Aaron Williams (ventriloquist)
Aaron Williams is an American ventriloquist.
Biography
Early life
Williams was born in Atlanta, Georgia and came to live in Dayton, Ohio at a young age. His mother died in 1941 and he went to live with his aunt, in Dayton's Hunk Town. In 5th grade, at Edison School, Williams was allowed to assist a magician who gave a performance for the students. He was immediately fascinated. A teacher noticed he was good with his hands and showed him a Charlie McCarthy dummy doll.
After graduation in 1951, William worked at SWS Chevrolet parking cars and then was hired at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. In the meantime, William continued to refine the art of projecting his voice. A fellow worker told him about a dummy that was for sale and William scraped up enough money to purchase the head, constructed the body himself, integrated it with a can of brown paint and thus was born "Freddie". After putting together a routine and perfecting his technique, they began to work the local club circuit. Later had a young child(daughter) by the name of Rhonda Michelle Clark born June 6, 1966
Career
His first break came when he was noticed by the publicist for The Smothers Brothers Show which led to him becoming a regular feature on their television show at CBS. In February 1968, he guest starred on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson with Harry Belafonte as guest host. Others that night were Martin Luther King, Jr, Bobby Kennedy, Nipsey Russell, Paul Newman and Lena Horne. On returning to Los Angeles, he appeared on the Pat Boone Show along with Richard Pryor.
Williams has performed with Sammy Davis Jr., Ray Charles, Jerry Lewis, Gladys Knight, Lawrence Welk, Aretha Franklin, Vicki Carr, Redd Foxx, Robert Goulet, The 5th Dimension, Dionne Warwick, B.B. King, Tina Turner, Buddy Hackett, Sister Sledge, Chubby Checker, Lou Rawls, Kenny Rogers, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Melba Moore, Temptations, Richard Pryor. Williams has performed all around the world.
In 1967 William joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He attained the rank of Sergeant and became a sought after personality along with his deputy, Freddie. The team spread the anti-drug and anti-gang messages in person and on television throughout the schools in all of Los Angeles County.
Williams has most recently come out of retirement and plays venues throughout Los Angeles County and the United States.
External links
- Los Angeles Times
- TV.com The Mike Douglas Show
- 920 Productions
- Ray Charles, Man and Music
- Beatles Set Appearance
- The Smothers Brothers Comedy Show
- Aaron Williams Official Website