Johnathan Winters Was More Than a Comedian

Jonathan Winters passed away today at 89.

Most of the articles today in print and online will focus on Winters tremendous improv skills as a comedian, but the last role in saw the talented Mr. Winters in  was a dramatic one. 

Over Christmas, I saw a great 1969 episode of the Twilight Zone with him and Jack Klugman and Winters  called "Game of Pool." was in serious drama mode. 

I won't spoil the episode for you, but it was quite gripping as both Klugman and Winters worked only with themselves and a pool table. While Winters is mostly known as a comedian that Twilight Zone episode showed no hint of  the thousands of characters than came out of his egg shaped body.

On that episode, Jonathan  Winters was just as fascinating as a dramatic one as he was a comedic one, when I was kid watching him ham it up as Robin William's  son on "Mork & Mindy".

I never understand why the Oscars has been so stingy in giving out Oscars to comedians. 

Most dramatic actors will tell you going from drama to comedy is one of the hardest things to do. However, ever since Charlie Chaplin, comedians, the goods ones, always had that ability to show a dramatic side.

Over the years,  non-Oscar winners Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor and Jim Carrey and others has shown that they can give a performance best dramatic actors, yet can still tell a joke that would keep you laughing for days. 

Jonathan Winters had that type of  talent and though he is gone now, his legacy lives on in every comedian who can make you laugh with a twist of face or simple wink with a smile.

RIP funny man.


Jonathan Winters on Dean Martin Roasts Frank Sinatra.