English comedian
Moved to Florida, USA, when he split with partner and brother Bernie, after their TV popularity faded in the UK.
Brother of Bernie Winters
His father, Samuel Weinstein, worked on occasion as a bookie and as bodyguard to a London underworld figure. His mother came from a family of circus performers.
Served in the Merchant Navy during World War II, though he was underage.
At the height of their popularity in the 1950s and 60s, brothers Mike and Bernie Winters had a music hall crosstalk act (a sort of British version of Abbott & Costello), showcased in Big Night Out, Blackpool Night Out and Mike and Bernies Show. Mike was the straight man of the act, Bernie played the buffoon.
He won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied the clarinet.
They were noticed by a BBC producer while touring on the variety circuit in 1957. He offered them a spot as resident comics on Six-Five Special , which made them household names.
He formed a trio, with brother Bernie on drums. The group played at the Stage Door Canteen in London, an entertainment venue for wartime servicemen. Eventually they began to work comedy into the act. They won a talent contest with the prize being three-day gigs in UK resorts. They went on to entertain US troops across Europe.
