Comedian Mike Winters Passes Away at 82

According to published reports, comedian Mike Winters passed away on August 24 in Gloucestershire. He was 82 years old.

Winters was born in Islington, North London where his father was a bookmaker. The family moved to Tottenham and he attended Tottenham Grammar School and the City of Oxford High School for Boys when he was evacuated to the city in World War II. He then studied economics and at the Royal Academy of Music where he learnt to play the clarinet. He also briefly served underage in the merchant navy as a catering boy. Following a medical discharge due to sinusitis he enlisted in the Canadian Legion as a musician, reaching the rank of captain. He then played jazz with his brother on drums and performed as a musician at dances and weddings.

After his double act with Bernie split in 1978 Mike moved to Florida where he was a successful businessman and nightclub owner. He promoted theatre clubs in Miami and worked with legendary boxing manager, Angelo Dundee, presenting black-tie boxing events. Mike was also active in charity work; with visits to Miami from Muhammad Ali, Prince Michael of Kent and Prince Edward. He also co-produced with Jude Parry, directed, performed and wrote the first British professional pantomime to appear in Florida, it was such success that they continued for five years, starring not only local young talent but also the late Davy Jones of the Monkees.

He published five books; a biography of Angelo Dundee and "The Axis of Greatness" about the relationship between Angelo and his boxers Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali. He also wrote two novels "Miami One Way" and "Razor Sharp". His last book was a light hearted memoir called "The Sunny Side Of Winters".