Charles Moore (security guard)
Charles James Moore was an American museum security guard who worked at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., from 1947 until his retirement in 1978. He became known to television audiences in 1963 when he appeared as a contestant on the CBS panel game show What's My Line?, where he was identified as a National Gallery guard then assigned to the visiting exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
Early life and military service
Moore was born in Buffalo, New York. During World War II, he served in the United States Army in the Pacific theater.
National Gallery of Art
Moore joined the National Gallery of Art as a security guard in 1947. He remained with the museum for more than thirty years, retiring in 1978.
In January 1963, the National Gallery exhibited Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa during the painting's first visit to the United States. The painting was shown at the museum from January 9 to February 3, 1963, in the West Sculpture Hall. The exhibition was arranged through the White House and the government of France, and the National Gallery added evening hours to accommodate the large crowds.
According to the National Gallery, visitors sometimes waited as long as two hours to see the painting. The museum also stated that the painting was guarded around the clock by United States Marines. During the same period, Moore was identified on national television as one of the National Gallery guards assigned to the Mona Lisa exhibition.
What's My Line? appearance
On January 13, 1963, Moore appeared as the first contestant on an episode of What's My Line? whose mystery guest was actress Lee Remick. The episode identified him as "Chas J. Moore" and listed his occupation as a museum guard then "currently guarding the Mona Lisa" at the National Gallery of Art.
Moore's appearance reflected the public attention surrounding the Mona Lisa{{'}}s American tour. The painting had opened to the public at the National Gallery only days earlier, after a special January 8 viewing attended by President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, members of the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, Congress, and the diplomatic corps.
After the Washington exhibition closed, the painting traveled to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it was shown from February 7 to March 4, 1963, before returning to France aboard the SS United States.
Later life and death
After retiring from the National Gallery, Moore returned to his native Buffalo. He died of a heart ailment on September 4, 1982, at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo. He was 69.
Moore was a member of American Legion Post No. 41 at the Justice Department and the American Federation of Government Employees.
Personal life
Moore was married to Dorothy L. Moore. They had one son, Robert R. Moore, who was serving as an Air Force captain at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York, at the time of Moore's death.
External links
- Charles J. Moore obituary at The Washington Post
- National Gallery of Art page on the 1963 Mona Lisa exhibition