Heaven Shines a Little Brighter Now....
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....as we sadly mourn the recent passing
of some of entertainment's greats:
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Beloved ROBIE LESTER passed away on June 14th of this year at the age of 75. Robie
lives on as the voice of Jessica (Mrs. Claus) in Rankin/Bass' Santa Claus Is
Coming To Town. Robie also had an extensive career with Disney, and had the
distinction of recording the most
records for Disney than any other performer. We were lucky enough to
have been able to get to know her in the past few years. She was a kind and loving person. We will miss her.
Read Robie's obituary here and
here.
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Actor/Comedian/Impressionist FRANK GORSHIN passed away on May 18th. Frank was probably
best known for his portrayal of "The Riddler" on the 60's Batman television series. Frank also voiced "Old Sir Tentworthree" in Rankin/Bass' 1976 holiday special Rudolph's Shiny New Year.
Frank was definitely one of a kind. His final appearance was on te CBS series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation which aired in May. He was 72.
Read Frank's obituary here.
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Ventriloquist/Voice Actor PAUL WINCHELL passed away on Friday June 24. Probably
best known as the voice of Tigger in Disney's Winnie the Pooh series, Paul began his career as a
ventriloquist giving life to his two wooden pals Jerry Mahoney & Knucklehead Smiff. Baby Boomers will
fondly remember him as the voice of Dick Dastardly and Papa Smurf. He was 82.
Listen to Paul's audio obituary here,
or read Paul's obituary here.
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Actor/Director/Voice Actor HOWARD MORRIS passed away on June 21st. Howard performed many voices
for Hanna-Barbera, including Atom Ant, Mr. Peebles (Magilla Gorilla), Breezly Bruin, and
Mush Mouse. But most will remember Howard for his portrayal of our favorite
Mayberry rebel, Ernest T. Bass on
the Andy Griffith Show. He also directed many episodes of our favorite 60s Sitcoms
including The Dick Van Dyke Show and Hogan's Heroes.
He was 85.
Read Howard's obituary here.
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Singer/Voice Actor THURL RAVENSCROFT passed away on May 22nd. Thurl was the voice of Tony the
Tiger, and his signature catch phrase, "There Grrrreat!". He also sang "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" in the Chuck Jones animated Christmas
classic Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. With his wonderful baritone
voice, he was perfectly cast as one of the performers who sings "Grim Grinning Ghosts"
at The Haunted Mansion attraction at the Disney theme parks, as well as many other Disney characters. He was 91.
Read Thurl's obituary here.
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Actor EDDIE ALBERT passed away on May 26th. Eddie is famous for his portrayal of the city-slicker turned farmer Oliver
Douglas in the 1965 television series Green Acres. Eddie also worked for Rankin/Bass
in 1968, providing the voice for Captain Standish in the cel-animated Thanksgiving television
special The Mouse on the Mayflower. Eddie was also superb as the manipulative Warden Hazen in the
original The Longest Yard (1974) opposite Burt Reynolds. He went on to star again in another T.V. series, Switch
with co-star Robert Wagner. He was 99.
Read Eddie's obituary here.
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Voice Actor/Actor HENRY CORDEN passed away on May 19th. Henry was the voice of Fred Flinstone.
He took over as the Bedrock loudmouth after the original voice for Fred, Alan Reed, passed away in 1977. Henry provided many
voices for Hanna-Barbera, including voices on Johnny Quest and Josie and the Pussycats.
Henry has also appeared as Barbara Eden's genie father on the popular sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, and the contentious landlord "Mr. Babbitt" on an episode of The Monkees.
He was 85. Read Henry's obituary here.
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Each and every one of these performers holds a specal place in our hearts and we are grateful for the joy they have brought to us and countless millions. We will miss them all.
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