PERFECT FOOL: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ED WYNN (paperback)

Ed coined the famous definition, "A comedian is not a man who says funny things; a comedian is a man who says things funny.” 

Ed did both, first in Vaudeville and then as a Ziegfeld Follies star, and later as the “Perfect Fool,” so named from one of his many self-produced Broadway revues.

He also appeared in silent movies, such as Rubber Heels (1927), and he pioneered on Old Time Radio on The Fire Chief, a popular Texaco-sponsored program. In the 1950s, Ed appeared in many early television series, such as Playhouse 90 (1956) and Shower of Stars (1954-1958), before headlining his own The Ed Wynn Show (1958).

Ed attained a level of praise and respect from his comedy peers, critics, and the public that was rarely matched by any other comedian since. 

In his later years, he became a highly-acclaimed dramatic character actor, much to the surprise and joy of all who didn’t know he had it in him (including Ed himself), in Alice in Wonderland (1951) and The Diary of Anne Frank (1959).

His later film and television career appearances included Walt Disney’s memorable Son of Flubber (1963) and Mary Poppins (1964).

Yet for all his impressive achievements, he has been too often overlooked in the years since his death in 1966. Perfect Fool is meant to help correct this injustice with reviews, interviews, and never-before published photos, some courtesy of grandson Tracy Keenan Wynn.

220 pages. Illustrated.

ISBN 9781593936761

Profile on Garry