RIP Jonathan Winters - comic genius and model train enthusiast

[Loren Perry]

One of the greatest American comedians of all time passed away today - the inimitable Jonathan Winters. While many of us know of his amazing comedy improvisations from TV and film performances, few know that he was a model railroad enthusiast. I personally found this out when I was a member of the Belmont Shore Lines N-scale club in San Pedro, near Los Angeles back in the 1990's.

At that time, one of our members knew Mr. Winters' agent due to a common interest in N-scale model railroading. Moored almost within sight of our clubhouse was the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard which was about to be scrapped by South West Marine in San Pedro. As it turned out, Mr Winters was a plankowner of that ship when it was commissioned in WW2. He served in the Marine Corps during the war and came home with fond memories of his tour on that ship.

Our fellow clubmember was involved in getting permission from the ship's owners to host Mr. Winters and his wife for one last tour of his old command before she went under the torch. Immediately before the tour, Mr. and Mrs. Winters came to the Belmont Shore Lines club (a renovated WW2 two-story Army barracks) for a visit and we all had a splendid time for about an hour or so as we demonstrated the railroad's features for him. While there, Mr. Winters was "on stage" for practically the entire time improvising amazingly funny comedy routines on the spot. In fact, the only time I saw him "come down" and act like a regular guy was when I found myself alone with him for about thirty seconds - but once another clubmember joined us, he had an audience and went into entertainment mode again.

His lovely wife was almost the polar opposite of him - quiet and reserved, but like her husband, extremely approachable and kind-hearted.

At the end of the club tour, we closed the clubhouse and joined Mr. and Mrs Winters and his agent aboard the tugboat that ferried us over to the Bon Homme Richard. After tying up at the carrier's fantail, The Winters' climbed aboard the carrier for a final private tour while the rest of us waited on the tug. After about an hour or so, they returned to the tug and we were taken back to the landing on our side of the channel.

My wife Sherry and I are fortunate enough to have photos of him standing with us inside the club layout and the Belmont Shore Lines has several photos on the wall of him as mementoes of the visit.

Mr. Winters was evidently a garden scale model railroader and is said to have had quite a nice layout at his home.

I would like to think that Jonathan Winters has been called home because the Lord could use a little extra laughter these days. He was truly one of a kind.

[BCR 570]

Loren:

Thank you for your story.  I just saw his obituary on the evening news here in Canada and was saddened to hear of his passing.  I always enjoyed his work.  I had no idea of his interest in trains.  May he rest in peace.

Tim

[Kisatchie]

Jonathan Winters was my all-time favorite comedian. Sad to see him go.


Hmm... rest in peace...

[jmlaboda - RIP]

He was one of the funniest people in entertainment and it is a loss to us all now that he is gone.  Watching the clips on the evening news brought back some fond memories, including when he was Mork and Mindy's son... may he rest in peace... he has earned it!!!

[RWCJr]

Was glad to have grown up during the time when Mr. Winters was a guest on the talk shows. His "improv" was always so amazing. Rest in peace Sir, and thank you for the smiles and laughter you added to my life.
Robert

[Wlal13again]

He was a true funny man.  Also was a major inspiration for Robin Williams.  RIP Mr. Winters..

[rogergperkins]

Even the best deserve a rest!
Loren, thanks very much for sharing your story about him.

[MVW]

Thanks for the story, Loren. You hear so much about prima donnas in the entertainment industry, it's refreshing to hear that someone of this man's stature was as likeable in person as he was on screen. He was an incredible wit in a world that's become increasingly witless.

Jim

[Nato]

      Maude Fricket will be really missed. Nate Goodman (Nato).

[termite]

MVW, I had the honor of seeing the late Danny Kaye many times. Most people don't know it, but he was a BIG contributor to the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls homes. Those are foster homes for kids with bad home situations, I had many friends, growing up, that stayed there. He would fly into Charlottesville, or Richmond and drive down to the ones in Brookneal, Va. Every times he came down, he would stop in my family's restaurant and motel to  have lunch, making a point to autograph the meal ticket and receipt, and hand deliver them to the cook and waitress. I even have a motel registration card with his full name and autograph. A more more humble and generous man, I have never met. It must have something to do with that generation, never bragging about themselves, just being who they always were.

Alan

[GimpLizard]

MVW, I had the honor of seeing the late Danny Kaye many times. ... A more more humble and generous man, I have never met. It must have something to do with that generation, never bragging about themselves, just being who they always were.

Alan

Yes. They truly are/were "The Greatest Generation". Sadly more and more are leaving us each and every day.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Winters.

[JMaurer1]

Very touching story. Thank you for sharing it with all of us...

[MVW]

MVW, I had the honor of seeing the late Danny Kaye many times. Most people don't know it, but he was a BIG contributor to the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls homes. Those are foster homes for kids with bad home situations, I had many friends, growing up, that stayed there. He would fly into Charlottesville, or Richmond and drive down to the ones in Brookneal, Va. Every times he came down, he would stop in my family's restaurant and motel to  have lunch, making a point to autograph the meal ticket and receipt, and hand deliver them to the cook and waitress. I even have a motel registration card with his full name and autograph. A more more humble and generous man, I have never met. It must have something to do with that generation, never bragging about themselves, just being who they always were.

Alan

That's cool to hear, Alan. Danny Kaye was a heckuva performer. When I was a kid, I loved watching reruns of "The Five Pennies," the movie where he played jazzman Red Nichols. Haven't seen that movie in more than 35 years, I bet.

The only non-sports brush with fame I've had was the opportunity to interview Bob Newhart ... by phone, which was incredibly fitting, if you remember his early standup routines. Very gracious and warm-hearted guy.

Jim

[kalbert]

"Listen, anything you got to say about your mother in-law, you don't have to explain to me. You know what I mean? Like if she were the star of a real crummy horror movie, I'd believe it. " - Lennie Pike