Shari Lewis was born Phyllis Naomi Hurwitz; January 17, 1933, and died August 2, 1998. Lewis was a ventriloquist, puppeteer, children's entertainer, singer, actress, author, and symphony conductor. She famously created and performed the sock puppet Lamb Chop for Captain Kangaroo in March 1956. Lewis hosted several New York children's series through the decade.