Walter Winchell Biography

Fast Facts

• Established the Damon Runyon Cancer Memorial Fund, which was renamed Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, which he led until his death
• Joined George Jessell and Eddie Cantor in Gus Edwards troupe of youngsters at the age of 13
• Would post typewritten gossip columns on theater bulletin boards while he was working in vaudeville
• In 1920, he became an assistant editor of the Vaudeville News, leaving the theater behind
• Quote: "Good evening Mr․ and Mrs․ America and all the ships at sea--let's go to press․"
• A gossip columnist known for his flamboyant style of writing and speaking, he coined a number of slang terms that were deemed racy at the time
• Got into network radio broadcasting in 1932, expanding his expertise to national and international politics, the horse races and the stock market
• The term Winchellism was coined to describe journalism designed to invoke scandal, as well as his own invented phrases
• Was a millionaire when he retired from the media in 1969
• Was one of the first American commentators to speak out about Adolf Hitler