Shepard Menken (November 2, 1921 â€" January 2, 1999) was an American
film, television, voice, radio and character actor.Menken began his
career at the age of 11, when he started appearing on children's radio
programs. After high school, Menken attended Columbia University, and
later studied performing arts at the Neighborhood Playhouse Theatre
and the Juilliard School of Music.Menken made his film debut in 1949
with a supporting role in The Red Menace, and eventually appeared
onscreen in 17 movies. Menken worked steadily as a television actor,
appearing on such series as I Love Lucy, I Spy, and The Wild Wild
West. He was also in demand as a voice talent, working on animated
cartoons for Hanna-Barbera, UPA, and Marvel Productions, as well as
advertising spots for StarKist Tuna and Mattel Toys; his was the voice
intoning, "The only way to fly!" in Western Airlines' spots in the
1960s. Menken voiced the Clyde Crashcup character in The Alvin Show,
as well as the character Tonto in the 1966-69 animated series The Lone
Ranger. He also voiced the Spelling Bee and Chroma the Great in the
1970 live-action/animated film The Phantom Tollbooth, and provided the
voice for the title character in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. In 1963, Menken
formed his own company, Malibu Films, which specialized in educational
and industrial films.Shepard Menken died in the Los Angeles
neighborhood of Woodland Hills two months after his 77th birthday.
film, television, voice, radio and character actor.Menken began his
career at the age of 11, when he started appearing on children's radio
programs. After high school, Menken attended Columbia University, and
later studied performing arts at the Neighborhood Playhouse Theatre
and the Juilliard School of Music.Menken made his film debut in 1949
with a supporting role in The Red Menace, and eventually appeared
onscreen in 17 movies. Menken worked steadily as a television actor,
appearing on such series as I Love Lucy, I Spy, and The Wild Wild
West. He was also in demand as a voice talent, working on animated
cartoons for Hanna-Barbera, UPA, and Marvel Productions, as well as
advertising spots for StarKist Tuna and Mattel Toys; his was the voice
intoning, "The only way to fly!" in Western Airlines' spots in the
1960s. Menken voiced the Clyde Crashcup character in The Alvin Show,
as well as the character Tonto in the 1966-69 animated series The Lone
Ranger. He also voiced the Spelling Bee and Chroma the Great in the
1970 live-action/animated film The Phantom Tollbooth, and provided the
voice for the title character in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. In 1963, Menken
formed his own company, Malibu Films, which specialized in educational
and industrial films.Shepard Menken died in the Los Angeles
neighborhood of Woodland Hills two months after his 77th birthday.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.