June Foray was an American actress who is best known for voicing characters like Granny, Rocky from Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Witch Hazel. She also played influential roles in animation and voice work for many decades.
Personal and Family Life
June Foray was born June Lucille Forer on September 18, 1917, in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was raised in a family with Jewish roots; her father immigrated from Russia, and her mother was of Lithuanian Jewish and French-Canadian heritage. June was married twice, first to Bernard Barondess and then to Hobart Donavan, until his death in 1976.
Career Highlights
Starting at a young age, June showed a talent for voice work, often doing “old lady” voices as a child. Her big break in voice acting came in the 1950s when Walt Disney cast her as Lucifer the cat in Cinderella. She became a beloved voice in cartoons, known for her work in Warner Bros. and her roles in The Bullwinkle Show and Looney Tunes.
Death and Legacy
June Foray passed away on July 26, 2017, in Los Angeles at the age of 99 due to cardiac arrest. Her contributions to animation and voice acting are celebrated, and she is known as one of the most talented voice actresses in the industry, earning the nickname “The Cartoon Queen”.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Mulan | 1998-06-18 | Grandmother Fa (voice) |
| Mulan II | 2004-11-03 | Grandmother Fa (voice) |
| Bugs Bunny’s Looney Christmas Tales | 1979-11-27 | Clyde Rabbit / Mrs. Claus (voice) |
| Bugs Bunny’s 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales | 1982-11-19 | Granny / Mother Gorilla / Goldimouse (voice) |
| Rikki-Tikki-Tavi | 1975-01-09 | Nagaina the Cobra, Wife of Nag / Teddy’s Mother / Darzee’s Wife (voice) |
| Frosty the Snowman | 1969-12-07 | Teacher / Karen / Additional Voices (voice) |
| Horton Hears a Who! | 1970-03-18 | Jane Kangaroo / Mother Who / Baby Who / Cindy Lou Who (voice) |
| The Man Called Flintstone | 1966-08-03 | Tanya Malichite (voice) |
| Garfield Gets a Life | 1991-05-08 | Mona, Librarian (voice) |
| The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle | 2000-06-30 | Rocky / Cartoon Natasha / Narrator’s Mother (voice) |