According to CNN, we are sad to report that beloved voice actress June Foray, known most for her contributions to the classic Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends (1959-61) animated cartoon series, died on July 26, 2017 at the age of 99, a little less than two months shy of her 100th birthday.
June Foray brought a variety of characters to life
Besides voicing the fun-loving Rocky the Flying Squirrel in Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends, she also voiced the deceptively different, evil Russian villain voice of Natasha Fatale in the same series. Along with this show, she also brought to life Mulan’s wisecracking Grandmother Fa from Disney’s Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004), little Cindy Lou Who from the Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) classic holiday cartoon, the crafty but lovable Magica De Spell from DuckTales (1987-90), and spent many, many years as Granny and Witch Hazel in various Looney Tunes cartoons.
Certainly a pioneering voice actress, June Foray was known by her peers and many animation critics, historians, and admirers as being one of the most lovable and sweetest women and talents in the world.
June Foray’s last role
According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), June Foray’s last role was the voice of her original Rocky in a Rocky and Bullwinkle (2014) short almost three years ago. She also appeared in the fascinating voice acting documentary entitled, I Know That Voice (2013), where you can see just what an incredible talent and amazing woman she is just by hearing her talk in the film’s various interviews. For any fan of June Foray, Rocky & Bullwinkle, voice acting, or animation in general, this is a documentary certainly worth checking out.
Other notable contributions include: Lucifer the cat in Disney’s Cinderella (1950), Jokey Smurf/Mrs. Sourberry in The Smurfs (1981-90), Aunt May Parker in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981-86), Granny in The Flintstones (1960-66), additional voices in Alvin & the Chipmunks (1983-90), and many, many more.
Rest in peace, June Foray. Thank you for bringing to life so many wonderful and memorable characters, and for the incredible imprint you left not just on voice acting, but the world of animation.
