Johnny Wayne

Johnny Wayne (born Louis Weingarten; May 28, 1918 – July 18, 1990) was a Canadian comedian and comedy writer best known for his work as part of the comedy duo Wayne and Shuster alongside Frank Shuster.

Not to be confused with John Wayne.
Johnny Wayne
Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster in 1944
Born
Louis Weingarten

May 28, 1918
Toronto, Ontario
DiedJuly 18, 1990(1990-07-18) (aged 72)
Toronto
Resting placeHoly Blossom Memorial Park, Toronto
Alma materUniversity of Toronto
OccupationComedian, comedy writer
Spouse(s)Beatrice (1946-1980, her death)
ChildrenMichael, Jamie, and Brian

The son of a successful clothing manufacturer who spoke several languages and the eldest of seven children, Johnny Wayne was born in downtown Toronto and attended Harbord Collegiate Institute, where he met his future comedy partner, and later attended the University of Toronto.

Wayne and Shuster began working together in the 1930s and continued their successful collaboration on stage, radio, and television until Wayne's death from brain cancer in 1990.[1] He is buried at Holy Blossom Cemetery, in his home town of Toronto.

Wayne was a curling enthusiast and was a commentator alongside Alex Trebek and Doug Maxwell during the 1968 CBC Curling Championship.[2]

He also had musical talents and was a successful songwriter in the 1950s, including co-writing Bobby Gimby's 1958 hit "Jimbo".[3] In 1964 he recorded the song "Charlottetown", which he wrote and sang for the Canadian Confederation Centennial.[4]

He married Beatrice Lokash, in 1946. They were married until her death from cancer in 1980. Their children are historian Michael Wayne, columnist and songwriter Jamie Wayne, and television sports producer Brian Wayne.

See also

References
  1. "No. 119, Wayne and Shuster at the National Archives of Canada: The Frank Shuster Fonds". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  2. CBC Television Series 1952 to 1982, Con-Cus Archived 2010-03-11 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Artist: Wayne, Johnny". jam.canoe.com. Jamie Vernon's Great White Noise Magazine Presents the Canadian Pop Encyclopedia. November 28, 2004. Archived from the original on May 26, 2017.
  4. "News of the World". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. December 12, 1964. p. 18.


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