Ventriloquist Lewis is the stage name of American comedian and actor, Shari Lewis. He was born in 1933 and is best known for his puppet shows, which he performed on television from the 1950s to the 1990s. He was also a prolific author, writing over 30 books for children. His most famous puppet was Lamb Chop, a sheep puppet that became a household name in the United States. Lewis was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1998.