What is the birth name of US television pioneer "Buffalo Bob Smith"?

Under the stage name “Buffalo Bob Smith”, Mr. Schmidt (11/27/17 – 7/30/98) was the host of the US children's television show “Howdy Doody”, which ran on NBC television between December 27, 1947 and September 24, 1960, the last year in color.

Mr. Smith created the character of Howdy Doody for radio, voicing the character himself on a Buffalo, New York radio station, WBEN, in 1943. The program won WBEN the late-morning ratings battle with market-rival station WGR, which had previously dominated the airwaves. NBC hired Buffalo Bob and Howdy Doody for its New York Flagship station, WNBC, after the end of World War II.

When Buffalo Bob appeared on NBC’s “Puppet Playhouse” television program, viewers demanded to see Howdy. A marionette was created in the likeness of Mr. Smith’s sister, Esther, with 48 freckles, one for each state of the union at that time. Mr. Smith and Howdy both wore western garb, and the show had a circus motif.

Mr. Smith also sang professionally, made guest appearances on television programs, and appeared in films, including 1991’s “Problem Child 2”. After retirement, he settled in Henderson County, North Carolina. His last TV appearance was on July 3, 1998, in a QVC infomercial promoting Howdy Doody Entertainment Memorabilia.