What Was Mel Blanc's Net Worth?
Mel Blanc was an American voice actor and comedian who had a net worth equal to $25 million at the time of his death in 1989, after adjusting for inflation. His extensive career, which spanned over 60 years, began in radio and later transitioned to animation, where he became globally recognized for voicing iconic characters such as Bugs Bunny, Foghorn Leghorn, and Porky Pig. Nicknamed "The Man of a Thousand Voices," Mel Blanc's legacy endures as one of the most prolific voice actors in entertainment history. He passed away on July 10, 1989.
Mel Blanc's Characters
Mel Blanc brought to life an array of beloved characters, including:
- Bugs Bunny
- Daffy Duck
- Porky Pig
- Tweety Bird
- Sylvester the Cat
- Yosemite Sam
- Foghorn Leghorn
- Marvin the Martian
- Pepe Le Pew
- Speedy Gonzales
- Wile E. Coyote
- Road Runner
- Barney Rubble
- Dino
- Mr. Spacely (from "The Jetsons")
- Heathcliff (from "Heathcliff and the Catillac Cats")
Early Life
Born Melvin Jerome Blank on May 30, 1908, in San Francisco, California, Mel Blanc grew up with a passion for voices and dialects. His parents, Eva and Frederick Blank, were of Jewish heritage. The family moved to Portland, Oregon, where Mel attended Lincoln High School and cultivated his talent for voices and music. He played multiple instruments and became the youngest conductor in the country by age 19. After graduating in 1927, he performed in vaudeville shows across Washington, Oregon, and northern California.
Career
Blanc's career began in 1927 at the age of 19 with his role on the KGW program "The Hoot Owls." His impressive vocal range gained attention, leading him to various opportunities in radio. In 1933, he created and co-hosted "Cobweb and Nuts" on KEX. Moving to Los Angeles, he joined Warner Bros. in 1935 and became a regular on "The Jack Benny Program," staying until its end in 1955.
Blanc's radio popularity led to "The Mel Blanc Show," which aired from 1946 to 1947. His talents extended to animation, joining Leon Schlesinger Productions in 1936. He first voiced Porky Pig in "Porky's Duck Hunt," also introducing Daffy Duck. In 1940, he debuted Bugs Bunny in "A Wild Hare."
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Blanc protected his voice characterizations contractually, earning screen credits when voice actors typically did not. Post-1960, he worked on Hanna-Barbera projects like "The Flintstones" and "The Jetsons." He also voiced characters for "Tom and Jerry," "Looney Tunes" compilation films, and Froot Loops commercials as Toucan Sam.
In 1962, Blanc and his son formed Blanc Communications Corporation, producing over 5,000 public service announcements and commercials. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his radio contributions, and Bugs Bunny earned a star in 1985.
Personal Life and Death
Mel Blanc married Estelle Rosenbaum in January 1933, and they had a son, Noel, who also became a voice actor. Blanc's health deteriorated after he developed emphysema from smoking. In May 1989, he was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with advanced coronary artery disease. Mel Blanc died on July 10, 1989, at age 81. His gravestone in Hollywood Forever Cemetery reads "That's All Folks" – Porky Pig's famous phrase.
