Edgar Bergen
Edgar Bergen: A Legendary Voice Behind a Muppet Icon
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Edgar John Bergen was born on August 16, 1903, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is commonly known for his iconic ventriloquist's dummy character Charlie McCarthy.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: August 16, 1903
Died: September 30, 1978 (aged 75)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Bergen was an American actor, comedian, radio personality, and writer. He is best known for his work as a ventriloquist and voice behind Charlie McCarthy.
Early Life and Background
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Edgar Bergen grew up in Minneapolis with his parents and siblings. His father, John Gustav Adolf Bergen, was a Swedish immigrant who worked as an insurance salesman. Edgar developed an interest in radio and entertainment at an early age, which would eventually become the foundation of his career.
Bergen's love for ventriloquism began when he started practicing with a doll made from a corn husk and some twine. He soon moved on to more sophisticated dummies and began performing as a professional ventriloquist in the 1920s. His unique talent allowed him to create distinctive characters, like Charlie McCarthy, who became an iconic figure in American entertainment.
Major Accomplishments
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Edgar Bergen's accomplishments span several decades of his career:
Radio Personality: He began his radio career in the late 1930s and quickly gained popularity with his unique blend of humor, wit, and ventriloquism.
Ventriloquist Extraordinaire: Bergen created memorable characters like Charlie McCarthy, Mortimer Snerd, and Effie Klinker, which became household names during the Golden Age of Radio.
Comedy Icon: He worked alongside famous comedians and actors, including Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, and Judy Garland.Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works and actions by Edgar Bergen include:
The Charlie McCarthy Show: This popular radio show aired from 1937 to 1940 and featured Bergen's signature character Charlie McCarthy.
Films and Television: Bergen appeared in numerous films, including Charlie McCarthy's Best (1935), Charlie McCarthy at the Circus (1951), and several television shows.Impact and Legacy
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Edgar Bergen left an indelible mark on American entertainment. His innovative use of ventriloquism captivated audiences worldwide:
Ventriloquism Pioneer: He elevated the art form, pushing its boundaries with his creativity and wit.
Influence on Later Artists: Many comedians and actors have cited Bergen as an inspiration, including Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog's creator, who was heavily influenced by Charlie McCarthy.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Edgar Bergen is widely quoted or remembered for his wit, intelligence, and memorable characters:
Witty Quotes: His quotes continue to inspire and entertain audiences today.
* Timeless Characters: Characters like Charlie McCarthy remain iconic figures in American entertainment.
Edgar Bergen's remarkable career has left an enduring impact on the world of comedy, radio, and television.
Quotes by Edgar Bergen
So many people are working in vaudeville today that I looked for three weeks to book enough acts for an hour bill and didn’t have them until the night before we opened in Buffalo and money was no object!
After 13 years of life on the half shell in Hollywood, I have made a trip where I wasn’t a tourist.
I would like to see a vaudeville world of three-a-day. Five-a-day is too many. Managers who are trying to profit at that rate will gorge themselves right out of business. You can't put entertainment on a production line basis.
My friend Charlie McCarthy is, of course, much more of a celebrity than he was 13 years ago... They wanted to see McCarthy: striped pants, monocle, derby and Bergen's bald head. If that had happened in radio, the reaction would have been slow, diffused and debatable. I wouldn't learn anything from an audience sitting in a broadcasting studio in Hollywood, because those people all are in my business.
When I ask him these questions and he answers, I haven't got the faintest idea what he's going to say, and what he says astounds me with his wisdom. It is so much more that I know.
Early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Early bird gets the worm, but the second worm gets to live. Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
We had to have a star each week.. Possibly our program being on Sunday and having a little fun with the Bible was dangerous.