Comedian, Ventriloquist, Entertainer. A ventriloquist and one of the last of the great Vaudeville-style actors, he is best remembered for his creation of the puppet characters "Charlie McCarthy" and "Mortimer Snerd." Born in Chicago, Illinois, he attended Northwestern University, where he developed his acting ability and practiced ventriloquism. His early movie roles were so popular that in 1937, he starred in his own radio show, "The Edgar Bergen / Charlie McCarthy Show" which ran until 1956, when the growing popularity of television took away his radio audience. From 1937 until 1959, and again in the early 1980s, he played in many films, including such hits as "Hollywood Handicap" (1938), "The Goldwyn Follies" (1938), "Stage Door Canteen" (1943), "Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd in Sweden" (1950), and "The Muppet Movie" (1979; which came out after his death, and is dedicated to him). In most films, he plays himself. After 1956, he made guest appearances on such television shows as the Jack Benny Show, the (Johnny Carson's) Tonight Show, the Ed Sullivan Show, and numerous cameo roles (usually without Charlie McCarthy). He was married to the former Frances Westerman, and they had two children who followed in his footsteps: Kris Bergen (a film and TV editor), and actress Candice Bergen. In 1991, the United States Postal Service honored him with a 29-cent commemorative stamp in his honor. He died of kidney disease in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Comedian, Ventriloquist, Entertainer. A ventriloquist and one of the last of the great Vaudeville-style actors, he is best remembered for his creation of the puppet characters "Charlie McCarthy" and "Mortimer Snerd." Born in Chicago, Illinois, he attended Northwestern University, where he developed his acting ability and practiced ventriloquism. His early movie roles were so popular that in 1937, he starred in his own radio show, "The Edgar Bergen / Charlie McCarthy Show" which ran until 1956, when the growing popularity of television took away his radio audience. From 1937 until 1959, and again in the early 1980s, he played in many films, including such hits as "Hollywood Handicap" (1938), "The Goldwyn Follies" (1938), "Stage Door Canteen" (1943), "Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd in Sweden" (1950), and "The Muppet Movie" (1979; which came out after his death, and is dedicated to him). In most films, he plays himself. After 1956, he made guest appearances on such television shows as the Jack Benny Show, the (Johnny Carson's) Tonight Show, the Ed Sullivan Show, and numerous cameo roles (usually without Charlie McCarthy). He was married to the former Frances Westerman, and they had two children who followed in his footsteps: Kris Bergen (a film and TV editor), and actress Candice Bergen. In 1991, the United States Postal Service honored him with a 29-cent commemorative stamp in his honor. He died of kidney disease in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
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