, 1953
- E33 Fran Allison Core May 20, 1953
- E34 Hanna Bloch Kohner Core May 27, 1953
- E35 Ed Wynn Core Jun 3, 1953
- E36 Pat O'Brien Core Jun 10, 1953
- E37 Vivian Cosby Mytharc Jun 17, 1953
- E38 Mary Healy Mytharc Jun 24, 1953
Season 2 · 39 episodes
Open the complete Season 2 guide & lore primer →- E1 Lily Pons Mytharc Sep 30, 1953
- E2 John Robinson Cates Core Oct 7, 1953
- E3 Mrs. Robert L. Vann Core Oct 14, 1953
- E4 Roy Keyser Core Oct 21, 1953
- E5 Victor McLaglen Core Oct 28, 1953
- E6 Lou Babcock Core Nov 4, 1953
- E7 Eddie LeBaron Core Nov 11, 1953
- E8 Rachel Mellinger Core Nov 18, 1953
- E9 Martha Raye Core Nov 25, 1953
- E10 Eugenia Russel Core Dec 2, 1953
- E11 Toots Shor Core Dec 9, 1953
- E12 Edna Gladney Core Dec 16, 1953
- E13 Eddie Cantor Core Dec 23, 1953
- E14 Pansy Stockton Core Dec 30, 1953
- E15 Andrew Griffin Core Jan 6, 1954
- E16 Hope Emerson Core Jan 13, 1954
- E17 Douglas Stringfellow Core Jan 20, 1954
- E18 Danny Thomas Core Jan 27, 1954
- E19 Alice Marble Core Feb 3, 1954
- E20 Ruby Bradley Core Feb 10, 1954
- E21 Gregor Shelkan Core Feb 17, 1954
- E22 Connie Haines Core Feb 24, 1954
- E23 Thelma Morgan Core Mar 3, 1954
- E24 Mack Sennett Core Mar 10, 1954
- E25 Kate Pelham Newcomb Core Mar 17, 1954
- E26 Smith Robinson Core Mar 24, 1954
- E27 Jinx Falkenburg Core Mar 31, 1954
- E28 Louis Silvie Zamperini Core Apr 7, 1954
- E29 Hal Foster Core Apr 14, 1954
- E30 Marjorie Williams Core Apr 21, 1954
- E31 Jean Hersholt Core Apr 28, 1954
- E32 George Mardikian Core May 5, 1954
- E33 Emma Jo Wengert Core May 12, 1954
- E34 Patrick Joseph Kelly Core May 19, 1954
- E35 Alicia Alonso Core May 26, 1954
- E36 Mary Ann Core Jun 2, 1954
- E37 Tom Moore Core Jun 9, 1954
- E38 Frances Nickmann Mytharc Jun 16, 1954
- E39 Gilda Gray Mytharc Jun 23, 1954
Season 3 · 38 episodes
Open the complete Season 3 guide & lore primer →- E1 Bebe Daniels Lyon Mytharc Sep 29, 1954
- E2 Kenneth Porter Core Oct 6, 1954
- E3 Kenyon J. Scudder Core Oct 13, 1954
- E4 Dorothy Lamour Core Oct 20, 1954
- E5 Roy Davenport Core Oct 27, 1954
- E6 Joe E. Brown Core Nov 3, 1954
- E7 Ruth Lowe Core Nov 10, 1954
- E8 Norman Vincent Peale Core Nov 17, 1954
- E9 Nellie Logan Adkins Core Nov 24, 1954
- E10 Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy Core Dec 1, 1954
- E11 William A. Wellman Core Dec 8, 1954
- E12 Laurence C. Jones Core Dec 15, 1954
- E13 Clarinda Mason Core Dec 22, 1954
- E14 Jennie Grossinger Core Dec 29, 1954
- E15 Helen Ostrowski Core Jan 5, 1955
- E16 Robert Richards Core Jan 12, 1955
- E17 Eddie Hamilton Core Jan 26, 1955
- E18 Andy Devine Core Feb 2, 1955
- E19 Mae Williams Core Feb 9, 1955
- E20 Samuel W. Magill Core Feb 16, 1955
- E21 Yvonne Kennedy Core Feb 23, 1955
- E22 Clyde Lamb Core Mar 2, 1955
- E23 Carl J. Sedlmayr Core Mar 9, 1955
- E24 Helen Kelleher Core Mar 16, 1955
- E25 Mickey Walker Core Mar 23, 1955
- E26 Walter Brennan Core Mar 30, 1955
- E27 Wayman R. Presley Core Apr 6, 1955
- E28 Viola Ruth Core Apr 13, 1955
- E29 Gale Storm Core Apr 20, 1955
- E30 Mark Clark Core Apr 27, 1955
- E31 Rene Belbenoit Core May 4, 1955
- E32 Kiyoshi Tanimoto Core May 11, 1955
- E33 Marjorie Lawrence Core May 18, 1955
- E34 Van Heflin Core May 25, 1955
- E35 Belle Baker Core Jun 1, 1955
- E36 George Gregory Jr. Core Jun 8, 1955
- E37 Frankie Laine Mytharc Jun 15, 1955
- E38 George Foote Bond Mytharc Jun 22, 1955
Season 4 · 39 episodes
Open the complete Season 4 guide & lore primer →- E1 George Burns Mytharc Sep 28, 1955
- E2 Llewellyn J. Scott Core Oct 5, 1955
- E3 Kathleen Norris Core Oct 12, 1955
- E4 John Weber Jr. Core Oct 19, 1955
- E5 John Paul Stapp Core Oct 26, 1955
- E6 Ilse Stanley Core Nov 2, 1955
- E7 William Bendix Core Nov 9, 1955
- E8 Julia Judge Core Nov 16, 1955
- E9 Daniele Alberghetti Core Nov 23, 1955
- E10 Ralph Veady Core Nov 30, 1955
- E11 Alice Lloyd Core Dec 7, 1955
- E12 Harold Lloyd Core Dec 14, 1955
- E13 Mary Noyes Dunham Core Dec 21, 1955
- E14 Marion Domenicali Core Dec 28, 1955
- E15 Lew Ayres Core Jan 4, 1956
- E16 Henry Clay Conner Core Jan 11, 1956
- E17 Ruth Stromer Core Jan 18, 1956
- E18 Mala Powers Core Jan 25, 1956
- E19 William Hennessey Core Feb 1, 1956
- E20 Bela Herskovits Core Feb 8, 1956
- E21 Virginia Graham Core Feb 15, 1956
- E22 Catherine MacFarlane Core Feb 22, 1956
- E23 J. Harrison Heckman Core Feb 29, 1956
- E24 Joseph Jacob Foss Core Mar 7, 1956
- E25 Marguerita Sylva Core Mar 14, 1956
- E26 H. Park Tucker Core Mar 21, 1956
- E27 Marion Miller Core Mar 28, 1956
- E28 Robert Cummings Core Apr 4, 1956
- E29 Ruth Joiner Core Apr 11, 1956
- E30 Dore Schary Core Apr 18, 1956
- E31 Marjorie Rambeau Core Apr 25, 1956
- E32 Joseph Anthony Core May 2, 1956
- E33 Richard J. Finnegan Core May 9, 1956
- E34 Myrna Loy Core May 16, 1956
- E35 James B. Hendryx Core May 23, 1956
- E36 Ruth Slenczynska Core May 30, 1956
- E37 Milton Berle Core Jun 6, 1956
- E38 Alice Middleton McDougall Mytharc Jun 13, 1956
- E39 Gilbert Roland Mytharc Jun 20, 1956
Season 5 · 39 episodes
Open the complete Season 5 guide & lore primer →- E1 Georgia Bowen Mytharc Sep 26, 1956
- E2 Red Nichols Core Oct 3, 1956
- E3 Alexandra Tolstoy Core Oct 10, 1956
- E4 Dean E. Hess Core Oct 17, 1956
- E5 Ernest Borgnine Core Oct 24, 1956
- E6 Darlene Miller Core Oct 31, 1956
- E7 Agness Underwood Core Nov 7, 1956
- E8 Ernest Breech Core Nov 14, 1956
- E9 Lou Costello Core Nov 21, 1956
- E10 Alice Princess Siwundhla Core Nov 28, 1956
- E11 Phil Thatcher Core Dec 5, 1956
- E12 Tennessee Ernie Ford Core Dec 12, 1956
- E13 Pearl Routon Core Dec 19, 1956
- E14 Thomas Orley Core Dec 26, 1956
- E15 Mike Masaoka Core Jan 2, 1957
- E16 Gladys Workman Core Jan 9, 1957
- E17 Jack Dempsey Core Jan 16, 1957
- E18 Gloria Swanson Core Jan 23, 1957
- E19 Hugh Barr Miller Jr. Core Jan 30, 1957
- E20 Constance Hope Core Feb 6, 1957
- E21 Katya Skotnicki Core Feb 13, 1957
- E22 Duke Kahanamoku Core Feb 20, 1957
- E23 Arries Ann Ward Core Feb 27, 1957
- E24 Lawrence Welk Core Mar 6, 1957
- E25 Ivy Baker Priest Core Mar 13, 1957
- E26 George Hays Gale Core Mar 20, 1957
- E27 Maureen O'Hara Core Mar 27, 1957
- E28 Buster Keaton Core Apr 3, 1957
- E29 Tommy Sands Core Apr 10, 1957
- E30 Edward N. Bliss Jr. Core Apr 17, 1957
- E31 Lila Lee Core Apr 24, 1957
- E32 Minnie Pearl Core May 1, 1957
- E33 Ted Husing Core May 8, 1957
- E34 Ruth Davis Core May 15, 1957
- E35 Lee De Forest Core May 22, 1957
- E36 Thelma White Core May 29, 1957
- E37 Rachel Saint Core Jun 5, 1957
- E38 Jesse L. Lasky Mytharc Jun 12, 1957
- E39 Guy Gabaldon Mytharc Jun 19, 1957
Season 6 · 38 episodes
Open the complete Season 6 guide & lore primer →- E1 Phil Harris Mytharc Sep 25, 1957
- E2 Vincent Tracy Core Oct 2, 1957
- E3 Gladys Feldman Braham Core Oct 9, 1957
- E4 Frank Lovejoy Core Oct 16, 1957
- E5 Giselle MacKenzie Core Oct 23, 1957
- E6 Ronnie Deauville Core Nov 6, 1957
- E7 Billy Graham Core Nov 13, 1957
- E8 Boris Karloff Core Nov 20, 1957
- E9 Marie Killilea Core Dec 4, 1957
- E10 Dennis Weaver Core Dec 11, 1957
- E11 Lela Elliot Core Dec 18, 1957
- E12 Ralph A. Edwards Core Dec 25, 1957
- E13 Sue Sikking Core Jan 1, 1958
- E14 James Gleason Core Jan 8, 1958
- E15 Ida Lupino Core Jan 15, 1958
- E16 Randall Harris Core Jan 22, 1958
- E17 Frances Farmer Core Jan 29, 1958
- E18 Dr. Dennis Branch Core Feb 5, 1958
- E19 Jesse Stuart Core Feb 12, 1958
- E20 Helen Kane Core Feb 19, 1958
- E21 Martha Smith Core Feb 26, 1958
- E22 Belden Paulson Core Mar 5, 1958
- E23 Ben Alexander Core Mar 12, 1958
- E24 Harry Warren Core Mar 19, 1958
- E25 Donna Reed Core Mar 26, 1958
- E26 Felix McCool Core Apr 2, 1958
- E27 Neil Schaffner Core Apr 9, 1958
- E28 Roberta Sherwood Core Apr 16, 1958
- E29 Jessie Steward Core Apr 23, 1958
- E30 Father Bernard Hubbard Core Apr 30, 1958
- E31 Casey Tibbs Core May 7, 1958
- E32 Hugh Bentley Core May 14, 1958
- E33 Harry Momita Core May 21, 1958
- E34 Kirk Douglas Core May 28, 1958
- E35 Conrad Hilton Core Jun 4, 1958
- E36 Harvey L. 'Mike' Fetters Core Jun 11, 1958
- E37 Leo Seligman Mytharc Jun 18, 1958
- E38 James Garner Mytharc Jun 25, 1958
Season 7 · 38 episodes
Open the complete Season 7 guide & lore primer →- E1 Steve Allen Mytharc Sep 24, 1958
- E2 Roy Campanella Core Oct 1, 1958
- E3 Mrs. Alfred Abeles Core Oct 8, 1958
- E4 Eddie Albert Core Oct 15, 1958
- E5 Chester Gould Core Oct 22, 1958
- E6 Olga Little Core Oct 29, 1958
- E7 Tim McCoy Core Nov 5, 1958
- E8 Colleen Townsend Core Nov 12, 1958
- E9 Sadie Glommen Core Nov 19, 1958
- E10 Jim Backus Core Nov 26, 1958
- E11 Samuel G. Fuqua Core Dec 3, 1958
- E12 Lauritz Melchior Core Dec 10, 1958
- E13 Coy and Goldie Watson Core Dec 17, 1958
- E14 Danny Davey Core Dec 24, 1958
- E15 Marie Wilson Core Dec 31, 1958
- E16 Carlos Romulo Core Jan 7, 1959
- E17 Harry and Allison Neal Core Jan 14, 1959
- E18 Jimmie Rodgers Core Jan 21, 1959
- E19 Robb White Core Jan 28, 1959
- E20 William E. Powers Core Feb 4, 1959
- E21 Desmond Doss Core Feb 18, 1959
- E22 Zaddie Bunker Core Feb 25, 1959
- E23 Ted Lewis Core Mar 4, 1959
- E24 Serge Obolensky Core Mar 11, 1959
- E25 Caleb Chu Core Mar 18, 1959
- E26 Mungai Njoroge Core Mar 25, 1959
- E27 Ann Blyth Core Apr 1, 1959
- E28 Roger Williams Core Apr 8, 1959
- E29 Leo Carrillo Core Apr 15, 1959
- E30 Max Nussbaum Core Apr 22, 1959
- E31 Sidonie Flacco Core Apr 29, 1959
- E32 Holger Nelson Toftoy Core May 13, 1959
- E33 Janet Blair Core May 20, 1959
- E34 William H. Young Core May 27, 1959
- E35 James Obenauf Core Jun 3, 1959
- E36 Frank Capra Core Jun 10, 1959
- E37 Lucille Warnecke Mytharc Jun 17, 1959
- E38 Dick Clark Mytharc Jun 24, 1959
Season 8 · 12 episodes
Open the complete Season 8 guide & lore primer →- E1 Lowell Thomas Mytharc Sep 30, 1959
- E14 Nat "King" Cole Core Jan 6, 1960
- E16 Don McNeill Core Jan 20, 1960
- E18 Stephen Boyd Core Feb 3, 1960
- E21 Mervyn LeRoy Core Mar 2, 1960
- E22 Harry Blackstone Core Mar 9, 1960
- E24 Carl Reiner Core Mar 23, 1960
- E25 Billy Barty Core Mar 30, 1960
- E28 Rossano Brazzi Core Apr 20, 1960
- E29 Jesse Owens Core Apr 27, 1960
- E32 Ken Murray Core May 18, 1960
- E37 Charles Coburn Mytharc Jun 29, 1960
Season 9 · 8 episodes
Open the complete Season 9 guide & lore primer →- E15 William Frawley Core Jan 8, 1961
- E16 Connie Francis Core Jan 9, 1961
- E17 Robert Horton Core Jan 22, 1961
- E19 Ole Olsen Core Feb 5, 1961
- E20 Peter Palmer Core Feb 12, 1961
- E21 Richard Arlen Core Feb 19, 1961
- E26 Debbie Reynolds Core Mar 26, 1961
- E30 Dale Robertson Mytharc Apr 30, 1961
Verified insights
Frequently asked questions
What is the premise of the show?
The host surprises an unsuspecting guest and leads them through their life story in front of an audience.
Who hosted the series?
Ralph Edwards served as the original host and producer, with Joseph Campanella hosting a version in 1983.
Did the show exist before television?
Yes, the program originated as a radio show on NBC Radio that aired from 1948 to 1952.
What happens during the episodes?
Guests are surprised by friends, family, and colleagues who share memories and present gifts.
When was the show broadcast on NBC?
The television series originally aired on NBC from 1952 to 1961.
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