Edgar Bergen was one of the most famous and influential entertainers of the 20th century. He was a ventriloquist, comedian, actor, and radio star who brought his wooden dummy Charlie McCarthy to life with his voice and wit. He also created other memorable characters such as Mortimer Snerd and Effie Klinker, who entertained millions of listeners and viewers for decades. But how did Edgar Bergen die? What was the cause of his death? And what legacy did he leave behind? In this article, we will explore the life and death of Edgar Bergen, the master ventriloquist.
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Early Life and Career
Edgar Bergen was born on February 16, 1903, in Chicago, Illinois, as Edgar John Berggren. He was the son of Swedish immigrants who returned to their homeland when he was four years old. There, he learned Swedish and developed an interest in ventriloquism after reading a pamphlet called “The Wizard’s Manual”. He taught himself how to throw his voice and make his mouth move as little as possible.
When he was 11, his family moved back to Chicago, where he attended Lake View High School. He made his own dummy out of a broomstick, rubber bands, and cords, and paid a woodcarver $36 to sculpt a head that resembled a red-headed Irish newspaper boy he knew. He named the dummy Charlie McCarthy, and it became his lifelong partner and sidekick.
He performed at parties, theaters, and nightclubs to earn money for college. He enrolled at Northwestern University as a pre-med student, but later switched to speech and drama. He never completed his degree, but he gained fame and recognition as a ventriloquist on the vaudeville circuit and in Europe.
Radio Stardom and Movie Roles
In 1936, Edgar Bergen made his debut on Rudy Vallee’s radio show with Charlie McCarthy. The duo was such a hit that they were offered their own show by NBC. The Edgar Bergen-Charlie McCarthy Show premiered on May 9, 1937, and became one of the most popular and influential radio programs of all time. It featured comedy sketches, musical guests, celebrity interviews, and witty banter between Bergen and his dummies. Charlie McCarthy was the smart-alecky and mischievous star of the show, while Mortimer Snerd was the slow-witted and naive country bumpkin. Effie Klinker was the shrill-voiced spinster who had a crush on Bergen.
The show attracted millions of listeners every week, who enjoyed the humor and charm of Bergen and his characters. The show also made history by being the first to use audience ratings to measure its success. It was ranked as the number one radio show in 1937-40 and 1942-43, and among the top seven from 1937 to 1952.
Bergen also appeared in several movies with his dummies, such as The Goldwyn Follies (1938), You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man (1939), Look Who’s Laughing (1941), Fun and Fancy Free (1947), and Song of the Open Road (1944). He also lent his voice to animated films such as The Reluctant Dragon (1941) and Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983).
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Edgar Bergen married Frances Westerman, a model and actress, in 1945. They had two children: Candice Bergen, who became a successful actress and won five Emmy Awards for her role in Murphy Brown; and Kris Bergen, who became a film editor and producer.
Bergen was also a generous philanthropist who supported various causes such as education, health care, arts, and children’s welfare. He donated millions of dollars to charities such as the United Service Organizations (USO), the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, the Salvation Army, and Northwestern University. He also entertained troops during World War II with his dummies.
Death and Legacy
Edgar Bergen announced his retirement from show business in September 1978. He planned to send Charlie McCarthy to the Smithsonian Institution as a gift to the nation. He also wanted to spend more time with his family and pursue his hobbies such as painting and flying.
However, he never got to enjoy his retirement. He died in his sleep on September 30, 1978, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 75 years old. The cause of his death was kidney disease.
He was cremated and buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in California. His wife Frances died in 2006 at the age of 84.
Edgar Bergen left behind a legacy of laughter and joy that touched millions of people around the world. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was also inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, the National Broadcasting Hall of Fame, and the International Ventriloquist Hall of Fame.
He was widely regarded as the greatest ventriloquist of all time, and influenced many other performers such as Paul Winchell, Shari Lewis, Jeff Dunham, and Terry Fator. He also inspired generations of children and adults to appreciate the art of ventriloquism and puppetry.
Edgar Bergen was a master of his craft, a pioneer of radio comedy, and a beloved entertainer. He will always be remembered for his voice, his wit, and his wooden friends.
