Jonathan Winters
Biography
Jonathan Harshman Winters III was born on November 11, 1925 in Dayton, Ohio, and died on April 11, 2013 at the age of 87. He began his career as a stand‑up comedian before moving into acting in both film and television, where he was credited in more than one hundred productions. In addition to performing, Winters was an author, television host, and visual artist. His work earned him two Grammy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award, and he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. He was also honored by the American Academy of Achievement in 1973 and was the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 1999.
Career overview
Jonathan Winters began his public career as a stand‑up comedian before moving into film and television acting, eventually amassing more than one hundred credited appearances. His work spanned a variety of genres, and he is listed with 127 acting credits in major databases. Among his most recognizable screen contributions are appearances in the television series The Twilight Zone, the musical variety program The Midnight Special, and the cultural anthology series Omnibus, all of which highlighted his improvisational talent and comic timing.
Throughout his acting career Winters received recognition from both the entertainment industry and broader cultural institutions. He earned two Grammy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award for his performances, and in 1960 he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Additional accolades include the American Academy of Achievement award in 1973 and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 1999. Born on November 11 1925 in Dayton, Ohio, he continued to work in television and film until his death on April 11 2013 in Montecito, California, leaving a legacy as a pioneering figure in American comedy and a prolific actor with a substantial body of work.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
133 titles- It's a Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie Point (2023) as Lennie Pike (archive footage)
- The Smurfs 2 (2013) as Papa Smurf (voice)
- Inside Comedy (2012) as Self
- The Smurfs (2011) as Papa Smurf (voice)
- Certifiably Jonathan (2007) as Self
- Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Cattle Call (2006) as Thomas the Studio Tour Guide
- Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- Jonathan Winters: Rare & Riotous (2005)
- Comic Book: The Movie (2004) as Wally
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- Swing (2003) as Uncle Bill
- Jack Paar: Smart Television (2003) as Self
- Life with Bonnie (2002) as Q.T. Marlens
- The 1st 13th Annual Fancy Anvil Awards Show Program Special: Live in Stereo (2002) as Self
- Santa vs. the Snowman (2002) as Santa (voice)
- 50 Years of NBC Late Night (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle (2000) as Whoppa Chopper Pilot / Ohio Cop with Bullhorn / Jeb
- Jonathan Winters: On the Loose (2000) as Himself
- Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big (2000) as The President
- Uncomfortably Close with Michael McKean (1999)
- Funny Is Money (1999) as Self
- The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1998) as Self - Roaster (archive footage)
- Daisy-Head Mayzie (1995) as Dr. Eisenbart (voice)
- Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994)
- The Flintstones (1994) as Gobo The Grizzled Man
- The Shadow (1994) as Wainwright Barth
- Yogi the Easter Bear (1994) as Ranger Mortimer (voice)
- The Bears Who Saved Christmas: Christopher & Holly (1994) as Charlie Compass (voice)
- Animaniacs (1993) as Stinkbomb D. Basset (voice)
- The Thief and the Cobbler (1993) as The Thief (voice)
- Timmy's Special Delivery: A Precious Moments Christmas (1993) as Dogs / Worker #1 (voice)
- Gone Fish'n (1993)
- Fish Police (1992) as Mayor Cod (voice)
- Frosty Returns (1992) as Narrator (Voice)
- Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation (1992) as Wade Pig / Superman (voice)
- Mickey's Audition (1992) as Cinematographer
- Davis Rules (1991) as Gunny Davis
- Little Dracula (1991)
- Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World' (1991) as Self
- The Wish That Changed Christmas (1991) as The Owl (voice)
- Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990) as Eco the Clown (voice)
- Tiny Toon Adventures (1990)
- Tiny Toon Adventures (1990) as Stanley (voice)
- Tiny Toon Adventures (1990) as Wade Pig (voice)
- Gravedale High (1990) as Coach Cadaver (voice)
- Wake, Rattle, and Roll (1990)
- Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1990)
- Rabbit Ears - Paul Bunyan (1990) as Narrator (voice)
- Hanna-Barbera's 50th (1989) as Self
- Tim Conway's Comedy Review: 'Scue Me! (1989) as Self
- The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley (1988)
- Moon Over Parador (1988) as Ralph
- Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC (1988) as Self
- The Little Troll Prince (1987) as King Ulvik (Left Head) (voice)
- The Smurfs: 'Tis the Season to Be Smurfy (1987) as Grandpa Smurf (voice)
- Alice Through the Looking Glass (1987) as Tweedledee/Tweedledum
- Jonathan Winters: On the Ledge (1987) as Self
- The Longshot (1986) as Tyler
- King Kong! The Living Legend (1986) as Self
- Say Yes (1986) as W.D. Westmoreland
- TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines (1986) as Self
- All Star Party for Clint Eastwood (1986) as Self (uncredited)
- The All New NFL Football Follies (1986) as Self
- Alice in Wonderland (1985) as Humpty Dumpty
- Star Fairies (1985) as Wishing Well (voice)
- The Pound Puppies (1985) as Bigelow (voice)
- E. Nick: A Legend in His Own Mind (1984) as Emerson Foosnagel III
- Suzanne Somers... And 10,000 G.I.s (1983) as Self
- Late Night with David Letterman (1982) as Self
- Aloha Paradise (1981)
- The Tim Conway Show (1980) as Self
- I Go Pogo (1980) as Porky Pine / Molester Mole / Wiley Catt (voice)
- More Wild Wild West (1980) as Prof. Albert Paradine II
- The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979) as H.S. / Harvey Tilson
- Mork & Mindy (1978) as Dave McConnell
- Mork & Mindy (1978) as Mearth
- Mickey's 50 (1978) as Self
- Halloween Hall o' Fame (1977)
- Yabba Dabba Doo! The Happy World of Hanna-Barbera (1977) as Self
- The Muppet Show (1976) as Self - Special Guest Star
- Dean Martin's Red Hot Scandals of 1926 (1976) as Al Capone (uncredited)
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- The Midnight Special (1972) as Self
- The New Scooby-Doo Movies (1972) as Jonathan Winters / Maude Frickert (voice)
- Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (1972)
- The Special London Bridge Special (1972) as English Tour Guide / Tourist #1 / Little Boy Tourist / Texas Tourist
- Festival at Ford's (1971) as Self
- The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World (1971) as Self
- The Smothers Brothers Summer Show (1970)
- Viva Max! (1969) as General Billy Joe Hallson
- Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self
- Now You See It, Now You Don't (1968) as Jeremiah 'Jerry' Klay
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Guest
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self
- The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967) as Self - Cameo
- Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad (1967) as Dad / Narrator
- Eight on the Lam (1967) as Sgt. Jasper Lynch / Jasper's Mother
- The Jonathan Winters Show (1967) as Self - Host
- Dateline: Hollywood (1967)
- With Love, Sophia (1967) as Self
- The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) as Norman Jones
- Penelope (1966) as Professor Klobb
- Murder at N.B.C. (1966)
- The Dean Martin Show (1965)
- The Loved One (1965) as Wilbur Glenworthy / Harry Glenworthy
- Linus the Lionhearted (1964) as The Giant (voice)
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963)
- It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) as Lennie Pike
- The Jerry Lewis Show (1963) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- Be Our Guest (1960)
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as James Howard "Fats" Brown
- Startime (1959) as Self
- Shirley Temple's Storybook (1958) as General Nikidik
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957)
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self - Guest Host
- The Arlene Francis Show (1957)
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Guest
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- From Rugs to Riches (1956)
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Self
- I've Got a Secret (1952)
- Omnibus (1952)
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self - Mystery Guest
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- The Annual Comedy Hall of Fame
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jonathan Winters best known for?
Jonathan Winters is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Smurfs 2 (2013), The Constant Husband (1955), The Smurfs (2011), Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003).
When and where was Jonathan Winters born?
Jonathan Winters was born on November 11, 1925 in Dayton, Ohio, USA. They passed away on April 11, 2013.
How many credits does Jonathan Winters have?
Jonathan Winters has accumulated over 133 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1950 to 2023.
What is Jonathan Winters's background in cinema and television?
Jonathan Harshman Winters III was born on November 11, 1925 in Dayton, Ohio, and died on April 11, 2013 at the age of 87. He began his career as a stand‑up comedian before moving into acting in both film and television, where he was credited in more than one hundred productions. In addition to performing, Winters was a...