Known as “the man of a thousand voices,” diminutive voice actor Mel Blanc gave life to countless classic animated characters over the span of an awesome 50-year career. The first (and for many years, the only) voice-over artist ever to receive on-screen billing, Blanc kicked open the doors for an entire industry profession. Now one of the most sought-after professions in Hollywood, future animated VO artists would go on to enjoy both name recognition and lucrative paydays, all thanks to one Mel Blanc.

Born Melvin Jerome Blank on May 30, 1908 in San Francisco, CA, the future voice impresario