Allan Melvin, the voice of Magilla Gorilla and also Bluto in “Popeye,” died of cancer at his home in Los Angeles last week.
Born on 18th February, 1923, in Kansas City, Missouri, Melvin played many character parts throughout his career. His father’s parents raised him in New York City, and he attended Columbia University.
His wife Amalia said of all the shows he worked on, he was most proud of The Phil Silvers Show. She said “I think the camaraderie of all those guys made it such a pleasant way to work.”
His first film project was “Keep in Step,” then “The Phil Silvers Show,” “Route 66,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “The Brady Bunch,” “All in the Family” and many others.
I also remember seeing him one time in “Lost in Space.”
His voice is also immortalized in the minds of cartoon lovers, as the voice of Bluto and Wimpy in “Popeye,” Magilla Gorilla, Punkin Puss, Sinbad, plus Drooper in “The Banana Splits,” and voices in “The Flintstones” and many others.
As well as doing voiceovers, Allan Melvin worked on commercials.
See IMDB for a complete listing.
Many thanks to MJ for the great cartoon, Missing Melvin – yes, we are.
