Mel Blanc On Voicing Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig and More | Letterman

The man of 400 voices talks about how he comes up with each one.
(From "Late Night," air date: 11/15/82)
#melblanc #bugsbunny #letterman
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[@keithhepworth4934]

There will never be another Mel Blanc. The voice(s) of my childhood.

[@radioactive9861]

Mel Blanc = LEGEND

[@ShawnFerrell]

Billy West is my Mel Blanc.

[@NeilCrouse99]

@@ShawnFerrell I think that anyone born up to about 1980 remembers, "The Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies", ... as their

[@chuyocaca4153]

U R Not Alone! there Bob! hahaha!

[@BoojayDeeth]

The man had astonishing talent.

[@hmmmmm64]

Such a humble gentleman. Not one drop of arrogance despite his immense talent.

[@KrystalHarwood-z1b]

2024 he's be ticked to see how offended certain people are getting over the certain characters ex. porky for stutterers

[@Rebmetpes4]

That's ONE reason to love and admire all he was about!

[@brian-ld4vd]

I watched All these cartoons since I was a young child, I'm 52 soon, Mel Blanc was the forerunner of everything you hear today. A True Legend. RIP

[@cheungkwok9144]

C 😊

[@BlunterSales]

Dont worry, the young generation stil carries on his legacy, im 23 and grew up on warner bros.

[@stephensearles673]

Me to I'm 55 grew up with cartoons

[@sopcopotoptop]

58! Loved the early WB and Disney cartoons!

[@robertmclaughlin5953]

I’m not trying to upstage anyone or make anyone else feel “old”, but at 65, I still remember with fondness and fun these voices and cartoons. Mel was definitely a humble and class act whose work still brings smiles and chuckles to us all.

[@kingsalmon5905]

This man was a treasure. So talented. Rest in peace Mel!

[@deemisquadis9437]

They all do

[@noespam2884]

If you're interested, Mel Blanc was born on May 30, 1908 and died on July 10, 1989. The interview was 42 years ago! (as of 2024)

[@deemisquadis9437]

Thnx ❤

[@Gator11srq]

When it was time, did he do his best Porky Pig 😂 if we went "Th-th-th-th-that's all, folks" before passing away?

[@Charlie_Crown]

​@@Gator11srq no, he said ".. what's up Doc?.." 😉

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

Mel Blanc has over 75 years caused every child in America to smile..what price can put on that.

[@fus149hammer5]

Not just America we loved him in Britain too. 😊

[@metalstorm7506]

It wasn’t just America my friend, it was a global smile all over the place

[@lolly_bread]

Great thought! And true.

[@S500-]

Americans think America is whole world , 90% Americans dont have passport.

[@ouiroc]

His voice is still making all of us smile an American icon

[@toddjoubert1074]

I'm 61 years old and I grew up watching all those great Bugs Bunny,Porky Pig,Road Runner, cartoons , what talent to be able to do all those voices.

[@enriqueiii9209]

Me Too

[@michaeltammaro482]

Yup.

[@brendah.6366]

We are the same age. So true!!!

[@caryd67]

His headstone reads “That’s All, Folks!” I’m not joking.

[@Nathan93Baker]

Also "Man of 1000 voices"

[@condorX2]

[@bradleyschneider3871]

Deep a deepa that's all folks!

[@JMrealgamer]

Cool!

[@kaspinet]

Mel Blanc and Chuck Jones taught me everything I needed to know.

[@grizz1887]

Voices?

[@MatchaTheVibeking]

Its crazy seeing this video from 1982, and hearing the host say that even back then, most adults grew up with the voice of this man. I grew up with the voice of this man and I was born in '93. Really puts into perspective how many generations he inspired.

[@terterman8585]

Yep, I had this same realization back when I was a kid in the 80s, and my mom, who grew up in the 50s, would always comment that they still play the same cartoons as when she was a kid. I guess the saying "they don't make things like they used to" rings true once again, I can't see any of the nonsense from today surviving through generations and time

[@MatchaTheVibeking]

@@terterman8585 Nah, everything today is made to be consumed quickly so everyone moves on to buy the next new thing

[@Topg1]

This video is older than me.

[@klaasj7808]

but now woke took over and Soros wants our kids to be braindead so they made all those shows new again.

[@VOMITQUEEN]

@@Topg1it’s older than most of us lol

[@crisc9280]

Every Saturday morning with a bowl of my favorite cereal. Bugs Bunny and Road Runner Show. I watched religiously

[@philt5782]

Damn right. Me too

[@tntstorms7969]

Always loved the road runner show. Such hilarious violence. Bugs, Daffy, Porky and Elmer were great as well.

[@juanornelas9784]

Saturday mornings watching cartoons, what memories ❤

[@Penski322]

Yip thats the one

[@Penski322]

Feel like watching some now 😅

[@Biketunerfy]

I’m 42 years old and those voices still bring back many fond happy memories. With much love from Stu in the 🇬🇧.

[@Rebmetpes4]

Total GOAT of voice acting, HANDS DOWN!

[@joegroup1]

The cartoons where each frame is drawn and coloured are works of art, so much work as gone into them.

[@PaulusN-p3m]

Nothing can compete with the smoothness and coloring of cartoons from that period. Today's products are boring.

[@thisisobviouslynotmyrealname]

indeed. When i was kid, i remember being let down by the new cartoons with the cheaper technique, i didnt know what was happening, but i felt the magic had gone

[@odom2142]

This is why AI will never completely replace us. Like handmade furniture, handmade cartoons are more beautiful than machine-made in their imperfections. Computer-generated cartoons are boring in their perfection and evenness.

[@jonnyabomb1]

One of the most talented people who ever lived.

[@Aisha.The.Traveler]

Him and Walt Disney might be tied.

[@KrystalHarwood-z1b]

who was the baby at the start

[@atmywitsend1984]

​@@KrystalHarwood-z1b Himself. It was his first voice.

[@jamiew1664]

@@KrystalHarwood-z1b lol, you cant be serious?

[@KrystalHarwood-z1b]

@@jamiew1664 no i know it was mel but what character, sorry i should have been specific

[@midnighttornado22]

Undisputed greatest voice actor of all time. Every voice actor past present and future forever will view this man as the ultimate benchmark and legend.

[@ricardoedmondson5099]

G.O.A.T.

[@starkiller7278]

90s born kid here. I grew up watching many of the cartoons that this man voiced in the retro block on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Very few people are talented as this man was.

[@MrHyde11976]

Mel was a hero. A man a child will be forever grateful for

[@ronaldhol9175]

Mel Blanc was a SUPERSTAR of voice characterizations. Others may have created the cartoon characters, but it was MEL BLANC that. gave them their personalities . R.I.P. Mel...We miss you !

[@mistofoles]

After Mel died I saw a cartoon picture of his gravestone with his obituary on it, and every single character he voiced was gathered round it, wearing a gag and weeping.

[@raymondsmix0ldSch00l1]

R.I.P. 🙏🙏🙏

[@prmhighflr69]

Man this guy was a true legend this guy must have made thousands of kids laugh back in the day with those unforgettable voices...😅😅😅

[@douglasmennella4525]

In addition to being a genius voice artist Mel Blanc was a genuinely funny guy.

[@lynnturman8157]

How is he funnY? Is he there to amuse you? Is he a clown?

[@Rocketcow-dx1jd]

​@@lynnturman8157I am since i voice Krusty the clown for fun and it sounds dead on.

[@johncmitchell4941]

@@lynnturman8157 Mel was well known for being a chill guy and having a great sense of humor.

[@groovyc2411]

​@@lynnturman8157you sound like a clown

[@Lothnar5070]

Ok Karen. I think your period has started

[@brucecook502]

This is the first time I've ever seen Mel Blanc. I would have never guessed when I was a kid growing up in the 80s and early 90s that all of those characters were voiced by the same person. Absolutely amazing. R.I.P. Mel Blanc ❤

[@La_Roo]

A true legend… the voice of my childhood ❤

[@AlanPrice-b7n]

He was literally one in a million. I read that during WW2, in addition to all his cartoon work for both Warner and Universal, he starred on 18 radio shows - every week. It's impossible to think anyone would have that kind of work ethic today.

[@vladpadowicz5946]

When I was a kid I imitated a lot of people and of course all the cartoons. Only years later I paid attention to the credits and realized that it was one man doing all the voices 😮🤯 Mel Blanc was my inspiration to do voices and after years of working as an audio engineer, I got my chance to audition and then voiced several projects including Arthur, Little Lulu, Ripley's Believe it or Not and whole bunch of random voices in radio and tv ads. Thank you Mel for being my mentor ... Rest in Peace 🙏 💖

[@WaterShowsProd]

There were other voice actors used here and there, but Mel Blanc was the only one with a screen credit in his contract. That said, he did provide most of the voices in the cartoons.

[@batgurrl]

These vintage clips are utterly amazing to revisit. Mel Blanc, the legendary voice that boomers (and others) grew up with and loved ❤🎉

[@Tommyr]

He's a true legend! LOVE that man! I LOVE cartoon voice actors!

[@suzanneporter7907]

Thank you Mel Blanc for all the wonderful voices you created. You made it a joy to watch tv.

[@garrettbrooks6576]

This gentleman is the voice of probably 5 generations of people's childhoods.

[@BenJabituya]

Mel Blanc, the man of a thousand voices. He sure was talented! He sure made my childhood awesome.

[@OneofMyTurns]

The man was a gift to millions!!! A true one of a kind!!! R.I.P Mel

[@benjaminkogut2640]

Thank you for posting this! About a decade ago I started spending four years of listening my way through The Jack Benny Show during my late evenings and Mel was such a great part of the cast. Nobody will ever be able to do what he did throughout his career

[@Problembeing]

Recently bought a Loony Toons boxset and been reloving these classics, and Mel Blanc has been the voice generations grew up loving. Such a sweet man.

[@woodshed_moments]

The man that voiced an entire generation... Is greatly missed

[@LLYMYNT]

Part of my childhood and so hard to replicate Mel Blanc. Awesome video.😊

[@ozzyfan7299]

Crazy talented. 400 voices, that's amazing and I've heard a ton of them.

[@kstepko]

I had no idea that Mel was the voice of Barney Rubble!

[@chrism70kc]

Mel was actually seriously injured in a car wreck and did one season of the Flintstones voicing Barney from his bed because of his injuries

[@Kev_Shmev]

He was the voice of just about everyone.

[@ryann.9636]

Trouble

[@rocketreindeer]

He did Dino too and it strained the hell out of his throat.

[@rhyancoleman6462]

I thought Daws Butler took over for Mel for part of Season 2 as he was recovering.

[@ABxx2011]

What an unbelievable talent. Never equaled, never surpassed.

[@erinikeuchi6447]

Man! This is my childhood! Such a legend!

[@steveblackbird]

The greatest of all time. One man. As a Gen X'er, I grew up with Mel giving life, emotions and depth to all his characters. I also remember the news the day he passed on when 15 years old. There will never be another. RIP Mel.

[@mattjarrells]

Every person in that studio was in awe and in a childhood trance with this legend.

[@patrickwilson1459]

I grew up with that man. The most talented voice over actor ever known. I remember the 1,001 Rabbit Tales from when I was 10. The parts where Bugs says the name “Hansel” numerous times and pretending that he suffocated when the guard threw him down the hole outside the desert were the best parts.

[@Deadfoot-Dan]

Would have loved to seen the montage, it's obvious his stories are as prolific as the voices he portrayed. Legend.

[@ProDemocracyMan]

Mel Blanc was so talented and I loved growing up watching all those cartoons. A man with a thousand voices, and when he passed they had to find numerous people to replace him.

[@cheeseman417]

Mel blanc was just a legend, I'm in awe of this mans talent, I don't know of any modern counterpart I think because you had to be so talented back then in the 40's - 50's without today's technology.

[@TodayTomorrowMusick]

I’m 47 and i’m still love and watch bugs bunny

[@Jamesfoofighter]

Wow. Had no idea one man did all those voices. Such variety. Amazing

[@stephenholloway6893]

Mel's an iconic voice actor and actor in general his l9ng and legendary career will never be forgotten.

[@KungEMuller]

Dave and The Man Of A Thousand Voices! This is perfect.

[@MarkSmith-th1ij]

Mel Blanc and the Looney Tunes artists made incredible, dynamic and funny as hell cartoons!! I loved the manic craziness that always went on in their productions. Mel is a true and unique legend. RIP!!

[@kirbygene]

David Letterman was very stiff in this interview. He just went through the motions with a brilliantly talented and funny icon.

[@laurapalka3685]

@@kirbygene I agree, this was a terrible interview. Mel had to carry it. I felt embarrassed for Dave and a bit ashamed.

[@ToneeRhianRose]

It could be that David was starstruck. Seems like he admired Mel quite a bit.

[@jbizz80]

David was probably nervous.

[@Goldenowl66]

@@laurapalka3685 Johnny Carson's interview was much better.

[@justinstuart8382]

Why? 🤔

[@markcutts383]

Brilliant Voice/Character actor. Anyone who can Voice Yosemite Sam is a genius. ' Yeh darned Great Galoot!!!

[@catkeys6911]

"A-biddiah-biddiah-biddiah - That's all, folks!" -I must have heard over 500 times as a little kid (I'm 71). Ain't I a stinker?

[@jameshodgin3660]

Mel was the voices of all my saturday morning best friends during my first 15 years of life... thanks Mel for putting a smile on my face every Saturday morning

[@cougar02000]

To say Mel Blanc was brilliant would be an understatement!

[@Karl-cf1hy]

Wow what an awesome life he must've had. We have no idea how much happiness and smiles he put on millions of children and adults the same. Thanks for making my childhood such an entertaining one. 👍💗What a guy.

[@pandafamily9879]

I never knew that all characters were just one guy! What a legend. I watched those all through the 80's.

[@mikebrzostowski8183]

RIP Mel, we need you now more than ever!

[@70stunes71]

63 yrs old. Mel was a part of so many kids lives, literally millions worldwide. Thanks Mel.

[@danasaeed9018]

Thank You For All The Wonderful Ever Lasting Memories Mr Mel Blanc ❤️💙

[@fruitcakefloydpluss]

Mel Blanc the man of 1000 voices!! seeing him doing his looney tunes voices here cracks me up cartoon voices of my childhood RIP Mel.😆😆

[@danmasters1568]

I'm 65 and I remember Saturday morning Warner Bros cartoons like it was yesterday. Mel Blanc was a legend and a national treasure. RIP, Mel. 😊

[@ErikaAndrews-g4c]

He was a genius yet so humble! There will never be another like him!

[@DANPER64]

Absolutely the best cartoons ever and this man is exceptional, without him nothing would be possible.

[@467Thiundercatxt3cb]

So much enjoyment given to millions of us over the years RIP Mr Blanc

[@Hisham_HMA]

Wow so many voices and not only that, he's funny too

[@mikebrzostowski8183]

He was a genius! Unknown how many children and adults have laughed no matter how many times they have seen the cartoons! I'm 74 and love all those characters!

[@MikeBanks2003]

I charmed the woman who eventually married me with my ribald imitations of Yosemite Sam. She LOVED Mel Blanc-- We both did.

[@williammcivor45]

Rest in peace Mel! You have touched so many hearts. :) And filled them with laughter and Happiness! We will miss you..

[@Tepekegoat68]

Mel Blanc will never know who I am but god bless him for making me the happiest kid on Earth. 🥺🤝Still love his voicing on cartoons! 🐐🙌

[@julesdee89]

Dave just reverting back to his boyhood self when talking to Mel. So magical.

[@OilRacki]

Man, what a cool dude... such a legend at voicing cartoon characters. So many memoral characters, and so well thought out with how he comes up with them too. I love his personality in this interview too. Seems like he was a pretty cool guy.

[@mortaj]

What a great interviewer! Get's all the facts and LISTENS. Brilliant!

[@thegefster1988]

I am so proud that my grandfather was his first cousin! I met him once and my cousins were lucky enough to stay at his house. He is and was an American Treasure!

[@tonymarino8]

The OG of Voice acting.

[@charlenehastings4840]

Mel Blanc was part of my youth, his voice and all the cartoons that I used to watch. I got great joy out of listening to all of his characters rest in peace, my dear friend, Mel Blanc.

[@justethical280]

Man, this guy is my cartoon hero. 48 now. Imagine this guy was your grandfather.

[@tourproven]

How fortunate he was to breathe life into history like that.

[@WaterShowsProd]

One of the funniest moments in television is the Jack Benny episode where he's Christmas shopping and Mel Blanc is a salesman that Benny drives completely insane. At one point Benny himself is laughing so hard at Mel Blanc's performance that he has to hide his face from the camera. Just thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes. Mel Blanc was an extraordinary talent.

[@pjnugent8198]

His epitaph simply reads " Thats All Folks "

[@Rob_Kates]

His cartoons still stand the test of time. Some date back to the 1940s.

[@arthurmorgan8991]

Some even earlier than that!

[@stephenholloway6893]

Mel's voice acting career dates back to 1937.

[@Rob_Kates]

@@stephenholloway6893 I know he worked with Jack Benny.

[@stephenholloway6893]

@Rob_Kates Yes around the same time he began working for Leon Schesinger the producer for the Looney Tunes at the time

[@ronaldbak2092]

I still watch all those classic looney tunes, he was one of a kind and I still remember the cover of Life magazine when he passed, it showed all the cartoon characters in the background and a empty microphone and the caption read “voiceless”. RIP Mel Blanc.

[@steven1671]

This guy is a living legend tbh. He has the voice of bugs bunny just sitting there, on his talk show 🤯 And David is just like “cool 😐” 😂

[@Strategory76]

Not a good interview. Mel was having fun and Dave was a wet blanket.

[@Ochimusha108]

seriously! who put sand in his vajayjay???

[@RichieRichMD]

Letterman was flat and humorless here, wonder if he wasn’t feeling well.

[@WalkingMysteries]

Exactly! So was the audience!

[@Diddy_Do_It2037]

Ya the audience absolutely sukd

[@mattkonetski9818]

I think no one wanted to miss a word of Mel, they were listening.

[@LeftIsBest001]

Foghorn Leghorn 😂😂

[@curriehot]

At 54 I still love those old cartoons and Mel Blanc is the master at doing voices, RIP Mel and thanks for the years of entertainment and to everyone else peace and love to you all

[@erronblack5015]

His sense of humour is something else

[@robertgandler3177]

Mel was truly an incredible talent!

[@robertgandler3177]

Full animation is why the Warner Brothers cartoons were my favorites!

[@jasonmariani1258]

This man will live forever ♾️ RIP legend we love you

[@nuggnugg8464]

The voice acting GOAT

[@Angel-ei4pm]

Mel Blanc was a comic genuis he had so many voices and he was great*** Love Mel Blanc..

[@eliabraham3693]

What an honor to meet Mel Blanc. And I love David Letterman!

[@tommychew6544]

I loved and grew up listening to his voice during the early 70's that actually came out much earlier than that!!

[@Jorge-r3x]

Sin duda alguna, Mel Blanc , como uds dicen, es un ícono de la cultura estadounidense. Su talento lo puso en el primer lugar y dió voz a personajes que alegraron la vida de varias generaciones de niños de habla inglesa. Pero yo que soy uruguayo, o sea, hablo español, estos personajes entrañables, que también alegraron a generaciones de niños latinoamericanos , tuvieron la voz de alguien que, seguramente, no fue Mel Blanc. Mel Blanc hubo uno sólo, pero me gustaría hacer, desde varios kilómetros de distancia un reconocimiento a esa persona, cuyo nombre desconozco que dió voz en la versión en español.

[@CatJabZ]

What a joy to see this man. I grew up with these hilarious cartoons even if I didn't get the joke at the time I knew it was funny. ❤ Daffy is my favorite but they are all priceless characters.

[@Johny40Se7en]

Such a legend. I'm almost certain that he was the trailer voice in many film trailers in the 1980's...

[@ambrosemalone1891]

Part of my childhood. What a brilliant guy, what talent!

[@douglasclinkscales8826]

Great memories. He was the man. God Bless

[@MelBlanc222]

Mel Blanc was such a phenomenal talent! 👌