Mel Blanc

About Mel Blanc

Melvin Jerome Blank, known professionally as Mel Blanc, was the most prolific and influential voice actor in animation history, earning the nickname 'The Man of a Thousand Voices.' Beginning his career in radio during the 1920s, Blanc joined Warner Bros. in 1936 and went on to create the voices for nearly every major Looney Tunes character, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Yosemite Sam, and Foghorn Leghorn. His exclusive contract with Warner Bros. from 1941 to 1962 made him the only voice actor in history with such an arrangement, during which he voiced approximately 400 cartoon characters. In 1961, Blanc survived a near-fatal car accident that left him in a three-week coma, from which he emerged when a doctor addressed him as Bugs Bunny. After recovering, he continued his voice work for other studios and made numerous cameo appearances as himself in film and television. His final major project was voicing his classic characters in 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988), just months before his death in 1989.

The Craft

On Screen

Mel Blanc possessed an extraordinary vocal range and the ability to create completely distinct character voices through subtle variations in pitch, tempo, and articulation. He developed each character's voice organically, often drawing inspiration from real people and regional dialects. His technique involved creating unique laugh patterns, speech impediments, and vocal tics for each character, such as Porky Pig's stutter, Sylvester's lisp, and Foghorn Leghorn's Southern drawl. Blanc could perform multiple character voices in rapid succession within a single recording session, sometimes even having conversations between characters he voiced himself.

Milestones

Signed exclusive contract with Warner Bros. (1941)
Created voices for Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and 400+ other characters
Survived near-fatal car accident and three-week coma (1961)
Published autobiography 'That's Not All, Folks!' (1988)
Voiced characters in 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988)
Received star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (1960)

Best Known For

Iconic Roles

Must-See Films

Accolades

Won

Academy Award nomination for Best Short Subject (Cartoon) - 'The Wild Chase' (1961)
Writers Guild of America Award - 'The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Show' (1975)
Annie Award for Lifetime Achievement (1986)
Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children - 'Bugs Bunny's Easter Funnies' (1978)

Nominated

Academy Award nomination for Best Short Subject (Cartoon) - 'The Wild Chase' (1961)
Emmy Award nomination - 'The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Show' (1979)

Special Recognition

Hollywood Walk of Fame star (1960)
Inducted into the Motion Picture Hall of Fame (1985)
Walt Disney Company Legend (inducted posthumously in 1992)
Voice Actor of the Century by Animation Magazine (2000)

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

Studios

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Mel Blanc revolutionized voice acting and established it as a respected art form in the entertainment industry. His characters became cultural icons, with Bugs Bunny evolving into one of the most recognizable animated characters worldwide. Blanc's catchphrases like 'What's up, Doc?', 'I tawt I taw a puddy tat!', and 'Th-th-th-that's all, folks!' became embedded in popular culture and are still referenced today. His work helped define the Golden Age of American animation and influenced generations of voice actors and comedians.

Lasting Legacy

Mel Blanc's legacy as the greatest voice actor in history remains undisputed. He set the standard for character voice creation and demonstrated the power of vocal performance in bringing animated characters to life. His exclusive Warner Bros. contract and the sheer volume of his work created a benchmark that no voice actor has since matched. The characters he created continue to appear in new media, ensuring his performances entertain new generations. His autobiography and the preservation of his recordings have made his techniques a subject of study for voice actors and animators.

Who They Inspired

Blanc's influence extends far beyond animation into comedy, advertising, and voice performance. His ability to create distinct personalities through voice alone inspired countless voice actors, from Billy West to Tara Strong. Many modern voice actors cite Blanc as their primary influence and study his recordings to learn character development. His techniques for creating memorable catchphrases and vocal tics have been adopted by voice actors in video games, anime dubbing, and commercial voice work. The entertainment industry's recognition of voice actors as essential creative contributors owes much to Blanc's pioneering work.

Off Screen

Mel Blanc was married to Estelle Rosenbaum from 1933 until her death in 1986. Their son, Noel Blanc, followed in his father's footsteps as a voice actor and occasionally performed some of his father's characters when Mel was ill. Blanc was known for his professionalism and dedication to his craft, often working long hours in the recording studio. He was an avid horse racing enthusiast and owned several racehorses. Despite his fame, Blanc remained humble and often expressed gratitude for his success and the joy he brought to audiences worldwide.

Education

Attended Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon; studied music and learned to play violin, bass, and sousaphone; took voice lessons and studied at the American Conservatory of Music

Family

Estelle Rosenbaum (1933-1986)

Did You Know?

He legally changed his name from Blank to Blanc because a teacher told him he would amount to nothing and be a 'blank'
He was allergic to carrots and had to spit them out immediately after recording scenes where Bugs Bunny ate them
During his 1961 coma, the doctor addressed him as 'Bugs Bunny' and Blanc responded in Bugs' voice, 'What's up, Doc?'
He earned the nickname 'The Man of a Thousand Voices' but actually created over 400 distinct character voices
His exclusive Warner Bros. contract stipulated he receive screen credit, a rarity for voice actors at the time
He once voiced 7 different characters in a single cartoon short
His gravestone reads 'That's All Folks!' in tribute to Porky Pig's famous catchphrase
He was the first voice actor to receive screen credit for his work
He appeared in over 30 films and TV shows as himself or in cameo roles
His final recording session was just 4 days before his death

In Their Own Words

I've been blessed with a good ear and can imitate almost any sound or voice.

The secret to my success is that I love what I'm doing.

When I'm doing a character, I become that character. I'm not just doing a voice.

People ask me how I create these voices. I don't know. They just come out.

What's up, Doc? (as Bugs Bunny)

I tawt I taw a puddy tat! (as Tweety Bird)

Sufferin' succotash! (as Sylvester the Cat)

Th-th-th-that's all, folks! (as Porky Pig)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Mel Blanc?

Mel Blanc was the legendary voice actor who created the voices for nearly all major Warner Bros. cartoon characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. Known as 'The Man of a Thousand Voices,' he revolutionized voice acting and became one of the most influential figures in animation history.

What films is Mel Blanc best known for?

Blanc is best known for his work in Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons, particularly classics like 'What's Opera, Doc?', 'Duck Amuck', 'One Froggy Evening', and 'The Rabbit of Seville'. His final major film work was in 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988).

When was Mel Blanc born and when did he die?

Mel Blanc was born on May 30, 1908, in San Francisco, California, and died on July 10, 1989, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 81 after a long and illustrious career spanning over six decades.

What awards did Mel Blanc win?

Blanc received numerous honors including an Annie Award for Lifetime Achievement, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and posthumous induction as a Disney Legend. He also earned Grammy nominations and an Academy Award nomination for his work in animation.

What was Mel Blanc's acting style?

Blanc's voice acting style was characterized by his incredible vocal range and ability to create completely distinct character personalities through subtle variations in pitch, tempo, and articulation. He developed unique vocal tics and speech patterns for each character, making them instantly recognizable and memorable.