June Foray, the iconic voice of Rocky and Natasha in the popular and memorable « The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, » died on Wednesday. She was 99.
« The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show » dished out satire and humor that was appreciated by adults as well as kids.
It was a topical show when it ran from 1959 to 1964, during the height of the Cold War.
Characters included Rocket J. Squirrel and his sidekick, Bullwinkle the Moose, squaring off with Russian spy foes Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale, and they are famous to this day among baby boomers who were glued to their TVs during the ’60s.
In a 1997 interview with CNN, Foray said Rocky was her favorite role.
« I admired the people who wrote it, who performed with me, and who produced it, and so I love it, » she said.
A long career
Her death was first announced on Facebook by her close friend Dave Nimitz and was confirmed by the International Animated Film Society.
« With a heavy heart again I want to let you all know that we lost our little June today, » Nimitz wrote . « She is resting peacefully now. »
Voice actors, including Bob Bergen, the current voice of Porky Pig, heaped praise on Foray and her vibrant life on social media.
Foray, whose real name was June Lucille Forer, was born on September 18,1917, in Springfield, Massachusetts, according to IMDB .
At 17, Foray moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career, and in 1950, she landed the role of Lucifer the Cat in « Cinderella. » Her versatile and comic style helped land her both male and female animation roles; Rocky, for example, spoke with a cheery young boy’s voice and Natasha’s lines were deep and husky.
Other notable roles voiced by Foray included Nell from « The Dudley Do-Right Show, » Witch Hazel from « Looney Tunes » and Cindy Lou Who from Chuck Jones’ « How the Grinch Stole Christmas. »
Foray also helped launch the Hollywood chapter of the International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, in the 1960s with other animation professionals, including producer Les Goldman, animator Bill Littlejohn and animator Carl Bell.
At age 94, Foray won an Emmy for her role as Mrs. Cauldron on « The Garfield Show, » making her the oldest entertainer to win the award, according to an obituary released by the society.
She was also awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000, the society said.
