(1897-1972)
Born in New York as Walter Wincheles, he worked as a child actor in vaudeville with Gus Edwards's "kid" act. Winchell later became the most powerful of the Broadway newspaper columnists. In 1922, Winchell worked as a reporter for The Vaudeville News, moving to the New York Graphic in 1924. In 1929, he joined the staff of the New York Mirror, widely syndicating his column through the William Randolph Hearst newspaper empire. His column continued until 1963. His jargon-filled writings and radio broadcasts (he had a regular program from 1929 to 1956) covered the stage, motion pictures, night clubs, radio and television,* and all aspects of show business.
The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater. James Fisher.