Mr. Ed is a fictional talking horse, who starred in the American television series of the same name that ran from 1961 to 1966. He was portrayed as a palomino, the color of which was often used to distinguish him from other horses in the show. The show centered around Wilbur Post, a young architect played by Alan Young, who owned Mr. Ed.
Who was the real Mr. Ed?
The real Mr. Ed was a horse named Bamboo Harvester. Bamboo Harvester was a Tennessee Walking Horse, who was born in 1949. He was owned by Les Hilton, who bought him from a breeder in Missouri. He was trained in many disciplines and was a popular performer in Hollywood. He was also a stuntman, appearing in many movies and TV shows in the 1950s and 60s.
How did Bamboo Harvester become Mr. Ed?
The creators of the show, Arthur Lubin and Gene Roddenberry, were looking for a horse to play Mr. Ed and came across Bamboo Harvester. They chose him because he had the look they were looking for and also because he was a well-trained horse. Bamboo Harvester was trained by the legendary horse trainer, Les Hilton, who was known for his ability to teach horses to perform tricks and stunts.
What tricks and stunts did Bamboo Harvester do?
Bamboo Harvester was trained by Les Hilton to do many tricks and stunts. He was taught to nod his head, move his lips, and answer questions with a “yes” or “no”. He was also trained to open and close doors, pick up objects, and even walk up and down stairs. He was also able to pick up coins from the ground with his lips.
What other roles did Bamboo Harvester have?
Bamboo Harvester appeared in many movies and TV shows in the 1950s and 60s. He appeared in such films as “Tales of Terror”, “The Longest Day” and “The Greatest Story Ever Told”. He was also in episodes of “Bonanza”, “The Rifleman”, and “The Beverly Hillbillies”.
What happened to Bamboo Harvester after Mr. Ed?
After the show ended, Bamboo Harvester retired from show business and was sold to a couple in Arizona. He lived a long and happy life, until he passed away in 1982. He was buried in Arizona, and a memorial stone was placed at the spot where he was buried.
Did Mr. Ed have any other horses?
Yes, Mr. Ed had several other horses that were used in the show. These horses were used for close-ups and stunts that were too dangerous for Bamboo Harvester to do. Some of these horses were named Rex, Dolly, and Nellie.
What other animals were used in the show?
In addition to horses, the show also used other animals. These animals included chickens, ducks, goats, pigs, and even a cow.
What were Mr. Ed’s catchphrases?
Mr. Ed had several catchphrases that he often used in the show. These catchphrases included:
- “Hey, Wilbur!”
- “I’m a horse of course, of course!”
- “That’s a horse of a different color!”
- “You’re a horse’s best friend!”
Conclusion
Mr. Ed was a beloved character in the 1960s and is still fondly remembered today. He was portrayed by the real horse Bamboo Harvester, who was trained by the legendary horse trainer, Les Hilton. Bamboo Harvester was a Tennessee Walking Horse, who was born in 1949 and passed away in 1982. He appeared in many movies and TV shows throughout his career and was trained to do a variety of tricks and stunts. He was also known for his catchphrases, which were often used in the show.
Mr. Ed is a beloved character that will be remembered for years to come, and Bamboo Harvester will always be remembered as the real horse behind the famous character.