Research Guru / Moderator
Posted:
Jun 26, 2005, 2:21 AM
|
|
Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
|
|
|
Ventriloquist, children's TV show host and inventor Paul Winchell, who gave voice to Tigger in animated versions of Winnie the Pooh for over three decades, died early Friday morning at 82.
Winchell died in his sleep at his home in Moorpark, California, TV producer and close family friend WinBurt Du Brow told the Los Angeles Times.
For six decades, Winchell created countless voices. His best-known was probably that of Tigger, the tiger created by A.A. Milne as a friend of Pooh.
Winchell first provided the voice of the lovable Tigger in 1968 for Disney's Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, which received an Oscar for best animated short film. He continued to voice the little tiger on the big and little screen through 1999's Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving. Jim Cummings has voiced both Tigger and Pooh in recent years.
In 1974, Winchell won a Grammy in 1974 for the best children's recording with "The Most Wonderful Things About Tiggers," from the animated feature film Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too. He was also nominated for an Annie for animated feature film Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (1998).
Winchell gave his British-born wife credit for creating Tigger's signature phrase "TTFN" ("Ta-ta for now").
Winchell's other cartoon voices included Gargamel in The Smurfs, Dick Dastardly in such Hanna-Barbera cartoons as Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines, Boomer in Disney's The Fox and the Hound, and a Siamese cat in The Aristocats.
Other H-B characters included Fleagle (The Banana Splits) and Zummi (The Gummi Bears).
He was born Paul Wilchin in New York on December 21, 1922.
Winchell began his career as a ventriloquist, gaining fame for bringing dummies Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff to TV. He started in 1948 on the CBS program The Bigelow Show, What's My Name? (originally called The Spiedel Show) in 1950, and finally, starred in Winchell Mahoney Time.
But the developing medium also proved to be a liability for ventriloquists, Winchell observed.
"Television and its use of computers can make everything talk, so there's no need for the art of ventriloquism any more. I don't think young kids today would even understand it," he told the Los Angeles Times in 1998.
He was also an inventor. His over 30 patents included one for an early artificial heart that he built in 1963 and donated to the University of Utah for research. Later, Dr. Robert Jarvik and other researchers from the university became well-known for the Jarvik-7, which was implanted into patients after 1982.
Winchell also invented a flameless cigarette lighter, an early disposable razor, an invisible garter belt, and a device indicating when frozen food had gone bad after a blackout.
He attended Columbia University in 1959 and became a doctor of acupuncture after graduating from The Acupuncture Research College of Los Angeles in 1974.
His puppet sidekicks Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff are now in the Smithsonian.
In 1997, he received the Winsor McCay Award for lifetime achievement in animation. Recently, he wrote an autobiography, Winch.
Paul Winchell is survived by his wife, the former Jean Freeman; their two sons, Larry and Keith; son Stacy and daughter Stephanie, from his first marriage to Dottie Morse; and daughter April Winchell, from his second marriage to actress Nina Russel. April Winchell is a prominent talk show host and voiceover artist with her own production company.
(This post was edited by eminovitz on Jun 26, 2005, 10:23 AM)
|
|
Supervising Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Jun 26, 2005, 7:05 AM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
This is very sad indeed. [unsure][unsure]
BTW, I wonder if Jim Cummings could do Dick Dastardly's voice? He does a GREAT job imitating Tigger.
-------------------------
People think I am crazy just because I didn't like "Ratatouille." Am I REALLY crazy, or do I see things differently?
|
|
Research Guru / Moderator
Posted:
Jun 26, 2005, 10:58 AM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Besides the former Jean Freeman, his wife of 31 years, Paul Winchell is survived by five children and three grandchildren.
"I first met Walt Disney 25 or 30 years ago. He said, 'We're both in the same business. I use cartoons and you use dummies and we both entertain children,'" Winchell recounted in a 1988 Associated Press interview.
"That was long before I started working here. Walt gave me a VIP tour of the studio. I remember people doing voices. I said, 'Gee, that must be fun.' And here I am."
Besides the character of Dick Dastardly, he also voiced Clyde and Pvt. Meekley in Wacky Races and doubled as The General in Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines. He was both Clyde and Softy in The Perils of Penelope Pitstop. He reprised the role of Dastardly in Yogi's Treasure Hunt.
In The Smurfs, he was Baby Smurf and Nosey Smurf in addition to Gargamel.
Other cartoons in which Winchell had regular roles included Help! It's the Hair Bear Bunch (as Bubi Bear), Goober and the Ghost Chasers (Goober), Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch (Revs), The Oddball Couple (Fleabag), Clue Club (Woofer), The Three Robonic Stooges (Moe), The Skatebirds (Moe Howard and Woofer), The C.B. Bears (Shake) and Heathcliff (Marmaduke).
He provided the voice of the Dread Baron in the 1987 animated movie Yogi Bear and the Magical Flight of the Spruce Goose.
Winchell voiced the Turtle in the 1975 Depatie-Freleng special The Tiny Tree, and was King Saul in the DiC Enterprises special The Kingdom Chums: Little David's Adventure, which aired on ABC in 1986. He had a voice role in the 1973 Blue Racer cartoon Killarney Blarney.
He was in the voice casts of The Jetsons, These Are the Days, Hong Kong Phooey, Casper and the Angels, Spider-Man and Meatballs and Spaghetti.
(This post was edited by eminovitz on Jun 26, 2005, 11:14 AM)
|
|
Animator
Posted:
Jun 26, 2005, 1:52 PM
|
Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
I can still remember "Winnie the Pooh" half-hour shorts & human character, "Christopher Robin". When Winnie the Pooh ate honey, the jar of honey was spelled "hunny", so it could be read by us, before we started going to school.
I also remember Paul Winchell' humorous laugh as he did "Tigger, the Tiger". Plus I remember Paul Winchell, as he was a guest star on "The Dick Van Dyke Show", in its final season, it aired in 1966. Winchell also guest-starred on an episode of "The Brady Bunch". This episode was trying to apply for a "detergent commercial". Paul Winchell was humorous on & off screen (as a voice). 63x927is58401.
-------------------------
"Type To You Later" & "BCDB's Math_Maestro"
|
|
Directing Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Jun 26, 2005, 3:04 PM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Winchell had a long great career in show business and his contributions to science with the artificial heart device he developed.
To tell Winchell's dummies apart...Jerry Mahoney had a mop of hair on his head...Knucklehead Smiff had a painted-on hair-do.
(This post was edited by artytoons on Feb 20, 2007, 7:03 PM)
|
|
Research Guru / Moderator
Posted:
Jun 26, 2005, 3:38 PM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Paul's daughter April has been nominated twice for an Annie for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Female Performer in an Animated Television Production: in 1998 for playing Cruella DeVille in 101 Dalmatians: The Series, and in 2000 for providing the voice of Miss Muriel P. Finster in "A Great State Affair," an episode of Recess.
April's first voice role in animation was as a child, portraying Connie in the 1972 Rankin-Bass series Kid Power. She didn't return to voice roles until adulthood, when she voiced Mrs. Herman and Baby Herman's film persona in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).
Since then, she has been in many, many animated series: Goof Troop (as Peg Pete), Bonkers (Dyl Piquel), Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron (Molly Mange), Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show (Doris Deer), Problem Child, Timon and Pumbaa, Mighty Ducks (Tanya), Quack Pack (Daisy), Pepper Ann (Lydia Pearson, Grandma Pearson and Ms. Stark), The Kids from Room 402 (Miss Graves), Mickey Mouse Works (Clarabelle Cow, Mother Von Drake and Pelican), House of Mouse (Clarabelle Cow, Lydia Pearson, Mother Von Drake and Pelican), Lloyd in Space (Nora Nebulon) and The Legend of Tarzan (Terk) -- not to mention numerous animated TV specials and direct-to-video films!
She's also found time to be in the voice cast of the theatrical features Antz (1998) and Recess: School's Out (2001, as Miss Muriel P. Finster and Mrs. Detweiller).
|
|
Supervising Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Jun 26, 2005, 4:51 PM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Hate to correct you, Ethan, but April Winchell did not voice Daisy Duck on Disney's Quack Pack. That was Kath Soucie.
Anyway, it's always sad to hear about someone dying, especially someone as talented as Paul Winchell. I've been hearing his voice in cartoons throuout most of my childhood. Mr. Winchell also voiced Revs on H-B's Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch and provided the voice of Fleagle on The Banana Splits.
-------------------------
I love humanity, it's people that I have issues with.
(This post was edited by SpaceDemon on Jun 26, 2005, 4:53 PM)
|
|
Supervising Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Jun 26, 2005, 5:38 PM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Say, on the 1973 DePatie-Freleng "Dr. Seuss On The Loose" special, didn't Paul Winchell do the grumpy old guy on "Green Eggs and Ham?" (The dog guy with the big black hat.)
-------------------------
People think I am crazy just because I didn't like "Ratatouille." Am I REALLY crazy, or do I see things differently?
|
|
Research Guru / Moderator
Posted:
Jun 26, 2005, 6:09 PM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Yes, according to BCDB -- the character was simply named the "White Dog."
The Internet Movie Database also credits Winchell with voicing Joey, Sam-I-Am and the Sneetches in this trilogy, which included Seuss's "The Zax" and "The Sneetches" as well.
-------------------------
"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman
(This post was edited by eminovitz on Jun 26, 2005, 6:14 PM)
|
|
Lead Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Jun 26, 2005, 6:12 PM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Though a behind-the-scenes talent as a voice for animation, Paul Winchell and his pals Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff (love that name) were up-front and visible in their kids clubhouse show, Winchell-Mahoney Time, which aired during the '60s (here in New York on Ch. 5, WNEW-TV at the time). Today it is not easy to see vintage Winchell and Co. in the flesh (or wood, depending), but he and his comrades did provide the linking segments to an anthology of Three Stooges highlights directed by stoogemeister Jules White titled Stop! Look! and Laugh! [1960]. Track this one down to see Paul Winchell at his height as a ventriloquist (some critics have dubbed him the best the field ever produced).
Winchell the ventriloquist was not shy about taking chances—on the Joey Bishop Show (ABC-TV's competition to Johnny Carson), Winchell had Knucklehead Smiff recite some late-night nursery rhymes: "There was an old lady who lived in a shoe, she had so many children she didn't know what to do. [Winchell nods approvingly.] There was another old lady who lived in a shoe. She didn't have any children… she knew what to do!"
Winchell would also appear on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In as "Lucky Pierre," a luckless French ventriloquist. During one memorable performance, the dummy gradually came unglued while "Pierre" struggled through his routine. Bits and parts dropped off the dummy slowly at first, then with increasing speed, until the desperate ventriloquist was left with only a lower lip for a partner.
They sure don't make 'em like they used to. Goodbye, Mr. Winchell.
M.
|
|
Supervising Animator / Contributor
Posted:
Jun 27, 2005, 6:28 AM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
My mem. of paul was of most of his VO as well as:
A kids' game show that involed both quiz & phisical challanges (I think they had to run to the right spot for their answer)
A bad movie w/3 stooges "stop, look & laugh" it also had segments w/chimps ala lance link.
A segment of love american style where he made music by being klonked on the noggin. He lost his talent when he got this teeth capped.
Oh, & an ep. of the Lucy show.
-------------------------
 "... when you're good and crazy, oooh, oooh, oooh, the sky is the limit."
"Because in this business reality can be *pretty* hard to come by."
- the Tick
(This post was edited by thegreatunknown on Jun 27, 2005, 7:38 AM)
|
|
Directing Animator
Posted:
Jun 27, 2005, 12:20 PM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Winchell also appeared on an episode of the early 1970's ABC sitcom, Nanny and the Professor, as a bitter old recluse who lives in a run-down shack just down the street from the Nanny (played by Juliet Mills) and her charges. At one point in the story, it is revealed that the old man was once a puppeteer who loved children; but had become a shut-in following the death of his wife. There is an endearing scene in which the Nanny gets him to open up by taking part in a puppet show that he has initiated. Here Winchell falls back on his "Dick Dasterdly" voice.
-------------------------
"Sit, Ubu, sit... good dog!" ("Arf"!)
|
|
Inbetweener
Posted:
Jun 29, 2005, 9:46 AM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
I remember Winchell on the Dick Van Dyke Show. Rob quits the Alan Brady show to go work as a writer for a kids' program. Winchell is the ventriloquist, but the star was a tempermental caterpillar-like puppet named JellyBean. Rob was NOT permitted to talk to Winchell 1:1, but, rather, had to direct all comments to JellBean, who was nasty, ascerbic, rude, and obnoxious. It was a classic.
Winchell's work w/the artificial heart was also echoed on TV's "St Elsewhere," where Dr Craig worked w/a famous ventriloquist who nobody took seriously but who invented a workable artificial heart.
RIP Paul Winchell. You had a tortured youth, but you lifted many other youths by your unforgettable work.
|
|
Intern
Posted:
Dec 23, 2006, 5:16 PM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Dear Artytoons,
"Runarond"was actually
seen Saturday Mornings on
the NBC TV Network from
September 1972 to September,
1973.
4CK.
|
|
Intern
Posted:
Dec 23, 2006, 5:18 PM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Dear Research Guru,
Mr.Winchell and his
puppet pals:Jerry Mahoney
and Knucklehead Smiff hosted
a Saturday Morning Cartoon Show.
Cartoonies was seen on The
ABC TV Network during the
1964 tv season.
4CK.
|
|
Intern
Posted:
Feb 19, 2007, 4:19 PM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Dear Great Unkonw and
MeReioff,
Local NYC based kids tv
host/performer:"Officer Joe"
Bolton also appeared in one
scene With"Knucklehead Smiff"
and Mr.Winchell in"Stop,Look
& Laugh!".
Yet?
Despite the efforts of these
two talented and caring men?
"Stop,Look & Laugh"was a
dud and It didn't make "The
Three Stooges"look very good
either.
Hence.."The Three Stooges" sued Columbia Pix
and Jules White and Harry Rome
for exploiting them via that feature
length compliated mess!
The boys won an out of court
settlement from The law suit.
And Columbia was required
to help release the films that
the boys created and produced
thru their own studios"Normandy
Prods.Inc"from 1962 to 1965.
4CK.
(This post was edited by 4CK on Oct 31, 2007, 7:22 PM)
|
|
Intern
Posted:
May 1, 2008, 6:50 AM
|
|
Re: Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger, dead at 82
[In reply to]
|
|
|
Dear Zavkram,
Mr.Winchell's character of"Herbert T.Peabody"
was an angry and unhappy man.
He was once a famous and successful puppteteer
..who worked with his wife on many shows.
Until she died of a terminal illness and the
poor old man was unable to accept her loss
and he became an embittered and angry
recluse.
Until"Nanny"(played by Ms.Mills)brought
out his best side when "Peabody"(Paul)was performing
for himself in his beat up old house(It was not a shack
..but a run down old mansion..which had seen better days).
The words of the lady bear puppet(manipulated by
Ms.Mills)and the words of"Prudence"(played by Ms.Richards)
finally melted the heart of the old grump.
And he returned to puppeteering and I can recall
"Mr.Herb Peabody"(Paul Winchell)embracing that kid
and he said that he'll do it with tears in his eyes.
(Crying)
I still get mistey eyed when I think of that episode
of"Nanny & The Professor"..and I also feel some sadness
at the loss of three performers from that episode.
Mr.Long(Who played "Prof.Hal Everett Sr.),
Mr.Lehrman(Who played "Bently Butch Everett")
and Paul Winchell(who Played "Herbert T.Peabody").
The title of the episode is"The Rehabillitation Of
Herbert T.Peabody!".
4CK
(This post was edited by 4CK on May 1, 2008, 6:52 AM)
|
|
|
|
