Gene Taylor (born Eugene Lee Herships; June 26, 1947 – January 6, 2001) was an American comedian, TV and radio host and writer, best known for his on-air work in Toronto and Detroit.
He briefly joined the army and then returned to comedy, working primarily in strip clubs starting in 1969, including the Victory Burlesque theatre in Toronto.
[3] Taylor created the satirical Idi Amin Fan Club in July 1975, which generated negative publicity in Canada and internationally.
Taylor then returned to Detroit, initially hosting a five-day-a-week afternoon talk show on WDIV-TV starting on October 22, 1979.
In Peterborough, Ontario in February 1980, Taylor presented Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark a note signed by 25,000 residents of Detroit expressing gratitude for Canada's help in freeing American diplomats trapped in Iran.
Taylor also had a regular trivia segment on Don Daynard's morning show on Toronto radio station CKFM-FM starting in 1981.
Taylor and Purtan also became prominent supporters of The Salvation Army in Detroit, creating the annual Bed and Bread radiothon fundraiser.
It was completed by Colleen Burcar, his colleague on the Purtan show, and published as Michigan Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff in 2003.