Smoke Filled Recording Sessions - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

howilu · 01-31-2026, 11:02 AM

I read in one source that the four original voice actors on The Flintstones, Alan Reed, Jean VanderPyl, Mel Blanc and Bea Benaderet were all heavy smokers. To me, recording sessions in the first three seasons were likely so foggy that Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera and the rest of the crew couldn't see what was going on because of all the smoke. I don't know if Gerry Johnson, who took over as the voice of Betty Rubble when Benaderet left to focus on Petticoat Junction was a smoker.

Sadly, the four passed away from smoking related illnesses. Reed died of emphysema, VanderPyl and Benaderet from lung cancer and Blanc from COPD. Johnson passed away in 1990. Cause of death unknown.

opus · 01-31-2026, 03:13 PM

It would certainly explain this…..

https://youtu.be/HghFVVEKNpY?si=c2Cd3cwU9GvnNAOh

Dude111 · 01-31-2026, 06:45 PM

Thats interesting!!

01-31-2026, 11:02 AM	#1
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,958	Smoke Filled Recording Sessions I read in one source that the four original voice actors on The Flintstones, Alan Reed, Jean VanderPyl, Mel Blanc and Bea Benaderet were all heavy smokers. To me, recording sessions in the first three seasons were likely so foggy that Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera and the rest of the crew couldn't see what was going on because of all the smoke. I don't know if Gerry Johnson, who took over as the voice of Betty Rubble when Benaderet left to focus on Petticoat Junction was a smoker. Sadly, the four passed away from smoking related illnesses. Reed died of emphysema, VanderPyl and Benaderet from lung cancer and Blanc from COPD. Johnson passed away in 1990. Cause of death unknown.

01-31-2026, 03:13 PM	#2
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,053	It would certainly explain this….. https://youtu.be/HghFVVEKNpY?si=c2Cd3cwU9GvnNAOh

01-31-2026, 06:45 PM	#3
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 35,339	Thats interesting!!