American comedian Jonathan Winters, known for his wild improvisations, ad libs, and sound effects, has died of natural causes at 87.
The Ohio-born Winters was a welcome guest on television variety, talk, and game shows for 50 years. He was able to create comedy characters and routines on the spot, using nothing more than a hat or a simple prop. He used his mouth to create his own sound effects, such as the sounds of a baseball game or a man casting a fishing pole.
Many contemporary comedians say they were inspired by Winters.
Winters also had a dark side, battling depression and alcoholism. He briefly spent time in a mental hospital.
Winters is also appeared in the films such as The Loved One, and The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming. He appeared as a truck driver in It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, in which he single-handedly destroyed a gas station.
The Ohio-born Winters was a welcome guest on television variety, talk, and game shows for 50 years. He was able to create comedy characters and routines on the spot, using nothing more than a hat or a simple prop. He used his mouth to create his own sound effects, such as the sounds of a baseball game or a man casting a fishing pole.
Many contemporary comedians say they were inspired by Winters.
Winters also had a dark side, battling depression and alcoholism. He briefly spent time in a mental hospital.
Winters is also appeared in the films such as The Loved One, and The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming. He appeared as a truck driver in It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, in which he single-handedly destroyed a gas station.
