Jimmy Weldon was a longtime ventriloquist, best known for voicing Hanna-Barbera’s cartoon duck, Yakky Doodle, and for his puppet character, Webster Webfoot.
- Died: July 6, 2023 (Who else died on July 6?)
- Details of death: Died in Paso Robles, California, at the age of 99.
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Jimmy Weldon’s legacy
Born in Dale, Texas, Weldon served in Europe during World War II and was part of the company that liberated the Buchenwald Concentration Camp in April 1945. After returning home from the war, he was hired as an announcer at radio station KWCO out of Texas. There, he developed the voice of Webster Webfoot, a little duck who often spoke to callers, much to their delight.
He continued the character at another radio station, and in 1950 brought Webster to television as a puppet with “The Webster Webfoot Show,” broadcast by local station WFAA. He soon took the character to California, where he caught the attention of the producer for “Truth or Consequences,” Ralph Edwards. Edwards developed “Funny Boners,” a kids’ version of the show, and made Weldon and Webster the hosts.
Thanks to the popularity of Weldon’s character, he began to land voice work. His most notable role was with Hanna-Barbera – Yakky Doodle was a small duck somewhat modeled after Webster. He also voiced Solomon Grundy on “Challenge of the Superfriends,” and appeared on shows such as “Popeye and Son” and “Tom & Jerry Kids Show,” among many others. Weldon’s work as an actor expanded into live roles as well – he appeared on such shows as “Dallas,” “Dragnet,” “The Waltons,” and “Diff’rent Strokes.”
Notable quote
“I don’t have no mama. Would you be my mama?”—as Webster Webfoot
Tributes to Jimmy Weldon
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
