Edgar Bergen

**Edgar Bergen** (born Edgar John Berggren) was a pioneering *American* ventriloquist whose career spanned six decades, making him one of the most influential figures in 20th‑century entertainment. Born on 1903‑02‑16 in Chicago, Illinois, to Swedish immigrants, he learned to speak Swedish during a brief childhood stay in Sweden before returning to the United States. At age eleven he discovered a pamphlet titled *"The Wizard's Manual"* and taught himself the art of ventriloquism, later receiving mentorship from the renowned ventriloquist Harry Lester. His first wooden companion, Charlie McCarthy, was fashioned in 1919 from a carved head and a broom‑stick body, and quickly became his signature sidekick. Bergen’s early work on the Chautauqua circuit and in vaudeville showcased his quick wit and comedic timing, laying the groundwork for a historic radio career that would redefine the medium.

From 1937 to 1956 Bergen headlined **The Chase and Sanborn Hour**, where Charlie McCarthy and the slow‑witted Mortimer Snerd captivated millions of listeners, demonstrating that a ventriloquist could thrive even without visual cues. His talent earned him an honorary wooden Oscar in 1937 and led to starring roles in films such as *The Goldwyn Follies* (1938) and *You Can't Cheat an Honest Man* (1939). Beyond radio and cinema, Bergen embraced television, appearing on early variety shows, *The Muppet Show*, and hosting the game show *Do You Trust Your Wife?*. He married Frances Westerman in 1945, fathered two children—including actress Candice Bergen—and remained active until his retirement in 1978, shortly before his death from kidney disease. Bergen’s legacy endures through his three Hollywood Walk of Fame stars and his lasting influence on ventriloquism and comedy.