"Did you know...?"

That’s how every hilarious appearance of The Wizard (played by Pat McMahon) began! The fast-talking, all-knowing (and often totally wrong) Wizard dazzled the audience with ridiculous, made-up “facts” that no one really needed to know—like how singing the Star-Spangled Banner backwards explained the decline of the buffalo, or how killer whales were victims of a “miscarriage of justice.”

Wearing his towering, floppy conical hat, The Wizard often had trouble just getting on and off the set without smacking into the scenery, adding even more comedy to his already absurd routine.

The Wizard was pure one-liner magic, but behind the scenes, he was one of the toughest characters to write for. As Wallace once said, “To sit there and come up with 12 one-liners is rather difficult.” Still, The Wizard became a fan favorite for his quick wit, goofy "facts," and unforgettable entrances (and exits).