Thurl Ravenscroft
Biography
Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft (February 6, 1914 – May 22, 2005) was an American actor and bass singer known for his deep, resonant voice. He was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, and moved to California in 1933 to study at the Otis Art Institute. His career in voice-acting and singing began in 1939 and continued until his death in 2005.
Career Highlights
Perhaps his most famous role was as the voice of Tony the Tiger, the mascot for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, for more than five decades, popularizing the catchphrase "They're g-r-r-reat!". Another widely recognized performance was his uncredited singing of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" in the classic Christmas television special "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!". Initially, many viewers mistakenly attributed the song to the narrator, Boris Karloff.
The Mellomen and Studio Work
In 1948, Ravenscroft co-founded the male quartet, The Mellomen. The group became successful session singers, providing backup vocals for prominent artists such as Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, and Elvis Presley. They also recorded under various other names, including Big John and the Buzzards. The Mellomen frequently worked with The Walt Disney Studios, contributing to the soundtracks of numerous animated films.
Disney Films and Theme Parks
Ravenscroft's voice is featured in many classic Disney animated films, including "Pinocchio," "Cinderella," "Alice in Wonderland," "Lady and the Tramp," "One Hundred and One Dalmatians," "The Sword in the Stone," "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book," and "The Aristocats". His voice is also a prominent part of several Disneyland attractions. He voiced Fritz the parrot in the Enchanted Tiki Room, was the lead vocalist of the singing busts in the Haunted Mansion, and can be heard in Pirates of the Caribbean and the Country Bear Jamboree. He was honored as a Disney Legend in 1995.
Other Notable Roles
His other notable voice work includes the role of Kirby, the brave little vacuum cleaner, in "The Brave Little Toaster" movie series. He also sang "No Dogs Allowed" in the Peanuts movie "Snoopy, Come Home". Throughout his career, record companies made several attempts to launch him as a solo pop singer, but these were met with limited commercial success.
Later Life and Legacy
Ravenscroft was married to June Seamans from 1946 until her death in 1999, and they had two children. He passed away from prostate cancer on May 22, 2005, at the age of 91. Following his death, Kellogg's ran a commemorative advertisement with the headline, "Behind every great character is an even greater man."