Mel Blanc, known as “the man of 1,000 voices,” collected everything he got his hands on during his decades-long career in Hollywood.
And now, his son Noel Blanc is auctioning off his prized possessions.
The voice actor, who starred as Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and Bugs Bunny – just to name a few – passed away in 1989 at age 81. In his lifetime, Blanc estimated he had mastered at least 900 different accents and dialects during a career spanning more than 50 years. He was also the originator of such lines as Bugs’ ″Eh, what’s up, Doc?, ″ Sylvester the Cat’s ″Thufferin’ thuccotash,″ and Porky’s ″Th-th-th-that’s all, folks.” At the time of his death, it was estimated that more than 20 million people heard his voice daily.
On Friday, over 140 lots will be presented by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. All the lots on offer were consigned directly by Blanc’s only child, Noel Blanc, a fellow voice actor. Some special pieces include a 14K gold money clip gifted to him by lifelong friend Jack Benny, signed contracts for voicing Bugs, numerous awards and even passports, among others.
A college kid smashed into him straight-on. This was dead man’s curve on Sunset Boulevard. He broke every bone in his body. He was in a coma for 14 days. The doctor would call out his name. No response for 14 days. Then the doctor got an idea because the television was on endlessly in his room. And sure enough, Bugs Bunny was on. So finally, he said, “Bugs, can you hear me?” Believe it or not – and I was there with my mom – he responds in character, “Yeah, what’s up doc?” I was stunned. He recuperated and even took on jobs while wearing a full-body cast. And he lived for another 30 years.
Mel Blanc was critically injured in an automobile accident. During his recovery, he kept busy with his voices. This photo shows him recording the voice of Barney Rubble with Jean Vanderpyl (L) and Bea Benaderet – the voices of Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble – on ABC-TV’s ‘The Flintstones’. (Getty Images)
Fox News: You also do voices. What did your father think of them?
Blanc: He was always proud of me. But my interest has always been in writing and directing. He could 1,500 voices and I could do maybe nine. But we’re all copies at this point. No one can do what he did. He was an amazing actor. He not only invented all these characters, but he completely transformed into them with his body. He would look like a little bird and Bugs Bunny. He was a true method actor. He loved his characters and fans. And his ageless characters are just as popular now as they were decades ago.
Fox News: How did your father feel about his success in Hollywood?
Blanc: He just kept busy right until the end… He fell out of bed. We did a commercial together that day and the hospital forgot to put the bed rails up. He fell out of bed and broke his femur. That caused an embolism to the brain. And he lost his life that way. If it weren’t for that, he would have kept doing voices because that’s what he loved to do. We enjoyed working together and I enjoyed directing him. But he didn’t take many directions because he always knew what he was going to do.
Mel Blanc invented the voices of such characters as Woody Woodpecker, Speedy Gonzalez, Pepe Le Pew, Tasmanian Devil, Road Runner, Foghorn Leghorn, Heathcliffe the cat, Speed Buggy, Yosemite Sam and that Oscar-winning rabbit Bugs Bunny. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
Fox News: What do you hope fans will get from Mel Blanc’s life and legacy?
Blanc: Well, his legacy is never-ending because the characters don’t age. That’s the wonderful thing about it. He was the only one that did these voices for so many years. He’s one of the most amazing talents who ever lived. And I’m not just saying that because I’m his son. He represented so much more than just a movie star. Everyone grew up with him and I think his characters will certainly live on forever.
ELMER FUDD WILL NOT USE A GUN IN NEW ‘LOONEY TUNES’ CARTOONS
Mel Blanc was the originator of such lines as Bugs’ ″Eh, what’s up, Doc?,″ Sylvester the Cat’s ″Thufferin’ thuccotash 3/8,″ and Porky’s ″Th-th-th-that’s all, folks.” (Getty Images)
He had this little cabin at Big Bear Lake that was built in 1945. He loved it up there. He used to take his megaphone and talk to the tour boats. Boats would show up every day, up to five times a day, just to hear the characters. People still remember those voices and it’s just terrific. I also remember when my father received a prize at a ceremony. When he came to get his award, every single person stood up. Later that night, I asked him, “Dad, did you notice anything?” He said, “No.” And I said, “You were the only one who got a standing ovation.” And he didn’t even realize it. That’s just how he was. He came to work, did his voices and left. And yet the whole world fell in love with him. He was a star to everyone, but to me, he was a loving, wonderful father who just wanted to make people happy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com.
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