'Grrrreeaat' Voiceover Artist Dies

Thurl Ravenscroft Was Voice Of Kellogg's Tony The Tiger, Others

(CBS/AP)  Ravenscroft also did voices for the animated films "Cinderella," "The Jungle Book," "Mary Poppins," "Alice in Wonderland," "Lady and the Tramp" and many others.

In 1966, Dr. Seuss and legendary Warner Bros. animator Chuck Jones teamed up to produce "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" for CBS, and Ravenscroft was the voice of the title character. Ravenscroft recalled the Grinch fondly, saying, "That was my chance to prove I could really sing." The success of the Grinch led to other projects with Dr. Seuss, including "Horton Hears a Who" and "The Cat in the Hat."

Born in Norfolk, Neb., Ravenscroft moved to California in 1933 to study art. By the mid-1930s he was appearing regularly on radio, and by the late-1930s he was singing backup for Bing Crosby. As part of the Johnny Mann Singers, he can be heard on 28 albums.

After military service during World War II, he returned to Hollywood, where he sang with the Mellomen, a group that performed with Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Elvis Presley.

In 1952, Ravenscroft's voice was heard in the first Frosted Flakes commercial.

Ravenscroft is survived by two children and four grandchildren. June, his wife of 53 years, died in 1999 at age 80.