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Paul Winchell, TTFE, Ta Ta Forever
Today's Los Angeles Times reports that famed ventriloquist and kid TV vet, Paul Winchell, died at his home in Moorpark on Friday.The Times obit says:
Although he was a legendary ventriloquist and built a career attracting legions of followers of that dwindling art, Winchell's most durable legacy may be his rich voice as Tigger and other animated characters on television and in motion pictures. He became the lovable Tigger in 1968 for Disney's "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day," which earned an Academy Award for best animated short film. Winchell continued to voice A.A. Milne's imaginative little tiger on television and the big screen through "Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving" in 1999.
It was Winchell, crediting his British-born wife, who came up with Tigger's signature phrase "TTFN," or "Ta-ta for now."
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We loved Winchell so much we immediately recognized his voice. We loved his laugh as Fleegle on the "Banana Splits Adventure Hour" and held our own in spirited debates with our older sister about whether he was the true owner of the Winchells Donut chain. We hate to admit it but it looks like we were wrong about that one. O well, Winchell did invent the prototype for the first artificial heart...
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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