Entertainment
The Legacy of Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen: Charlie’s Fortune and Candice’s Disappointment
Superstar ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, known for bringing wooden puppet Charlie McCarthy to life, left a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment. Bergen’s daughter, Candice, who later found success in acting, was deeply intertwined with her father’s iconic puppet.
Edgar Bergen, a Chicago native of Swedish descent, rose to fame with his ventriloquist act that captivated audiences on radio alongside notable figures like Frank Sinatra, Groucho Marx, and Liberace. Bergen’s show, The Chase & Sanborn Hour, became a sensation and propelled him to national acclaim.
Candice Bergen, following her father’s footsteps, would go on to star in various projects such as the sitcom Murphy Brown and movies like Miss Congeniality, earning multiple Emmy Awards and Golden Globes along the way.
Bergen’s career was marked by significant milestones, including receiving an honorary Oscar for creating Charlie McCarthy and being honored with three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the entertainment industry.
Despite Bergen’s success, his legacy was not without controversy, as seen in a memorable clash with Mae West that stirred public outrage and led to the ban of the iconic actress from NBC Radio.
As Edgar Bergen’s career came to a close with a planned retirement in Las Vegas, his unexpected passing marked the end of an era in show business. His final appearance on screen was in The Muppets Movie, where he shared the spotlight once again with his beloved puppet, Charlie McCarthy.
Candice Bergen, who had a complex relationship with her father and his wooden companion, inherited a surprising revelation from Bergen’s will, which notably left her nothing while bequeathing a substantial amount to the Actors Fund of America under ‘The Charlie McCarthy Fund’.
The legacy of Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy lives on, with the original puppet now preserved at the Smithsonian Institution‘s National Museum of American History. Bergen’s resting place in Inglewood Park Cemetery in California serves as a reminder of the impact he made on the world of entertainment.
