Charles Winninger

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Actor Born May 26, 1884 in Athens, Wis.

Charles Winninger was a vaudevillian, musical comedy star, film actor and radio and television performer in a career spanning more than 50 years.

He was the original Captain Andy in Ziegfeld's "Showboat."

His first motion picture contract was with Universal, where he starred in comedies. But it was many years later, after stardom in "The Great Lover," that he returned to Hollywood and motion pictures. He signed a contract with Fox Film in 1930.

In 1932, he turned to radio and created the role of Captain Henry in "Showboat Hour."

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer signed him to a long-term contract in 1940. He was cast as Judy Garland's father in "Little Nellie Kelly" and "Ziegfeld Girl."

His picture credits, dating from the 1930s, included "Soup to Nuts," "Show Boat," "Three Smart Girls," "The Go Getter," "Babes in Arms," "Destry Rides Again," "Beyond Tomorrow" and "First Love."

—John Kendall in the Los Angeles Time Jan. 28, 1969