BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat

Subject: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 02:34 PM

Actor Arnold Stang dies at 91
Voiced characters on 'Top Cat,' 'Courage, the Cowardly Dog'
Associated Press

Dec 22, 2009, 11:57 AM ET


BOSTON -- Arnold Stang, an actor who appeared alongside Milton Berle and Frank Sinatra and was known for his nerdy looks and distinctive nasal voice, has died. He was 91.

Stang died Sunday of pneumonia at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts, said JoAnne Stang, his wife of 60 years.

She attributed her husband's career longevity to his willingness to tackle any professional challenge.

"He was really unique, because he could perform in any role, comedy or drama, he just loved it all," she said Tuesday. "He always thought of himself just as an actor, not any particular kind of actor, but just an actor who would play whatever he was asked to play."

Despite often playing goofy characters, Stang was the consummate professional, preparing the same for his biggest roles and the smallest commercials.

"I remember how smart he was, and how hardworking, and how disciplined he was, no matter what the role," his wife said.

The slight and diminutive Stang started his career on the radio as a teenager and never lost his love of the medium.

JoAnne Stang remembers her husband zipping across Manhattan in the 1940s and '50s, from radio show to radio show, all live and challenging in their own way because all the acting is done through voice, with no facial expressions or body language, she said.

"That was his education," she said.

He played alongside Berle on radio and television in the 1950s, starred as Sinatra's sidekick in the 1955 movie "The Man with the Golden Arm," and was a member of the ensemble comedic cast of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" in 1963.

The dramatic role alongside Sinatra was one of his favorites, his wife said.

He voiced cartoons, including the lead character in the 1960s cartoon "Top Cat," and did dozens of commercials, perhaps most notably for the Chunky candy bar.

He appeared in movies alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Cosby and continued acting into his 80s, playing a role in the 1993 movie "Dennis the Menace."

Stang invented and mischievously perpetuated a story that he was born and raised in the Boston suburb of Chelsea. But his wife said he was really raised in Brooklyn. He lived in the Boston suburb of Needham for the past decade.

Stang is also survived by son David and daughter Deborah.

Funeral services are private.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Genie
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 02:45 PM

Ah, I remember Arnold well from the old Milton Berle Texaco show. Didn't realize he was Top Cat though.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 02:45 PM

"Chunky! What a chunk a chocolate."
Arnold had a good long run.
Rest in peace.
We really did love you.
Funny we were just talking about Arnold at the office on Wednesday.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 02:52 PM

He had a distinctive appearance, didn't he? But I hadn't thought of him in years.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 03:22 PM

Milton Berle Texaco show... that's where I remember him from! Cool dude.

RIP

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 03:51 PM

I didn't recognize the name, so I did a Google Image Search thinking there'd be a good chance I'd look at a picture and go, "Aw, man! You mean him?"

I was right.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Paul Burke
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 06:40 PM

Top Cat confused me, because of BBC rules. Although it was clearly labelled 'Top Cat', although all the characters apart from Dibble and the dog (name?) referrred to him as TC, the BBC decided that since there was a cat food tin called Top Cat, it had to be renamed Boss Cat in all references. To avoid advertising, see?

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: olddude
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 06:48 PM

loved him in ITS A MAD MAD WORLD

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: olddude
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 06:51 PM

he was also on the Phil Silvers show Sargent Bilco ... anyone remember that old show ... I was a little kid and watched it with my dad ...

don't know if he was a regular or just a frequent guest

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 06:56 PM

Loved "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" -- used to watch it on a fairly regular basis. What a cast!

Enjoyed Arnold Stang (and even knew his name from as far back as Milton Berle Show -- when I was just a kid) in everything he was in.

But until I read his obit the other day, I didn't realize he was Top Cat. LOVED Top Cat! Remember Benny the Ball?

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 06:57 PM

Also never realized he lived in Needham. Gee, in the '70s I lived in several other of Boston's west 'burbs.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 07:16 PM

I could have sworn he had other series roles also. Dbefinitely enjoyed him on "You'll Never Get Rich," which starred Phil Silvers as MSGT Ernest Bilko [basically playing himself].

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 07:32 PM

I've always loved those actors that are nameless to all of us - but the moment you see them you say - "Oh THAT guy". There should be a hall of fame for those character actors.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 08:48 PM

Here is his CV.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 12:20 AM

All of the above and then some.   In MMMMMWorld he played opposite Marvin Kaplan, another guy who, like Wally Cox, Don Knotts, Stang, and a few others, had made great careers out of being quirky little men. Stang and Kaplan had a history together as well since while Arnold voiced Top Cat in the cartoon, Marvin Kaplan was the voice of Choo-Choo.

I loved all those guys........great comics all and adaptable to a variety of mediums.   Plus they were all more than capable of a dramatic turn as well. If you missed Arnold Stang in "Man with the Golden Arm" you missed a fine piece of work.

Thanks for it all!


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Genie
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 02:26 AM

Wesley, I know what you mean about "those" actors we all know but whose names we may not.
Arnold Stang was never one of those, for me, though. Way back when he was on the Texaco show with Uncle Miltie, we all knew the name of Arnold Stang.
I just don't remember hearing much about him after I left high school.
It appears he did a lot of work well after that.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Wesley S
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 07:05 PM

One of the Obits I saw said that Stang and Wally Cox were good friends. And that Cox was a goldsmith and made the wedding rings when Stang got married.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: TopcatBanjo
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 05:23 AM

Very sad news!

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Smedley
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 06:44 AM

I always thought Top Cat was ahead of its time by including a gay cat in the gang...... Choo Choo: pink (say no more), white turtle-neck (a key part of gay sartorial code in the 50s & 60s), that voice (hardly lacking in camp)........

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 09:43 AM

Olddude - I'll see your "Sgt. Bilko" (wonderful stuff) and raise you to include, "The Buccaneers," starring Robert Shaw. I received a set of DVD's of the show for Christmas - what a gift! I have not seen the show since it aired in the 50's.

Arnold Stang - I think you might have out-lived the Chunky. You were very entertaining and funny,...and you were loved. May you rest in peace,..................mwh

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 11:01 AM

I loved Top Cat.

Rest in Peace Arnold.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit- Arnold Stang - voice of Top Cat
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 11:13 AM

I met Arnold Stang back in the mid-80's when I worked for a production company in NYC. (National Video - we were also used as the set for "Tootsie"). Stang came in to our company every few months to do some voice overs for commercials. I remember he was a very polite and friendly to everyone. Although he may not have been a household name after the 1950s, his voice was frequently used and he kept very busy. One of the real nice people in the business.