Working with Jim Henson's Muppets

With Kevin Clash, trying to resist the urge to tickle Elmo. And getting a biiiiiig Grouchy hug from Oscar and his creator, Caroll Spinney, who also does Big Bird. Click on pictures for larger versions

I was one of a dozen additional puppeteers recruited by Jim Henson Productions for
"Muppets From Space" and "Elmo in Grouchland"
While we didn't get to do any voiceover work, (mostly Muppet crowd scenes),
each of us has a few "freeze-frame" moments we can point to on the DVD.
(Gee, wasn't that a masterful singing garbage bag just to the right of Vanessa Williams during her big entrance!)

When you need a large white guy, I'm perfect for TV spots.
Of course, you can opt to have a voice to go with the face, or use me in pantomime.
I've done some physical comedy...and have the bruises to show for it!

Corporate Video Shill (and Proud of It!)

Corporate Video producers love to use me as their competition's sales rep or other comic relief.
But occasionally someone will surprise me with a role as a doctor, a daddy, an attorney or pharmacist.

I play detective for a local murder mystery troupe called "It's a Mystery"...everything from traditional
trenchcoat sleuths to a bumbling backwoods snooper from Resume Speed, NC.
visit the "It's a Mystery" website

When needed, I've helped my clients with concept work, script and copywriting services,
sound design, and recording/editing audio for their multi-media, e-learning and web-based projects.
Of course, these talents come in handy for live events and broadcast spots as well.

Radio Days with Zoot and "fbi"

A lot of my performance and production skills were honed back in my Radio Days, as a copywriter/production manager. The National ADDY Award I snagged during my 9 years with WRAL 101FM was particularly satisfying. And for years, I continued the tradition of Edgar Bergen's Charlie McCarthy, with my own puppet character on the radio. Zoot developed into a popular sidekick to then top-rated morning host "famous bob inskeep".

Real Radio: Tapping Into the Golden Age Major influences in my voiceover style come from vintage cartoons, Stan Freberg records, and all those Old Radio Shows I started collecting in college. I still love to mix the Imagination of "those thrilling days of Yesteryear" with modern recording techniques.

with Kent Dove in "Greater Tuna"

Ham on Stage I once met Red Skelton and introduced myself as a fellow "Ham", but he corrected me, saying "No, hams can be cured!" I got bit by the Community Theatre Bug in the 70s as...what else...a character actor. What I learned there still helps when I host live shows for corporate events.

Last of the Live Kiddie Show
TV Co-Hosts?

"Time for Uncle Paul"
As you can tell from all that hair, this was awhile ago. But I learned to perform in front of the tv camera live
with no net, no script, no rehearsal...and no budget...under the wing of the master.

"Uncle" Paul Montgomery had one of the longest-running local kiddie shows in the Southeast.
I was his puppeteer, partner, and on-camera cartoonist for the last three of his 23 seasons.
Paul also taught me most of what I know and love about jazz and classical music.

While most of my on-camera or on-stage work is done close to home,
I'm not above a little business travel if the project is right.

Making Faces Since 1951

Getting Paid For It Since 1969

Voice Talent / Animation Links

• Dan Fissel Custom Music - Jingles, Commercial Soundtracks, Production Music Beds
• VO-BB- Great discussion boards, script library, resources.
• Voiceover Superlinks
• The Official Web Pages of Daws Butler
• The World's Most Official Unofficial Stan Freberg Page
• The Classic Jonny Quest Site

• Fred Allen Tribute Page
• Silent Film Sources
• Muppet Central
• The Shadow Magazine
• cartoonbrew.com
  
• coreyburton.com
  
• leonardmaltin.com