Voice actor Jimmy Weldon, famous for Hanna-Barbera's Yakky Doodle Duck, passes away at 99
Jimmy Weldon, a voice actor known for his portrayal of Yakky Doodle Duck in Hanna-Barbera cartoons, passed away on July 6 at 99 in Paso Robles, California. Born Ivy Laverne Shinn in Texas, Weldon served as a World War II veteran and was part of the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp. Following his military service, he ventured into radio and secured a position at a station in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
It was there that he first showcased his ability to imitate Donald Duck's quacking voice, which eventually became the foundation for his character, Webster Webfoot. Weldon's endearing character gained popularity among listeners, leading to his own television show in Dallas called The Webster Webfoot Show. The program featured Weldon as the host, operating a duck puppet donning a baseball cap.
In the early 1950s, Weldon relocated to Hollywood, where he and Webster were recruited by producer Ralph Edwards to host a children's version of the game show Truth or Consequences. This opportunity opened doors for Weldon, and he subsequently took on various similar roles throughout the decade. With his distinctive Webster voice, Weldon was a perfect fit for a new duck character envisioned by the Hanna-Barbera animation studio.
In 1961, Yakky Doodle made his debut on The Yogi Bear Show, joining beloved characters, such as Yogi, Boo Boo and Snagglepuss. Although Yakky became Weldon's most renowned creation, he also lent his voice to numerous characters in other Hanna-Barbera series over several decades. He made contributions to shows like Fred Flintstone and Friends, Challenge of the Superfriends and Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo.
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