Bob McFadden
Robert McFadden (January 19, 1923 – January 7, 2000) was an American singer, impressionist, and voice-over actor perhaps best known for his many contributions to animated cartoons.
Bob McFadden
January 7, 2000
Singer, impressionist, voice-over artist
1945–1989
His most popular television cartoon characters included Milton the Monster from the ABC series The Milton The Monster Show; Cool McCool from the NBC series Cool McCool; and Snarf from the syndicated series ThunderCats.
McFadden was also the voice behind numerous radio and television commercial parts including Franken Berry in the animated commercials for the General Mills Franken Berry cereal as well as the pet parrot who cackled "ring around the collar" in the TV commercials for Wisk laundry detergent.[1] He also performed the voices for the Sad Cat theatrical cartoons.
Musical career[edit]
While in the United States Navy during World War II, he began performing as a singer and impressionist. After the war, he went on to work at a steel mill in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and continued performing nights as an opening act for artists such as Harry Belafonte. In 1959, he appeared as a singer with folk music artist Rod McKuen on the Brunswick Records album entitled Songs Our Mummy Taught Us which included the two tracks, "The Mummy" and "The Beat Generation", also released as a single. "The Beat Generation" was later used by Richard Hell as the basis for his song "Blank Generation".[2]
Later life[edit]
McFadden continued to work until the late 1980s, when he was forced to retire due to failing health. On January 7, 2000, he died in Delray Beach, Florida, at the age of 76.[1]