June Foray, the first lady of voice acting, has died at the age of 99, shy of becoming 100 years old. Foray, a voice acting legend, was best known for voicing Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Natasha Fatale from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. She also voiced Granny and Witch Hazel from Looney Tunes, Lucifer the Cat from Cinderella, Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Jokey Smurf from The Smurfs, Grammi Gummi from The Adventures of the Gummi Bears, Ma Beagle and Magica de Spell from Ducktales, among others.
Her death is greatly mourned to those are fans of animation, especially those who followed in her footsteps like Tara Strong, Veronica Taylor and Jodi Benson. However, as legendary as she is, she is one of a long line of voice actors who are spurned, scoffed and ignored by the media, stating that voice acting is not as professional and well known as everything else in all the media and in real life. Voice actors in general are treated like second class citizens, not getting all the admiration and respect like all the regular actors, musicians, politicians and sports heroes combined.
Bottom line, unless the media changes its tune, voice actors will continue to be ignored, just like animation itself. Maybe someday, if by chance and if we play our cards rights, voice actors like June Foray will finally get the respect they so rightfully deserve. Until then, let us remember the voice of a squirrel who can soar through the heavens. Now, she is in heaven, soaring with Alan Young, Paul Frees and Mel Blanc. Godspeed, Ms. Foray and thanks for the memories you have given us.
(TAPS plays)
June Lucille Foray
(September 18, 1917 - July 26th, 2017)
This has been an ACF Special Bulletin. We now return to your regularly, scheduled redemption/friendship tour, already in progress.
Saraba (Farewell)...for now.
#RespectVoiceActors
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