Actor

Cecil Roy

1900–1995 · Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.

In the golden age of radio broadcasting, few performers could match the extraordinary vocal versatility of Cecil H. Roy. Known as the "Girl of a Thousand Voices," Roy captivated audiences across the United States with her remarkable ability to transform her voice instantaneously, bringing to life characters ranging from elderly women to crying infants.

Early Life and Roots of Talent

Born on October 2, 1900, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Cecil Roy grew up in Oklahoma with a unique artistic foundation. Her father, an opera singer, likely influenced her early appreciation for vocal performance. From a young age, Roy demonstrated an exceptional linguistic and vocal aptitude, eventually developing a "polished repertoire of 20 dialects" and becoming fluent in German and French, with the ability to sing in Italian and French.

Breaking into Radio Broadcasting

The 1930s marked the beginning of Roy's remarkable radio career. She quickly became a sought-after voice actress, appearing on numerous popular radio programs. Her extraordinary talent lay in her ability to instantaneously shift between characters of different ages and personalities, earning her the iconic nickname "The Girl of a Thousand Voices".

Roy's radio portfolio was impressively diverse. She performed in shows like The Adventures of Dari-Dan, Amanda of Honeymoon Hill, Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories, Big Sister, Kaltenmeyer's Kindergarten, Ma Perkins, The Timid Soul, and Quiet Please. In each program, she portrayed multiple characters with remarkable distinction, often playing children, elderly women, and everything in between.

Expanding into Animation and Recordings

Beyond radio, Cecil Roy made significant contributions to the world of animation. Between 1943 and 1964, she specialized in voicing children's characters, notably providing voices for Casper the Friendly Ghost and characters in Little Audrey and Little Lulu shorts. Her versatility extended to children's recordings, where she collaborated with various artists and released multiple recordings through Replica Records.

Personal Life and Legacy

Roy's personal life was as colorful as her professional career. She lived with her long-time partner Beni, a hairdresser in New York City who counted many Broadway and vaudeville stars among his clientele. Her home in Cozy Lake, Oak Ridge, New Jersey, became a neighborhood gathering place where she would entertain children with her accordion, singing, and extraordinary voice talents.

Cecil Roy passed away on January 26, 1995, at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy as one of radio's most versatile and memorable voice performers. Her ability to instantaneously transform her voice made her a unique and cherished figure in the entertainment industry of the mid-20th century.

Works and Appearances

Radio

The Adventures of Dari-Dan - Stanley Hall
Amanda of Honeymoon Hill - Aunt Mazie
Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories - Infant
Big Sister - Jerry Jr.
Kaltenmeyer's Kindergarten - Daisy Dean
Ma Perkins - Junior Fitz
The Timid Soul - Madge Milquetoast
Quiet Please - Carol Sue
Daily Dilemmas - Various characters

Animation

Casper the Friendly Ghost - Various characters
Little Audrey - Various characters
Little Lulu - Various characters

Recordings

Helen's Holiday
Buddy's Butterfly
The Thistle/Buddy's Garden
Christmas Eve/Plasco Toys

Heard in

Theater Five

3 episodes · Actor

The Cavalcade Of America