Paul Winchell, a ventriloquist, inventor and children's TV show host best known for creating the lispy voice of Winnie the Pooh's animated friend Tigger, has died. He was 82.
Winchell died Friday morning in his sleep at his Moorpark home
Was the voice of Gargamel in 'The Smurfs,' and Boomer in 'The Fox and the Hound'along with Tigger
Winchell was a master ventriloquist - bringing dummies Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff to life on television - and an inventor who held 30 patents, including one for an early artificial heart he built
Winchell is survived by his wife of 31 years, the former Jean Freeman; five children and three grandchildren.
Total distruction from mountain to shore
Posted by Brian at June 27, 2005 02:11 AM | TrackBack