Janet Waldo

Janet Waldo

Waldo in 2013
Born Janet Marie Waldo
(1920-02-04)February 4, 1920
Yakima, Washington, U.S.
Died June 12, 2016(2016-06-12) (aged 96)
Encino, California, U.S.
Occupation Actress, voice actress
Years active 1938–2012
Spouse(s) Robert Edwin Lee (m. 1948; d. 1994)
Children 2
Relatives Elisabeth Waldo, older sister

Janet Marie Waldo (February 4, 1920 – June 12, 2016) was an American radio and voice actress.[1] She is best known in animation for voicing Judy Jetson, Nancy in Shazzan, Penelope Pitstop, and Josie in Josie and the Pussycats, and on radio for Meet Corliss Archer.

Early life

Waldo was born in Yakima, Washington. Her mother, Jane Althea Blodgett, was a singer trained at the Boston Conservatory of Music, and her father, Benjamin Franklin Waldo, was a distant cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson.[2] Her sister, Elisabeth Waldo (born June 18, 1918), is an authority on pre-Columbian music and an award-winning composer-violinist who appeared in the film Song of Mexico (1945).[3]

Waldo attended the University of Washington, where her performance in a student theatrical garnered her an award and brought her to the attention of Bing Crosby. A Paramount Pictures talent scout, who was with Crosby at the time, signed Waldo for a screen test, which led to a contract with the studio.[1]

Radio, films and TV

Al Feldstein, later the editor of Mad, was a writer-illustrator of the Meet Corliss Archer comic book. Waldo was depicted on the front cover twice, as herself and as Corliss.

Waldo appeared in several films in uncredited bit parts and small roles, although she was the leading lady in three Westerns, two of them starring Tim Holt.[4]

Her big break came in radio with a part on Cecil B. DeMille's Lux Radio Theater. In her radio career, she lent her voice to many programs, including Edward G. Robinson's Big Town, The Eddie Bracken Show, Favorite Story, Four Star Playhouse, The Gallant Heart, One Man's Family, Sears Radio Theater and Stars over Hollywood. She co-starred with Jimmy Lydon in the CBS situation comedy Young Love (1949–50), and she had recurring roles on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (as teenager Emmy Lou), The Red Skelton Show and People Are Funny.[4]

However, it was her eight-year run starring as teenager Corliss Archer on CBS's Meet Corliss Archer that left a lasting impression, even though Shirley Temple starred in the film adaptations, Kiss and Tell and A Kiss for Corliss. The radio program was the CBS answer to NBC's popular A Date with Judy. Despite the long run of Meet Corliss Archer, fewer than 24 episodes are known to exist. Waldo later turned down the offer to portray Corliss in a television adaptation (the role was recast with Ann Baker taking the role for TV).[1]

In 1948, the Meet Corliss Archer comic book, using Waldo's likeness, published by Fox Feature Syndicate, appeared for a run of three issues from March to July 1948, using the original scripts. The same year, Waldo married playwright Robert Edwin Lee, the writing partner of Jerome Lawrence. The couple had two children, and remained married until his death in 1994.[5]

Waldo made a rare on-screen television appearance when she appeared as Peggy, a teen smitten with Ricky Ricardo on a 1952 episode of I Love Lucy titled "The Young Fans" with Richard Crenna. Ten years later, Waldo again worked with Lucille Ball, this time playing Lucy Carmichael's sister, Marge, on The Lucy Show. That episode was titled "Lucy's Sister Pays A Visit". She also appeared on an episode of The Andy Griffith Show as Amanda. Waldo also reprised the role of Emmy Lou for some early TV episodes of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Later, she was the female lead opposite Anthony Franciosa in the short-lived sitcom Valentine's Day (1964).[4]

Animation

In television animation, she played Judy Jetson in all versions of the Hanna-Barbera television series The Jetsons. Waldo was the last surviving main cast member of the original The Jetsons series. In 1964–66, she took over the role of Pearl Slaghoople on The Flintstones, which was originally played by Verna Felton. Waldo reprised Mrs. Slaghoople on the Flintstones TV films I Yabba-Dabba Do! and Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby in the 1990s.[4]

She later provided the voices for Nancy in Shazzan, Granny Sweet in The Atom Ant/Secret Squirrel Show, Josie in Josie and the Pussycats and Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space, Penelope Pitstop in both Wacky Races and The Perils of Penelope Pitstop. She later guest starred in Thundarr the Barbarian as Circe in the episode "Island of the Body Snatchers".[4]

Further guest starring roles include Beth Crane, a descendant of Ichabod Crane, in the episode "The Headless Horseman of Halloween" from the The Scooby-Doo Show in 1976 and as Aggie Wilkins/Witch McCoy in the episode "The Ozark Witch Switch" in 1977. The following year she voiced both Arlene Wilcox, twin sister of the 'Witch of Salem' and the witch in the episode "To Switch a Witch " from the third season of Scooby Doo, Where Are You? in 1978. She voiced Morticia Addams in the short-lived 1973 cartoon series adaptation of The Addams Family. Waldo was the voice of Princess and Susan in the English-language version of Kagaku ninja tai Gatchaman, known as Battle of the Planets, and Hogatha in The Smurfs.[4]

Later life

In 1990, shortly after completing her role as Judy Jetson in Jetsons: The Movie, she was abruptly replaced with pop star Tiffany. The executive decision of Universal Pictures caused casting director Andrea Romano to say it was "a huge mistake on so many levels" and ask that her name be removed from the credits. Romano received volumes of hate mail despite her stance on the casting change. Voice director Gordon Hunt reportedly asked Tiffany to sound more like Waldo.[6]

According to Iwao Takamoto by the time of the film's release, Tiffany's fame had waned. He quipped, "The punch line, of course, is that fifteen years after the fact, Janet Waldo is still working while for most people, saying the name Tiffany automatically brings to mind a lamp".[7] Ultimately, Waldo did patch things up with Hanna-Barbera and continued acting on their television series. The movie version of The Jetsons was a box-office flop and a critical failure with most of the negative reviews directed at Tiffany's acting and the replacement of the original voice of Judy Jetson.[1][8]

Waldo died on June 12, 2016 at the age of 96. She had been diagnosed with a benign but inoperable brain tumor five years before her death. She is survived by her daughter, Lucy Virginia Lee, Professor of Clinical Management Communication at the USC Marshall School of Business; her son, Jonathan Barlow Lee (Neila Ruben), production manager at the Mark Taper Forum; her elder sister, Elisabeth Waldo; and two grandchildren.[9]

Filmography

Radio

Original Air Date Program Role Episode
1941 Big Town Various characters
1941–43 The Lux Radio Theatre Various characters Multiple radio adaptations
1941–45 One Man's Family Irene Franklin
1942, 1946 Dr. Christian Nurse Judy Price 2 episodes
March 3, 1943
March 31, 1943
Mayor of the Town Additional voices
1943–45 Cavalcade of America Additional voices
June 29, 1944 The Dinah Shore Program Various characters
1944 The Gallant Heart Jennifer Lake Series Regular
1944 The Charlotte Greenwood Show Barbara Barton
1944–45 Lady Of The Press – Sandra Martin Sandra Martin Series Regular
1944–54 The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet Emmy Lou Series Regular
1945 Major Bowes' Shower Of Stars Janet
1945–47 Songs by Sinatra Teenage Tina
The Eddie Bracken Show Eddie's girlfriend Series Regular
1945–52 People are Funny Raleigh Cigarette Girl Series Regular
1946 Request Performance Janet "Abbott/Costello"
1946–48 Favorite Story Various characters
1946–56 Meet Corliss Archer Corliss Archer Series Regular
1947 The Fabulous Dr. Tweedy Mary Potts Series Regular
The Camel Screen Guild Theatre Girl "The Secret Heart"
The Great Gildersleeve Joanne Piper 8 episodes
1948 The Mel Torme Show Mel's girlfriend Series Regular
Family Theater Various characters 2 episodes
1949 Screen Directors Playhouse Katie and Peggy Stephenson "The Exile" and "The Best Years Of Our Lives"
Errand Of Mercy Girl "Help For A Fighter"
Philco Radio Time Dennis Day's Date
Four Star Playhouse A number of characters "Corey"
1949–50 Young Love Janet Shaw-Lewis Series Regular
1950 The Halls of Ivy Additional voices
1951 My Favorite Husband Girl
1951–53 The Railroad Hour Various characters
1954 Stars over Hollywood Lovely woman "Miss Nettie"
1958–64 Heartbeat Theatre Various characters Multiple characters
1961 Whispering Streets Narrator
1973 The Hollywood Radio Theater Various characters Multiple episodes
1975 CBS Radio Mystery Theater Various characters Multiple episodes
1979 Alien Worlds Various characters "The Keeper Of Eight"
1979–80 Sears Radio Theater Various characters Multiple episodes
1992–2012 Adventures in Odyssey Joanne Allen
Maureen Hodges

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1938 Cocoanut Grove Girl Uncredited
Hunted Men Bit Part Uncredited
Sing You Sinners Bit Part Uncredited
The Arkansas Traveler Townsgirl Uncredited
Tom Sawyer, Detective Ruth Phelps
Zaza Simone
1939 Disbarred Bit Part Uncredited
Paris Honeymoon Village girl Uncredited
Persons in Hiding Ruth Waldron
Cafe Society Girl Uncredited
I'm from Missouri Hat Check Girl Uncredited
Unmarried Secretary Uncredited
Undercover Doctor Bridesmaid Uncredited
The Gracie Allen Murder Case Cigarette girl Uncredited
Grand Jury Secrets Hat Check Girl Uncredited
The Star Maker Stella
Honeymoon in Bali Fortune Girl's Companion Uncredited
What a Life Gwen
All Women Have Secrets Doris
Our Neighbours – The Carters Receptionist Uncredited
1940 Parole Fixer Switchboard Operator Uncredited
The Farmer's Daughter Switchboard Operator Uncredited
Adventure in Diamonds Telephone Operator Uncredited
If I Had My Way Miss Courtney Uncredited
Waterloo Bridge Elsa
The Way of All Flesh Hat Check Girl Uncredited
One Man's Law Joyce Logan
Those Were the Days! Miss Willowboughy Uncredited
Rhythm on the River Westlake's Receptionist Uncredited
1941 So Ends Our Night Jacqueline Uncredited
Silver Stallion Janice Walton
The Bandit Trail Ellen Grant
1942 Land of the Open Range Mary Cook
1963 Habit Rabbit Loopy De Loop Short
1964 Bear Hug Emmy-Lou Loopy De Loop Short
Bear Knuckles Emmy-Lou Loopy De Loop Short
1966 The Man Called Flintstone Roberta
Nurse #2
Nurse #3
Animated film
1972 A Christmas Story Additional voices Television film
1973 Fantastic Planet Hollow Log Chief
Traag Child
English dub
1982 Heidi's Song Tinette Animated film
1987 The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones Judy Jetson
Cogswell's Female Computer
Animated film
Alice Through the Looking Glass Alice Animated film
1990 Jetsons: The Movie Robot secretary Animated film
1993 Once Upon a Forest Edgar's Mom Animated film
1994 The Return of Jafar Peasant Mother Animated film
2000 Wacky Races Penelope Pitstop Video Game
2008 Mel Blanc: The Man of a Thousand Voices Herself Video Documentary
2009 The Jetsons Return to the Future Herself Video Documentary Short
2013 I Know that Voice Herself Documentary

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1952 I Love Lucy Peggy Dawson "The Young Fans"
1953–65 The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet Janet Series Regular
1955 The Phil Silvers Show Hazel "The Eating Contest" (uncredited)
1962 Saints and Sinners Marion Simmons "Daddy's Girl"
1962–63 The Jetsons Judy Jetson Series Regular
1962–66 The Flintstones Pearl Slaghoople
Pebbles Flintstone as an adult
Additional voices
1963 The Lucy Show Marge "Lucy's Sister Pays a Visit"
The Andy Griffith Show Amanda "A Wife For Andy"
1964 The Magilla Gorilla Show Hunnybun Punkin' Puss and Mushmouse segment
"Courtin' Disaster"
Jonny Quest Airport P.A.
Stewardess
"The Riddle of the Gold"
Peter Potamus The Colonel's Wife
Girl Bruin
Breezly and Sneezly segment
"Mass Masquerade"
1964–65 Valentine's Day Libby Freeman Series Regular
1965 Please Don't Eat the Daisies Miss Reece "It's Lad by a Nose"
The Secret Squirrel Show Additional voices
The Hillbilly Bears Goldilocks "Goldilocks and the Four Bears"
1965–67 The Atom Ant/Secret Squirrel Show Granny Sweet Precious Pupp segment
1966 Get Smart Telephone Operator "All in the Mind"
The F.B.I. Arlene Morgan "The Baby Sitter"
Petticoat Junction Violet Bentley "Young Love"
Alice in Wonderland (or What's a Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This?) Alice TV Movie
Laurel and Hardy Additional voices
1966–67 The Space Kidettes Jenny Series Regular
1966–69 The Adventures of Superboy Lana Lang Series Regular
1967 The Fantastic Four Princess Pearla "The Micro World of Dr. Doom"
Abbott & Costello Cartoon Additional voices
The New Adventures of Superman Lana Lang
Space Ghost and Dino Boy Nancy "The Final Encounter"
Jack and the Beanstalk Princess Serena TV Movie
1967–69 Shazzan Nancy Series Regular
1968 The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Anointed Maiden of the Sacrifice 2 episodes
Sally Sargent Sally Sargent TV Short
1968–70 Wacky Races Penelope Pitstop Series Regular
1969–70 The Perils of Penelope Pitstop Penelope Pitstop Series Regular
1969–71 Cattanooga Cats Jenny Trent
1970 Julia Mrs. Appleton "Call Me by My Rightful Number"
In the Know Josie TV series Documentary
1970–71 Josie and the Pussycats Josie Series Regular
1971 Help! It's The Hair Bear Bunch! Pipsqueak The Mouse
Woman
"Love Bug Bungle"
Funky Phantom Lori Elwood
1972 The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan Additional voices
Tabitha and Adam and the Clown Family Marybell / Georgia
The Roman Holidays Henrietta
Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space Josie Series Regular
1972–73 Around the World in 80 Days Belinda Maze Series Regular
1973 The New Scooby Doo Movies Josie "The Haunted Showboat"
Speed Buggy Additional voices
The Addams Family (1973 animated series) Morticia Addams Series Regular
1973–74 Inch High, Private Eye Additional voices
1973–75 Jeannie Mrs. Anders Series Regular
1974 Hong Kong Phooey The Mayor's Wife "Patty Cake, Patty Cake, Bakery Man"
These are the Days additional voices
1975 The Tiny Tree Little Girl
Lady Bird
TV short
1976 Jabberjaw The Queen of Atlantis "Atlantis, Get Lost"
1976–78 The Scooby-Doo Show Beth Crane
Melissa Wilcox
4 episodes
1977 CB Bears Additional voices
1977–80 Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels Additional voices
1978–79 Galaxy Goof-Ups Additional voices
1978–80 Battle of the Planets Princess
Susan
Mala
Series Regular
1979 Gulliver's Travels Additional characters TV Movie
The New Fred and Barney Show Additional voices
The Super Globetrotters Additional voices
1979–80 Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo Additional voices
1980 Yogi's First Christmas Cindy Bear
Sophie Throckmorton
TV movie
The Trouble with Miss Switch Miss Switch ABC Weekend Special episode
1980–83 The All-New Popeye Hour Additional voices
1981 Thundarr the Barbarian Circe "Island of the Body Snatchers"
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends Shanna the She-Devil
Zerona
Additional voices
3 episodes
Unico West Wind English dub
Daniel Boone Additional voices TV Movie
1981–89 The Smurfs Hogatha
1982 Yogi Bear's All Star Comedy Christmas Caper Murray's Wife
Lady on the Street
Bus Deport PA voice
TV Movie
The Adventures of the Little Prince Danya
Rose Girl
1982 English dub
1982–83 Pac-Man Additional voices
1983 The Secret World of Og Mother, Old Lady ABC Weekend Special episode
The Puppy's Further Adventures Tommy's Mother
Alvin and the Chipmunks Stella
Unico Maho No Shima West Wind English dub
Beauty and The Beast Beauty
Jacqueline
Queen
Additional voices
TV Movie
The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show Additional voices
1983–84 The Dukes Additional voices
Rubik, the Amazing Cube Additional voices
1983–86 Mr. T Additional voices
1985 Yogi's Treasure Hunt Cindy Bear
Little Red Ridding Hood
Witch
Gretel
2 episodes
1985–87 The Jetsons Judy Jetson
Additional voices
Series Regular
1988 The Canterville Ghost Lucrecia Otis TV Movie
Rockin' with Judy Jetson Judy Jetson Alternative title: "Judy Jetson and the Rockers"
1989 Dink, the Little Dinosaur Woman Dinosaur
A Yabba Dabba Doo Celebration: 50 years of Hanna-Barbera Judy Jetson / Penelope Pitstop / Josie McCoy TV special
1990–91 Wake, Rattle and Roll Additional voices Fender Bender 500 segment
1990–94 Tom and Jerry Kids Additional voices
1993 I Yabba-Dabba Do! Pearl Slaghoople
Additional voices
TV Film
Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby Pearl Slaghoople TV Film
1993–94 Droopy, Master Detective Additional voices
1998 King of the Hill Mrs. Tobbis "Pretty, Pretty Dresses"

References

External links

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