Person Details

Birthday: 1896-04-17 01:42:03

Death: 1999-04-20 01:42:03

Aliases: Wenceslao Moreno

Gender: N/A

Place of birth:

Homepage:

Movie Involvements: 3

TV Involvements: 1


Most Famous Work

Biography

The Spanish born ventriloquist Senor Wences was one of the highest paid vaudeville acts in the world. Hugely popular with American tv audiences Wences was also a top nightclub favourite. Born Wenceslao Moreno in Peñaranda de Bracamonte, Salamanca (Spain) Wences began performing ventrilquism as a child An early career in bullfighting proved unsuccessful so he took up ventriloquism and juggling professionally. Wences toured Europe in the 1920s before coming to America in 1935 where he made his New York debut at the Club Chico. He became an overnight sensation on TV's The Milton Berle Show and later made apperances on the Ed Sullivan Show and TV specials with Jack Benny and Perry Como. In 1947 he had stand-out cameo in the film comedy Mother Wore Tights, starring Dan Dailey and Betty Grable. Among his famous vent characters were 'Johnny', ingeniously formed by one of Wences hands and 'Pedro', a torso-less head in a box. In the middle of a routine Wences would lift the lid of the box and say "Are you alright?" to which Pedro would reply "S'alright". "S'alright" - which became a classic catchphrase. In 1986 Wences toured America with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller in the musical Sugar Babies. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Comedy Hall of Fame which was inscribed "For his devotion to entertaining generations of audiences and bringing countless hours of joy and happiness to millions throughout the world."

Most Famous Work

Mother Wore Tights
Average
5

Mother Wore Tights

(1947) Señor Wences
History Is Made at Night
Average
7

History Is Made at Night

(1937) 'Coco' Hand Trick Performer (uncredited)
The Big Party
Average
0

The Big Party

(1959) Self
Crazy Horse de Paris
Average
3

Crazy Horse de Paris

(1977) Self

Acting

Year Character Movie/Tv
1977 Self
1976 Self - Special Guest Star
1959 Self
1948 Self - Ventriloquist
Self
1947 Señor Wences
1937 'Coco' Hand Trick Performer (uncredited)
Year Character Movie/Tv

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