Lionel Wilson (voice actor) explained

Lionel Wilson (born Lionel Lazarus Salzer; March 22, 1924 – April 30, 2003) was an American voice actor, reader of audiobooks, stage actor, and author of children's books. He was known for his roles from Tom Terrific through to his last role, voicing Eustace Bagge on the Cartoon Network's Courage the Cowardly Dog.^[1]

Career

As stage actor

Lionel Wilson's interest in acting on the stage began at an early age—his first professional stage performance was in 1936 at the age of twelve. A few years later, he was selected for the 1942 Barter Theatre Scholarship, which included summer in a kind of boot camp for aspiring thespians.^[2] Over the course of his career he played in at least 25 professional stage productions, including four on Broadway:

• Dodsworth, as bellboy and as a lost boy. 1936.^[3]
• Macbeth, as a witch and as a messenger. 1940.
• The Merry Widow, as Nish. 1942, 1955, and 1958.^[4]
• Janie, as Scooper Nolan (replacement), and Deadpan Hackett (replacement). Broadway, 1943–44.^[5]
• The Male Animal, as Wally Meyers. 1944.^[6]
• Good Morning Corporal, as Alvin Stacey. Broadway, 1944.^[7]
• Kiss and Tell, as Dexter Franklin (replacement). Broadway, 1945–46.^[8]
• My Sister Eileen, as Frank Lippincott. 1945–46.^[9]
• Tenting Tonight, as Elliott Smollens. 1947.^[10]
• Joan of Lorraine, as one of Joan's brothers. 1947.^[11]
• John Loves Mary, as Fred Taylor. 1948.^[12]
• Waltz me Around Again, as Rick. 1948.^[13]
• The Intruder, as Tommy. 1952–53.^[14]
• High Button Shoes, as Mr. Pontdue. 1954.^[15]
• Fragile Fox, as Corporal Jackson. Broadway, 1954.^[16]
• Rio Rita, as Chick Bean. 1955.^[17]
• Wonderful Town, as Valenti. 1955.^[18]
• Harvey, as Elwood P. Dowd. 1956.^[19]
• Girl Crazy, as Slick Fothergill. 1956.^[20]
• Once in a Lifetime, as Rudolph Kammerling. 1964.^[21]
• How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, as Bud Frump. 1965–66 and 1968^[22]
• The Fantasticks, as Henry Albertson. 1967–1969.^[23]
• Sweet Charity, as Oscar Lindquist. 1968.^[24]
• Cactus Flower, as Harvey Greenfield. 1969.^[25]
• A Midsummer Night's Dream, as Francis Flute playing Thisbe. 1973.^[26]
• The Soldier's Tale, as the devil. 1984.^[27]

As TV actor

Although his primary interest continued to be the stage, he also undertook supporting roles in several TV series. Since supporting roles are sometimes uncredited, the following list may be incomplete:

• Martin Kane, Private Eye, unidentified episode, 1949. NBC TV.^[28]
• The Silver Theatre, as a snooper in “Till Death Do Us Part”, 1949. CBS TV.^[28]
• Armstrong Circle Theatre, as a clerk in “The Jackpot”, season 1, episode 2, 13 June 1950. NBC TV.^[29]
• The Magic Cottage, as Father Time, 28 December 1950 and an unidentified 1954 episode. Unfortunately, most episodes have apparently been lost, along with the credits. DuMont TV.^[30]
• The Aldrich Family, as George Bigelow, occasional unidentified episodes, 1952–53. NBC TV.^[31]
• Broadway Television Theatre, as Kiwi in The Hasty Heart, season 3 episode 4, November 1953; as Scooper in Janie, season 3 episode 5, November 1953; as Leo Davis in Room Service, season 3 episode 14, January 1954. WOR-TV (New York City).
• Valiant Lady, unidentified episodes, 1953–1957. CBS TV.^[32]
• The Ed Sullivan Show, scene from Fragile Fox, November 7, 1954. CBS TV.
• Search for Tomorrow unidentified episodes. CBS TV.^[32]

As voice actor

Wilson majored in Radio Production at New York University and an early venture in voiceover performance was in 1950, in the NBC radio show Top Secret. To provide an income more stable than that from stage acting he took on more voiceover work in the 1950s with television commercials. In 1957 Gene Deitch invited him to work at Terrytoons,^[33] voicing all the characters for the innovative cliffhanger cartoon series Tom Terrific, including Mighty Manfred the Wonder Dog and memorable baddie Crabby Appleton. He continued to be involved in Terrytoon cartoons and cartoon series and he also took on projects with other studios.

In 1999, at the age of 75, Wilson landed the role of Eustace Bagge on the Cartoon Network animated series Courage the Cowardly Dog, and he reprised that role in the Cartoon Network's Staylongers series in the summer of 2000.In 2001, after completing 33 Courage episodes, Wilson retired due to illness and was replaced by Arthur Anderson.^[34]

Here is a more comprehensive list of Wilson's voiceover credits:

• Top Secret (NBC Radio, 1950), voicing Admiral Strassner voicing Karen Gaza in “The Admiral's Strange Identity”.^[35]
• Tom Terrific series (Terrytoons, 1957) voicing all characters. The series consisted of 26 storylines, each of which had five 5-minute episodes.^[36]
• John Doormat series of four episodes (Terrytoons, 1957–58), voicing John Doormat and his wife.
• A Bum Steer (Terrytoons, 1957) voicing unidentified characters.^[37]
• Clint Clobber Theatrical Series (Terrytoons, 1957–59) voicing Miss O'Leery, radio announcer, and dog in the episodes Clint Clobber's Cat, Springtime for Clobber, and The Flamboyant Arms.^[38]
• Gaston le Crayon (Terrytoons, 1959) voicing unidentified characters in "Gaston's Baby".
• Sidney the Elephant series of 19 episodes (Terrytoons, 1958–63), one of which, Sidney's Family Tree, was nominated for an Academy Award as best short subject in 1958.^{[39] [40]}
• Deputy Dawg (Terrytoons, 1959–1972) as voice of Vincent Van Gopher and Possible Possum in unidentified episodes.^{[41] [42]}
• Many Moons (Rembrandt Films, 1962), voicing Jester, Royal Mathematician, and Royal Wizard. This animated cartoon was later used as one segment of the 1965 film Alice of Wonderland in Paris.
• The Hector Heathcote Show (Terrytoons, 1963), repeating 16 of the Sidney the Elephant series.
• The Possible Possum series of 37 shorts (Terrytoons, 1965–1971), voicing Possible Possum, Macon Mouse, Owlawishus Owl, Billy Bear and other minor characters.
• Martian Moochers animated series (Terrytoons, 1966), spun off from Possible Possum, voicing an unidentified character in the episode "Champion Chump".
• The Mighty Heroes animated series of 20 seven-minute episodes (Terrytoons 1966–67), Ralph Bakshi's spoof of super avengers, voicing Rope Man, Cuckoo Man, and James Hound. Ten of these made-for-TV episodes were later released to theaters, some in expanded form.
• The Astronut Show (Terrytoons, 1965–1970) voicing Astronut in two episodes, Martian Moocher in one episode, and Cuckoo Man and Rope Man in one episode.^[43] This program also included repeats of the Sidney the Elephant series.
• The Merry Makers (Paramount/Famous Pictures, 1967) voicing all characters in the four episodes.
• The World of Hans Christian Andersen (Hal Roach Studios, 1968), an English-language version of a Japanese anime, dubbing Hannibal Mouse, Mayor, and Watchdog.
• The Emperor's New Armor (Ariel Productions and Pyramid Films, 1969) voicing part of the narration.^[44]
• Winky Dink and You! (Screen Magic, Inc., 1969 revival) voicing all characters in the 52 episodes.^[45]
• Marco Polo Junior Versus the Red Dragon (Animation International, 1972), an Australian full-length cartoon, voicing unidentified characters.^{[46] [47]}
• Enchanted Journey (Film Gallery, Inc., 1981), the English-language release of a Japanese anime, dubbing the voice of Glikko.^[48]
• Superbook (Anime Oyako Gekijō)) (Christian Broadcasting Network, 1981), voicing miscellaneous voices in unidentified episodes.^[49]
• Miracle at Intervale (Board of Jewish Education, 1981), voices by Lionel Wilson and six others.^[50]
• The Season of Our Joy (Board of Jewish Education, 1982), script by Lionel Wilson, narration not credited.^[51]
• Braingames, ((HBO, 1983–1985) narrating Odd Card Out / Safari Solitaire and Mysteriosos / The Riddler in the six episodes.^[52]
• Star Blazers (Claster Television, 1984), the English adaptation of the Japanese anime series Space Battleship Yamato, dubbing the voice of Jason Jetter in episodes 53-77.^[53]
• The Secret of Mulan (United American Video, 1998) feature cartoon, voicing Mala Khan.^[54]
• Courage the Cowardly Dog (Cartoon Network, 1999–2001), voicing Eustace Bagge in 33 episodes, each comprising two segments.
• Staylongers series (Cartoon Network, summer 2000), voicing Eustace Bagge.^[55]

A Filmography in Internet Movie Database (at Web site: Lionel Wilson (II) (1924–2003) . IMDb.) as of 26 October 2018 lists a few additional voiceover credits but does not indicate the source of the information.

As audiobook narrator

In between his other activities, he narrated or helped narrate over 100 children's audiobooks.^[56]

As author

Wilson wrote a dozen books for children,^[57] the scripts for several of his audiobooks such as the Clifford series,^[58] and authored or co-authored the plays Pocket Full O'Rye (with Stanley Schacter),^[59] Simon Says (with Fred Ebb),^[60] Oh Where Have You Been, Billy Boy (with Lawrence N. Kasha),^[61] Come And Be Killed,^[62] and The Mischief on Merry Mountain.^[63]

Death

Wilson died of pneumonia on April 30, 2003, at the age of 79.^{[64] [65]}

General references

• Book: Beck, Jerry . The Animated Movie Guide . Chicago Review Press . 2005 . 218663760.
• Book: Brooks . Tim . Marsh . Earle F. . The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present . 2003 . Random House . 8th . 865212402.
• Book: Lenburg, Jeff . The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoon Series . 1983 . Da Capo Press (corrected edition, originally published by Arlington House 1981). Archived 7 May 2018 . 21 October 2018 . 123211250.
• Book: McCall, Douglas L. . Film Cartoons : a guide to 20th century American animated features and shorts . 2005 . McFarland & Company . 72762683.
• Book: Terrace, Vincent . Television Specials: 5336 Entertainment Programs, 1936–2012 . 2nd . 2013 . McFarland & Company . 859375035.
• Book: Webb, Graham . The Animated Film Encyclopedia: A Complete Guide to American Shorts, Features and Sequences, 1900–1979 . McFarland & Company . 2000 . 607142675.
• Book: Wilson, Lionel . "and also in the cast ...": The Saga of a Supporting Player . 2018 . CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform . 978-1720738398. (Wilson's autobiography, completed in 1999 and published posthumously)

Notes and References

1. Book: Eury, Michael . Hero-A-Go-Go: Campy Comic Books, Crimefighters, & Culture of the Swinging Sixties . 2017 . 217 . TwoMorrows . 978-1605490731 . Cuckoo Man and Rope Man were portrayed by Lionel G.[sic] Wilson, a voice actor whose Tom Terrific roles put him on the map. Wilson continued to work behind the microphone up until his 2003 death, voicing Eustace Bagge on the Cartoon Network's Courage the Cowardly Dog..
2. News: Two Selected For Season At Barter. . 3 June 1942. 11.
3. News: Haynes . Trebor . 'Dodsworth' Excellent Despite Balky Scenery . North Shore Daily Journal . (Flushing, New York) . 15 September 1936 . 8 .
4. News: 'Merry Widow' Week at Lyric Circus . Citizen–Advertiser . (Auburn, New York) . 6 July 1958 . 2 .
5. . Janie . 10 September 1942 . 8 August 2017 .
6. News: At the Bucks County Playhouse in the Bellevue. . 10 July 1944 . 6 .
7. . Good Morning, Corporal . 8 August 1944 . 8 August 2017.
8. . Kiss and Tell . 15 April 1945 . 12 . 8 August 2017 .
9. News: Betty . Styron . 'Eileen' Comes to Skaneateles. Post-Standard . (Syracuse, New York). 10 July 1946 . 7 .
10. News: Tenting Tonight. . (New York City). 7 February 1947 . 26 .
11. News: Sylvia Sidney enacts 'Joan' . . 10 August 1947 . 58 .
12. News: 'John Loves Mary' New Bill At the Flatbush Theater. . 20 June 1948 . 29 .
13. News: Currie . George . Nancy Walker Whispers Through a Local Tryout. . 15 September 1948 . 18 .
14. The Playgoer . The Intruder . 8 December 1952 .
15. News: Apikian . Nevart . High Button Shoes Shine Brightly . . .. . (Syracuse, New York) . 14 July 1954 . 5 .
16. . Fragile Fox . 12 October 1954 . 8 August 2017.
17. News: Rejuvenated 'Rio Rita' Begins Weeks Run . . .. Citizen-Advertiser . (Auburn, New York) . 13 July 1955 . 14 .
18. News: E.V.W. . Lyric Has Good Show In 'Wonderful Town'. . 24 August 1955 . 54 .
19. News: At Allenberry. The Gazette and Daily . (York, Pennsylvania) Includes photograph. 29 June 1956 . 41.
20. News: Simpson . Peg . Cartoon Voices Have Interesting Persons Attached. . (Syracuse, New York) . 14 August 1956 . 26 .
21. News: Taubman . Howard. 'Once in a Lifetime' at the York Playhouse. The New York Times. 29 January 1964. 20.
22. News: 20th Anniversary Season, Pocono Playhouse (Advertisement, including photograph) . . (Allentown, Pennsylvania) . 12 June 1966 . 81 .
23. . The Fantasticks . 22 January 1968 .
24. News: At the Drew. . (East Hampton, New York) Includes photograph . 1 August 1968 . 15 .
25. News: Albrecht . Ernest . Betsy puts the Bloom in 'Cactus Flower'. The Central NJ Home News . (New Brunswick, New Jersey) . 12 February 1969 . 19 .
26. Book: Marill, Alvin H. . Mickey Rooney: His Films, Television Appearances, Radio Work, Stage Shows, and Recordings . 2004 . 179 . 56559427.
27. News: Bergen Youth Orchestra to stage 'Soldier's Tale'. . (Newark, New Jersey) . 5 April 1984 . 67 .
28. Ford's Playgoer . The Intruder . 15 December 1952 . 11.
29. Book: Hawes, William . Live Television Drama, 1946–1951 . 2001 . 280.
30. Web site: Magic Cottage, The (TV) . The Paley Center for Media . 21 October 2018.
31. Book: Rowan, Terry . Character-Based Film Series, Part I. 97.
32. TV-Radio Mirror . What's New on the East Coast . July 1957 . 79 . 48 . 2.
33. Web site: Deitch . Gene . 35 Lionel Wilson . GeneDeitchCredits . 2011 . 8 August 2017 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200617145610/genedeitchcredits.com/roll-the-credits/35-lionel-wilson/ . 2020-06-17.
34. News: Catolico . Gianna Francesca . . 18 April 2016 . Voice of 'Eustace' in 'Cowardly Dog' is dead . 24 September 2018. The original voice actor of Eustace, Lionel Wilson, left the show after 33 episodes due to illness. Anderson replaced him..
35. The Admiral's Strange Identity . radio program . 11 October 2018 . Top Secret . . 19 June 1950 . 2 . 17:03-17:36, credit at 29:18. Archived from unidentified source on 3 July 2006..
36. Web site: Ehrbar . Greg . Terrytoons' "Tom Terrific" and Lionel Wilson on Records . Cartoon Research . 3 July 2018 . 19 September 2018.
37. Web site: A Bum Steer . The Big Cartoon Database . 24 October 2018.
38. Web site: Clint Clobber (1957). Behind the Voice Actors . 17 September 2018.
39. Web site: Brubaker . Charles . May 27, 2012 . Terrytoons 1957-1971 filmography . 15 October 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150508225706/http://dfe.goldenagecartoons.com/Terrytoons60s.htm . 8 May 2015.
40. Web site: 31st Academy Awards (1958): Nominees and Winners / Short Subject (Cartoon) . Cinema Sight . 22 October 2018. 6 February 2014 .
41. Web site: Deputy Dawg . Nostalgia Central . 23 June 2014 . 26 October 2018.
42. Web site: Lionel Wilson . Voice Chasers . 26 October 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180920011151/http://voicechasers.com/database/showactor.php?actorid=3471 . 2018-09-20.
43. Book: Perlmutter, David . The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows . 46 .
44. Book: The emperor's new armor . 173696161.
45. Web site: The Big Cartoon Database / Winky Dink and You! . 30 September 2018 .
46. Web site: YouTube . Marco Polo Junior . 9 July 2017 . 1 October 2018 . Credit at 1:21:14 – 1:21:20 (As of 1 February 2023, blocked on copyright grounds.).
47. Web site: Oz Movies . Marco Polo Jnr. versus the Red Dragon / Full Tail Credits . 1 February 2024.
48. Book: The Anime Encyclopedia, 3rd Revised Edition: A Century of Japanese Animation . Jonathan . Clements . Helen . McCarthy . 2015 . Enchanted Journey.
49. Web site: Superbook: The Series I . Christian Film Database . 25 October 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20181027021712/https://www.christianfilmdatabase.com/review/superbook-the-series-i/ . 2018-10-27.
50. Book: Miracle at Intervale . 9018322.
51. Book: The season of our joy: a Sukkot celebration . 609523509.
52. Web site: Braingames (TV) . The Paley Center for Media . 21 October 2018.
53. Web site: Painter . Arthur . Cosmo DNA: Episode 4 Commentary (and following episodes) . 21 June 2013 . 28 September 2018.
54. Web site: YouTube . The Secret of Mulan . 12 October 2014 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Ra_whrbyIo4 . 2021-12-21 . live. 1 October 2018 . Credit at 49:01 – 49:04.
55. Web site: Behind the Voice Actors: Eustace Bagge . 1 October 2018.
56. Web site: Wilson, Lionel > Audiobook . . 19 September 2018.
57. Web site: Books by Lionel Wilson . ISBNS.net . 19 September 2018.
58. Book: Clifford the big red dog . 17729894 .
59. Book: . Library of Congress . Catalog of Copyright Entries Series Three . 1948 . Periodicals, January–June . 193 & 209.
60. News: Lewis . Funke . News of the Rialto / Musical Will Lampoon Television Commercials—Sundry Other Items. The New York Times. 7 May 1961. X1 .
61. News: 2 Broadway Shows Planned By Kasha. The New York Times. 8 April 1969. 42 .
62. News: . Elliot . Norton . About the New Plays in Summer Theaters. 20 June 1975 . 30.
63. Book: Kronenberger, Lewis . The Best Plays of 1974–1975 . 1975.
64. News: Lionel Wilson, Who Gave Voice To Tom Terrific, Is Dead at 79. The New York Times. 24 May 2003. A30 . 10 December 2012.
65. News: Lionel Wilson, Actor-writer, voiced Tom Terrific on 'Captain Kangaroo' . . 19 September 2018 . 6 May 2003 on-line. 3 June 2003 . 20 . Variety.