Ventriloquist. He was the ventriloquist of "Wayland and Madame" fame. He was born in Dawson, Georgia, on November 26, 1939. In the 1960's, Flowers moved to New York City, and worked as an assistant puppeteer for a number of children's television shows. While he entertained children during the day, he also developed "Madame". She was an "adults-only" puppet, a flamboyant old "broad" festooned in outrageous evening gowns, tiaras, and what she called her summer diamonds; "some are diamonds and some are not." By the late 1960's, Flowers and "Madame" had become regulars on Rowan and Martins Laugh-In. Throughout the 1970's, Wayland Flowers and "Madame" appeared frequently on television, as the hosts of Solid Gold. The spent a lot of time on Hollywood Squares, where, after nearly a decade of guest appearances, they succeeded Paul Lynde, as the all-important center square. Wayland's other puppets included "Crazy Mary." who was an escapee from Bellevue mental hospital"; "Jiffy" who was a Harlem harlot with a heart of brass; and "Machelheny" who was a retired Vaudeville comedian. Wayland was not a true ventriloquist but a brilliant puppeteer. He would yield the spotlight to "Madame" or be off camera when she delivered her lines. As a result of this invisibility, very little attention was drawn to his personal life. Flowers died in Hollywood on October 11, 1988, a victim of the AIDS epidemic. It has been reported that "Madame" was buried with him. It is also said that comedian Joe Kovacs was helping "Madame" with her return.

Ventriloquist. He was the ventriloquist of "Wayland and Madame" fame. He was born in Dawson, Georgia, on November 26, 1939. In the 1960's, Flowers moved to New York City, and worked as an assistant puppeteer for a number of children's television shows. While he entertained children during the day, he also developed "Madame". She was an "adults-only" puppet, a flamboyant old "broad" festooned in outrageous evening gowns, tiaras, and what she called her summer diamonds; "some are diamonds and some are not." By the late 1960's, Flowers and "Madame" had become regulars on Rowan and Martins Laugh-In. Throughout the 1970's, Wayland Flowers and "Madame" appeared frequently on television, as the hosts of Solid Gold. The spent a lot of time on Hollywood Squares, where, after nearly a decade of guest appearances, they succeeded Paul Lynde, as the all-important center square. Wayland's other puppets included "Crazy Mary." who was an escapee from Bellevue mental hospital"; "Jiffy" who was a Harlem harlot with a heart of brass; and "Machelheny" who was a retired Vaudeville comedian. Wayland was not a true ventriloquist but a brilliant puppeteer. He would yield the spotlight to "Madame" or be off camera when she delivered her lines. As a result of this invisibility, very little attention was drawn to his personal life. Flowers died in Hollywood on October 11, 1988, a victim of the AIDS epidemic. It has been reported that "Madame" was buried with him. It is also said that comedian Joe Kovacs was helping "Madame" with her return.

Bio by: Paul G. Healy