The voices behind some of America’s most recognizable animated characters belonged to those who served in uniform long before they entertained us with their amazing voice acting chops.
Some of these actors entertained troops or worked behind the desk at a radio station. Others survived malaria, flew combat missions, or fought in the European theater. While they all had different military backgrounds and experiences, all of them ended up gifting American audiences on the animated screen.
1. Sterling Holloway
Holloway had a unique, gentle voice that made him a mainstay in Disney Animation. Ever heard of a bear that loves honey and is gentler than most people’s grandmas? This guy voiced him. He was also the voice of Cheshire Cat in “Alice in Wonderland,” Kaa in “The Jungle Book,” and the stork in “Dumbo.”
Like most men in the 1940s, Holloway became involved with the military during World War II. He was 37 when he enlisted, marking a career turn. In the Army, he served in Special Services. He helped to produce variety shows and raised money for the Army Emergency Relief Fund. In 1991, he became the first voice performer to get an award called the Disney Legend.
2. Don Adams
Depending on which generation you were in, Adams was either Maxwell Smart in “Get Smart” or was the voice of Inspector Gadget and Tennessee Tuxedo.
Born Donald James Yarmy, he joined the Marine Corps at the beginning of World War II. Assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, he participated in the Guadalcanal campaign. Adams contracted blackwater fever, a severe complication of malaria, and spent more than a year recovering at a naval hospital in New Zealand.
Upon his recovery, he returned to the United States and taught new recruits as a drill instructor for the Marine Corps. After his career was up, he began a new life path in comedy and acting.
3. Casey Kasem
While broadcasting may be a dead art now, Casey Kasem did his part to keep his name in the record books. He had one of the most familiar voices in broadcasting and was the signature voice in the show “American Top 40.”
Kasem originated the voice of Shaggy Rogers in the “Scooby-Doo” franchise. He also voiced Robin in “Super Friends” and several related DC Comics productions.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 for the Korean War, he continued his radio career while he served for the Armed Forces Radio Service. For the entertainment of the troops stationed in the peninsula, he put together radio dramas that were widely enjoyed.
Upon the completion of his service, he returned to the civilian sector and eventually became one of the most recognized radio voices in the country.
4. James Avery
Uncle Phil from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” had quite the military career himself. He was also the voice of Shredder, who kicked all of the turtles’ butts.
Avery joined the U.S. Navy after high school and served in the Vietnam War. He was stationed in-country from 1968 to 1969. After being discharged from the service, he wrote poetry and started drafting up television scripts before pursuing an acting career.
He voiced a whole list of other well-known characters, including in such famous shows like “Iron Man,” “Spider-Man,” “The Prince of Egypt,” and “The Real Ghostbusters.”
5. John Stephenson
John Stephenson may not have been a household name, but his voice appeared throughout decades of Hanna-Barbera animation. His credits included Mr. Slate on “The Flintstones,” Dr. Benton Quest on “Jonny Quest” and several villains in “Scooby-Doo” cartoons.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces before it was a separate branch called the U.S. Air Force, during World War II. He was a radio operator and gunner, putting in some serious combat hours. The total time spent in the fray was over 400 hours, according to his Alma Mater, Ripon College in Wis.
6. Paul Frees
Possessing a range of vocal chops that would make an opera singer jealous, Frees voiced Boris Badenov in “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show,” Ludwig Von Drake for Disney and numerous characters in Rankin/Bass holiday specials. His voice can also still be heard as the Ghost Host inside Disney’s Haunted Mansion attraction.
During World War II, he was drafted into the U.S. Army right at the start of his radio career. He fought in Normandy, France, and was wounded in action.
He came back to the United States and recovered for around a year from his injuries. He used his military benefits to attend college and returned to voice acting soon after.
7. Bob Hastings
Commissioner Gordon from Batman was always a hardy character, and no one could have voiced the man better in “Batman: The Animated Series” than Hastings. He had a DC-themed career in animation even further, when he voiced Superboy, Clark Kent and characters appearing in “Challenge of the Superfriends.”
Like some of the other actors on this list, he served in World War II. In the U.S. Army Air Forces, he was a navigator aboard B-29 Superfortress bombers.
When the war concluded, he came to a career in broadcasting and enjoyed success in several roles. He also appeared in television, with successful roles in shows like “McHale’s Navy,” “All in the Family,” and “General Hospital.”
8. Charles Durning
Durning was a stage and screen talent, but he also brought his gruff vibes to animation. He voiced Francis Griffin, Peter Griffin’s stern and deeply religious father on “Family Guy.”
Drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II and landed in France for the Normandy Invasion, he was wounded by a German mine. He recovered and continued in combat with the 100th Infantry Division. He also fought in the infamous Battle of the Bulge.
When he left the service, he won numerous awards, including a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery after his death in 2012.
Read the full article here