SO LONG, DENNIS ALWOOD

You were one of the best ventriloquists ever to step on stage, making a big, comical splash with your cantankerous creation, Dudley. 

You also brought to life his famous counterpart, Fats, in one of my all-time favorite movies, Magic, which allowed Anthony Hopkins' Corky to emote the right, sinister pitch. 

Magic wasn't your only cinematic sojourn, for you bestowed your voice to Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (one of my favorite, animated features), plus Murder, She Wrote; Mr. Belvedere; The Men's Club; the Mork and Mindy/Laverne and Shirley/Fonz Hour and even portrayed your good friend, the great Edgar Bergen, in the 1984, Mae West biopic. 

Thanks to your special abilities, you were able to amuse yet provoke, Mr. Alwood. I imagine you'll now continue to do so on some celestial cloud, throwing your voice for an angelic audience to appreciate.