Elson Irwin was born June 26, 1928 in Springfield, Illinois, in a house purchased by his great-great grandfather, Jared Pinckney Irwin, in 1857.  It was located directly across the street from Abraham Lincoln's home.

Irwin went to Hollywood in the early forties, alone on a Greyhound Bus, where he attended school and was employed in the film industry.

After a few early comedy shorts, he was given a speaking role in "Colonel Effingham's Raid," with Charles Coburn and Donald Meek. He acted in theaters in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Long Beach, San Gabriel, Santa Maria, etc.

He attended L.A.C.C. with the late actor James Coburn.

Studied drama at L.A.C.C. under Jerry Blount, also acted at Hollywood Ivar in  "Lady Is Not For Burning," and Wilshire Ebell,  "Dragons Mouth."

Studied drama at California State - Long Beach, and was featured in several productions including "Plough And The Stars," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and "Altruism."

Directed "All That Jazz" at the Ramona Playhouse in San Gabriel, CA

Irwin was a theater critic and columnist for several newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times.

He was entertainment editor of Stars and Stripes - Asian edition 1967-1970, where he wrote a daily column "Down Front."

Covered Bob Hope tour of Far East and toured Korea during that time.

Irwin has worked for many newspapers and wire services including the Arizona Journal, Copley News Service, United Press International, Pacific Stars and Stripes, San Diego Tribune, Alhambra Post Advocate and more. Over the years he has interviewed Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Tony Bennett, Cyd Charisse, Tony Martin, Sammy Davis, President Lyndon Johnson, Robert Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Bob Hope and numerous other luminaries.

He is married to Joyce Irwin and has one daughter, Meri Lee Rogoff.

He has one grand-daughter, Alyson Ben-Yehuda.