Iconic U.S. comedian Jonathan Winters died of natural causes at his Montecito, California home on Thursday evening, at age 87, his family said on Friday.

Winters was widely regarded as the father of modern improvisational, character-oriented comedy. One of the most talented comedians in the United States who was better known for his signature portrayal in "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" and " Mork and Mindy," he earned nine Grammy nominations and won one of them in 1991 for a supporting role in Davis Rules -- playing a grandfather raising three sons.

A frequent guest on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" during the 1970s and 1980s, Winters also greatly influenced comedian and actor Robin Williams, who often talked about Winters as his mentor.

A Dayton, Ohio native who was born in November 1925, Winters was gifted in comedy. Aside from appearing in various variety shows and starting his own comedy show "The Jonathan Winters Show" on NBC in 1956, he also appeared in movies including "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World," often in small roles as eccentrics.

He was also gifted in voice, acting as a popular voice-over artist for such films and television shows as "The Smurfs" and " Santa vs. The Snowman."