A ventriloquist at an early age, Don Messick was a tremendous actor, narrator, and a major contributor to the beloved Hanna-Barbera cartoons. Thanks to Daws Butler’s recommendation, Don began his cartoon career by substituting for the voice of Droopy while the original voice, Bill Thompson, was unavailable.

Don was the narrator often heard first at the beginning of a classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon. He voiced many sidekick and supporting roles including such characters as Boo Boo Bear & Park Ranger Smith (The Yogi Bear Show), Ruff & Professor Gizmo (Ruff and Reddy), Pixie (Pixie and Dixie), Bamm Bamm Rubble (The Flintstones), Papa Smurf (The Smurfs), Dr. Benton Quest (Jonny Quest), and yes, even the beloved dog, Scooby-Doo.

He was also Muttley (Dastardly and Muttley), the dog that had the unforgettable laugh from his lungs, as well as Astro, the space-age dog (The Jetsons). Don Messick, considered as one of the nicest individuals in the animation industry, died in 1997.

Photo used from B.B. Hudspeth’s personal collection.

Daws Butler

Next Mentor:

Jack Mercer