Legendary Comedian Jonathan Winters Dead At 87
Apr. 12 2013, Published 1:56 p.m. ET
Comedian Jonathan Winters died Thursday at his home in Montecito, Calif., his family friend Joe Petro III said Friday.
The funny man, who was born in Ohio, was best known for his knack for improvisation, impression and character-based bits, paving the way for modern day comics such as Robin Williams and Jim Carrey, who often cited him as their inspiration.
He had his own variety show, The Jonathan Winters Show, from 1956 until 1957 on NBC.
He was also widely seen alongside pal Williams on ABC's Mork and Mindy in 1981, playing Mork's son, Mearth.
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Other prominent roles in career included the Twilight Zone (1961), It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963), and The Flintstones (1994). He most recently did voice-over work for 2011's The Smurfs, as well as the sequel due out later this year.
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Winters, who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, famously battled alcoholism and depression for years.
He is survived by two children, Jay and Lucinda.