He was inspiration to many contemporary comics.



The world of comedy has lost a legend.

Jonathan Winters, who was known for his improv work that inspired many a contemporary stand-up comic including Robin Williams, Jim Carrey and others, has died. He was 87.

Longtime family friend Joe Petro III says Winters died Thursday evening at his Montecito, Calif., home of natural causes, reports AP.

A note on his website adds, "Rest in Peace, Mr. Winters."

Winters' career began when he won a talent contest in Dayton, Ohio, which led to radio gigs and appearances at comedy clubs, along with comedy albums.

He was a favorite guest on the late night TV circuit for decades, often appearing with Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Steve Allen. And he often performed in character. One one of his best known was Maude Frickert, an old lady with a quick and acid wit. He had his own TV show in the 1950s.

Winters also appeared in nearly 50 movies, including a particularly notable role in the 1963 film It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

Eileen Schauder Winters, his wife of more than 60 years, died on Jan. 11, 2009. Jonathan is survived by two children and five grandchildren.


Filmography
Television and film

    1956–1957: The Jonathan Winters Show Winters also credited as writer for episodes 1.2 & 1.3
    1960: Alakazam the Great (voice) as Sir Quigley Broken Bottom (English version)
    1961: "A Game of Pool" (episode of The Twilight Zone) as James Howard "Fats" Brown
    1963: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World as Lennie Pike
    1965: The Loved One as Henry Glenworthy / Rev. Wilbur Glenworthy
    1964: The Jonathan Winters Special (TV special)
    1965: The Jonathan Winters Show (2 specials)
    1966: The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming as Norman Jonas
    1966: Penelope as Professor Klobb
    1967: Guys 'n' Geishas (Danny Thomas special)
    1967: Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad as Dad (Narrator)
    1967: Eight on the Lam as Police Sgt. Jasper Lynch / Mother Lynch
    1967–1969: The Jonathan Winters Show (TV series)
    1968: Now You See It, Now You Don't (TV film) as Jerry Klay
    1969: Viva Max! as General Billy Joe Hallson
    1970: The Wonderful World of Jonathan Winters (TV special) as Himself
    1970–1971: Hot Dog as Himself
    1972: The New Scooby-Doo Movies as Himself and Maude Frickert
    1972–1974: The Wacky World of Jonathan Winters (syndicated TV show)
    1976: Jonathan Winters Presents 200 Years of American Humor (TV special)
    1977: The Wonderful World of Disney: Halloween Hall o' Fame (TV special); host
    1977: Yabba Dabba Doo! The Happy World of Hanna-Barbera (TV special) as himself
    1979: The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh as H.S. / Harvey Tilson
    1980: The Muppet Show (season 4, episode 16)
    1980: Pogo for President: I Go Pogo as Porky Pine / Molester Mole / Wiley Catt (voice)
    1980: More Wild, Wild West (TV film) as Albert Paradine II
    1981: Mork & Mindy (recurring role) as Mearth
    1984: E. Nick: A Legend in His Own Mind as Emerson Foosnagel III
    1985: Alice in Wonderland (in two-part TV film) as Humpty Dumpty (voice)
    1985: Yogi's Treasure Hunt (additional voices)
    1986: The Longshot as Tyler
    1986: Say Yes as W. D. Westmoreland
    1986: The Smurfs as Grandpa Smurf
    1986: King Kong: The Living Legend (TV special); host
    1987: The Little Troll Prince: A Christmas Parable as King Ulvik a.k.a. Left Head (voice)
    1988: Moon over Parador as Ralph
    1988: The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley as Roger Gustav and Mr. Freebus (voice)
    1990: Tiny Toon Adventures as Sappy Stanley (voice, in episode "Who Bopped Bugs Bunny")
    1991: Rick Moranis in Gravedale High as Coach Cadaver
    1991: Little Dracula as Igor, Granny
    1991: The Wish that Changed Christmas (voice on TV special)
    1992: Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation as Wade Pig / Superman (voice)
    1992: Davis Rules as Gunny Davis
    1992: Frosty Returns (narrator)
    1992: Spaced Out!; host (also executive producer) (features comics such as Bonnie Hunt, Carrot Top and others)
    1993: The Thief and the Cobbler under the theatrical name Arabian Knight as The Thief (Miramax version) (voice)
    1993: Precious Moments: Timmy's Special Delivery (voice; Christmas movie)
    1994: Christopher and Holly a.k.a. The Bears Who Saved Christmas as Charlie the Compass (voice)
    1994: Yogi the Easter Bear as Ranger Mortimer (voice)
    1994: The Flintstones as Grizzled Man
    1994: The Shadow as Wainwright Cranston
    2000: The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle as Whoppa Chopper Pilot / Ohio Cop with Bullhorn / Jeb
    2003: Swing as Uncle Bill
    2004: Comic Book: The Movie as Wally (Army Buddy #2)
    2004: Tell Them Who You Are (documentary film) as Himself
    2006: National Lampoon's Cattle Call as Thomas the Studio Tour Guide
    2007: Certifiably Jonathan[66] (honored celebrity at FGFF)
    2011: The Smurfs as Papa Smurf (voice)
    2013: The Smurfs 2 as Papa Smurf (voice) (released posthumously)

Short films

    1968: The Early Birds (writer and voices)[59]
    1974: Sonic Boom (performer)
    2000: Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big (voice actor)
    2002: Santa vs. the Snowman 3D (voice of Santa Claus)