Having grown up with the Warner Bros cartoons, my early Saturday mornings built around them, the loss of June Foray is a major blow to my childhood. Even back in the day, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, everyone knew that Mel Blanc was the wonder voice behind all those cartoon characters, but then, even I was canny enough to realize that there were some female voices (Granny, Witch Hazel, and others) that couldn't possibly be Blanc. Asking adults, I learned that this was June Foray. The late Chuck Jones has been quoted as saying that June wasn't the female Mel Blanc, but Mel was the male June Foray. She was that good.
Over the years Foray did voices in a variety of projects, including "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," and "Horton Hears a Who," to name just a few. She worked in radio, television, film, even videogames, and did voice work for nearly all the animation companies and franchises. We have lost a legend, June Foray will be missed.
I watched the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show constantly as a kid, and I always loved her June Foray's work. She was awesome.
ReplyDeleteI modeled myself after Mel Blanc, Daws Butler and Stan Freberg. I saw these three as my mentors and held them in such awe and esteem.
ReplyDeleteI cried when Mel and Stan passed, never wishing to hide the tears. Upon hearing of June's passing, the greatest voice talents in history are no longer with us.
Since Wednesday, they all belong to the ages. I know that she will walk the streets of gold with Mel, Daws and Stan.
Go with God, my lady.