Thurl Ravenscroft, Known as the Voice of Tony the Tiger, Dies - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

musicradio77 · 05-24-2005, 05:12 PM

From the Associated Press:

Thurl Ravenscroft, Known as the Voice of Tony the Tiger, Dies

FULLERTON, Calif. — Thurl Ravenscroft (search), who provided the rumbling "They're Grrrrreeeat!" for Kellogg's Tony the Tiger (search) ads and voiced a host of Disney (search) characters, has died. He was 91. Ravenscroft died Sunday of prostate cancer, said Diane Challis Davy, director of Laguna Beach's Pageant of the Masters.

For more than 50 years, Ravenscroft was the affable voice behind Tony the Tiger, TV's popular cartoon pitchman for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes.

"I'm the only man in the world that has made a career with one word: Grrrrreeeat!" Ravenscroft told the Orange County Register in 1996. "When Kellogg's brought up the idea of the tiger, they sent me a caricature of Tony to see if I could create something for them. After messing around for some time I came up with the `Grrrrreeeat!' roar, and that's how it's been since then."

He also narrated the summertime Pageant of the Masters at Laguna Beach for 20 years and lent his voice to characters on thrill rides at Disneyland, including the Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Haunted Mansion.

"Disneyland wouldn't have been, and wouldn't be, the same without him," the park's former president, Jack Lindquist, told the Register. "His voice was one of the things that made it all come alive."

Ravenscroft also did voices for the animated films "Cinderella," "The Jungle Book," "Mary Poppins," "Alice in Wonderland," "Lady and the Tramp" and many others.

Born in Norfolk, Neb., Ravenscroft moved to California in 1933 to study art. By the mid-1930s he was appearing regularly on radio, and by the late-1930s he was singing backup for Bing Crosby.

After military service during World War II, he returned to Hollywood, where he sang with the Mellomen, a group that performed with Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Elvis Presley.

In 1952, Ravenscroft's voice appeared in the first Frosted Flakes commercial.

Ravenscroft is survived by two children and four grandchildren. June, his wife of 53 years, died in 1999 at age 80.

James"Thunder"Early · 05-24-2005, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicradio77

From the Associated Press:

Thurl Ravenscroft, Known as the Voice of Tony the Tiger, Dies

FULLERTON, Calif. — Thurl Ravenscroft (search), who provided the rumbling "They're Grrrrreeeat!" for Kellogg's Tony the Tiger (search) ads and voiced a host of Disney (search) characters, has died. He was 91. Ravenscroft died Sunday of prostate cancer, said Diane Challis Davy, director of Laguna Beach's Pageant of the Masters.

For more than 50 years, Ravenscroft was the affable voice behind Tony the Tiger, TV's popular cartoon pitchman for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes.

"I'm the only man in the world that has made a career with one word: Grrrrreeeat!" Ravenscroft told the Orange County Register in 1996. "When Kellogg's brought up the idea of the tiger, they sent me a caricature of Tony to see if I could create something for them. After messing around for some time I came up with the `Grrrrreeeat!' roar, and that's how it's been since then."

He also narrated the summertime Pageant of the Masters at Laguna Beach for 20 years and lent his voice to characters on thrill rides at Disneyland, including the Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Haunted Mansion.

"Disneyland wouldn't have been, and wouldn't be, the same without him," the park's former president, Jack Lindquist, told the Register. "His voice was one of the things that made it all come alive."

Ravenscroft also did voices for the animated films "Cinderella," "The Jungle Book," "Mary Poppins," "Alice in Wonderland," "Lady and the Tramp" and many others.

Born in Norfolk, Neb., Ravenscroft moved to California in 1933 to study art. By the mid-1930s he was appearing regularly on radio, and by the late-1930s he was singing backup for Bing Crosby.

After military service during World War II, he returned to Hollywood, where he sang with the Mellomen, a group that performed with Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Elvis Presley.

In 1952, Ravenscroft's voice appeared in the first Frosted Flakes commercial.

Ravenscroft is survived by two children and four grandchildren. June, his wife of 53 years, died in 1999 at age 80.

I remember his voice in The Brave Little Toaster which is one of my favorite movies.

TripperFan · 05-24-2005, 05:26 PM

Ahhh - sorry to hear it - he always had such a nice big smile too and really seemed to enjoy "being Tony".

He was GGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRREAT!! R.I.P. Thurl.

Mr. Television · 05-24-2005, 05:31 PM

Ver Sad. I grew up with Tony The Tiger.

musicradio77 · 05-24-2005, 08:37 PM

I have 4 clips from certain sites like 80's TV Themes, TV Party, Dee T's 70's and Toon Tracker. here are those clips:

Frosted Flakes Commercial (1984)

Frosted Flakes Commercial (1960's)

Another Frosted Flakes Commercial (1960's)

Frosted Flakes Commercial (1970's)

Besure to check out this site about the life and career of Thurl Ravenscroft.

"All Things Thurl"

RIP - Thurl

TJL · 05-24-2005, 08:49 PM

How sad. He had such a memorable voice.

Didn't he also sing a song in "How The Grinch Stole Christmas?"

MariposaLKB · 05-25-2005, 07:02 AM

I had the privilege, as a child and early adolescent, of attending the same church in North Hollywood, CA, as Mr. Ravenscroft. He narrated our Christmas pageant every year (in person, in the pulpit), and I was in the children's choir which was also a part of it. His voice was unbelievably deep and resonant, his belief in what he was saying very evident--and to a young girl he seemed impossibly tall

! Truly a devout, kind, sweet person as well as having a unique God-given gift!

I only recently checked IMDB to see if he was still alive, since I knew he must be in his late 80's at least. I was surprised to find at that time he was alive, and saddened now to hear of his death. God bless you, Thurl!

rodwayne · 05-25-2005, 10:36 AM

I'm too is sad and a bit shock to hear of this.I'm glad that I check out this broad because I haven't heard anything on the news network.Of course,even if it was on,it probably was only a 30 second sound bite.Seems like other celebrities gets an all day tribute while others barely get mention.And this was a man that did one of the greatrest icon voices.One would think that they would make a big fuss over this.I don't know whom they will get to replace him,but whomever it is can never truely replace Mr.Ravenscroft.

05-24-2005, 05:12 PM	#1
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	Thurl Ravenscroft, Known as the Voice of Tony the Tiger, Dies From the Associated Press: Thurl Ravenscroft, Known as the Voice of Tony the Tiger, Dies FULLERTON, Calif. — Thurl Ravenscroft (search), who provided the rumbling "They're Grrrrreeeat!" for Kellogg's Tony the Tiger (search) ads and voiced a host of Disney (search) characters, has died. He was 91. Ravenscroft died Sunday of prostate cancer, said Diane Challis Davy, director of Laguna Beach's Pageant of the Masters. For more than 50 years, Ravenscroft was the affable voice behind Tony the Tiger, TV's popular cartoon pitchman for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes. "I'm the only man in the world that has made a career with one word: Grrrrreeeat!" Ravenscroft told the Orange County Register in 1996. "When Kellogg's brought up the idea of the tiger, they sent me a caricature of Tony to see if I could create something for them. After messing around for some time I came up with the `Grrrrreeeat!' roar, and that's how it's been since then." He also narrated the summertime Pageant of the Masters at Laguna Beach for 20 years and lent his voice to characters on thrill rides at Disneyland, including the Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Haunted Mansion. "Disneyland wouldn't have been, and wouldn't be, the same without him," the park's former president, Jack Lindquist, told the Register. "His voice was one of the things that made it all come alive." Ravenscroft also did voices for the animated films "Cinderella," "The Jungle Book," "Mary Poppins," "Alice in Wonderland," "Lady and the Tramp" and many others. Born in Norfolk, Neb., Ravenscroft moved to California in 1933 to study art. By the mid-1930s he was appearing regularly on radio, and by the late-1930s he was singing backup for Bing Crosby. After military service during World War II, he returned to Hollywood, where he sang with the Mellomen, a group that performed with Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Elvis Presley. In 1952, Ravenscroft's voice appeared in the first Frosted Flakes commercial. Ravenscroft is survived by two children and four grandchildren. June, his wife of 53 years, died in 1999 at age 80.
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions

05-24-2005, 05:26 PM	#3
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Ahhh - sorry to hear it - he always had such a nice big smile too and really seemed to enjoy "being Tony". He was GGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRREAT!! R.I.P. Thurl.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

05-24-2005, 05:31 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Ver Sad. I grew up with Tony The Tiger.
	__________________ Sonny

05-24-2005, 08:49 PM	#6
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	How sad. He had such a memorable voice. Didn't he also sing a song in "How The Grinch Stole Christmas?"
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

05-25-2005, 07:02 AM	#7
MariposaLKB She flies alone Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 06, 2001 Location: The great unknown Posts: 3,436	I had the privilege, as a child and early adolescent, of attending the same church in North Hollywood, CA, as Mr. Ravenscroft. He narrated our Christmas pageant every year (in person, in the pulpit), and I was in the children's choir which was also a part of it. His voice was unbelievably deep and resonant, his belief in what he was saying very evident--and to a young girl he seemed impossibly tall ! Truly a devout, kind, sweet person as well as having a unique God-given gift! I only recently checked IMDB to see if he was still alive, since I knew he must be in his late 80's at least. I was surprised to find at that time he was alive, and saddened now to hear of his death. God bless you, Thurl!
	__________________ Within a cage Try to escape Her silent rage But no one ever listens... -Butterfly (Mariposa)

05-24-2005, 08:37 PM	#5
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	I have 4 clips from certain sites like 80's TV Themes, TV Party, Dee T's 70's and Toon Tracker. here are those clips: Frosted Flakes Commercial (1984) Frosted Flakes Commercial (1960's) Another Frosted Flakes Commercial (1960's) Frosted Flakes Commercial (1970's) Besure to check out this site about the life and career of Thurl Ravenscroft. "All Things Thurl" RIP - Thurl

05-25-2005, 10:36 AM	#8
rodwayne Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 27, 2002 Posts: 367	I'm too is sad and a bit shock to hear of this.I'm glad that I check out this broad because I haven't heard anything on the news network.Of course,even if it was on,it probably was only a 30 second sound bite.Seems like other celebrities gets an all day tribute while others barely get mention.And this was a man that did one of the greatrest icon voices.One would think that they would make a big fuss over this.I don't know whom they will get to replace him,but whomever it is can never truely replace Mr.Ravenscroft.