The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater

WINCHELL, WALTER

Winchell, Walter: translation

(1897-1972)
Born in New York as Walter Wincheles, he worked as a child actor invaudevillewith Gus Edwards's "kid" act. Winchell later became the most powerful of the Broadway newspaper columnists. In 1922, Winchell worked as a reporter forThe Vaudeville News, moving to theNew York Graphicin 1924. In 1929, he joined the staff of theNew 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.

  1. winchell, walter—Winchell Walter translation American journalist. He was a vaudeville performer and later contributed gossip material to Billboardem and Vaudeville Newsem. Later he worked...Dictionary of Jewish Biography