He could talk, he could reason, and he could certainly outsmart his human companion. Mister Ed, the palomino with the uncanny knack for conversation, remains one of television’s most beloved and enigmatic figures. But who was the real horse behind the legend?
While the sitcom that bore his name entertained millions, the equine star behind Mister Ed is just as fascinating.
This article delves into 14 captivating facts, focusing primarily on Mister Ed and the horse that played him, while also uncovering some fun behind-the-scenes secrets of the show that made him a household name. We also delve into an enduring mystery at the end.
1. Bamboo Harvester Was the Real Mister Ed
In the rush to begin production, the original horse used for the Mister Ed pilot was unexpectedly sold. With just a month left before filming, trainer Les Hilton, who had honed his craft under the legendary cowboy performer Will Rogers, was tasked with finding a new equine star. He discovered Bamboo Harvester on a farm in the San Fernando Valley, purchasing the Palomino for $1,500.
Born in 1949, Bamboo Harvester had already proved his poise as a show and parade horse. A cross between an American Saddlebred and a half-Arabian, he boasted intelligence, trainability, and eye-catching looks, qualities that quickly endeared him to the production team.
Hilton brought Bamboo Harvester to his own farm to prepare him for stardom, and the horse’s calm demeanor soon became evident on set.
2. Allan “Rocky” Lane Provided the Mister Ed’s Voice
While Bamboo Harvester gave the camera his best equine expressions, it was Western B-movie star Allan “Rocky” Lane who breathed life into Mister Ed’s witty one-liners. Lane’s rugged drawl fit perfectly with Mister Ed’s playful, sometimes sarcastic, persona.
During the show’s early run, the credits cheekily listed Mister Ed as “Himself,” fueling the illusion that he might really be talking. Lane’s contribution remained uncredited at first, but when the secret got out, fans were amused to learn the voice hailed from a longtime cowboy star.
3. The Lip-Sync Method Wasn’t Peanut Butter After All
For decades, people believed Mister Ed’s mouth moved thanks to a dollop of peanut butter on his gums. In truth, that story was a clever fib by actor Alan Young (the actor who plays Wilbur, Mister Ed’s co-star), designed to preserve a bit of showbiz magic for kids.
Young said, “Al Simon and Arthur Lubin, the producers, suggested we keep the method [of making the horse appear to talk] a secret because they thought kids would be disappointed if they found out the technical details of how it was done, so I made up the peanut butter story, and everyone bought it.“
The real technique involved a nearly invisible nylon thread hidden in his halter that trainer Les Hilton used to guide the horse’s lips. Over time, Bamboo Harvester learned to flap his mouth on cue whenever someone touched his hoof. But eventually, he learned to move his mouth after Wilbur had said his lines.
Here is a classic scene from Mister Ed talking:
And while the secret to Mister Ed’s “talking” was carefully guarded, he wasn’t the only horse on the set…
4. The Mysterious Stunt Double Named Pumpkin
Every Hollywood star can use a stand-in for certain shots, and Mister Ed was no exception. A second Palomino, Pumpkin, filled in whenever special setups, publicity stills, or more physically demanding scenes were required.
Pumpkin had a slightly different blaze with a gold spot, which makeup artists concealed to pass him off as Bamboo Harvester.
After Mister Ed, Pumpkin went on to appear in the sitcom Green Acres, proving there can indeed be a second act, even for a horse, in show business.
5. Mr Ed Was a Bit of a Diva
Despite Bamboo Harvester’s cooperative nature, the horse displayed moments of star-like confidence. When he felt filming had gone on too long, he would confidently walk off set, earning him a lighthearted reputation as a “diva.”
Cast members, however, often took this as a sign of intelligence. They believed Bamboo Harvester picked up subtle on-set cues, giving him an uncanny sense of when the camera was rolling, or when everyone else needed a break as well.
6. Mister Ed Scored Multiple PATSY Awards
“Mister Ed” was more than just a comedic novelty, he was a recognized talent. The show’s equine star received multiple PATSY awards (Performing Animal Top Star of the Year), reflecting his standout performances among animal actors in film and TV.
These awards ran from 1951 to 1973, and Mister Ed took home four in a row during the 1960s. At a time when animals rarely received official accolades, this was a major honor that solidified Bamboo Harvester’s legacy as a true Hollywood heavyweight.
7. The Concept Came From 1930s Short Stories
Before Mister Ed appeared on television, he first trotted onto the page in Walter R. Brooks’ short stories. The initial tale, “The Talking Horse,” was published in 1937 in Liberty magazine. Brooks, also known for his work with Freddy the Pig, penned several stories about a witty horse who conversed with a chosen human.
A UCLA graduate and Warner Bros. secretary named Sonia Chernus championed the idea of turning Brooks’ stories into a series. Director Arthur Lubin supported her enthusiasm, eventually producing a pilot that would lead to one of the most whimsically beloved sitcoms of the 1960s. Chernus even received the unique credit “Format Developed by,” acknowledging her critical role in bringing Mister Ed to television.
8. The Theme Song Wasn’t Always Sung
“A horse is a horse, of course, of course…” This iconic opening wasn’t always part of Mister Ed‘s opening. For the first seven episodes, only an instrumental theme played.
Lyricists Jay Livingston and Ray Evans then added the now-famous words, with Livingston himself recording a demo. Network executives loved his casual delivery so much that they used his version as the final cut.
This simple addition transformed the theme into an enduring earworm, instantly recognizable even today.
Here are the famous opening credits:
9. The Show Began in Syndication Before CBS Grabbed It
Unlike many contemporaries, Mister Ed launched in 1961 through first-run syndication. The show quickly built a following, which caught the eye of CBS. The network picked it up later that year, airing it nationally until 1966.
George Burns, the legendary comedian, had a hand in financing the $70,000 pilot and later appeared in the second season.
Another fun piece of trivia: Studebaker was the show’s original sponsor, explaining why Wilbur Post drove a 1962 Lark convertible. Unfortunately, the automaker withdrew its support as it neared bankruptcy in the mid-1960s.
10. Bamboo Harvester’s Admirable (and Sometimes Odd) Diet
Bamboo Harvester reportedly munched through around 20 pounds of hay each day, pretty typical for a horse his size. Yet the legend goes that he also drank sweet tea (or a sugary water mix) by the gallon, adding a playful layer to his Hollywood mystique.
In reality, it’s possible the beverage was simply water laced with molasses or sugar, but stories of a tea-sipping horse fit right into the show’s surreal charm. Whatever he was drinking between scenes, Bamboo Harvester kept up his energy and comedic timing like a pro.
11. Alan Young Had to Dye His Hair
Though Alan Young’s natural hair color was a shade of blond, he had to dye it darker to avoid blending in on black-and-white film. Because Bamboo Harvester was a light-colored Palomino, Young risked looking “washed out” next to his co-star.
Darkening his hair ensured he stood out against Mister Ed’s gleaming coat, which is why you see Wilbur Post with notably dark hair despite Young’s fairer locks in real life.
12. The End of the Show and Bamboo Harvester’s Retirement
After 143 episodes over six seasons, Mister Ed was canceled in 1966. The network deemed it too “bucolic,” reflecting a broader shift toward edgier programming and leaving Wilbur’s old-fashioned family dynamic feeling outdated. With viewership waning, CBS opted not to renew the series.
After filming ended, Bamboo Harvester was retired from show business. Some accounts suggest he stayed with Les Hilton for a couple of years until health issues arose, while others claim he went to an Oklahoma farm and died in 1979.
However, the facts about his death turned out to be quite the mystery…
13. Conflicting Accounts of Mister Ed’s Death
Exactly when and how Bamboo Harvester, the real Mister Ed, died remains a subject of lively debate, despite the show having been off the air for decades. Alan Young (Wilbur Post) asserted that the horse died in 1970 at around 20 years old, following an accidental tranquilizer injection by a well-intentioned caregiver who saw him struggling to stand.
According to Young, trainer Les Hilton then cremated the remains and privately scattered the ashes in California. This version aligns with accounts that Bamboo Harvester had no direct ties to Oklahoma.
Nevertheless, a gravestone in Tahlequah, Oklahoma (Address: 13600 E 710 Rd, Tahlequah, OK 74464), marks what many call Mister Ed’s final resting place, prompting the local Chamber of Commerce to field frequent inquiries from curious fans.
Critics of the Oklahoma narrative point out that the Palomino had not lived in the area, and some claim the horse interred at that site in 1979 was actually Pumpkin, Bamboo Harvester’s stunt double.
Others suggest no horse at all lies beneath the memorial, or that Bamboo Harvester might have been euthanized on Snodgrass Farm nearby.
Far from settling the matter, these conflicting stories have intensified Mister Ed’s enduring mystique. Official tourism sites still list Tahlequah as the horse’s burial place, while Alan Young’s version suggests a wholly different ending.
The result is a persistent legend that draws visitors to Oklahoma, some paying respects to a beloved television icon, others questioning whether they’re commemorating the wrong horse.
14. There Was An Attempted 2004 Reboot
FOX once aimed to resurrect Mister Ed, tapping Sherman Hemsley of The Jeffersons fame to voice the chatty Palomino. Tragically, the project’s writer-producer, Drake Sather, died before the pilot wrapped. Without its creative leader and with networks hesitant to revive a vintage sitcom premise, the reboot never aired.
It remains a fascinating “what if” for devotees of classic television. Could modern special effects have made Mister Ed even more believable? Or was the charm in those old-school training methods and subtle camera work? We may never know.
Mister Ed’s Lasting Cultural Footprint
Though Mister Ed ended in 1966, the show’s gentle humor, low-stakes mischief, and unforgettable theme song have kept it trotting through TV history. Children still giggle at the idea of a talking horse, and adults find nostalgia in Wilbur’s exasperated affection for his four-legged friend.
Even if the series was never a runaway ratings smash, it struck a chord in American pop culture. From cartoons to comedy sketches, references to Mister Ed’s improbable chatter appear time and again.
In many ways, the show epitomizes a simpler era of sitcoms, one where the most outlandish premise, like a horse that only speaks to one man, became an enduring classic thanks to clever writing, strong performances, and just enough Hollywood magic.
If you enjoy this article, check our guide on the 15 most famous horses from TV and movies which features Mister Ed and other unforgettable equine stars.
Carol tanksley
I am a 78 lover of Mr. Ed who always got the best comedy lines in the show. All the regular actors were terrific too. I Watch it every evening before falling asleep.