Today is the Birthday of the ‘Man of a Thousand Voices’

On this date in 1908 a man was born who would have a tremendous impact on my life and career in radio: His name was Mel Blanc.

On more than one occasion, I've been urged to go into voice acting because of the number of character voices I can do. This wasn't a 'natural' talent, instead it was practiced over literally thousands of hours of listening to the 'Man of a Thousand Voices', Mel Blanc.

Most people would recognize his voice in an instant, rather the voice behind the characters he played like Warner Brothers' Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Tweety and Sylvester, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and so on. Like most kids my age, I sat locked onto the screen of Saturday morning TV watching cartoons.

For more than six decades, Mel entertained and amazed fans with his unique genius and vocal gymnastics to bring animated characters to life.

Mel Blanc died at 2:30PM July 10, 1989 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after being hospitalized two months before, suffering from heart disease and related medical problems. His voice will live on forever.