Wilner was born on 18 December 1895 in Bzhozov (Brzozow), Galicia, to Chasidic parents. His father was a prayer leader. W. learned Gemora in a cheder with tusfut, and he was a choir boy for his father and also for the city's cantor. At home he studied German and Polish with a Jewish teacher.

In 1908 W. went with his father to America, and here for six months he studied in a public school, afterwards working in a tailor's shop.

He had a cousin who used to work the curtains in a vaudeville theatre, who often used to be behind the scenes. So in 1910 W. was given the opportunity to act in the "role" of a policeman. From then on, W. acted with "amateurs" across the province.

In 1917 he was recommended to Sigmund Weintraub and Bessie Thomashefsky for "lover roles", and in 1918 he acted as a "buff-comic".

From 1922 to 1927 W. acted at the Second Avenue Theatre; in 1927-8 at the National Theatre, and from 1928-30 back at the Second Avenue Theatre. W. is a member of the Executive (Council) of the Yiddish Actor's Union.

M. E.