Thurl Ravenscroft, the Voice of many Disney Attractions and Tony the Tiger, Dead at A

[Lou Mongello]

From Lou Mongello at DisneyWorldTrivia.com: I am personally saddened by this news, as not only was I a fan of Thurl's work in Walt Disney World attractions (most notably the Haunted Mansion and Country Bear Jamboree), but I had an interview scheduled with him for the site for early next week. I am heartbroken at having lost the opportunity to speak with a Disney icon that I had listened to and admired so much. He will be missed.

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Thurl Ravenscroft, the Voice of many Disney Attractions and Tony the Tiger, Dead at Age 91

May. 24, 2005 - Thurl Ravenscroft, who provided the rumbling "They're Grrrrreeeat!" for Kellogg's Tony the Tiger ads and voiced a host of Disney characters, has died. He was 91.

Ravenscroft died Sunday of prostate cancer, said Diane Challis Davy, director of Laguna Beach's Pageant of the Masters.

For more than 50 years, Ravenscroft was the affable voice behind Tony the Tiger, TV's popular cartoon pitchman for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes.

"I'm the only man in the world that has made a career with one word: Grrrrreeeat!" Ravenscroft told the Orange County Register in 1996. "When Kellogg's brought up the idea of the tiger, they sent me a caricature of Tony to see if I could create something for them. After messing around for some time I came up with the `Grrrrreeeat!' roar, and that's how it's been since then."

He also narrated the summertime Pageant of the Masters at Laguna Beach for 20 years and lent his voice to characters on thrill rides at Disneyland, including the Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Haunted Mansion.

"Disneyland wouldn't have been, and wouldn't be, the same without him," the park's former president, Jack Lindquist, told the Register. "His voice was one of the things that made it all come alive."

Ravenscroft also did voices for the animated films "Cinderella," "The Jungle Book," "Mary Poppins," "Alice in Wonderland," "Lady and the Tramp" and many others.

Born in Norfolk, Neb., Ravenscroft moved to California in 1933 to study art. By the mid-1930s he was appearing regularly on radio, and by the late-1930s he was singing backup for Bing Crosby.

After military service during World War II, he returned to Hollywood, where he sang with the Mellomen, a group that performed with Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Elvis Presley.

In 1952, Ravenscroft's voice appeared in the first Frosted Flakes commercial.

Ravenscroft is survived by two children and four grandchildren. June, his wife of 53 years, died in 1999 at age 80.

[MickeyBabe]

A sad day for fans of one of Disney's most recognizable voices. He will be missed.

Sorry for your missed opportunity Lou. We all will be missing the interview you might have given us with your usual insights.

[20K]

What a horrible piece of news to come home to. He will be greatly missed.

[JEDIPRINCESS]

I love is voice espcially singing He a mean one Mister Grinch. A sad day for the Disney Family and the world. He will surly be missed.

[yensid1071]

Very sad news. He will be greatly missed.
Lou, I'm sorry about the missed opportunity. It would have been great to hear more from him and about his life and career firsthand.

[MandaBella]

What a great voice talent he was!

At least we know ol' Thurl is having a "Swinging Wake."

[olmec26]

Letterman gave Thurl a tribute last night in the form of this fake ad:


“Thurl Ravenscroft, the beloved voice of Tony the Tiger, passed away at the age of 91. Memorial services will be held at the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Orange County . . . . and then Mr. Ravenscroft will be buried in a grrrrrrrrrrrave!!!! So long, old friend.”


A bit cruel, but it gave us all a laugh, and I'm sure that's what Thurl would have wanted.

[crashbunny]

Dr. Demento Just gave a wonderful 5 tribute to Thurl on his radio program- with lots of audio clips and a brief history

very nice tribute