Actor

Richard Beals

1927–2012 · Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

In the broad tapestry of mid‑20th century broadcasting, Dick Beals occupied a remarkable niche — the voice of boys, animals, and whimsical commercials, delivered with an uncanny purity that belied his adult years. Though best known to later generations for his work in animation, Beals’ radio career in the 1940s and 1950s helped define his path as one of the most distinctive—and least expected—voices in the era.

Early Life and Entry into Radio

Richard Lee “Dick” Beals was born on March 16, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan. He carried a childlike voice throughout his life because of a glandular condition that prevented his voice from changing during puberty. Despite this, he stood just 4 feet 6 inches tall and weighed less than 70 pounds. At Michigan State University, where he graduated in 1949, he majored in radio broadcasting. During his college years, he performed in weekly radio dramas on the campus station WKAR, and even covered intramural sports — all while cheering as a member of the MSU cheerleading squad. His break in professional radio came while still a student: in January 1949, a WXYZ director in Detroit called him in to do a radio commercial. They were so impressed with his youthful voice that they kept him “on call” for child roles and small animal voices in major network radio series produced there, such as The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and Challenge of the Yukon.

Rise in Radio and Professional Style

Beals’ voice was a paradox: deeply experienced, yet forever childlike. His quality made him ideal for roles that required innocence, playfulness, or that unmistakable “little kid” sound. He appeared in a variety of radio dramas throughout the 1950s, including on Gunsmoke, Dragnet, and other anthology shows. His high, clear delivery and nuanced control allowed him to convey both drama and whimsy, and he became a reliable fixture in radio casting for youthful characters. In interviews, Beals recalled working on dozens of shows produced in Detroit and later in Hollywood, remarking on how radio directors appreciated that they didn’t have to deal with child labor issues because he could “play” a kid while being an adult. His professionalism and vocal stamina set him apart—he could deliver multiple takes, maintain consistency, and give voice to characters that others could not.

Iconic Roles Beyond Radio

While radio launched his career, Beals became most famous through his voice work in commercials and animation. In 1952, after a stint on The Green Hornet, he auditioned for a new character: Speedy Alka‑Seltzer, the fizzy tablet mascot. Four months later, he landed the role. Over the years, he voiced Speedy in more than 200 TV and radio commercials, and eventually contributed to over 3,000 total ad productions for brands like Oscar Mayer, Campbell’s Soup, Vaseline, and Bob’s Big Boy. On the animation side, Beals is credited with roles in Warner Bros. cartoons as well as Hanna-Barbera staples. He voiced Ralph Phillips in From A to Z‑Z‑Z‑Z, played Arthur Spacely (son of Mr. Spacely) in The Jetsons, and contributed to Roger Ramjet, The Funny Company, and more. In his later years, he even did voice work for the stop-motion Davey and Goliath, portraying the first Davey Hansen.

Legacy and Personal Philosophy

Beals’ life was shaped by contrasts: an adult with a child’s voice, a private person whose work was everywhere, a small statured man but one with big ambition. His childhood challenges became a calling card, not a limitation. In interviews and his autobiography Think Big, he often urged others to think on a grand scale, regardless of constraints. He remained active in the voice world well into the 2000s, making guest appearances at Old Time Radio conventions, doing occasional voice work, and using his platform as a motivational speaker. Beals passed away on May 29, 2012, in Vista, California, at the age of 85. Radio historians remember him as one of the “anonymous greats” — his name may not have been widely known, but his voice shaped countless broadcasts, cartoons, and commercials.

Works and Appearances

Radio

The Lone Ranger — child voices, WXYZ, 1949 onward
The Green Hornet — child/animal voices, WXYZ
Challenge of the Yukon — small voices for animals/children
Gunsmoke — guest appearances in the 1950s and beyond
Dragnet — various roles
Adventures in Odyssey — Nicholas Adamsworth, 1989–1993

Television / Animation

The Gumby Show — various voices
Davey and Goliath — Davey Hansen, early 1960s
Roger Ramjet — voices of Yank and Dan, mid-1960s
The Jetsons — Arthur Spacely
From A to Z‑Z‑Z‑Z — Ralph Phillips
Frankenstein Jr. and The Impossibles — Buzz Conroy, the boy scientist
Richie Rich — Reggie Van Dough
The Little Drummer Boy – singing voice, 1967
Garfield and Friends — various characters
Peter Gunn — ventriloquist’s dummy, 1960 episode

Commercials

Speedy Alka‑Seltzer – over 200 radio/TV spots
Other brands: Oscar Mayer, Campbell’s Soup, Vaseline, Bob’s Big Boy (total voice work in over 3,000 commercials)