Actor

Arnold Stang

1918–2009 · New York City, U.S.

In the golden age of radio, few personalities were as distinctive and memorable as Arnold Stang. With his unmistakable nasal voice and comedic timing, Stang became a beloved figure in entertainment, bridging the worlds of radio, television, and animation across an extraordinary seven-decade career.

Early Life and Radio Beginnings

Arnold Sidney Stang was born on September 28, 1918, in New York City to Jewish parents Anna and Harold Stang. Remarkably, he began his radio career at an incredibly young age, performing in children's radio programs when he was just nine years old. His unique, squawky voice would become his trademark, a characteristic he embraced with humor, once describing himself as "a frightened chipmunk who's been out in the rain too long". Stang's breakthrough in radio came through an unconventional method. According to his own story (though later disputed by his widow), he sent a postcard to a New York station requesting an audition, was accepted, and used money intended for his mother's anniversary gift to buy a ticket to New York. By 1940, he had graduated to teenage roles, appearing as Seymour on various network shows.

Rise to Radio Prominence

Throughout the 1940s, Stang became a sought-after radio personality. Comedian Henry Morgan made him a sidekick on his program in the fall of 1946, and Stang appeared in similar roles on other shows with different comedians. He even briefly voiced a character on the Archie radio show, working opposite future sitcom star Mel Blanc as Archie. His distinctive voice and comedic skills made him a natural for character work. At the Famous Studios cartoon shop in New York, he supplied voices for characters like Shorty, a caricature of himself, and Tubby Tompkins in various animated shorts.

Transition to Television and Broader Media

As television emerged, Stang seamlessly transitioned to the new medium. He had recurring roles in various TV shows, including a notable stint as Francis the Stagehand on Milton Berle's show, where he would often heckle the egocentric star for big laughs. His commercial work became legendary, with memorable lines like "Chunky, what a chunk of chocolate!" for Chunky candy bars and "Arnold Stang says don't get stung" for aluminum window screens. His voice acting career reached new heights when he voiced the title role in Hanna-Barbera's animated sitcom Top Cat (1961-62), a show that became a Saturday morning staple for decades.

Legacy and Later Career

Stang's career continued to evolve through the decades. He appeared in the epic comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), which is considered his most famous movie credit. He continued to work in animation, voice commercials, and make television appearances well into the 1990s. On December 20, 2009, Arnold Stang passed away at the age of 91 in Newton, Massachusetts, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in entertainment. He was survived by his wife of 60 years, JoAnne Taggart Stang, who was herself a prominent journalist.

Works and Appearances

Radio

Various children's programs (1927-1940)
Henry Morgan Show (1946-1947)
Archie radio show (brief period)

Television

Milton Berle Show (as Francis the Stagehand)
Top Cat (voice of Top Cat, 1961-1962)
Various commercial appearances

Film

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
The Pawnbroker (1964)
The Thief (1952)

Voice Acting

Top Cat series
Numerous Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters
Buzz the Bee in commercials (1979-1992)

Arnold Stang's career exemplified the versatility and adaptability required of entertainers in the mid-20th century, making him a true icon of American comedy and broadcasting.