Jonathan Winters Acceptance Speech | 1999 Mark Twain Prize

[@KeithKeihsaBrock]

Jonathan Winters was a comedy legend, Robin Williams looked up to him and Jonathan co starred with Robin on Mork and Mindy where he played their son. This man was so funny. Miss him so much ❤

[@titaniumgreen5367]

In this lifetime we had the pleasure and joy of Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams..the likes of which we will never see again..and never forgotten..

[@btstae4139]

Comic genius RIP Jonathan Always loved you ❤️

[@allencarlson6128]

Arguably the greatest comic of the 20th century!!

[@DrJohn493]

No, not really arguable, his humor was undeniable. 👍

[@nickprohoroff3720]

And young people, if you spend a minute, you shall have the joy of seeing the humanity and the heights of the human soul.

[@daler.steffy1047]

What you have written here is an absolutely beautiful tribute to this comedy legend, as well as serving to honor all the others who have been recognized by the Kennedy Center's tribute/honor. Thank you for such astute observations, and like you, I hope young people can see and appreciate these Comedy Greats!

[@salchaos]

Just a brilliant man. Suffered so much. A genius. Bless him.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

what was he suffering from here?

[@jerryrichardson2799]

@@dabneyoffermein595 Winters was an alcoholic and struggled with depression.

[@steved7197]

Mr. Winters showing exactly how he got us to laugh those many years. Truly and well deserved.

[@harryhope5492]

The great Jonathan Winters. God love him!

[@markallen3293]

Jonathan a National Treasure, I grew up watching him, so many years ago...

[@keithjaeger1]

I grew up with him too

[@Papa-o33963]

Me 3.

[@tonym994]

I watched him, but never "grew up".

[@Ledfists]

My all-time favorite comic. Loved his show as a boy, he made me laugh so much I was crying with joy. My Mother would enter the TV room and tell me to “keep it down”, I never could. Miss your very unique sense of humor, Jonathan. I know you’re making God laugh.

[@daler.steffy1047]

Certainly one of life's greatest joys is to be able to do what you shared in your comments, to laugh so loud that you were crying with joy. Thank you for sharing that.

[@parsnipmcgee329]

There was something about this guy that hits me just right. The silliness of the regular man...who knows. My parents had his records, and maybe that's it--growing up with the humor of a simpler time. Maudie Frickert made me keel over.

[@sanekabc]

He may have been the first comedian to make me cry from laughter.

[@PhilTeoli]

He was the main inspiration for Robin Williams

[@DaSauceful]

Without Jonathan Winters we would not have seen Robin Williams be who he is. For that alone, he deserves this award.

[@kentamitchell]

Jonathon Williams was Robin Williams before Robin Williams was Robin Williams!

[@FrankIsAlwaysRight]

No we do not

[@peach495]

I'd have to disagree. Winters & Williams had similar style comedy in that they were both capable of instant wit in response to pretty much anything. But that type of wit can't be learned, copied nor, conversely inspired in someone else. You either have it or you don't. You can learn technique, but having an instant, genuinely funny retort every time, is a part of you. With out Winters, Williams would simply have been the first we'd seen.

[@KGFishyFingers]

Robin Williams was over rated... Tried way too hard to be funny. Not a natural talent like Winters.

[@oldandletdown7464]

Robin Williams is the love Child of Johnathan Winters …..his brain just amazing.

[@cybrarian9]

Jonathan Winters had a complex and challenging life at times. But clearly his dry wit, impressions, ability to tell a story, and physical comedy, not to forget his appearance in "Mork & Mindy," made him a great success. But to me, he'll always be that lovable truck driver "Lennie Pike" in "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World."

[@ownpetard8379]

He had just got out of a mental health facility right before he appeared in that film. Success wasn't a straight line for him. Probably uses his eyes for comedic effect better than anyone else to date.

[@kentamitchell]

@@ownpetard8379 He was institutionalized twice. He managed to battle his demons to a standstill over half a century. RIP Jonathon.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

what was challenging about it?

[@cybrarian9]

@@dabneyoffermein595 see above comments and do some research, then you’ll know.

[@Steve-wr6fg]

The brilliant mind of Jonathan Winters. Nobody better.

[@Wally-m9y]

Jonathan Winters was a gifted, talented comedian; My oh my, he usually always was very funny and in a quiet moment, going relentlessly, as he did, if there was a still few seconds I found him to never have any awkward moments or loss of some face to make or ad lib a couple words...what an entertainer he was. I watch the many times he was on his good friend Johnny Carson's show. Often it was a two person gig they ended up doing; they had to be true friends, the chemistry and genuine joy they both got from getting together made the times even funnier. Carson was such a great host, comedian himself and was THE genius of that type show. Thanks for putting this on.

[@bizquikboy]

This should have a million views and one million likes. Old school, but, at the same time, well ahead of his time.

[@damohanson5393]

They( comedians) call it riffing or having no script to follow. Jonathan was the Jedi knight of riffing and his influence is obvious( see Robin Williams). Americana at it’s finest !

[@rand007]

This guy, Carlin, Pryor, Wilson..unique one of a kind.

[@sanekabc]

Who the heck is Wilson?

[@Papa-o33963]

Flip Wilson.

[@cjnpete]

ONE OF THE BEST

[@steveatiyeh343]

When we were younger the NY Yankees and Jonathan Winters were about all my dad and I agreed upon...we boo-ed the former and loved the latter. I think the Yanks are still around but I miss the other two dearly.

[@joeysalt8974]

Steve Atiyeh. Not a Yankee fan. Nobodys perfect.

[@jamespfitz]

Damn Yankees

[@tonym994]

@@jamespfitz eliminated by Boston, only to be eliminated by Houston. good luck, Houston, and congratulations to your fans.

[@daler.steffy1047]

I really like your comments here as they show the wonderful insights and creative way that you have chosen to share your perceptions; and I love the pacing of your writing. I sense that those who replied to your comments here missed the intent of your focus/es, probably because they lacked an appreciation for the "creative force" behind what you were saying.

[@peace-yv4qd]

Walked by Mr Winters at a football game, but was too shy to say hello. Wish I had.

[@thorpestanford5359]

Someone that can make you laugh without vulgarity.

[@loungelizard7000]

Or.....someone who can make you laugh. It doesn't have to be with or without vulgarity, or with or without props, or with or without politics, or with or without a thousand other things. It's either funny or it isn't. Its that simple. Some vulgar comedians are hilarious. Some are not. Same for clean comedians. This is the nature of comedy.

[@DrJohn493]

God I miss him and the humor my parents never really could get!

[@Jcrpdx]

Brilliant.

[@suziemoreno6529]

Loves these comedians

[@copee2960]

One very funny man...living in the UK the first time i saw this man was on Mork and Mindy..fell in love with him from that very moment.

[@gkubrick]

would love to see the entire special

[@jamessimmons3645]

The master of the incongruous statement

[@kevinperry9719]

Jonathan was very deserving of the prize. I hated seeing so many SNL alums winning in more recent years.

[@donfarlan214]

All these wonderful inventions ,they couldnt do enough

[@daler.steffy1047]

I haven't seen Jack Benny's name show up in the number of comments I've read here or in responses attached to other Kennedy Center honoree video clips (although I haven't read all of the comments that were posted). It's too bad he wasn't alive in our "present time" to be honored in this way, because he was certainly deserving of it (he passed away in 1974 at the age of 82, I believe). I loved his self-deprecating humor and his arm and facial expressions, which illustrated how wonderfully effective he was at more subtle physical comedy. Also, when bringing his guests onto the stage (often in skits), he wanted them to be in the spotlight more than himself, this being one important example of his humility. And Jack was, in fact, a very generous man in all respects, certainly the antithesis of the image that he crafted for the many decades he was on radio and television. Lastly, he was a faithful man who loved his wife and daughter in the deepest way is possible.

[@craigcappelluti4158]

Absolute genius

[@careyleroux3784]

He was entertaining at a time when entertainment was great. Now it's not so good anymore and Hollywood has gone down the toilet.

[@raycatlin3554]

* THIS Wonder of a human being was also a WW 2 Vet. ! Mr. Winters served w/Marines . Thank - you , Sir . * Because of all of the horrific drama that he had been exposed to HAD major influence on his psyche , and Rightly So .🏆

[@stevenj9970]

A true American treasure

[@ownpetard8379]

I wonder if he was the first to use the expression "he's something else" or variations, for comedic effect? At 3:45 he says, "see (gee?) that's something else." He would say, "You're (or He's) something else", which is actually funny (to me) if I think about it. But I don't think about it anymore having heard it so many times. Perhaps it goes back further than him or is a common Ohio expression. Super guy.

[@anythinggoes7837]

It is a common phrase in Ohio.

[@MrRogerSherman]

Jonhnathan was considered too unstable to hire because of a nervous breakdown and hospital stay. He truly was Robin Williams mentor. Less than a year after his death Robin killed himself. If he could have called his wise teacher of life, I WONDER IF HE 'D STILL BE ALIVE

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

I hate to dwell on the morbid, but Robin Williams's condition, Lewy-Body dementia would have probably killed him by now if he hadn't taken his own life.

[@thezzach]

2:50 a dog doesn’t like that. 😂

[@dianarockwell6256]

The Washington Monument never did get finished. It was supposed to have a deck all the way around it with space for people to walk.

[@tiberiuskirk739]

❤️

[@waradi.alkhalijj7081]

العملاق جوناثان افضل من قدم الكوميديا.💙في امريكا والعالم.

[@eddiebrown687]

Guy was brilliant, but troubled. I think making people laugh was really important to him. It was really awful for him when he was alone.

[@bryandavis001]

I wanted him to be my Grandad so very badly.

[@TimothyJonSarris]

Truly worthy... here's another suggestion for a recipient ... Garison Keillor!

[@jonathangagne525]

1943 humor. Hahaha!

[@charliemay9893]

Thought he died years ago

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

This piece of video was recorded more than 20 years ago.

[@daveg4236]

Ummmm this is from 99. Let that sink in