Daws Butler
Actor
About Daws Butler
Charles Dawson Butler, known professionally as Daws Butler, was born on November 16, 1916, in Toledo, Ohio. He began his career in radio during the 1930s, working with comedians like Stan Freberg before transitioning to voice acting in animation. Butler became one of the most prolific and influential voice actors in Hollywood history, creating voices for hundreds of cartoon characters primarily for Hanna-Barbera studios. He was instrumental in the development of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon empire, providing the distinctive voices for iconic characters including Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, Snagglepuss, and many others. Butler was also a dedicated teacher and mentor to future voice actors, conducting workshops and classes throughout his career. He continued working actively in voice acting until his death on May 18, 1988, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of beloved cartoon characters.
The Craft
On Screen
Butler was renowned for his remarkable vocal range and ability to create distinct character voices. His technique involved subtle variations in pitch, cadence, and regional dialects to give each character a unique personality. He could seamlessly switch between characters in the same production and often performed multiple roles in a single episode. Butler's voices were characterized by their warmth, humor, and memorable catchphrases, making his characters instantly recognizable to audiences.
Milestones
- Created the voice of Yogi Bear in 1958
- Voiced Huckleberry Hound, the first Emmy-winning animated character
- Developed voices for over 100 cartoon characters
- Mentored future voice actors including Nancy Cartwright
- Worked extensively with Hanna-Barbera Studios from 1957-1988
- Collaborated frequently with Stan Freberg on comedy records
- Provided voices for both MGM and Warner Bros. animated shorts
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming (1960) - for The Huckleberry Hound Show
Nominated
- Multiple Emmy nominations for voice acting performances
Special Recognition
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (1988)
- Inducted into the Voice Actors Hall of Fame
- Winnie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Voice Acting
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Daws Butler fundamentally shaped the landscape of American animation through his iconic voice performances. His characters became cultural touchstones for multiple generations of children, with catchphrases like 'Hey there, Boo Boo!' and 'Exit, stage left!' entering the popular lexicon. Butler's work helped establish television animation as a viable entertainment medium and demonstrated the power of voice acting in creating enduring character personalities. His influence extended beyond entertainment, as his characters appeared in merchandise, theme parks, and educational materials.
Lasting Legacy
Butler's legacy continues through the countless cartoon characters he created that remain popular decades later. His techniques and approaches to voice acting became standard practices in the industry, and his emphasis on character development through voice influenced generations of voice actors. The Hanna-Barbera characters he voiced continue to be featured in new productions, remakes, and adaptations, keeping his work alive for new audiences. His mentorship program created a pipeline of talent that continues to populate the voice acting industry today.
Who They Inspired
Butler revolutionized voice acting by demonstrating that a single performer could create multiple distinct, memorable characters. His work influenced the entire animation industry, leading to more sophisticated voice performances in cartoons. Many successful voice actors credit Butler as their primary inspiration, and his teaching methods are still referenced in voice acting workshops today. His success in transitioning from radio to animation to television voice work created a career template that many voice actors have followed.
Off Screen
Butler was married twice during his lifetime. He was known for his dedication to his craft and his willingness to mentor young voice actors. He lived in Southern California for most of his career and was actively involved in the entertainment community. Butler was also a devout Christian and incorporated his faith into his life and work.
Education
Attended Ohio State University for a brief period before leaving to pursue his entertainment career
Family
- Myrtle Martin (1940-1960)
- Delores Butler (1961-1988)
Did You Know?
- Could perform over 100 different voices
- Often voiced multiple characters in the same cartoon episode
- Taught voice acting classes from his home
- Created Yogi Bear's voice based on Art Carney's character from The Honeymooners
- Snagglepuss's 'even' catchphrase was based on Bert Lahr's performance
- Worked as a comedian in nightclubs before focusing on voice acting
- Provided the voice for Cap'n Crunch in commercials
- Was the voice of the original Chilly Willy character
- Once performed 13 different voices in a single recording session
- His last voice acting work was on Yogi and the Invasion of the Space Bears (1988)
In Their Own Words
I'm smarter than the average bear! - Yogi Bear
Exit, stage left! - Snagglepuss
Now hold on there, partner! - Quick Draw McGraw
Voice acting is not about doing funny voices, it's about creating characters.
The secret to voice acting is listening. You have to listen to the character inside you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Daws Butler?
Daws Butler was one of the most prolific and influential voice actors in animation history, creating the voices for iconic characters like Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, and Quick Draw McGraw. He worked primarily for Hanna-Barbera studios and helped define the golden age of television animation.
What characters is Daws Butler best known for voicing?
Butler is most famous for voicing Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, Snagglepuss, Augie Doggie, Elroy Jetson, and Wally Gator. He voiced over 100 different cartoon characters throughout his career.
When was Daws Butler born and when did he die?
Daws Butler was born Charles Dawson Butler on November 16, 1916, in Toledo, Ohio, and passed away on May 18, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 71.
What awards did Daws Butler win?
Butler won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1960 for The Huckleberry Hound Show, which was the first animated series to win an Emmy. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame posthumously in 1988.
What was Daws Butler's voice acting style?
Butler was known for his remarkable vocal range and ability to create distinct character personalities through voice. He used subtle variations in pitch, cadence, and regional dialects, often basing his characters on real actors and comedians he admired.
Did Daws Butler mentor other voice actors?
Yes, Butler was a dedicated teacher who mentored many successful voice actors including Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson), Joe Alaskey, and Maurice LaMarche. He conducted voice acting workshops from his home throughout his career.
What was Daws Butler's connection to classic cinema?
While primarily known for animation, Butler began his career in radio during the golden age of radio comedy and worked on early animated shorts for MGM and Warner Bros. His work represents an important bridge between classic radio comedy and modern animation voice acting.
Learn More
Films
3 films
