Lionel Wilson (voice actor)

Lionel Wilson (born Lionel Lazarus Salzer; March 22, 1924 – April 30, 2003) was an American voice actor, reader of audiobooks, stage actor, and author of children's books. He was known for his roles from Tom Terrific through to his last role, voicing Eustace Bagge on the Cartoon Network's Courage the Cowardly Dog.[1]

Lionel Wilson
Born	Lionel Lazarus Salzer (1924-03-22)March 22, 1924 Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	April 30, 2003(2003-04-30) (aged 79) Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	New York University
Occupation	Stage actor TV actor Voice actor Audiobook narrator Book author
Years active	1936–2001

[N.B.: The voice actor Lionel Wilson is frequently confused with the film actor Lionel G. Wilson on IMDb.]

Career

As stage actor

Lionel Wilson's interest in acting on the stage began at an early age—his first professional stage performance was in 1936 at the age of twelve. A few years later, he was selected for the 1942 Barter Theatre Scholarship, which included summer in a kind of boot camp for aspiring thespians.[2] Over the course of his career he played in at least 25 professional stage productions, including four on Broadway:

• Dodsworth, as bellboy and as a lost boy. 1936.[3]
• Macbeth, as a witch and as a messenger. 1940.[4][5]
• The Merry Widow, as Nish. 1942, 1955, and 1958.[6]
• Janie, as Scooper Nolan (replacement), and Deadpan Hackett (replacement). Broadway, 1943–44.[7]
• The Male Animal, as Wally Meyers. 1944.[8]
• Good Morning Corporal, as Alvin Stacey. Broadway, 1944.[9]
• Kiss and Tell, as Dexter Franklin (replacement). Broadway, 1945–46.[10]
• My Sister Eileen, as Frank Lippincott. 1945–46.[11]
• Tenting Tonight, as Elliott Smollens. 1947.[12]
• Joan of Lorraine, as one of Joan's brothers. 1947.[13]
• John Loves Mary, as Fred Taylor. 1948.[14]
• Waltz me Around Again, as Rick. 1948.[15]
• The Intruder, as Tommy. 1952–53.[16]
• High Button Shoes, as Mr. Pontdue. 1954.[17]
• Fragile Fox, as Corporal Jackson. Broadway, 1954.[18]
• Rio Rita, as Chick Bean. 1955.[19]
• Wonderful Town, as Valenti. 1955.[20]
• Harvey, as Elwood P. Dowd. 1956.[21]
• Girl Crazy, as Slick Fothergill. 1956.[22]
• Once in a Lifetime, as Rudolph Kammerling. 1964.[23]
• How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, as Bud Frump. 1965–66 and 1968[24]
• The Fantasticks, as Henry Albertson. 1967–1969.[25]
• Sweet Charity, as Oscar Lindquist. 1968.[26]
• Cactus Flower, as Harvey Greenfield. 1969.[27]
• A Midsummer Night's Dream, as Francis Flute playing Thisbe. 1973.[28]
• The Soldier's Tale, as the devil. 1984.[29]

As TV actor

Although his primary interest continued to be the stage, he also undertook supporting roles in several TV series. Since supporting roles are sometimes not credited, the following list is almost certainly not complete:

• Martin Kane, Private Eye, unidentified episode, 1949. NBC TV.[30]
• The Silver Theater, as a snooper in “Till Death Do Us Part”, 1949. CBS TV.[31]
• Armstrong Circle Theater, as a clerk in “The Jackpot”, season 1, episode 2, 13 June 1950. NBC TV.[32]
• The Magic Cottage, as Father Time, 28 December 1950 and an unidentified 1954 episode. Unfortunately, most episodes have apparently been lost, along with the credits. DuMont TV.[33]
• The Aldrich Family, as George Bigelow, occasional unidentified episodes, 1952–53. NBC TV.[34][35]
• Broadway Television Theatre, as Kiwi in The Hasty Heart, season 3 episode 4, November 1953; as Scooper in Janie, season 3 episode 5, November 1953; as Leo Davis in Room Service, season 3 episode 14, January 1954. WOR-TV (New York City).[36]
• Valiant Lady, unidentified episodes, 1953–1957. CBS TV.[37][38]
• The Ed Sullivan Show, scene from Fragile Fox, November 7, 1954. CBS TV.[39]
• Search for Tomorrow unidentified episodes. CBS TV.[40]

As voice actor

Wilson majored in Radio Production at New York University[41] and an early venture in voiceover performance was in 1950, in the NBC radio show Top Secret. To provide an income more stable than that from stage acting he took on more voiceover work in the 1950s with television commercials.[42] In 1957 Gene Deitch invited him to work at Terrytoons,[43] voicing all the characters for the innovative cliffhanger cartoon series Tom Terrific, including Mighty Manfred the Wonder Dog and memorable baddie Crabby Appleton. He continued to be involved in Terrytoon cartoons and cartoon series and he also took on projects with other studios.

In 1999, at the age of 75, Wilson landed the role of Eustace Bagge, the main antagonist on the Cartoon Network animated series Courage the Cowardly Dog, and he reprised that role in the Cartoon Network's Staylongers series in the summer of 2000. In 2001, having completed 33 Courage episodes, Wilson retired because of illness and was replaced by Arthur Anderson.[44]

Here is a more comprehensive list of Wilson's voiceover credits:

• Top Secret (NBC Radio, 1950), voicing Admiral Strassner voicing Karen Gaza in “The Admiral's Strange Identity”.[45]
• Tom Terrific series (Terrytoons, 1957) voicing all characters. The series consisted of 26 storylines, each of which had five 5-minute episodes.[46]
• John Doormat series of four episodes (Terrytoons, 1957–58), voicing John Doormat and his wife.[47]
• A Bum Steer (Terrytoons, 1957) voicing unidentified characters.[48]
• Clint Clobber Theatrical Series (Terrytoons, 1957–59) voicing Miss O'Leery, radio announcer, and dog in the episodes Clint Clobber's Cat, Springtime for Clobber, and The Flamboyant Arms.[49]
• Gaston le Crayon (Terrytoons, 1959) voicing unidentified characters in "Gaston's Baby".[50]
• Sidney the Elephant series of 19 episodes (Terrytoons, 1958–63), one of which, Sidney's Family Tree, was nominated for an Academy Award as best short subject in 1958.[51][52][53]
• Deputy Dawg (Terrytoons, 1959–1972) as voice of Vincent Van Gopher and Possible Possum in unidentified episodes.[54][55]
• Many Moons (Terrytoons, 1962), voicing Jester, Minstrel, Royal Mathematician, and Royal Wizard. This animated cartoon was later used as one segment of the 1965 film Alice of Wonderland in Paris.[56]
• The Hector Heathcote Show (Terrytoons, 1963), repeating 16 of the Sidney the Elephant series.[47]
• The Possible Possum series of 37 shorts (Terrytoons, 1965–1971), voicing Possible Possum, Macon Mouse, Owlawishus Owl, Billy Bear and other minor characters.[57]
• Martian Moochers animated series (Terrytoons, 1966), spun off from Possible Possum, voicing an unidentified character in the episode "Champion Chump".[58]
• The Mighty Heroes animated series of 20 seven-minute episodes (Terrytoons 1966–67), Ralph Bakshi's spoof of super avengers, voicing Rope Man, Cuckoo Man, and James Hound.[59] Ten of these made-for-TV episodes were later released to theaters, some in expanded form.[60]
• The Astronut Show (Terrytoons, 1965–1970) voicing Astronut in two episodes, Martian Moocher in one episode, and Cuckoo Man and Rope Man in one episode.[61] This program also included repeats of the Sidney the Elephant series.
• The Merry Makers (Paramount/Famous Pictures, 1967) voicing all characters in the four episodes.[62]
• The World of Hans Christian Andersen (Hal Roach Studios, 1968), an English-language version of a Japanese anime, dubbing Hannibal Mouse, Mayor, and Watchdog.[63]
• The Emperor's New Armor (Ariel Productions and Pyramid Films, 1969) voicing part of the narration.[64]
• Winky Dink and You! (Screen Magic, Inc., 1969 revival) voicing all characters in the 52 episodes.[65]
• Marco Polo Junior Versus the Red Dragon (Animation International, 1972), an Australian full-length cartoon, voicing unidentified characters.[66]
• Enchanted Journey (Film Gallery, Inc., 1981), the English-language release of a Japanese anime, dubbing the voice of Glikko.[67]
• Superbook (Anime Oyako Gekijō)) (Christian Broadcasting Network, 1981), voicing miscellaneous voices in unidentified episodes.[68]
• Miracle at Intervale (Board of Jewish Education, 1981), voices by Lionel Wilson and six others.[69]
• The Season of Our Joy (Board of Jewish Education, 1982), script by Lionel Wilson, narration not credited.[70]
• Braingames, ((HBO, 1983–1985) narrating Odd Card Out / Safari Solitaire and Mysteriosos / The Riddler in the six episodes.[71]
• Star Blazers (Claster Television, 1984), the English adaptation of the Japanese anime series Space Battleship Yamato, dubbing the voice of Jason Jetter in episodes 53-77.[72][73]
• The Secret of Mulan (United American Video, 1998) feature cartoon, voicing unidentified characters.[74]
• Courage the Cowardly Dog (Cartoon Network, 1999–2001), voicing Eustace Bagge [75] in 33 episodes, each comprising two segments.
• Staylongers series (Cartoon Network, summer 2000), voicing Eustace Bagge.[76]

A Filmography in International Movie Database (at "Lionel Wilson (II) (1924–2003)". IMDb.) as of 26 October 2018 lists a few additional voiceover credits but does not indicate the source of the information.

As audiobook narrator

In between his other activities, he narrated or helped narrate over 100 children's audiobooks.[77]

As author

Wilson wrote a dozen books for children,[78] the scripts for several of his audiobooks such as the Clifford series,[79] and authored or co-authored the plays Pocket Full O'Rye (with Stanley Schacter),[80] Simon Says (with Fred Ebb),[81] Oh Where Have You Been, Billy Boy (with Lawrence N. Kasha),[82] Come And Be Killed,[83] and The Mischief on Merry Mountain.[84]

Death

Wilson died of pneumonia on April 30, 2003, at the age of 79.[85][86]

General references

• Beck, Jerry (2005). The Animated Movie Guide. Chicago Review Press. xx+348 pages. OCLC 218663760.
• Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (2003). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present (8 ed.). Random House. xx+1592 pages. OCLC 865212402.
• Brubaker, Charles (2012). "Terrytoons 1957-1971 filmography". Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2018. (Original URL is now dead.)
• Lenburg, Jeff (1983). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoon Series. Da Capo Press (corrected edition, originally published by Arlington House 1981). Archived 7 May 2018. 190 pages. OCLC 123211250. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
• McCall, Douglas L. (2005). Film Cartoons : a guide to 20th century American animated features and shorts. McFarland & Company. v+267 pages. OCLC 72762683.
• Terrace, Vincent (2013). Television Specials: 5336 Entertainment Programs, 1936–2012 (2 ed.). McFarland & Company. v+479 pages. OCLC 859375035.
• Webb, Graham (2000). The Animated Film Encyclopedia: A Complete Guide to American Shorts, Features and Sequences, 1900–1979. McFarland & Company. vi+634 pages. OCLC 607142675.
• Wilson, Lionel (2018). "and also in the cast . . . " : The Saga of a Supporting Player. (Wilson's autobiography, completed in 1999 and published posthumously) vi + 279 pages. ISBN 978-1720738398.

Citations

1. Eury, Michael (2017). Hero-A-Go-Go: Campy Comic Books, Crimefighters, & Culture of the Swinging Sixties. p. 217. ISBN 978-1605490731. Cuckoo Man and Rope Man were portrayed by Lionel G.[sic] Wilson, a voice actor whose Tom Terrific roles put him on the map. Wilson continued to work behind the microphone up until his 2003 death, voicing Eustace Bagge on the Cartoon Network's Courage the Cowardly Dog.
2. "Two Selected For Season At Barter". Richmond (Virginia) Times-Dispatch. 3 June 1942. p. 11.
3. Trebor, Haynes (15 September 1936). "'Dodsworth' Excellent Despite Balky Scenery". North Shore Daily Journal. (Flushing, New York). p. 8.
4. "Kiss and Tell". Playbill. p. 12. 15 April 1945.
5. Wilson (2018), pp. 33–37.
6. "'Merry Widow' Week at Lyric Circus". Citizen–Advertiser. (Auburn, New York). 6 July 1958. p. 2.
7. "Janie". Playbill. 10 September 1942. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
8. "At the Bucks County Playhouse in the Bellevue". Philadelphia Inquirer. 10 July 1944. p. 6.
9. "Good Morning, Corporal". Playbill. 8 August 1944. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
10. "Kiss and Tell". Playbill. 17 March 1943. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
11. Styron, Betty (10 July 1946). "'Eileen' Comes to Skaneateles". Post-Standard. (Syracuse, New York). p. 7.
12. "Tenting Tonight". The Sun. (New York City). 7 February 1947. p. 26.
13. "Sylvia Sidney enacts 'Joan'". Philadelphia Inquirer. 10 August 1947. p. 58.
14. "'John Loves Mary' New Bill At the Flatbush Theater". Brooklyn Eagle. 20 June 1948. p. 29.
15. Currie, George (15 September 1948). "Nancy Walker Whispers Through a Local Tryout". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 18.
16. "The Intruder". The Playgoer. 8 December 1952.
17. Apikian, Nevart (14 July 1954). "High Button Shoes Shine Brightly . . ". The Post-Standard. (Syracuse, New York). p. 5.
18. "Fragile Fox". Playbill. 12 October 1954. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
19. "Rejuvenated 'Rio Rita' Begins Weeks Run . . ". Citizen-Advertiser. (Auburn, New York). 13 July 1955. p. 14.
20. E.V.W. (24 August 1955). "Lyric Has Good Show In 'Wonderful Town'". Syracuse Herald-Journal. p. 54.
21. "At Allenberry". The Gazette and Daily. (York, Pennsylvania) Includes photograph. 29 June 1956. p. 41.
22. Simpson, Peg (14 August 1956). "Cartoon Voices Have Interesting Persons Attached". The Post-Standard. (Syracuse, New York). p. 26.
23. Taubman, Howard (29 January 1964). "'Once in a Lifetime' at the York Playhouse". The New York Times. p. 20.
24. "20th Anniversary Season, Pocono Playhouse". The Morning Call. (Allentown, Pennsylvania) Advertisement, including photograph. 12 June 1966. p. 81.
25. "The Fantasticks". Playbill. 22 January 1968.
26. "At the Drew". The East Hampton Star. (East Hampton, New York) Includes photograph. 1 August 1968. p. 15.
27. Albrecht, Ernest (12 February 1969). "Betsy puts the Bloom in 'Cactus Flower'". The Central NJ Home News. (New Brunswick, New Jersey). p. 19.
28. Marill, Alvin H. (2004). Mickey Rooney: His Films, Television Appearances, Radio Work, Stage Shows, and Recordings. p. 179. OCLC 56559427.
29. "Bergen Youth Orchestra to stage 'Soldier's Tale'". Newark Star-Ledger. (Newark, New Jersey). 5 April 1984. p. 67.
30. "The Intruder". Ford's Playgoer. p. 11. 15 December 1952.
31. Ford's Playgoer, op. cit.
32. Hawes, William (2001). Live Television Drama, 1946–1951. p. 280.
33. "Magic Cottage, The (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
34. Rowan, Terry. Character-Based Film Series, Part I. p. 97.
35. Brooks & Marsh (2003), p. 28.
36. Terrace (2013), pp. 73–74.
37. "What's New on the East Coast". TV-Radio Mirror. 48 (2): 79. July 1957.
38. Wilson (2018), p. 179.
39. Wilson (2018), p. 80.
40. TV-Radio Mirror, op. cit.
41. Wilson (2018), p. 38.
42. Wilson (2018), pp. 171–174.
43. Deitch, Gene (2011). "35 Lionel Wilson". GeneDeitchCredits. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
44. Catolico, Gianna Francesca (18 April 2016). "Voice of 'Eustace' in 'Cowardly Dog' is dead". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 24 September 2018. The original voice actor of Eustace, Lionel Wilson, left the show after 33 episodes due to illness. Anderson replaced him.
45. "The Admiral's Strange Identity". Top Secret (radio program). Episode 2. 19 June 1950. Event occurs at 17:03-17:36, credit at 29:18. Archived from unidentified source on 3 July 2006. NBC radio. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
46. Ehrbar, Greg (3 July 2018). "Terrytoons' "Tom Terrific" and Lionel Wilson on Records". Cartoon Research. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
47. McCall (2005), p. 196.
48. "A Bum Steer". The Big Cartoon Database. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
49. "Clint Clobber Cast". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
50. Webb (2000), p. 182/2348.
51. Lenburg (1983), p. 78.
52. Brubaker (2012).
53. "31st Academy Awards (1958): Nominees and Winners / Short Subject (Cartoon)". Cinema Sight. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
54. "Deputy Dawg". Nostalgia Central. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
55. "Lionel Wilson". Voice Chasers. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
56. Beck (2005), pp. 12–13. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFBeck2005 (help)
57. Lenburg (1983), p. 74.
58. Webb (2000), p. 80/1087.
59. McCall (2005), p. 202.
60. Webb (2000), p. various.
61. Perlmutter, David. The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. p. 46.
62. Webb (2000), pp. 170/2198, 204/2598, 486/6162.
63. Beck (2005), p. 319. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFBeck2005 (help)
64. The emperor's new armor. OCLC 173696161.
65. "The Big Cartoon Database / Winky Dink and You!". Retrieved 30 September 2018.
66. "Marco Polo Junior". YouTube. Credit at 1:21:14 – 1:21:20. Retrieved 1 October 2018.CS1 maint: location (link)
67. Clements, Jonathan; McCarthy, Helen (2015). The Anime Encyclopedia, 3rd Revised Edition: A Century of Japanese Animation. Enchanted Journey.
68. "Superbook: The Series I". Christian Film Database. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
69. Miracle at Intervale. OCLC 9018322.
70. The season of our joy: a Sukkot celebration. OCLC 609523509.
71. "Braingames (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
72. Painter, Arthur (21 June 2013). "Cosmo DNA: Episode 4 Commentary". (and following episodes). Retrieved 28 September 2018.
73. Wilson (2018), p. 253.
74. "The Secret of Mulan". YouTube. Credit at 49:01 – 49:04. Retrieved 1 October 2018.CS1 maint: location (link)
75. Brooks & Marsh (2003), p. 290.
76. "Behind the Voice Actors: Eustace Bagge". Retrieved 1 October 2018.
77. "Wilson, Lionel > Audiobook". WorldCat. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
78. "Books by Lionel Wilson". ISBNS.net. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
79. Clifford the big red dog. OCLC 17729894.
80. Catalog of Copyright Entries Series Three [Periodicals, January–June]. p. 193 & p. 209: Library of Congress. 1948.CS1 maint: location (link)
81. Funke, Lewis (7 May 1961). "News of the Rialto / Musical Will Lampoon Television Commercials—Sundry Other Items". The New York Times. p. X1.
82. "2 Broadway Shows Planned By Kasha". The New York Times. 8 April 1969. p. 42.
83. Norton, Elliot (20 June 1975). "About the New Plays in Summer Theaters". Boston Herald. p. 30.
84. Kronenberger, Lewis (1975). The Best Plays of 1974–1975.
85. "Lionel Wilson, Who Gave Voice To Tom Terrific, Is Dead at 79". The New York Times. 24 May 2003. p. A30. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
86. "Lionel Wilson, Actor-writer, voiced Tom Terrific on 'Captain Kangaroo'". Variety (6 May 2003 on-hline ed.). 3 June 2003. p. 20. Retrieved 19 September 2018.

External links

• Lionel Wilson at the Internet Broadway Database
• Lionel Wilson on IMDb
• Lionel Wilson at Behind the Voice Actors
• Lionel Wilson at Voice Chasers