Voice Artist Burson Dies

Thursday, August 07, 2008
By: Ryan Ball

Accomplished voice performer Greg Burson died on July 22nd at the age of 59, according to animation writer/director Mark Evanier’s blog (www.newsfromme.com). The Anaheim native was a protégé of Daws Butler, from whom he inherited the roles of such iconic Hanna-Barbera characters as Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Snagglepuss and Quick Draw McGraw. He was also the main replacement voice of Bugs Bunny, Foghorn Leghorn, Pepe LePew and other classic Looney Tunes characters originated by Mel Blanc, and took over the role of Mr. Magoo after the death of Jim Backus.

In addition to his prolific career in cartoons, Burson found a lot of work as a "straight" announcer and narrator, racking up credits on many commercials, movie trailers, TV promos and other productions requiring an authoritative voice.

Burson died of complications from diabetes and arteriosclerosis, but Evanier, who worked with Burson on a number of cartoons, says a long bout with alcoholism was also a contributing factor. Burson made headlines in 2004 when a swat team surrounded his house in Tujunga because there was a report that he was armed and threatening to shoot another person. Alcohol reportedly played a role in the misunderstanding.

A memorial service for Burson is being held this Saturday. Family and friends who would like to attend can contact Evanier via his website, www.newsfromme.com.

Reader Comments

• Ben Ohmart : writer : BearManor Media

  Friday, August 08, 2008

  Wow. I interviewed Greg for my book on Daws Butler. I had no idea of any of his personal problems at the time. It\'s so sad.

• shakeem winn : writer n artist : winn ltd.

  Wednesday, August 13, 2008

  It\'s very sad when a person endowed with so much talent succumbs to their own self destruction. Rest in peace Mr. Burson, You will be missed.

• Matt Hurwitz : Voice Artist :

  Thursday, August 14, 2008

  In the late 80s, I was fortunate to be able to provide the voice for Daws Butler\\\'s Hokey Wolf for the H-B series, \\\"Yo! Yogi.\\\" I remember being in the session, with Don Messick on my right doing Boo Boo Bear and Greg Burson on my left doing the voice of Yogi and thinking, \\\"It doesn\\\'t get much better than this.\\\"
  
  Greg was a huge talent - and a great actor. I\\\'m truly sorry he suffered the difficulties he did in his life. I can only hope to be a fraction of the voice actor he was.
  
  Matt Hurwitz

• Joe Bevilacqua : writer, actor, journalist : Waterlogg Productions

  Thursday, August 14, 2008

  I was a protege of Daws Butler along with Greg and Matt Hurwitz, who I considered a friend. I co-wrote Daws\'s bio with Ben Ohmart. A few years back, Matt and I, along with Corey Burton and other students of Daws, worked with Greg on an ASIFA-Hollywood performance of \"Huckleberry Hound and the Ghost Ship\" and \"Quick Draw McGraw and the Treasure of Sarah\'s Mattress,\" before an audience. I had the opportunity to direct it and Greg was AMAZING. Many of us do a pretty good job of approximating Daws\'s characters, but Greg was the only guy I knew who really sounded like Daws, especially when he did Yogi, Huck, Quick Draw and Snagglepuss. I am sad that Greg a trouble person and, as Mark Evanier wrote, could not help himself. We lost a wonderful person and a great talent.
  
  Finally, let me add that I received the following email remembrance from Daws\'s widow, Myrtis Butler, about Greg:
  
  \"It is so sad ...when Daws and I had two outdoor chairs facing each other in front of the workshop room with plants over it, he went over it and made it look more professional. MMB\"
  
  He was, indeed, always trying to help others.
  
  Joe Bev. http://www.joebev.com