Ed Wynn

He was awarded three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame--for Motion Pictures at 1541 Vine Street, for Radio at 6333 Hollywood Boulevard, and for Television at 6426 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

An old-fashioned comedian, who, by recommendation by his son Keenan Wynn, became one of the world's most beloved clowns, and one of the best actors of his time. He was born on November 9, 1886.

He performed in the Ziegfeld Follies, and later had a son Keenan in 1916. He later wrote his own shows, then known as the Perfect Fool.

Organized an actors' strike in 1919, and was boycotted by the Shuberts as a result. He got around the boycott by writing and producing his own musical shows, which were both critical and popular successes.

Was originally offered the title role in The Wizard of Oz (1939) but turned the part down, believing it was "way too small".

In 1941 at age 54, he became a grandfather.

He became popular for roles throughout the 1950s and 1960s, best remembered for The Ed Wynn Show (1949), and for Mary Poppins (1964) as Uncle Albert, who reflects his old style charm.

Provided both the physical likeness and the off-screen voice of the Mad Hatter in Disney's animated Alice in Wonderland (1951).

Wynn reluctantly began a career as a dramatic actor in television and movies, prompted by son Keenan instead of retiring. The two appeared in the classic broadcast of Rod Serling's play Days Of Wine & Roses - Cliff Robertson & Piper Laurie, "Playhouse 90" Original TV Version: Requiem for a Heavyweight (1956). Ed was initially terrified of "straight" acting and kept flubbing his lines in rehearsal and was nearly fired. His quick ad-libs saved his performance, which is now considered one of his best dramatic roles ever.

Received the Disney award "The Mouscar" during the wrap party of Babes in Toyland (1961).

The second opening show (#2.2 -B&W) telecast on 26 September 1964, for the ABC Television network variety-music series "The Hollywood Palace," Nick Vanoff and Bill Harbach scheduled Ed Wynn as the show's host. The variety show guest lineup included the following acts: comedian Jack Carter, singer Eydie Gormé, singing group Les Revue Parisienne, singer and dancer Zizi Jeanmaire, choreographed by Roland Petit, the French tight rope aerialist "Lenon," Austrailian comic juggler Rob Murray, the tap dance team known as The Nicholas Brothers - Fayard and Harold, and The Rolling Stones. As the show's concluding act, Ed Wynn performed, on his bicycle driven baby upright piano, one of Wynn's most famous vaudeville routines. The Nicholas Brothers had been featured in the MGM classic Judy Garland and Gene Kelly musical feature film "The Pirate." Upon completion of the film's release, the Nicholas Brothers had moved to Europe. Their appearance on this episode was the first television appearance of Fayard and Harold upon returning to the States.

Book: Interviewed in "The Great Comedians Talk About Comedy" by Larry Wilde. [1968]

The voice and character design of King Candy from Wreck-It Ralph (2012) was based on him.