Ted Zeigler
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Born Name:
Theodore Lee Zeigler
Born Date: June 3, 1926
Born Place: Chicago, Illinois
Died Date: December 12, 1999
Died Place: Los Angeles, California
Occupations: Comedian, character actor, writer
Brief Biography: Theodore Lee "Ted" Zeigler was best remembered for his work on major 1970s variety shows and as a beloved children's television host.
Early Life and Military Service:
Zeigler's early life was marked by tragedy when his father, a union organizer, was killed by the mafia in the 1930s. Zeigler began working as a firefighter at age 17 before serving in the United States Navy during World War II. He survived a kamikaze attack that sank his ship while participating in major operations like the Battle of Okinawa and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Career Highlights:
Zeigler's career spanned over 35 years across acting, writing, and voiceover work:
Children's Television: He gained massive popularity in Canada during the 1960s as "Johnny Jellybean" on CFCF-TV in Montreal. The show featured chaotic, slapstick routines like smashing a "Squawk Box" with a hammer and conversing with "Toomey the Duck".
Variety and Comedy Shows: After moving to Hollywood in 1970, he became a regular ensemble member on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (1971–1974) and its successor. He also appeared on The Carol Burnett Show and The Andy Williams Show.
Television Acting: He played the recurring role of Sergeant Dale on the television version of MASH* and appeared in shows like Mama's Family.
Voice Acting: Zeigler was a prolific voice artist for Saturday morning cartoons, providing voices for series such as Heathcliff & the Catillac Cats (voicing characters like Leroy and Mungo), Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, and Challenge of the GoBots.
Born Date: June 3, 1926
Born Place: Chicago, Illinois
Died Date: December 12, 1999
Died Place: Los Angeles, California
Occupations: Comedian, character actor, writer
Brief Biography: Theodore Lee "Ted" Zeigler was best remembered for his work on major 1970s variety shows and as a beloved children's television host.
Early Life and Military Service:
Zeigler's early life was marked by tragedy when his father, a union organizer, was killed by the mafia in the 1930s. Zeigler began working as a firefighter at age 17 before serving in the United States Navy during World War II. He survived a kamikaze attack that sank his ship while participating in major operations like the Battle of Okinawa and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Career Highlights:
Zeigler's career spanned over 35 years across acting, writing, and voiceover work:
Children's Television: He gained massive popularity in Canada during the 1960s as "Johnny Jellybean" on CFCF-TV in Montreal. The show featured chaotic, slapstick routines like smashing a "Squawk Box" with a hammer and conversing with "Toomey the Duck".
Variety and Comedy Shows: After moving to Hollywood in 1970, he became a regular ensemble member on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (1971–1974) and its successor. He also appeared on The Carol Burnett Show and The Andy Williams Show.
Television Acting: He played the recurring role of Sergeant Dale on the television version of MASH* and appeared in shows like Mama's Family.
Voice Acting: Zeigler was a prolific voice artist for Saturday morning cartoons, providing voices for series such as Heathcliff & the Catillac Cats (voicing characters like Leroy and Mungo), Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, and Challenge of the GoBots.