Comedian Jonathan Winters dies at 87

(CNN) -- Jonathan Winters, the wildly inventive actor and comedian who appeared in such films as "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" and "The Loved One" and played Robin Williams' son on the TV show "Mork & Mindy," has died. He was 87.

Winters died Thursday evening of natural causes at his home in Montecito, California, according to business associate Joe Petro III.

Winters was known for his comic irreverence, switching characters the way other people flick on light switches. His routines were full of non sequiturs and surreal jokes. 

[Robin] Williams, in particular, often credited him as a great influence. Indeed, he was greatly admired by comedians in general and was awarded the Mark Twain Prize -- which goes to outstanding humorists -- in 1999.

"Genius" was a common touchstone as comedians reacted to Winters' death.

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