The Magic Behind the Voices: A Who's Who of Cartoon Voice Actors

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Firstly, a big thank-you to our editor, Craig Gill, as well as Alison Sullenberger, Anne Stascavage, Walter Biggins, and all of the staff at the University Press of Mississippi and our copyeditor, Karen Johnson, for your patience and consideration. Also, a very heartfelt thank-you to all of the people in the animation industry who have activelysupported this project over the many,manyyears it has been in production and who have kindly invited the authors to speak with them and observe them at work. Among those who deserve special recognition are director Bill Hurtz of Jay Ward Studios, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Ward, Alex Lovy, the extraordinary staff at Hanna-Barbera, Joe Barbera, Maggie Roberts, and, especially, Gordon Hunt,who allowed Tim to meet the original cast and sit between DawsButler and JanetWaldo at a 1984taping of Thejetsons. Wealso appreciate the time and consideration of voice directors Susan Blu, Ginny McSwain, Andrea Romano, and Kris Zimmerman, who were very generous with their time. Of course, one of the biggest thank-yous goes to Daws Butler for being such a generous person—not only allowing the first interview for the project, but bestowing his blessing on it. Similarly, kudos to his number one protégé, Nancy Cartwright, for her extreme generosity and for giving us one of the xiii xiv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS most unforgettable moments of our lives by graciously allowing us ringside seats to watch a part of the production for a classic episode of The Simpsons. Among the voice actors, a very special thank-you goes to Kath Soucie, Maurice LaMarche, and Rob Paulsen, who were very kind in connecting us with some of their contemporaries. To all the voice actors, although we can only portray a verysmall slice of your lives,wehavedone our best to do justiceto your stories in the limitations of this format To the families of the voices who have since been silenced, thank-you for takingthe time to share personal stories—especially,thanks to DiñoAndrade, Thor Arngrim, Myrtis and Charles Butler; Fred Frees, George O'Hanlon Jr., Laurie O'Hanlon, Nancy O'Hanlon, Charles Howerton, Jeanette McFadden, and VirginiaMercer. Among the especially helpful agents are Marcia Hurwitz,Don Pitts,Larry Robbins, Sandy Schnarr, Arlene Thornton, and Cory Weisman, who were instrumental in making some of the necessary connections. With regard to the technical aspects, we would also like to acknowledge Steve Levin, who assisted in proofreading, Paul Lisnik, Keir Walton, Dick Moore of AFTRA, Ron Harvey of the Everett Collection, Claudia Smith of King Features, Steven Worth of John Kricfalusi's studio, Mark Evanier, Fred Grandinetti,JerryBeck,JoeBevilacqua,Doreen Mulman (who currently maintains the web sites of several voice actors, including those of MaryKay Bergman, Charlie Adler, and Frank Welker), and Patrick Owsley. Thankyou to Tim Hollis, who made the referral to our editor (Mr. Hollis is author of Hi There, Boy and Girls! also available through the University Press of Mississippi). Aspecial thank-you to Rick Goldschmidt, author of The Enchanted World ofRankin/Bassy who provided contacts, photos, and invaluable information (www.rankinbass.com). Also, we would like to thank the following people for their encouragement and moral support: JimSeavey, Randall Terrock, Dann Fox, JillAhlgren, and Jeff Korpi. On a personal level,Alisaowesmore than a debt of gratitude to her family, especially (diligent proofreader) Alimae and Richard Persons, for their immeasurable financial and moral support. Alisa also appreciates the emotional support lent by Allen,Amy, Ashley, Alex,Michael,Akemi, Katrina, and Justin Persons!An additional thank-you goesto the relevant staff at Columbia College, especially the talented and amazing Stan Hughes, Gordon Sheehan, Barry Young, and at the University of Wisconsin, Superior, Dianna Hunter, William Morgan, Tim Cleary, Brent Notbohm (co-editor of Steven Spielberg: Interviews, Conversations with Filmmakers Series, also from the University Press of Mississippi), and Thomas Notion. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xv Tim would like to acknowledge the memory of his mother, Rita Lawson, who always put the needs of her nine children before her own,and his brother, John Lawson,who had a thirst for knowledge, a kind heart, and showed by example what it is to be a good person. Tim would also like to thank Richard and Alimae Persons for their kind generosity and support during the crucial developmental yearsof this project. Thank-you to my brothers, Ron,Roger, Bill, Joe, and Bernie, and my sisters, Ann Reuter and Mary Troye. Lastly, I would like to...