CLEVELAND — Marty Sullivan, a Cleveland entertainment icon better known as Superhost, died Friday at the age of 87, according to Sullivan's niece.
Sullivan played the role of Superhost on WUAB channel 43 from 1969 to 1989, donning a suit, cape and red nose to host the station’s monster movie special on Saturdays, called “Supe’s On.” Sullivan provided entertainment during breaks in the movie.
In addition to his role as Superhost, Sullivan also appeared in several skits for the “Hoolihan & Big Chuck Show,” later renamed to “The Big Chuck & Lil’ John Show.” He would occasionally host the afternoon show “Prize Movie” and anchored news breaks during “Star Movie.”
Before he was Superhost, Sullivan worked at WEWS as the booth announcer.
Sullivan was inducted into the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1991 and received the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Lower Great Lakes Chapter) Silver Circle Award in 1997.
"Everybody watched Marty as Superhost," said Mike Olszewski, author of the book From Captain Penny to Superhost. "He was a true Cleveland original."
Sullivan died Friday morning in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
