Jonathan Winters
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from the Museum of Broadcast Communications Encyclopedia of Television
Jonathan Winters began his career in radio, as a disk jockey on station WING (Dayton, Ohio), then moved to television at WBNS (Columbus, Ohio), where he hosted a local program for three years. He moved to New York in the 1950s and performed in night clubs an on Broadway. But it is TV that has made Winters both famous and familiar to a huge and grateful U.S. audience for more than four decades. Known for his numerous characters and voices, his stream-of-consciousness humor has influenced countless other performers, a prime example being the contemporary comic actor Robin Williams.
Winters' first network television appearances came during the 1950s with enormously successful guest spots on talk/variety shows such as the Jack Paar Show, The Steve Allen Show, and The Tonight Show. He went on to appear in many television programs, including Omnibus (where he was the show's first stand-up comedian), Playhouse 90, Twilight Zone, and Here's the Show (a summer replacement for The George Gobel Show). The NBC Comedy Hour originally designed as a Sunday showcase for new talent, was revamped to feature Gail Storm as the hostess and Jonathan Winters as the show's comedian. He hosted his own program, The Jonathan Winters Show, in 1956-57. This program, aired on NBC from 7:30-7:45 P.M., to fill a 15-minute spot following the NBC evening news, was structured around Winters' sketches, blackouts and monologues. The program was revived in a one-hour format by CBS for two seasons beginning in December 1967, and featured the now famous Maude Frickert, as well as the character Willard "From the Couple Up The Street" sketch. In some ways these shows indicated that Winters comedy was almost too unpredictable for conventional network television, and he was allowed more freedom in The Wacky, Wacky World of Jonathan Winters, a syndicated program that focused on Winters' bravura improvisations.
Younger viewers may remember Winters from the Mork and Mindy show where he played the role of Mork and Mindy's son. Paired with Robin Williams in his Mork role, Winters was wildly inventive. The comedy in this show was at times truly explosive, with one improvisational genius playing off the other. In the more conventional sitcom, Davis Rules, Winters was confined to a character, yet somehow managed to work many of his other personae into the stories. His performance earned an Emmy for best supporting actor in a comedy. In addition to on-camera roles, Winters frequently provides the voice for commercials and cartoons. These performances are usually wedded to his distinctive style, allowing audiences the pleasure of recognition for yet another Jonathan Winters moment.
-William Richter
JONATHAN WINTERS. Born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., 11 November 1925. Educated at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, 1946; Dayton Art Institute, B.F.A. 1950. Married: Eileen Schauder, 1948; one daughter and one son. Served in U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1943-46. Began career at radio station WING, Dayton, 1949; disc jockey, station WBNS-TV, Columbus, Ohio, 1950-53; nightclub comedian, New York, 1953; successful in film and as author and painter; recorded 12 albums for "Verve." Honorary chair, National Congress of American Indians. Recipient: Emmy Award, 1991.
TELEVISION SERIES (selection)
1956-57 The Jonathan Winters Show
1967-69 The Jonathan Winters Show
1972-74 The Wacky World of Jonathan Winters
1975-80 Hollywood Squares
1982-83 Mork and Mindy
1991-92 Davis Rules
MADE-FOR-TELEVISION MOVIES
1968 Now You See It, Now You Don't
1980 More Wild, Wild West
1985 Alice in Wonderland
1987 The Little Troll Prince (voice only)
TELEVISION SPECIALS (selection)
1964 The Jonathan Winters Special
1965 The Jonathan Winters Show
1965 The Jonathan Winters Show
1967 Guys 'n' Geishas
1970 The Wonderful World of Jonathan Winters
1976 Jonathan Winters Presents 200 Years of American Humor
1977 Yabba Dabba Doo! The Happy World of Hanna-
Barbera (co-host)
1986 King Kong: The Living Legend (host)
1991 The Wish that Changed Christmas (voice)
FILMS
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, 1963; The Loved One, 1964; The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming, 1966; Penelope, 1967; The Midnight Oil, 1967; 8 On the Lam, 1967; Oh Dad, Poor Dad, 1968; Viva Max, 1969; The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, 1979; The Longshot, 1986; Say Yes, 1986; Moon Over Parador, 1988; The Shadow, 1994; The Flintstones, 1994.
PUBLICATIONS
Mouse Breath, Social Conformity and Other Ills. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1965.
Winter's Tales: Stories and Observations for the Unusual. New York: Random House, 1987.
Hang Ups: Paintings by Jonathan Winters. New York: Random House, 1988.
Highlights
Jonathan Winters on his "Maude Frickert" character
Clip begins at: 19:41, Duration: 03m 33s
Jonathan Winters on his characters "Elwood P. Suggins", "General Pershing", and "King Kwasi"
Clip begins at: 00:07, Duration: 05m 28s
Jonathan Winters on the special quality Johnny Carson brought to The Tonight Show
Clip begins at: 24:11, Duration: 04m 41s- Jonathan Winters on "funny"
Clip begins at: 10:11, Duration: 01m 53s 
Jonathan Winters on advice to those starting out in comedy
Clip begins at: 15:36, Duration: 03m 37s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early interests; on joining the Marines and serving in World War II; on his first comedic performance in the service
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On life after the Marines; on going to art school and being asked to DJ at WING
Clip begins at: 19:35 - Part 2
- On his first job as a DJ at WING radio; on his troubled relationship with his father; on inventing characters for his radio show
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his next job at WBNS television in Columbus Ohio; on his first impressions of television and going to the 1940 World's Fair; on moving to New York and performing in clubs
Clip begins at: 06:54 - On his first television show, the 15-minute Jonathan Winters Show on NBC - which introduced his famous characters "Maude Frickert" and "Elwood P. Suggins"
Clip begins at: 16:31 - Part 3
- On characters "Elwood P. Suggins," "Willard Crachlow," and "King Kwasi;" on The Jonathan Winters Show; on his early appearances on The Garry Moore Show; on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On appearances on The Jack Paar Show; On his time on Broadway; On Rod Serling and playing a dramatic role on The Twilight Zone
Clip begins at: 13:18 - Part 4
- On his nervous breakdown in 1961 and being diagnosed as manic depressive; On It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and his co-stars in the film
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On working with Andy Williams, Dean Martin and Bob Hope; on the special quality Johnny Carson brought to The Tonight Show
Clip begins at: 14:25 - Part 5
- On joining the cast of Mork & Mindy; on his appearance on Hee Haw; on winning an Emmy for Davis Rules
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On advice to those starting out in comedy; on advice for creating characters
Clip begins at: 15:24
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Ones sees Jonathan Winters as always wishing he had done more. He did more than enough. There was that brilliant sense of truth he had and the slickest irony on the planet, combined with a verbal agility and an actor's sense which made him almost painfully funny, but at the same time humane, observant, loving. I will miss him and his work, terribly.
He was the greatest improv man ever, one of the smartest comedians, and a treasure the likes of which we will not see again. He literally saved me from my childhood by letting me laugh, by celebrating the naughty but not the dirty, and showing me that everything is funny. Everything. I'll miss you Mr. Winters. RIP.
Simply the best of them all!
There was a time when I was younger in the 60's when all this man had to do was walk on stage and I'd start laughing. A unique and awesome talent. Funny thing, Being from the east coast I did spend some years in the rural south and mid-west 8 in all and relate to every word he said about the the way you're made to feel there. I loved watching this interview with one of my all-time favorites and a national treasure. You're the goods Mr. Winters.
He woulda made an awesome Falstaff.
A genuine genius. Here he plays it totally straight but what a fascinating interview. He had a tragic childhood.
Wonderful, watched all 5 clips back2back. Long Live Mr. Winters.
Great interview and such long responses. Jonathan Winters is an American treasure. Nice post.
Nice dream..Mr.Winters..but it doesn't work that way..your parents would get divorce and you'd have to accept that.
gotta wonder what he said after camera shut off
I totally relate to Jonathon's problems with his parents. Mine forced me to work since I was 8 yrs old F/T, after school, summers 2 jobs I was forced to drop out of high school to keep my parents from being arrested - my vice principle saw my social security records, they sold my car now a classic worth a half million dollars, guitars - camera I needed for high school, I failed kicked onto the streets at 17 because I said I wanted to go back to school. I hope to go into show business maybe too.
Amazing interview. I can totally relate to his relationship with his father. Certainly sounds like me and my dad.
The old lady impression had me in stitches. How can someone be this funny? Wow!
He is one of my all time favorites.....great humor....what I call clean humor...
I was about 13 years old when I got to know this guy's wild humor. I realized then that life may be short but it sure is wide.
The gas station scene in it's a mad mad mad world was outrageous.
Priceless comedy.
Come home in a bag or parade!!!
Is this guy's Name really Dan Pasternack?
Jonathan Winters will always be the quickest and clever comedian I have ever known. God bless him and his family.
MDA
@noodlesmealey You are an IDIOT!!!!!!!
Winters is a very funny, very unhappy genius. Thanks for showing this.
Great Series of Interviews !
this guy makes the world a better place to live...
god bless jw
Too many for the lunch box; at 6 already hilarious.
How could one dislike this talented man
this world is SO absolutely evil. mr winters there NO such thing as mental DIS-orders,period. its the fallen ones and 'society's' disfunction.
ELWOOD P. SUGGINS' UFO Farm! And Steve Allen! genius at work! Jack Paar? enlightening! Thanks a million chortles, guffaws and snickers for uploading!
I'm still trying to imagine JW doing Boris Karloff as a mechanic at the Indy 500 the night he won his first talent show watch! "Crack the Whip" finally cracked up the interviewer!
I'm still trying to imagine JW doing Boris Karloff as a mechanic at the Indy 500 the night he won his first talent show watch!
God definitely spared Jonathan for the rest of us, or he would have been buried on Saipan. A treasure of divine providence, mercy and grace!
What a teddy bear! A one of a kind genuinely funny decent observant generous man.This whole five-part set was a joy that his old and new fans will visit many times. Thank you:)
Ditto
@Pasternack ..Jonathan Winters is a national treasure...sad that so many in the last couple of generations haven't been witness to his brilliance.
Thanks for sharing this!
This was great..Thanks! I grew up listening to and watching him in the 70's. I wish more comedians with the talent emulated his style today . He still has it today!
I wonder what he said off camera at the end?
@septip123 Many thanks! This was my first extended conversation with Jonathan who has since become a close friend. He is a national treasure.
@giles422 Mount Rushmore of Male Comedians
Winters, Rickles, Pryor, Carlin. As for the females
Ball, Mabley, Barr, Diller
Agree?
@BDyckns ... guy throws J.W a wallet,he opens it and holds it like he's pointing a gun.....audience laughs...Yeah go ahead laugh at my flt gun,wait till you see the flat bullets that come out of it.......classic JW
He's right about Bob Hope and Dean Martin. Hope made A LOT of money buying up land in CA when it was cheap, plus he had big contracts with NBC & Texaco. Yes, maybe Bob was too scripted but he was still a pro when it counted. Dean made more money than Sinatra did, he just didn't show it off like Frank did, and he was the largest single shareholder of RCA stock.
from Ohio even wow
@Georgie1954 GREAT
@1915fas That story must be true; it sounds JUST LIKE Groucho! He was not one of my favourites, but he WAS a crazy entertainer; one of the vaudeville alumni.
Hes Papa Smurf in the upcoming Smurfs film
@tuxguys Who are they anyway. Why are some of the most ridiculous comments accepted on some You Tube videos, Others are filtered "pending approval" while still on other sites adding comments are disabled. Is this by You Tube or by the video poster herself?
A classic. Mr Winters is one of a kind.!!!!!!!!
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