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4. Lionel and Betty Zimmer
Petitioners Lionel and Betty Zimmer resided in New York, New
York, when their petitions were filed. Lionel Zimmer (Zimmer)
earned a B.A. degree in political science from the University of
North Carolina (UNC). While pursuing his undergraduate degree,
Zimmer joined the Naval ROTC, was commissioned, placed on active
duty, and served overseas. After completing his military service
Zimmer returned to UNC to finish his degree and then moved to Los
Angeles and worked for 2-1/2 years as a disk jockey at a radio
station. Then he went to Paris in 1949 to attend a film school.
Upon learning that the film school was not covered by the GI
Bill, Zimmer enrolled in a language school to learn French.
After several months he transferred to the Sorbonne and began a
course in French civilization.
Zimmer also pursued work as an actor in Paris. When his
career quickly flourished, he ended his schooling. Zimmer worked
as master of ceremonies of a radio program that was broadcast
weekly to the United States, worked with Orson Welles for much of
a year, and worked on a few movies. At the end of 1951 Zimmer
moved back to the United States and became a staff announcer in
Hollywood for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). Nine
years later he left ABC and began freelancing. In 1967 he moved
to New York City and performed voice-overs for commercials. He
became active in the Screen Actors Guild and was elected to its
board of directors.
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