By the mid-1950s, practically every Disney film with the exception of Fantasia was an adaptation of an existing story whether it be a long-standing fairytale or a previously published work. While the story basis for Lady and the Tramp is much different. Although it’s said to be based on a short story called “Happy Dan, the Cynical Dog” by Ward Greene, that story was published in Cosmopolitan magazine in 1945. While the original idea for Lady and the Tramp came from Disney storyboard artist Joe Grant back in 1937, inspired by the antics of his English springer spaniel Lady and how she got “shoved aside” by his new baby. He approached Walt Disney with sketches of Lady that his boss enjoyed and commissioned Grant to start a story development on a new feature called Lady. Through the late 1930s and early 1940s, Grant and other artists worked on the story, taking a variety of approaches. But Walt wasn’t too pleased thinking Lady as too sweet and lack of action. However, after reading the Ward Greene story, Disney thought Grant’s story would be improved if she fell in love with a cynical dog like the one in the short story who’d ultimately be named “Tramp.” Of course, the finished film is slightly different from the original plan. With one notable change being Lady’s owners going from Jim and Elizabeth Brown to “Jim Dear” and “Darling” and their faces rarely shown in order to maintain the dog’s perspective. While the opening scene where Darling finds Lady in a hat box at Christmas was inspired by an incident where Walt presented his wife Lillian with a Chow puppy as a gift in a hat box to make up for having previously forgotten a dinner date with her.

Unfortunately, Joe Grant wasn’t part of Lady and the Tramp’s later production since he left Disney in 1949. Yet, Disney story men continually pulled Grant’s drawings and story of the shelf to retool. Based on Grant’s storyboards and Ward Greene’s short story, a solid story began taking shape in 1953. Grant later wrote a novelization to the film at Walt Disney’s insistence for audiences to familiarize with the story. While Grant wouldn’t receive any credit for the film until the platinum DVD release decades later. Nonetheless, as they had done with deer in Bambi, the animators studied many dogs of different breeds to capture their movement and personalities. Although the spaghetti sequence is one of the most iconic in the film, Walt Disney almost tried to cut it, thinking such a scene would look silly than romantic. But animator Frank Thomas was against Walt’s decision and animated the entire scene himself with no lay-outs, convincing Disney otherwise. It was also the first film to be animated in the widescreen CinemaScope. Originally released in 1955, Lady and the Tramp became the highest Disney feature film since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Yet, it opened to mixed reviews from critics with Time writing, “Walt Disney has for so long parlayed gooey sentiment and stark horror into profitable cartoons that most moviegoers are apt to be more surprised than disappointed to discover that the combination somehow does not work this time.” Still, while Lady and the Tramp may have its flaws (like the racist Asian stereotyping with Aunt Sarah’s Siamese cats among others), it’s nonetheless been regarded as a classic with the spaghetti “Bella Notte” sequence being one of the most iconic scenes in American film history. And when it comes to Disney movies made in the 1950s, it doesn’t get any better. In this post, we’ll meet actors Candy Candido and Tom Conway, future producer and writer John Wilder, Tinkerbell live-action reference Margaret Kerry, singer-songwriter Peggy Lee, as well as the voices behind Lady, Tramp, Beaver, and Tony.

51. Candy Candido

Dates: 1913-1999

Early Life and Career: Born Jonathan Candido in New Orleans, Louisiana. Was a bassist and vocalist for Ted Fio Rito’s big band as well as became part of Louis Prima’s band in 1924. Had a distinctive 4-octave speaking voice that became familiar with radio listeners and moviegoers. Could start a monologue in a normal tenor before adopting a high squeaky soprano before suddenly plunging into a gruff bass.

Movies and Cartoons: Peter Pan (1953), Sleeping Beauty (1959), Robin Hood (1973), and The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Characters: Indian Chief, Diablo, Goon, Captain of the Guards, and Fidget

Also Known For: Famous radio performer and voice actor best remembered for his famous line, “I’m feeling mighty low” as well as many animal vocalizations. Recorded “I’m Popeye the Sailor Man” and other children’s songs for Capitol Records. Was the belligerent Apple Tree in The Wizard of Oz. Voiced the bear in TV’s Gentle Ben. Other film appearances include Only Angels Have Wings, Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion, Heart of the Rio Grande, King Creole, Babes in Toyland, and The Phantom Tollbooth. Briefly teamed with Bud Abbott in the 1960s after Lou Costello’s death.

Personal Life: Married Anita Bivona in 1933. Marriage produced 4 children named Nino, John, Flora, and Teresa and lasted until his death. In addition to his wife and kids, he was survived by 8 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Later Life: Retired in 1995. Died in his sleep of natural causes at his Burbank home in 1999. Interred in San Fernando Mission Cemetery.

Trivia: Childhood friend of Louis Prima.

52. John Wilder

Dates: 1936-present

Early Life and Career: Born John Keith McGovern in Tacoma, Washington. Began his career by performing as tap dancer at 4. Family moved to Los Angeles in 1943 where he became a child actor. Played Little Beaver in the Red Ryder radio series and performed Watch on the Rhine at the Geller Theatre Workshop.

Movies and Cartoons: Peter Pan (1953)

Characters: Raccoon Twins

Also Known For: Grew up to become an Emmy-winning television producer, director, and writer. Other film appearances include Singin’ in the Rain, Tumbleweed Trail, The Pride of St. Louis, Hold Back the Night, Room for One More, and Five Guns to Tombstone. TV appearances as an actor include Big Town, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Loretta Young Show, Studio 57, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The West Point Story, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, The Adventures of Jim Bowie, Broken Arrow, The Millionaire, Wagon Train, The Real McCoys, and Petticoat Junction. He produced and wrote episodes for The Rifleman, Peyton Place, Marcus Welby, M.D., The Partridge Family, The Streets of San Francisco, Centennial, The Yellow Rose, and Return to Lonesome Dove.

Personal Life: Married Carolyn Cunningham in 1967 which ended in their 1982 divorce. Has 3 children with her.

Later Life: Tried to abandon acting in the mid-1950s to pursue a baseball scholarship at the University of Southern California but ultimately decided to continue his acting career until the 1960s. Decided to change his name to “John Wilder” that he legally adopted 1958. Abandoned acting in the early 1960s to attend Santa Monica City College and later the University of California, Los Angeles. A friend Chuck Connors later got him enlisted as a scriptwriter for The Rifleman and he would go on to have a career as a writer and produce for the bulk of his life. Has worked as a professor at Westmont College since 2019

Trivia: None.

53. Margaret Kerry

Dates: 1929-present

Early Life and Career: Born Peggy Lynch. Was adopted and moved to Los Angeles at 3. Made first film in 1935 as a fairy in Max Reinhardt’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Also was in a couple of Our Gang shorts. Was Elizabeth Taylor’s camera double in National Velvet. Soon she attracted the attention of Eddie Cantor who cast her in a role of his teenage daughter in If You Knew Susie. Yet, thought the girl needed a more theatrical-sounding name to become more noticeable as an actress. Thus, she adopted the name Margaret Kerry.

Movies and Cartoons: Peter Pan (1953)

Characters: Mermaid. However, she served as inspiration and pantomimed the role of Tinkerbell for which she’s much better known.

Also Known For: Has been a screen actress, dancer voice artist, camera double, radio producer, director, and host and media personality. Had skills in 21 different dialects and 48 character voices which she used on 600 different shows. Appeared in films such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935), If You Only Knew Susie, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Sickle or the Cross. TV appearances include The Ruggles, The Andy Griffith Show, The Lone Ranger, Clutch Cargo, Space Angel, and The New Three Stooges. Later became a producer, writer, and host of What’s Up Weekly – Ministry Loves Company from 1992-2004 for Los Angeles Christian radio station KKLA-FM where she also served as its community services director, heading an outreach program connected to more than 200 non-profit service agencies.

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First was to Dick Brown from 1951 to their divorce in 1984. Marriage produced 3 children. Second to John Wilcox from 1987 to his death in 1999. In more recent years, she reconnected with her ex-boyfriend, World War II veteran Robert Boeke. They married on Valentine’s Day in 2020 in a ceremony at the Little Brown Church in the Valley in Studio City, California.

Later Life: Graduated from high school with honors and late cum laude at Los Angeles City College. Has been a supporter and contributor to the animation community, Kerry served on the ASIFA-Hollywood board for a number of years. In 2016, she published her autobiography, Tinker Bell Talks: Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life with stories and anecdotes from her life and career, and featuring 180 photos and pieces of art. In 2019, she self-published a booklet called They All Look Alike To Me with short stories detailing her having prosopagnosia, also known as “face blindness.” As of 2025, Kerry continues to meet fans and attends many conventions, seminars, and events throughout the United States.

Trivia: Received the Disneyana Fan Club President’s Award in 2012 and the Disneyana Fan Club Legends Award in 2020. That same year, she received the Ward Kimball award by the board of Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn. At her 90^th birthday in 2019, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti honored Kerry with certificates on behalf of the City of Los Angeles; the Los Angeles City Council; and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors via 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Also received a card from First Lady Melania Trump. Is a certified seminar leader by the American Seminar Leaders Association and co-author and facilitator of the FUNdamentals of Speaking Seminars. Her website’s Tinkerbell Talks.

54. Tom Conway

Dates: 1904-1967

Early Life and Career: Born Thomas Charles Sanders in Saint Petersburg in the Russian Empire. Father was a rope manufacturer and mother was a horticulturalist. Educated at Bedales School and Brighton College before moving to Africa to find work. Only to return to England to become a glass salesman when he became interested in acting. He began his show business career by appearing in amateur theatre before joining a repertory company for a year and a half. After this, he appeared in some touring productions of plays as well as on radio. Until his younger brother George suggested Conway join him in Hollywood where he signed an MGM contract.

Movies and Cartoons: Peter Pan (1953) and One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

Characters: Quiz Master and Collie.

Also Known For: Best known for playing the suave adventurer, The Falcon in a series of 1940s films (a role he assumed after his brother George), psychiatrist Dr. Louis Judd in Cat People, and The Seventh Victim. Played Sherlock Holmes and The Saint on radio as well as Bulldog Drummond onscreen a couple of times. Other films include The Falcon’s Brother, I Walked with a Zombie, Waterloo Bridge, The Trial of Mary Dugan, The People vs. Dr. Kildare, Lady Be Good, Tarzan’s Secret Treasure, Mr. and Mrs. North, Rio Rita, Mrs. Miniver, Whistle Stop, One Touch of Venus, Prince Valiant, Voodoo Woman, Death of a Scoundrel, and What a Way to Go! Television appearances include Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bachelor’s Heaven,Inspector Mark Saber – Homicide Detective, and Perry Mason.

Personal Life: Older brother of George Sanders and was best man at his wedding to Zsa Zsa Gabor, coming in the plane with a shotgun over just in case George got cold feet. Married twice. First to model Lillian Eggers in 1941 to their divorce in 1953. Second to actress Queenie Leonard from 1958 to 1963 when she divorced him due to his alcoholism. Alcoholism would also cost Conway his relationship with his brother George who eventually broke all contact with him.

Later Life: Conway’s life was plagued with weakened eyesight and alcoholism and his health began to fail from the mid-1950s. In 1960, he was arrested for crashing his vehicle into a parked car while under the influence. Underwent cataract surgery for both eyes in 1964-1965 and a swollen left ankle affected his mobility. By 1965, he was living at a small Los Angeles hotel owned by a former vaudevillian Agnes Lavaty. His friend Mary Robinson notified the press about Conway’s troubles. Phone calls came pouring in from fans but only Lew Ayres was among the showbusiness colleagues to reach out. While gifts, contributions, and offers of aid poured in for a time. But most of the offers never came to fruition and he subsisted on federal aid. In 1966, he lapsed into a coma due to a liver ailment that lasted from April to July. Former sister-in-law visited Conway and gave him $200. Conway was later transferred into a convalescent sanitarium for 3 months. Although Gabor recalled that he went to a girlfriend’s house with the $200 and died in her bed. When he left, he lived in a modest Los Angeles apartment and gave up drinking. Died of liver damage at Washington Hospital in Culver City, California at 62. Funeral was held in London. Ashes interred within a private vault at Chapel of the Pines Crematory.

Trivia: Actor Tim Conway changed his name from Tom Conway because of him. Hobbies include airplane design, swimming, skiing and tennis. Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1617 Vine Street.

55. Peggy Lee

Dates: 1920-2002

Early Life and Career: Born Norma Deloris Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota. Was one of 8 kids to a Swedish station agent for the Midland Continental Railroad. Mother was Norwegian and died when Lee was 4. Father remarried and family lived along several towns at the railroad he worked at. Graduated from Wimbledon High School in 1937. One of her first gigs was as a female singer in a 6-piece college dance band with whom she traveled on Fridays after school and on the weekends. First sang professionally on KOVC radio in Valley City in 1936 and later had her own 15-minute Saturday show sponsored by a restaurant that paid her in food. Not long after her high school graduation, radio personality Ken Kennedy of WDAY Fargo auditioned Lee and put her on the air that day but not before he changed her name to “Peggy Lee.” In 1938, Lee left home for Hollywood, California at only 17. Her first jobs were seasonal positions at Newport Beach where she worked as a short-order cook, waitress, and carnival barker. Returned to Hollywood to audition for the MC at the Jade but her time there was cut short due to overwork and an inadequate diet that she returned to North Dakota to have her tonsils removed. She then remained there to regularly at Fargo’s Powers Hotel, toured with the Sev Olson and Will Osbourne Orchestras, and returned broadcasting at WDAY radio. When she returned to California, Lee developed her trademark sultry purr while singing at the Doll House in Palm Springs. There, she met Ambassador East and West in Chicago owner Frank Bering who offered her a gig at the Buttery Room where Benny Goodman noticed her. She joined his band in 1941 and stayed with him for 2 years. First published song was in 1941 with “Little Fool.” Had her first top ten hit in 1942 with “Somebody Else Is Taking My Place.” 1943 hit with “Why Don’t You Do Right?” was her first to sell a million copies and made her famous.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Characters: Darling, Peg, and Si and Am. Also co-wrote all the original songs for the film with Sonny Burke.

Also Known For: Was a jazz and popular singer, songwriter, and actress whose career spanned 7 decades. Called “Queen of American Pop Music,” she recorded more than 1,100 masters and co-wrote over 270 songs. Was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Pete Kelly’s Blues in 1955. Also appeared on several TV movies and specials. Songwriting collaborators included David Barbour, Laurindo Almeida, Harold Arlen, Sonny Burke, Cy Coleman, Duke Ellington, Dave Grusin, Quincy Jones, Francis Lai, Jack Marshall, Johnny Mandel, Marian McPartland, Willard Robison, Lalo Schifrin, and Victor Young. Many of her compositions have become standards performed by singers such as Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Diana Krall, Queen Latifah, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Janelle Monae, Nina Simone, Regina Spektor, Sarah Vaughan and others. Was a mainstay at Capitol Records when rock and roll came onto the American scene and became one of the first of the “old guard” to recognize the genre recording music by the Beatles, Randy Newman, Carole King, James Taylor, and other up and coming songwriters. From 1957 to 1972, Lee produced a steady stream of 2-3 albums a year that usually included standards (usually arranged differently than the original versions), her own compositions, and material from young artists. Said to be a musical influence for Paul McCartney, Madonna, Beyoncé, k.d. lang, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall,[69] Dusty Springfield, Rita Coolidge, Rita Moreno, and Billie Eilish.

Personal Life: Married 4 times. First marriage was to guitarist and composer David Barbour from 1943 to their 1951 divorce, which produced her daughter Nicki Lee Foster. Second was to actor Brad Dexter in 1953 which ended in divorce. Third was to actor Dewey Martin from 1956 to their 1958 divorce. Fourt to percussionist Jack del Rio in 1964 which ended in divorce.

Later Life: Was one of 3 actresses to sue Disney over royalties during the video cassette revolution in the 1980s and won her case. Continued to perform in the 1990s, sometimes using a wheelchair. After years of poor health, Lee died of complications from diabetes and a heart attack in 2002 at 82 in Los Angeles. She was cremated and her ashes were buried in a bench-style monument in Los Angeles’ Westwood Village Memorial Park.

Trivia: Was nominated for 13 Grammys. Won a Grammy in 1969 for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for “Is That All There Is?” Received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. Received the Rough Rider Award from the state of North Dakota in 1975. Received the Pied Piper Award from American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers in 1990. Received the Ella Award from the Society of Singers in 1994. Received the President’s Award from the Songwriters Guild of America in 1999. Was inducted into the Big Band Jazz Hall of Fame in 1992, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Songbook Hall of Fame from the Great American Songbook Foundation in 2020. Received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960 on 6319 Hollywood Boulevard. Baseball’s Tug McGraw named one of his pitches after her. Often cited as the inspiration for the Magarita cocktail but I have my doubts on this one. Sang the Lord’s Prayer at Louis Armstrong’s funeral in 1971. Was the inspiration for Miss Piggy. Received honorary doctorates in music from North Dakota State University and Jamestown University. Had a pink tea rose named after her in 1983. The Wimbledon depot building where she and her family worked became the Midland Continental Depot Transportation Museum and featured The Peggy Lee Exhibit in 2012 which exhibits that traced her career as well as her regional and state connection. In 2020, ASCAP established the Peggy Lee Songwriter Award. On her 100^th birthday in 2020, the Grammy Museum hosted an online panel discussion that included Billie Eilish, k.d. lang, Eric Burton (The Black Pumas), Lee’s granddaughter Holly Foster Wells, and Dr. Trish Oney, author of Peggy Lee: A Century of Song.

56. Barbara Luddy

Dates: c. 1907 or 1908-1979

Early Life and Career: Born in Great Falls, Montana. Sang in vaudeville and attended an Ursuline convent school in her hometown during her childhood. In 1929, she was part of a touring company that presented the play Lombardi Ltd. Had a successful career in radio during the 1930s. Film career began with silent movies.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955), Sleeping Beauty (1959), One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), Robin Hood (1973), and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

Characters: Lady, Merryweather, Rover, Mother Sexton, Mother Rabbit, and Kanga

Also Known For: Radio appearances include Chicago Theater of the Air, The First Nighter Program, Great Gunns, Lonely Women, The Road of Life, and Woman in White. Film appearances outside Disney include Dear Heart, Her Secret, Sealed Lips, and Born to Battle. TV appearances include Hazel, Dragnet, Adam-12, and Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

Personal Life: Married R. Ned Le Fevre in 1942. Marriage lasted until her death and produced a daughter named Barbara and a son named Chris who predeceased her.

Later Life: Retired from acting in 1977. Died in Los Angeles of lung cancer in 1979 at 70.

Trivia: None

57. Larry Roberts

Dates: 1926-1992

Early Life and Career: Born Lawrence Saltzman in Cleveland, Ohio. After his parents divorced, his father moved to Los Angeles. Served with Patton’s Third Army in France, Germany, and Austria during World War II. After his service, Roberts went to Los Angeles on vacation but stayed to help organize the Circle Theater. Performed with this group under the name of Larry Salters in 1947, appearing in 5 out of their first six productions. In 1949, Roberts went on to create and become part owner of the Players Ring, a prominent Hollywood theater group at the time. Was discovered for the role of Tramp when a Disney storyman saw him performing.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Characters: Tramp

Also Known For: Was a popular guest on many variety shows during the early days of television including Lights, Camera, Action!, Bandstand Revue, The All-Star Revue, and several of the Pinky Lee shows. Did a stint in Las Vegas as a stand-up comic. Recorded some songs with Neely Plumb and his Orchestra such as “April in Portugal”, “Big Mamou”, “Tell Me a Story”, and “Wild Horses.”

Personal Life: Never married. Based on what went on in his later life makes me wonder if Roberts was gay. I mean he was an up and coming actor who left showbiz during the 1950s to work in his uncle’s business under a different name that wasn’t his original name only to later die from AIDS during the early 1990s. Judging how Hollywood treated gay actors back in the 1950s (horribly), it’s probably no wonder that someone like Roberts would’ve left Hollywood for a more private existence. Of course, none of this proves whether Roberts was gay or not and my assumption about his sexuality should be taken with a tiny grain of salt. After all, many other gay actors like Raymond Burr, Jim Nabors, Paul Lynde, Rock Hudson, Tab Hunter, Montgomery Clift, and Charles Nelson Reilly managed to stick it out despite the risks. Nabors and Burr managed to keep long-term partners in the process. While author Isaac Asimov and tennis great Arthur Ashe died both died from AIDS due to tainted blood transfusions. But considering the times Roberts lived in, the decisions he made, and what happened to him, I think it makes a lot of sense.

Later Life: Retired from show business in the mid-to late 1950s. Re-assumed the last name of Salters and went into the ladies’ clothing business. First worked for Bobbie Brooks, Inc., a company his uncle founded. Later moved to New York City and was a designer for Russ Togs, another ladies’ clothing manufacturer. Died of AIDS-related causes in his New York City home in 1992 at 65.

Trivia: Was actively involved in entertaining the troops during the Korean War, frequently participating in USO Tours. Was awarded a “Certificate of Esteem” by then US Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson.

58. Stan Freberg

Dates: 1926-2015

Early Life and Career: Born Stanley Friberg in Pasadena, California. Father was a Baptist minister. Drafted in the US Army from 1945-1947 where he served in Special Services attached to the Medical Corps at Pasadena’s McCornack General Hospital. Began his career by doing impressions on Cliffe Stone’s radio show in 1943. Was employed as a voice actor in animation shortly after graduating from Alhambra High School. Said to have auditioned for Warner Bros. and was promptly hired for cartoon voice work.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955) as well as various shorts

Characters: Beaver

Also Known For: Was an actor, author, comedian, radio personality, puppeteer, and advertising creative director for 70 years. Voiced multiple characters in Looney Tunes including Pete Puma, Bertie, Tosh and others. Also did voice work for UPA as well. Did a series of satirical and parody recordings for Capitol Records during the 1950s and 1960s. A lot of these consisted of zany rock n’roll spoofs, anarchic novelty skits, and barbed political commentaries. Other films include Callaway Went Thataway, Geraldine, Stuart Little, and It’s a Mad, Mad Mad, Mad World. Starred in a radio sitcom 1954 and hosted his own radio show only to have it cancelled due to his general disregard for advertising and network interference. Was a puppeteer for Time for Beany, a children’s show with notable fans like Albert Einstein who once interrupted a high-level conference in order to watch it. Other TV appearances include The Ed Sullivan Show, The Monkees, Freakazoid!, Tiny Toons, Taz-Mania, The Garfield Show, The Weird Al Show, and Roseanne. Later founded a Los Angeles-based advertising agency that produced radio and TV commercials. Noted for introducing satire to the field of advertising and revolutionized the industry by influencing staid ad agencies to imitate his style into their previously dead-serious commercials. And he’s usually credited with humor into television advertising with his memorable campaigns as he felt that a truly funny commercial would make consumers buy their product. Much of the material produced in these campaigns are now considered classics. Produced several mock commercials in the 1950s that have been enshrined in the Museum of Radio and Television and the Smithsonian. Was a key inspiration for Weird Al and many modern comics.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was named Donna with whom he’d have a son named Donovan who’d follow in his father’s footsteps and a daughter Donna Jean. Marriage lasted from 1959 until Donna’s death in 2000. Second was to Betty Hunter that lasted from 2001 until his death. Grandfather of Rylee Jean Ebsen.

Later Life: Following his success in comedy and television, Freberg was often invited to appear as a featured guest at various events. Wrote his autobiography, It Only Hurts When I Laugh chronicling his encounters with legends and his struggles he endured to get his material on air. Died of pneumonia at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica at 88.

Trivia: Beaver from Lady and the Tramp served as an inspiration for the gopher in Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. Once auditioned for the role of C-3PO but lost out to Anthony Daniels. Refused to accept alcohol and tobacco companies as sponsors. Was supposed to be the Jabberwock in Alice in Wonderland but his part got cut in the final rendition. Has won 21 Clio Awards, 3 Emmys, a Grammy, an Inkpot Award, and Winsor McCay Award. Inducted to the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1995. Was also very popular in Australia, appearing there several times in the 1950s and did a commercial there. Was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6145 Hollywood Boulevard.

59. Alan Reed

Dates: 1907-1977

Early Life and Career: Born Herbert Theodore Bergman in New York City. Father was a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania. Mother was a daughter of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. Attended George Washington High School, majored in journalism at Columbia University, and studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Began his acting career and eventually worked on Broadway and radio. Toured the vaudeville circuit with his cousin Harold Green as well as operated a wholesale candy factory and working at the Copake Country Club as “social director, entertainment producer, and actor.” Able to act in 22 foreign dialects.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Characters: Boris

Also Known For: Was the original voice of Fred Flintstone and J.J. Keebler. Film appearances include Days of Glory, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Viva Zapata!, The Postman Always Rings Twice, I, the Jury, Geraldine, The Desperate Hours, and 1001 Arabian Nights. TV appearances include Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Make Room for Daddy, Have Gun-Will Travel, Peter Gunn, The Dick Van Dyke Show, My Favorite Martian, Hoppity Hopper, Johnny Quest, The Addams Family, The Beverly Hillbillies, Batman, Petticoat Junction, and Get Smart. Radio work includes Valiant Lady, Abie’s Irish Rose, Duffy’s Tavern, The Shadow, The Life of Riley, Life with Luigi, Johnny Dollar, and The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show.

Personal Life: Married Broadway and TV actress Finnette Walker whom he met working at a local TV station in 1932. Had 3 sons including Alan Reed Jr.

Later Life: Reed was a heavy smoker and was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 1967. Although his cancer was surgically treated, he later developed emphysema. Died in 1977 at the Saint Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles after having a heart attack at 69.

Trivia: None

60. George Givot

Dates: 1903-1984

Early Life and Career: Born George David Givot what is now Dnipro, Ukraine which was in the Russian Empire as Ekaterinoslav. Although he claimed he was adopted by a French family at 3 and had no idea of who his parents were, it’s safe to assume that this wasn’t the case. Since his father changed his name to Givot as well. Family immigrated to the US in 1906 and settled in Omaha, Nebraska before They later moved to Chicago, where Givot attended high school and college. His night school journalism teacher eventually got fed up with Givot’s class clown antics and sent him to see the man in charge of the midnight to 3 am broadcasts at a radio station, who hired him. Paul Ash heard Givot perform and gave him his start in vaudeville. From there, he worked in nightclubs, film, radio, and television from the 1920s on. Could perform a variety of dialects.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Characters: Tony

Also Known For: Was know for speaking in a comedic fake Greek dialect and was styled as the “Greek Ambassador of Goodwill.” Said to be one earliest Greek dialect comedians. Broadway shows include Pardon My English, Mexican Hayride, and Do Re Mi. Film appearances include Thin Ice, Conquest, Hollywood Calvacade, Fiesta, Road to Morocco, DuBarry Was a Lady, Behind the Rising Sun, Ain’t Misbehavin,’ and The Benny Goodman Story. Had his own radio show at different times. Was the original host of Bonnie Maid Versa-Tile Varieties in 1949 but he only lasted 2 months since his “Greek Ambassador” routine didn’t age well.

Personal Life: Married twice. First to Maryon Curtis in 1937. According to his advance man, Givot planned to retire from showbiz and become a gentleman farmer on his estate in Tarzana, California. But apparently, he had to keep working due to marital problems draining his finances. They divorced in 1941. Second was Mexican Hayride co-star Dorothy Durkee in 1945. Imdb isn’t sure when or how that one happened. But it’s likely that union lasted until Givot’s death.

Later Life: Retired in 1961. Died of a heart attack in 1984 in Palm Springs, California at 81.

Trivia: Was reputedly said to be friends with notorious gangster Bugsy Siegel may have inadvertently saved his life by telling him to spend an extra day in Chicago. Well, the plane he was going to take crashed and claimed 17 lives.