Biography

Solomon Hersh Frees (June 22, 1920 – November 2, 1986), known professionally as Paul Frees, was an American actor, voice actor, impressionist and screenwriter. He was primarily known for his voice work on MGM, Walter Lantz, Rankin/Bass and Walt Disney theatrical cartoons during the Golden Age of Animation. Like Mel Blanc, he was sometimes referred to as "The Man of a Thousand Voices". Born in Chicago, Illinois, Frees started his career in entertainment as a vaudeville impressionist and in 1942 embarked upon a career in Hollywood radio series. After being drafted into the U.S. Army in World War II, he was wounded in action and eventually resumed his work in radio upon his return to the states. Frees appeared in over 250 films, cartoons and TV episodes, although he had few on-screen appearances. He was also frequently called in to dub dialogue for other actors, such as Josephine's dialogue in the 1959 film Some Like it Hot. That same year, he co-wrote and directed the film The Beatniks, his only feature film. Frees had a long career with Walt Disney studios, providing the voice for Ludwig Von Drake, narrating shorts, and supplying many voices for Disney theme park attractions, most notably the Ghost Host in The Haunted Mansion, various voices in Pirates of the Caribbean, and the narrator for both Adventures Thru Innerspace and Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln. On TV, Frees worked with Jay Ward Productions, providing the voice of Boris Badenov and other characters on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, and also supplied many voices for Rankin/Bass cartoon specials. He also appeared in TV commercials, including the original voice of the Pillsbury Doughboy and the second voice of Froot Loops mascot Toucan Sam (after Mel Blanc). Frees was married five times and had two children via his third wife, voice actress Joyce Schultz. In his later years, Frees suffered from multiple health issues. He died in Tiburon, California, on November 2, 1986, at age 66, from an overdose of pain medication. He was cremated and his remains were scattered over the Pacific Ocean.