An Interview with Willie Tyler & Lester | Ventriloquist University

Ventriloquist University’s Landon Harvey interviews the legendary Willie Tyler about opening for Dolly Parton and The Temptations, filming McDonald’s commercial campaigns, and building a lasting legacy in ventriloquism and entertainment. Best known for his quick wit and unforgettable partner Lester, Willie rose to national fame through appearances on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, The Ed Sullivan Show, and numerous television specials. His career spans decades of stage, television, and live performance, making him one of the most recognizable ventriloquists in American entertainment. In this conversation, Willie shares stories from the road, insights from a lifetime in show business, and reflections on how he developed characters, navigated major opportunities, and stayed relevant across generations of audiences. To explore more conversations like this and learn directly from the pros, join the full course at ventriloquistuniversity.com. ___________________________________________________________________________ Welcome to Landon Harvey’s Ventriloquist University. Learn ventriloquism from Landon and other professional, working ventriloquists who have performed for audiences of all ages all over the world. Every lesson comes from real stage experience and practical performance knowledge. You’ll find clear training in lip control, voice creation, character building, puppet movement, comedy writing, and showmanship-whether you’re a beginner or a performer looking to improve. This YouTube channel gives you a glimpse inside the full course. The complete Ventriloquist University program is available at ventriloquistuniversity.com with a yearly subscription and is continually updated with new content. Subscribe, grab a puppet, and start learning.