TMZ reports (h/t @baseballcrank):
Jonathan Winters, the comedic film and TV actor who was huge in the ’70s and ’80s on shows like “Mork and Mindy,” has died at age 87 … TMZ has learned.
Winters died last night of natural causes in Montecito, Calif, around 6:30 p.m., surrounded by friends and family.
Winters’ career began when he won a talent contest, which led to radio gigs and appearances at comedy clubs. He was a staple on the late night TV circuit for decades — he was one of Jack Paar’s favorite guests and a Johnny Carson regular — and recorded several classic comedy albums.
He often performed in character … the best known of which was Maude Frickert, the seemingly sweet old lady with a quick and acid wit.
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Jonathan Winters made me laugh so many times in my life. I am sure he’ll have the angels in heaven laughing as well. RIP Mr. Winters, you brightened my life at times when I needed to laugh the most.
I waited on him once when I worked in a restaurant in Malibu over 30 years ago.
He joked around a bit with the neighboring tables.
I read a quote somewhere years later by him lamenting the use of profanity and crudeness in contemporary comedy. It was something to the effect that current comedians were lazy and had to rely on dirty language and crude stories to get laughs.
RIP.
I loved Winters in “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”.
A very funny man indeed who will be missed.
We recognize losses today; with Jonathan Winters the ability to laugh, with the Gosnell matter the ability to cry. More losses come, I fear.
Thank you. Rest in peace.