Paul Frees
Solomon Hersh Frees (June 22, 1920 – November 2, 1986), known professionally as Paul Frees, was an American actor, voice actor, impressionist and screenwriter. He is best known for his voice work in cartoons during the Golden Age of Animation. Like Mel Blanc, he was sometimes referred to as "The Man of a Thousand Voices".
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Frees started his entertainment career as a vaudeville impressionist and in 1942 began working on Hollywood radio series. After being drafted into
Frees appeared in over 250 films, cartoons and TV episodes, although he had few on-screen appearances and often went uncredited. He was also frequently enlisted to re-dub actors' performances, such as Tony Curtis' dialogue as Josephine in the 1959 film Some Like it Hot. That same year, Frees co-wrote and directed the film The Beatniks, his only feature film.
Frees had a long career with Walt Disney Studios, providing the voice for Ludwig Von Drake and other characters, narrating short films, and supplying many voices for Disney theme park attractions, most notably the Ghost Host in The Haunted Mansion, various voices in Pirates of the Caribbean, and the narrator for both Adventure Thru Innerspace and Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln. On TV, Frees worked with Jay Ward Productions, providing the voice of Boris Badenov and other characters in various series, and also supplied many voices for Rankin/Bass cartoon specials. He also appeared in TV commercials and was the original voice of the Pillsbury Doughboy and the second voice of Froot Loops mascot Toucan Sam (after Mel Blanc).
Frees was married five times and had two children via his third wife, voice actress Joyce Schultz. In his later years, Frees suffered from multiple health issues. He died in Tiburon, California, on November 2, 1986, at age 66, from an overdose of pain medication. He was cremated and his remains were scattered over the Pacific Ocean.
Born
Jun 22, 1920
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Died
Nov 02, 1986
Known For
Acting
Movies
234 acting
4 crew
Popularity
1.2
Known For
Patton
1970
as Voice (uncredited)
Some Like It Hot
1959
as Funeral Director / Waiter / Josephine (voice) (uncredited)
One Hundred and One Dalmatians
1961
as Dirty Dawson (voice)
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
1970
as Ending Voiceover (uncredited) (voice)
Tora! Tora! Tora!
1970
as Japanese Ambassador Kichisaburo Nomura (voice) (uncredited)
The War of the Worlds
1953
as Second Radio Reporter / Opening Announcer
Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
1956
as Unidentified Character (voice) (uncredited)
The Time Machine
1960
as Talking Rings (voice) (uncredited)
The Harder They Fall
1956
as Priest (uncredited)
Blood and Black Lace
1964
as Various character voices (uncredited, English version)
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