Willie Tyler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willie Tyler
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Willie Tyler and Lester, 1969
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| Born | September 8, 1940 Red Level, Alabama, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
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| Years active | 1969–present |
Willie Tyler (born September 8, 1940) is an American ventriloquist, comedian, and actor. A ventriloquist is someone who can make their voice seem to come from another place, often from a puppet. Willie Tyler is famous for performing with his puppet, Lester. They are often known as Willie Tyler and Lester.
Tyler recorded music albums for Motown Records, including Hello Dummy in 1965. He has appeared in many TV shows, movies, and commercials. His big break came in 1972 on the popular TV show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
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Willie Tyler's Career Highlights
Early Performances and TV Shows
Willie Tyler and Lester first performed at the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969. You can even see them briefly in the 2021 documentary Summer of Soul.
Tyler has been a guest star on many TV shows. These include The Parent 'Hood, Pacific Blue, and The Jeffersons. He also hosted the Saturday morning children's show ABC Weekend Specials in the early 1980s.
Movies and Commercials
Willie Tyler appeared in the 1978 movie Coming Home. He has also been in many TV commercials. You might have seen him in ads for big companies like McDonald's, Toyota, and Maxwell House.
Later Appearances and Documentaries
Tyler has appeared as himself in many TV specials and shows. These include the BET Comedy Awards in 2004 and Frank McKlusky, C.I.. He was also on shows like The Electric Company and American Bandstand.
In 2006, Willie Tyler was the first ventriloquist to appear on Late Show with David Letterman's Ventriloquist Week. In 2009, he and Lester were featured in a comedy documentary called I'm No Dummy. More recently, in May 2019, Tyler played a younger version of himself on the ABC sitcom The Kids are Alright.
Willie Tyler and Lester continue to perform. In August 2024, they appeared in the Adam Sandler: Love You special on Netflix.
