Voices In Heaven 3

 
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***UPDATE: I'M DISABLING COMMENTS. I know a lot of you commented with quality feedback, and thank you for that. But this series keeps attracting the same comments over and over again! Comments like: "You forgot _______!" or "How about ____?" "Next time you have to add _____" I've also had some spam and really fucking weird comments too. I'm just getting sick of reading the same comments from people who think I have the ability to add every single deceased voice actor who ever existed, not taking into account that I'm only human and these pictures/tributes take a lot of work. I know it sounds petty, especially since it's about paying tribute to the actors, but eh.***
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The third installment of my 'Voices in Heaven' series, i pay another tribute to various voice actors behind some of out favourite cartoon (animal) characters! I wasn't originally planning to continue this series, but with some fairly recent deaths of famous voice actors; i figured they deserve a tribute too. Plus to include the voice actors i left out of my other two installments.

1. Boris (Balto, 1995)
Yes, with the more recent death of this beloved actor; i added Boris to the series. Boris; of course, was voiced by legendary actor Bob Hoskins. Probably better recognized as Eddie Valiant in Disney's 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).'
Born on October 26, 1942; Bob Hoskins was a natural born actor, starting out (as many actors do) in various theatre productions. He soon moved up to television stardom in shows such as: On the Move, Pennies from Heaven, and a Shakespeare TV production of Othello. And then of course working his way through various film appearences, such as: The Long Good Friday (1980), Brazil (1985), Mona Lisa (1986), and his most regretted film experience Super Mario Bros. (1993). Although praised by critics for his performance in this movie, he was extremely unhappy with the film and greatly angered by his experiences making it, referring to it as the "worst thing I ever did".
After 37 respectful years in the movie and TV business, Hoskins announced his retirement from acting on 8 August 2012. The year prior to his announcement; he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. On 29 April 2014, Hoskins died from pneumonia.
Bob Hoskins was 71 years old.

2. Tod (The Fox & the Hound 1981)
Trust me, there were a LOT of choices for which character i could illustrate to represent this one, for this man was a veteran voice actor! But i chose Tod because he's easily recognizable and so loveable! Tod was voiced by immortalized actor Mickey Rooney. I'll try and keep this summary short, but it's not easy; this guy had lead quite a life!
Born on September 23, Mickey Rooney was an American actor of film, television, broadway, and radio. Beginning as a child actor, his career extended over 90 years, making him one of the most enduring performers in show business history. He appeared in more than 300 films and was one of the last surviving stars of the silent film era, having one of the longest careers in the medium's history.
At aged nineteen he was the first teenager to be nominated for an Oscar, for his leading role in Babes in Arms, co-starring Judy Garland, and was awarded a special Juvenile Academy Award in 1939. Overall, between the age of 15 and 25, while at his peak, he made forty-three pictures and co-starred alongside leading actors, including Judy Garland, Wallace Beery, Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. He also made hundreds of appearances on TV, including dramas, variety programs and talk shows. During his career, he received four Academy Award nominations and was nominated for five Emmy Awards, winning one.
In the coming years he starred in many other films and TV shows, too many to count; really. It would take forever for me to list them all!
On April 6 2014, Mickey Rooney died in his sleep from natural causes. But his legacy lives on as one of the greatest actors who ever lived.
Mickey Rooney was 93 years old.

3. Chief (The Fox & the Hound, 1981)
Yeah, another one from The Fox & the Hound; i've been meaning to add Chief in the series for a while but i never had room for him. Until now, Chief was voiced by actor Pat Buttram.
Born Maxwell Emmett "Pat" Buttram on June 19, 1915, Pat was an American born actor; best known for playing the character of Mr. Haney in the TV show Green Acres. He had a distinctive voice which, in his own words, "... never quite made it through puberty".
Perfect for voice work, he lended his talent to many other Disney movies such as: The Aristocats, Robin Hood, The Rescuers, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and A Goofy movie.
Aside from voice work, he was also known for playing the sidekick of Gene Autry; appearing in many of his films, his radio show and his television series called 'The Gene Autry Show.'
Buttram was honored with a star on the 'Hollywood Walk of Fame', and also a star on 'Alabama Stars of Fame' in Birmingham.
On January 8 1994, he died of renal failure.
Pat Buttram was 78 years old.

4. Cash (The Fox & the Hound 2, 2006)
*shudder* I HATE this Disney midquel with a passion! But that's not what this is about, so i just had to let that go for now. Yes, unfortunately even the talented Patrick Swayze couldn't save this movie from being a rancid pile of anus butter...but i digress. This is a tribute to Patrick Swayze.
Born on August 18th 1952, Swayze was a widely acclaimed American actor, dancer and singer-songwriter. He rose to stardom with appearances in films during the 1980s, Swayze became popular for playing tough guys and romantic lead males, gaining him a wide fan base with female audiences and gaining him statuses as a sex symbol. He starred in various films including The Outsiders, Dirty Dancing, Road House, Ghost (with famous actress Demi Moore), Point Break, Donnie Darko, and many more!
During his career he received three Golden Globe Award nominations and was named by 'People' magazine as its "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991.
Unfortunately, during mid January in 2008; Swayze was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. He responded well to treatment, and was even able to actively pursue his career. But his health rapidly declined in the years that follwed; due to tumors growing on his liver. On January 9th 2009, Swayze was hospitalized for pnuemonia likely caused by complications from chemotherapy to treat his disease. He was soon released, but then hospitalized again for intestinal bleeding a few months later.
On September 14th 2009, Swayze lost his battle with cancer.
Patrick Swayze was 57 years old.

5. Bigwig (Watership Down, 1978)
Not much is known about this actor, but he voices a memorable character from one of my favourite films, so i wanted to include him too. Bigwig was voiced by Michael Graham Cox.
Born on the 6th of January 1938, Cox was an English actor; best known for voicing Boromir in the 1978 animated adaptation of The Lord of the Rings.
Cox had a minor role in Richard Attenborough's A Bridge Too Far and Cry Freedom. He appeared several times on stage and in television dramas such as Grange Hill, as kindly teacher Mr. Butterworth.
On April 8th 1995, Cox passed away (cause unknown to me).
Michael Graham Cox was 57 years old.

6. Bugs Bunny (Looney Tunes)
Yeah, how i missed putting this actor on the previous lists is beyond me! He should have featured in my first one. But he's here now, that's all that counts! Bugs Bunny, as well as: Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian, Pepe Le Pew, Speedy Gonzales, Wile E. Coyote, the Tasmanian Devil and many of the other characters from the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoon shorts, were voiced by none other than the undeniably talented Mel Blanc.
Born on May 30th 1908, Mel Blanc was an American voice actor and comedian. Having earned the nickname "The Man of a Thousand Voices", Blanc is regarded as one of the most influential people in the voice acting industry. Aside from his work with Warner Brothers studios for the Looney Tunes, Blanc later worked for Hanna Barbera. Most notably as the voices of Barney Rubble in The Flintstones and Mr. Spacely in The Jetsons. Blanc was also a regular performer on The Jacky Benny Program in both its radio and television formats. He was the original voice of Woody Woodpecker.
Mel Blanc's career lasted for 60 years!
Blanc began smoking cigarettes when he was nine years old. He continued his pack-a-day habit until he was diagnosed with emphysema, which pushed him to quit at age 77. While shooting a car commercial with his son Noel in 1989, Noel suggested going to the hospital across the street to get checked out since, he had just recovered from the flu, and Blanc agreed. Blanc's doctor later called Noel and said Blanc will be fine, but recommended a procedure to clear out Blanc's lungs, to which Blanc and Noel agreed. That night, the nurses forgot to set up the rails on his bed and Blanc fell to the ground, breaking his femur. By the time the staff realized, fat emboli had traveled to his brain. Within 48 hours he was comatose and nearly brain dead.
On July 10th 1989, Mel Blanc passed away. But his legacy is undeniable, as he is regarded as the most prolific voice actor in the history of the industry.
Mel Blanc was 81 years old.

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R.I.P to all these wonderful actors! You may have passed on, but you'll never be forgotten!

Chief, Tod, Cash (c) Disney
Bigwig (c) Nepenthe Studios
Boris (c) Universal Studios
Bugs Bunny (c) Warner Brothers