June Foray, 1917-2017

Entertainment legend June Lucille Forer (June Foray) passed away on Wednesday 26 July 2017 in Los Angeles, two months shy of her 100th birthday. She earned global renown for her cartoon voice characterizations, placing her on equal par with colleague Mel Blanc. Her credits are as diverse as they are numerous, including Tweety Bird's owner Granny; Witch Hazel; Rocket J. Squirrel; Rocky's nemesis, Natasha Fatale; Dudley Do-Right's favorite girl, Nell; and tiny Cindy Lou Who, who confronts the thieving Grinch in "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas." There are many comprehensive bios on Ms. Foray, including her own books on her amazing career. I learned from her Wikipedia page that she began her career in voice-work at age 15, and had made her first appearance on radio at 12!! In addition to animation, she lent her voice to television and film, including the nightmare-inducing Twilight Zone episode "Living Doll" (1963), in which she rendered the voice of the Talky Tina doll that menaced the mean-hearted stepdad played by Telly Savalas. She was a natural choice—Ms. Foray had been the voice for Mattel's Chatty Cathy doll which had been brought to market three years ealier. She continued working into the new century; often doing the voice of Granny; a veteran who would seemingly be with us forever. Fond wishes to her family, friends, and co-workers. She will never be forgotten—there is simply too large a treasure of her work. The attached is a personal favorite among her characters: the formidable Millicent (or as Elmer would say, Miwwicent) from WB's "Rabbit Romeo." Good-bye, June Foray, and thank you.