Pinto Colvig
Actor
About Pinto Colvig
Pinto Colvig, born Vance DeBar Colvig, was a legendary American voice actor, comedian, circus performer, and animator who became one of the most distinctive character voices in animation history. Beginning his career in vaudeville and circus performance, he transitioned to animation in the 1920s, working at the Bray Studios before joining Disney in the early 1930s. At Disney, he created the iconic voices of Goofy, Pluto, and the Practical Pig in 'The Three Little Pigs,' establishing himself as a pioneer of character voice acting. Colvig's career extended beyond Disney to work with MGM, Warner Bros., and Fleischer Studios, where he lent his versatile voice to countless animated characters. He also created and originated the character of Bozo the Clown in 1946, performing the character on television and radio. His unique ability to create memorable character voices and sounds made him one of the most sought-after voice talents during the Golden Age of Animation. Colvig continued working in animation and voice work until his death in 1967, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of beloved characters that continue to entertain generations.
The Craft
On Screen
Colvig's voice acting style was characterized by his extraordinary vocal range and ability to create unique, memorable character voices through sound effects, grunts, and distinctive speech patterns. He pioneered the use of vocal sound effects to convey emotion and action, particularly in his work with Goofy's famous holler and Pluto's expressive sounds. His approach was highly physical and comedic, drawing from his circus and vaudeville background to create voices that were both entertaining and perfectly suited to animated characters.
Milestones
- Created the original voice of Goofy for Disney (1932)
- Voiced Pluto and other Disney characters
- Originated Bozo the Clown character (1946)
- Worked as animator at Disney Studios
- Performed in vaudeville and circus before animation
- Voice work for MGM, Warner Bros., and Fleischer Studios
- Appeared in early sound films and shorts
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Disney Legend Award (posthumous, 2008)
Special Recognition
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (Radio Category)
- Inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame
- Disney Legend Award (posthumous)
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Pinto Colvig's impact on animation and popular culture is immeasurable, as he essentially created the template for character voice acting in animation. His work as Goofy established one of Disney's most enduring and beloved characters, with the distinctive voice and laugh he created still being used by performers today. As the original Bozo the Clown, he created a cultural phenomenon that would become one of the most successful children's entertainment franchises in history. His techniques in using vocal sound effects and expressive sounds influenced generations of voice actors who followed, establishing many of the conventions still used in voice acting today. Colvig's work helped establish animation as a legitimate form of entertainment for all ages, moving it beyond simple novelty to sophisticated character-driven storytelling.
Lasting Legacy
Pinto Colvig's legacy lives on through the countless characters he created and voiced, many of which remain cultural icons decades after his death. Goofy continues to be one of Disney's most recognizable characters, with Colvig's original vocal style still being referenced and emulated by current voice actors. The Bozo the Clown franchise he originated became a global phenomenon, with versions of the character appearing in numerous countries and media formats. His pioneering work in voice acting established techniques and approaches that became standard in the industry, influencing countless voice actors who followed. Colvig is remembered not just as a talented performer, but as a true innovator who helped shape the course of animation and children's entertainment throughout the 20th century.
Who They Inspired
Colvig's innovative approach to voice acting influenced generations of performers, including Mel Blanc, Daws Butler, and June Foray. His technique of using vocal sound effects to convey emotion and action became a standard tool in animation voice work. Many modern voice actors cite Colvig's work with Disney characters as inspiration for their own character development. His success in transitioning from live performance to voice acting also paved the way for other vaudeville and circus performers to find new careers in animation and radio. The physical comedy and timing he developed in his circus work influenced the comedic timing of animated performances throughout the Golden Age of Animation.
Off Screen
Pinto Colvig married Margaret Blevins in 1916, and they had five children together. His family life was deeply connected to his entertainment career, with his children sometimes participating in his performances. Colvig was known for his jovial personality off-screen, maintaining the cheerful demeanor that characterized his most famous roles. Despite his success in entertainment, he faced financial challenges at various points in his career, particularly during the Depression years. His personal experiences in medicine and dentistry (he briefly studied dentistry) influenced some of his comedy routines and character voices.
Education
Attended Oregon State University briefly, studied dentistry before dropping out to pursue entertainment career
Family
- Margaret Blevins (1916-1967)
Did You Know?
- His nickname 'Pinto' came from his spotted teeth as a child
- He briefly worked as a dentist before pursuing entertainment full-time
- He created Goofy's famous 'yaaaaah-hoo-hoo-hoo-hooey' holler
- He was a skilled whistler and used this talent in many of his voice roles
- He performed as a clown in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
- His son, Vance Colvig Jr., also became a clown and actor
- He voiced both the wolf and the practical pig in Disney's 'Three Little Pigs'
- He was one of the first voice actors to receive screen credit for his work
- He worked on over 100 Disney shorts and features during his tenure
- He created the original sound effects for Pluto's bark and other animal sounds
In Their Own Words
I always tried to make my characters sound like what they looked like - if they were silly, they sounded silly; if they were grumpy, they sounded grumpy.
Voice acting isn't just about talking funny - it's about becoming the character, even if the character is a dog or a goofy person.
The secret to good voice work is to forget you're a voice actor and just be the character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Pinto Colvig?
Pinto Colvig was a pioneering American voice actor, animator, and comedian best known as the original voice of Disney's Goofy and Pluto, and as the creator and original performer of Bozo the Clown. He was one of the first professional voice actors in animation and helped establish many techniques still used in the field today.
What films is Pinto Colvig best known for?
Colvig is best known for his voice work in Disney classics including 'The Three Little Pigs' (1933), 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' (1937), 'Pinocchio' (1940), and 'Dumbo' (1941). He also voiced characters in 'Gulliver's Travels' (1939) and numerous Disney shorts featuring Goofy and Pluto.
When was Pinto Colvig born and when did he die?
Pinto Colvig was born Vance DeBar Colvig on September 11, 1892, in Jacksonville, Oregon, and died on October 3, 1967, in Woodland Hills, California, at the age of 75.
What awards did Pinto Colvig win?
While he received few formal awards during his lifetime, Colvig was posthumously honored as a Disney Legend in 2008, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Radio category, and was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame for his creation of Bozo the Clown.
What was Pinto Colvig's acting style?
Colvig's voice acting style was characterized by his extraordinary vocal range, creative use of sound effects, and ability to create distinctive character personalities through voice alone. He drew on his circus and vaudeville background to develop highly physical, comedic vocal performances that perfectly matched animated characters.
Did Pinto Colvig work outside of Disney?
Yes, Colvig worked with multiple animation studios including MGM, Warner Bros., Fleischer Studios, and Bray Studios. He also had a successful career as Bozo the Clown on television and radio, and performed in vaudeville and circus shows throughout his career.
How did Pinto Colvig influence modern voice acting?
Colvig pioneered many techniques still used in voice acting today, including the use of vocal sound effects to convey emotion and action. His work establishing distinct character voices influenced generations of voice actors including Mel Blanc and Daws Butler, and helped establish voice acting as a respected profession in the entertainment industry.
Learn More
Films
3 films
