The Voice of Kellogg's Tony the Tiger Dies - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 05-24-2005, 11:38 PM

The Voice of Kellogg's Tony the Tiger Dies at 91

Thurl Ravenscroft Made 'They're Grrrrreeeat!' and Frosted Flakes Famous

FULLERTON, Calif. (May 24) - Thurl Ravenscroft, who provided the rumbling "They're Grrrrreeeat!" for Kellogg's Tony the Tiger ads and voiced a host of Disney 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.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 05-24-2005, 11:41 PM

Rest in Peace

Hollow · 05-24-2005, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Pleasant Tomorrow*

Rest in Peace

i totally thought that said rust in peace..

that's sad though.

moeee · 05-24-2005, 11:51 PM

He had a great life. 91 years of it. R.I.P.

Brian Damage · 05-25-2005, 12:07 AM

RIP

Fleet · 05-25-2005, 12:53 AM

He did a great job on Disneyland's "Haunted Mansion" album, which I still have (released in 1969). I also have the "Pirates of the Carribean" album (released in 1968).
My parents bought those two albums when they came out so they are originals!

snl75 · 05-25-2005, 01:57 AM

he was grrreat as tony and from every thing ive read about him he was a very nice man he will be sorley miissed rip.

Superstar · 05-25-2005, 03:38 AM

awww, RIP

*MIBabe03* · 05-25-2005, 08:54 AM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Why must all the best people die? j/k.

robyrob · 05-25-2005, 08:59 AM

Rhiannon · 05-25-2005, 10:09 AM

that's sad

Dr. Jazz · 05-25-2005, 10:39 AM

I don't know if any else caught Letterman's tribute to Ravenscroft last night, but Letterman's announcer Alan Kalter said that Ravenscroft's funeral would be held in Los Angeles and he would then be in buried in a grrrrrraaave!!!

Cactus Jack · 05-25-2005, 02:15 PM

RIP THurl

Max Whittaker · 05-25-2005, 02:19 PM

Awww! I thought he would live forever!

MsOrange · 05-25-2005, 05:37 PM

well tha'ts not grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat

05-24-2005, 11:38 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	The Voice of Kellogg's Tony the Tiger Dies The Voice of Kellogg's Tony the Tiger Dies at 91 Thurl Ravenscroft Made 'They're Grrrrreeeat!' and Frosted Flakes Famous FULLERTON, Calif. (May 24) - Thurl Ravenscroft, who provided the rumbling "They're Grrrrreeeat!" for Kellogg's Tony the Tiger ads and voiced a host of Disney 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.

05-24-2005, 11:41 PM	#2
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Rest in Peace
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

05-25-2005, 12:53 AM	#6
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	He did a great job on Disneyland's "Haunted Mansion" album, which I still have (released in 1969). I also have the "Pirates of the Carribean" album (released in 1968). My parents bought those two albums when they came out so they are originals!
	__________________ 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine.

05-25-2005, 08:54 AM	#9
MIBabe03 Loving Swingtown! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 28, 2002 Location: TX Posts: 4,646	NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Why must all the best people die? j/k.
	__________________ Laura and Mario November 10, 2006

05-25-2005, 08:59 AM	#10
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,194
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05-24-2005, 11:51 PM	#4
moeee Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 31, 2003 Posts: 40,094	He had a great life. 91 years of it. R.I.P.

05-25-2005, 12:07 AM	#5
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	RIP

05-25-2005, 01:57 AM	#7
snl75 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2004 Location: in the formen basement watching snl Posts: 1,377	he was grrreat as tony and from every thing ive read about him he was a very nice man he will be sorley miissed rip.

05-25-2005, 03:38 AM	#8
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	awww, RIP

05-25-2005, 10:09 AM	#11
Rhiannon oh, snap! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: middle of nowhere Posts: 11,097	that's sad
	__________________ Nothing better the feeling is so fine Simply put I saw your love stream flow

05-25-2005, 10:39 AM	#12
Dr. Jazz The Evil Empire. . . . Forum Star Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 11,095	I don't know if any else caught Letterman's tribute to Ravenscroft last night, but Letterman's announcer Alan Kalter said that Ravenscroft's funeral would be held in Los Angeles and he would then be in buried in a grrrrrraaave!!!

05-25-2005, 02:15 PM	#13
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP THurl
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05-25-2005, 02:19 PM	#14
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	Awww! I thought he would live forever!
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05-25-2005, 05:37 PM	#15
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	well tha'ts not grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat