Jerry Layne (1938 - June 27, 2018)[1] was the ventriloquist host of Puppet People, a TV series produced from 1973 to 1975 at CFCF-TV in Montreal and telecast on most CTV television network stations. He worked with his "friends" Lester and Herbie, puppets created for the show.
Layne grew up in Brooklyn, NY during a time when ventriloquist acts were popular entertainment in theaters and clubs. He became interested in ventriloquism as a child and by age 14 was a student of ventriloquist Paul Winchell.[2]
He went on to work in television production and eventually became a full-time ventriloquist performing on cruise ships and other entertainment venues. In 1978, he performed for six months at the Knott's Berry Farm amusement park.[3] He also became known as builder of ventriloquist dummies.[4]