Jonathan Winters

Jonathan Winters - Film & Theater Personalities, Family and Personal Life

Violet FieldHome › AmericanJonathan WintersNovember 11, 1925265 views

0 based on 0 rates
Jonathan Winters Biography Stories 

Jonathan Winters's Personal Details

Jonathan Winters was a popular American comedian and actor

InformationDetail
BirthdayNovember 11, 1925
Died onApril 11, 2013
NationalityAmerican
FamousAlcoholics, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Comedians, Stand-up Comedians
SpousesEileen Winters (m. 1948–2009)
Known asJonathan Harshman Winters III
ChildrensJay Winters, Lucinda Winters
Universities
  • Springfield High School
  • Dayton Art Institute
Birth PlaceDayton, Ohio, U.S
GenderMale
FatherJonathan Harshman Winters II
MotherAlice Kilgore (née Rodgers)
Sun SignScorpio
Born inDayton, Ohio, U.S
Famous asComedian, Actor
Died at Age87

// Famous Stand-up Comedians

Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson is an English actor and screenwriter, famous for his work in ‘Mr. Bean’ and ‘Blackadder’. This biography profiles his childhood, life, acting career, achievements and timeline.

Jack Dee

Jack Dee

Jack Dee is an English stand-up comedian, actor and writer. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, works, achievements and timeline.

Deshae Frost

Deshae Frost

Deshae Frost is an American stand-up comedian and actor. Let’s have a look at his childhood, family, personal life, etc.

Jonathan Winters's photo

Who is Jonathan Winters?

Jonathan Winters, one of America’s best known comedians, enjoyed a career spanning six decades, and was described, "Pound for pound, the funniest man alive." After a stint in the Marine Corp during WW II, he returned, desperately looking to settle into a career. His big break as a comedian came after winning a talent contest. It brought him many assignments on television. At first, he performed as Johnny Winters, and soon had his own show on NBC, ‘The Jonathan Winters Show’. He had the distinction of being the first to use colored video tapes as part of the show. He was a good friend of Jack Paar and appeared frequently on ‘The Tonight Show’ when Paar was the host. He continued to perform on the show when Johnny Carson became its host. He also appeared on many other shows such as ‘The Dean Martin Show’, ‘The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast’, ‘The Andy Williams Show’, ‘The Steve Allen Show’, and ‘The Garry Moore Show’. He was a talented mimic; his impersonation of John Wayne, Cary Grant and President Kennedy is still remembered. Also memorable is the character of an old lady named Maude Frickert, weaved into his routines. He inspired comedians such as Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, and Jim Carrey, while Robin Williams idolized him.

// Famous Comedians

Meghan Rienks

Meghan Rienks

Check out all that you wanted to know about Meghan Rienks, the famous American YouTuber & vlogger; her birthday, her family and personal life, her boyfriends, fun trivia facts and more.

Desmond English

Desmond English

Check out all that you wanted to know about Desmond English, the famous YouTuber and Viner; his birthday, his family and personal life, his wife, fun trivia facts and more.

Meital Dohan

Meital Dohan

Meital Dohan is an award-winning Israeli theater, film, and television actress, comedian and singer. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

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.

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’.

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’.

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’.

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.

Trivia

This American comedian was a gifted abstract painter. The book ‘Hang Ups’ is an anthology of his paintings. He was a good writer too, and penned a collection of short stories called ‘Winters Tales’.

This comedian was voluntarily institutionalized twice, and underwent treatment for bipolar disorder and nervous breakdowns; he returned to make it a subject of his standup routines.

// Famous Film & Theater Personalities

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor. Let’s take a look at his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is an American child actress with huge fan following. Find more about her family & personal life, relationships, facts and more.

Jonathan Winters's awards

YearNameAward

Primetime Emmy Awards

1991Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesDavis Rules (1991)

Grammy Awards

1996Best Spoken Comedy AlbumWinner
1976Best Recording for ChildrenWinner

Jonathan Winters biography timelines

  • // 11th Nov 1925
    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.
  • // 1948
    Jonathan Winters married Eileen Schauder in 1948. She died after bravely battling breast cancer for 20 years.
  • // 1950 To 1953
    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.
  • // 1954
    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.
  • // 1956
    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.
  • // 1957 To 1962
    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.
  • // 1959 To 1964
    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.
  • // 8th Feb 1960
    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.
  • // 1963
    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.
  • // 1981
    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.
  • // 1991
    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
  • // 1991
    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’.
  • // 1994
    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.
  • // 1996
    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.
  • // 2002 To 2004
    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.
  • // 2013
    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’.
  • // 11th Apr 2013
    He died on April 11, 2013 in California and is survived by his children, Jay and Lucinda.

// Famous Alcoholics

Tennessee Williams

Tennessee Williams

Tennessee Williams was one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century. This biography of Tennessee Williams provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works and timeline.

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson is a former heavyweight boxing champion, known for his ferocious and intimidating style. Read this biography to know about his life, profile & timeline.

Keith Urban

Keith Urban

Keith Urban is a Grammy Award winning country music singer and guitarist. This biography of Keith Urban provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stevie Ray Vaughan was an American guitarist, musician, singer and songwriter and the founding member of the band ‘Double Trouble’. This biography profiles his childhood, music career, life, achievements and timeline.

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne is a famous vocalist and songwriter. This biography of Chris Ozzy Osbourne provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens is a British singer-songwriter who spends a lot of his time in philanthropic and educational causes for the Muslim society. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Jonathan Winters's FAQ

  • What is Jonathan Winters birthday?

    Jonathan Winters was born at 1925-11-11

  • When was Jonathan Winters died?

    Jonathan Winters was died at 2013-04-11

  • Where was Jonathan Winters died?

    Jonathan Winters was died in Montecito, California, U.S

  • Which age was Jonathan Winters died?

    Jonathan Winters was died at age 87

  • Where is Jonathan Winters's birth place?

    Jonathan Winters was born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S

  • What is Jonathan Winters nationalities?

    Jonathan Winters's nationalities is American

  • Who is Jonathan Winters spouses?

    Jonathan Winters's spouses is Eileen Winters (m. 1948–2009)

  • Who is Jonathan Winters childrens?

    Jonathan Winters's childrens is Jay Winters, Lucinda Winters

  • What was Jonathan Winters universities?

    Jonathan Winters studied at Springfield High School, Dayton Art Institute

  • Who is Jonathan Winters's father?

    Jonathan Winters's father is Jonathan Harshman Winters II

  • Who is Jonathan Winters's mother?

    Jonathan Winters's mother is Alice Kilgore (née Rodgers)

  • What is Jonathan Winters's sun sign?

    Jonathan Winters is Scorpio

  • How famous is Jonathan Winters?

    Jonathan Winters is famouse as Comedian, Actor