Who was Jonathan Winters? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Jonathan Harshman Winters III

Died At Age: 87

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Eileen Winters (m. 1948–2009)

father: Jonathan Harshman Winters II

mother: Alice Kilgore (née Rodgers)

children: Jay Winters, Lucinda Winters

Actors Comedians

Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males

Died on: April 11, 2013

place of death: Montecito, California, United States

U.S. State: Ohio

Cause of Death: Natural Causes

Diseases & Disabilities: Bipolar Disorder

City: Dayton, Ohio

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1

What was Jonathan Winters known for in his career?

Jonathan Winters was known for his work as a comedian, actor, and artist. He was famous for his improvisational skills and unique characters.
2

Which famous TV shows did Jonathan Winters appear on?

Jonathan Winters appeared on popular TV shows such as "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," "Mork & Mindy," and "The Twilight Zone."
3

Did Jonathan Winters serve in the military?

Yes, Jonathan Winters served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.
4

What were some of Jonathan Winters' notable film roles?

Some of Jonathan Winters' notable film roles include "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming," and "The Loved One."
5

How did Jonathan Winters influence other comedians?

Jonathan Winters was known for his innovative improvisational comedy style, which inspired many comedians who followed him, such as Robin Williams and Jim Carrey.

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Childhood & Early Life

Jonathan Winters was born on November 11, 1925 at Bellbrook, Ohio, to Alice Kilgore Rodgers, a radio personality, and Jonathan Harshman Winters II, an insurance salesman turned stock broker. When he was seven, his mother separated from his alcoholic father.

Mother and son shifted to Springfield, Ohio, to live with Alice’s mother. A weak student, he derived solace in the company of the imaginary characters he developed, in solitude, in his room.

He dropped out of school during his final year at Springfield High School. He took part in the Pacific operation of the U.S Marine Corp during the Second World War.

After returning home, he enrolled at Kenyon College. He later shifted to Dayton Art Institute, where he did a course in cartooning. He was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

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Career

Winters started doing comedy routines while he was a student at Kenyon College. Between 1950 and 1953, he hosted several local programs for Columbus's WBNS-TV, but resigned after the station refused him a raise.

He moved to New York, where, having lost his wristwatch, he was encouraged by his wife to participate in a talent contest that promised a wristwatch for the winner - he won the contest.

Following his win in the contest, he began to get more television assignments. In 1954, he featured in the Broadway revue, ‘Almanac’, and on the television series, ‘Chance of a Lifetime’, as Johnny Winters.

In 1956, he began hosting the television series, ‘The Jonathan Winters Show’, on NBC. The first ever public demonstration of color videotape was broadcast on this show, that year.

He was the voice of two talking beer mugs, Shultz and Dooley, in a television advertisement for Utica Club beer, between 1959 and 1964. He also represented the Hefty brand of trash bags in advertisements.

He cut numerous comedy albums for Verve Records. One of his characters during the 1960s was of Maude Frickert, an old woman whose behavior was outrageous and unbecoming of a woman her age.

He became popular in ‘The Tonight Show’ hosted by Jack Paar between 1957 and 1962. In a prank, he even pretended to be President Kennedy over the telephone, on the show.

He continued his association with ‘The Tonight Show’ after Johnny Carson became the host. He would appear disguised as a character, leaving it for Carson to guess, during a mock interview.

In the 60s and 70s, he appeared regularly on ‘The Dean Martin Show’, ‘The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast’, ‘The Andy Williams Show’, ‘The Steve Allen Show’, ‘The Garry Moore Show’, and ‘The Hollywood Squares’.

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In the final season of the sci-fi comedy show, ‘Mork and Mindy’ in 1981, he was introduced as Mearth, Mork & Mindy’s child. His appearance in the show failed to prop up its ratings.

In the 1980s, he dubbed for many television and film characters. He lent his voice to Grandpa Smurf in ‘Smurf’, to Bigelow in the film, ‘Pound Puppies’, and in the cartoon series Yogi's Treasure Hunt.

He starred in the 1994 superhero film, ‘The Shadow’ as Wainwright Barth, a serious cop and uncle of the protagonist Lamont Cranston (‘The Shadow’), played by Alec Baldwin.

In the ABC television sitcom, ‘Life with Bonnie’, that aired from 2002 to 2004, he guest starred as a writer with multiple personalities, and was nominated for an Emmy award.

In the new century, he appeared in the films ‘The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle’ and as Papa Smurf’s voice in ‘The Smurf’. His last work was the 2013 release, ‘The Smurfs 2’.

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Major Works

Winters’ role in the 1963 comedy film, ‘It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’, about the crazy quest of $350,000 in stolen cash by a group of strangers, won him a Golden Globe nomination.

In the sitcom, ‘Davis Rules’, he essayed the role of Gunny Davis assisting his widowed son in bringing up his children. The role won him an Emmy Award in 1991

Awards

In 1991, he won a Primetime Emmy for his Supporting role in ‘Davis Rules’, and was adjudged American Comedy Award’s Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special for ‘Jonathan Winters and His Traveling Road Show’.

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Winters received 11 Grammy nominations. He won two Grammies – Best Album for Children for his contribution to an adaptation of ‘The Little Prince’, and Best Spoken Comedy Album for ‘Crank(y) Calls’, in 1996.

Hollywood recognized his contribution to television, and particularly to comedy. On 8th February 1960, he was awarded a Star on the Walk of Fame for television at 6290, Hollywood Blvd.

Personal Life & Legacy

Jonathan Winters married Eileen Schauder in 1948. She died after bravely battling breast cancer for 20 years.

He died on April 11, 2013 in California and is survived by his children, Jay and Lucinda.

Facts About Jonathan Winters

Jonathan Winters was known for his improvisational skills, often creating characters on the spot during his performances.

He was a talented artist and would often incorporate his artwork into his comedy routines.

Winters served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.

He was a frequent guest on talk shows and was known for his quick wit and sense of humor.

Winters won an Emmy Award for his work on the TV show "Davis Rules" in 1991.

1996	Best Spoken Comedy Album	Winner
1976	Best Recording for Children	Winner

Jonathan Winters Biography

You wanted to know

What was Jonathan Winters known for in his career?

Which famous TV shows did Jonathan Winters appear on?

Did Jonathan Winters serve in the military?

What were some of Jonathan Winters' notable film roles?

How did Jonathan Winters influence other comedians?