Paul Winchell was a ventriloquist, comedian, actor, voice artist, humanitarian and inventor. He made guest appearances on Emmy Award-winning television series from the late 50’s to the mid 70’s and was the original voice of Dick Dastardly, Gargamel, and other characters. Winchell was also an inventor, becoming the first person to build and patent a mechanical artificial heart, implantable in the chest cavity. He’s been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in television.