Dick Winslow

Richard Winslow Johnson (March 25, 1915 – February 7, 1991^[1]) was an American actor, musician, and multi-talented performer whose career spanned from child acting in the 1920s through decades of character roles in film and television, as well as extensive work as a live musician and one-man band entertainer.^[2]

Dick Winslow was born in Jennings, Louisiana, in 1915, and was raised in Los Angeles, California.^[2] He later attended and graduated from Belmont High School in Los Angeles.^[2]

He entered show business at a very young age, appearing in Our Gang comedies during the 1920s and working as a child reporter on a KHJ children’s radio program in 1924.^[2]

By the early 1930s, Winslow was already an established juvenile performer in Hollywood.^[3][4][5]

He appeared in the role of Joe Harper in Tom Sawyer (1930) and played Johnny Carter in the motion picture Seed.^[4][5]

During this period, Winslow became known not only for his screen work but also for his live performances. He frequently appeared at department stores and toy shops throughout Southern California, including Robertson’s Toyland in Hollywood, Walker’s in San Diego, and Harris’ Toy Town in San Bernardino, where he entertained children by sketching portraits and playing the accordion.^[3][4][5]

He was also closely associated with author Madeline Brandeis and served as the real-life model for the hero of her children’s novel Jack of the Circus. In 1931, Winslow participated in book promotion events alongside Brandeis, sketching young readers and appearing in public autograph sessions.^[3][4][5]

At the same time, Winslow was developing a parallel career as a musician. He led his own orchestra, performing at Hollywood industry events such as the Actors Costume Ball at the Hollywood Masonic Temple, and provided music for films including Sorority House, Hold That Co-Ed, and Swing, Sister, Swing. He also appeared in Three Smart Girls Grow Up and East Side of Heaven.^[6]

As an adult, Winslow became a prolific character actor, appearing in dozens of motion pictures over several decades. His other film credits included roles as Tinkler in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), composer Gil Rodin in The Benny Goodman Story (1955), Mr. Schultz in Airport (1970), and a streetcar driver in John Wayne’s The Shootist (1976).^[2]

He also appeared in numerous television series, including I Love Lucy, The Red Skelton Show, Maude, and Dallas, among others.^[2]

In addition to acting, Winslow was a lifelong musician and entertainer. Throughout the 1950s, he worked on a promotional tour for the Hacienda Hotel in Las Vegas, playing piano aboard 1,133 chartered airline flights between Burbank and Las Vegas.^[2]

From 1955 until the mid-1970s, he performed periodically at Disneyland as a one-man band entertainer.^[2] In 1964, Winslow was selected to portray a one-man band character created by Walt Disney for the premiere of Mary Poppins.^[2] After leaving Disneyland in the mid-1970s, he performed at Knott's Berry Farm until 1982, and continued entertaining at private events and in television commercials.^[2]

In 1966, Winslow co-wrote the California Angels’ fight song, “A-OK!”, with his wife, contributing a lasting piece of music to the team’s identity.^[2]

Winslow was married to Shirley Winslow for 31 years. He had four children: sons Rick and Kevin, and daughters Kellie and Judie. He also had two grandchildren.^[2]

Winslow resided in Studio City, California later in life.^[2]

Dick Winslow died from complications of diabetes at a convalescent hospital in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in February 7, 1991 at age 75.^[7][8]

• Dick Winslow at IMDb