Arnold Stang has passed away. Maybe this won’t mean much to you–Arnold Stang isn’t a household word any more. He was a skinny, nerdy comedic actor known for his distinctive look and even more distinctive voice.
I just took a look at his IMDB resume. He was there as TV came of age. He was there when a single appearance on a variety show could get higher ratings than the Super Bowl! Those were heady days.
Stang did television, movies, commercials and animation voices. He was perfect at playing Arnold Stang. Typecast? Sure. But for Stang there was good work in being typecast.
Arnold Stang is on my ever increasing list of actors I wish I’d met. I guess I’d better get a little more proactive on that.
I remember Arnold most fondly as the voice of Top Cat, a smart alack Hanna-Barbera cartoon character from the sixties. Here’s a sample with Allen Jenkins as the voice of Officer Dibble
I wish I had met him too, Geoff, but a signed picture is up in Rein’s Deli in Vernon, CT.
I remember Arnold Stang mostly from his appearances on the Milton Berle show when I was a kid.
He was one of those comedic actors who remained in my memory until this day due to his individualistic style.
He must have been quite old, nevertheless, the world just lost yet another very talented entertainer. R I P, Arnold Stang. Condolences to his family.
I LOVED Top Cat. One of my favorite cartoons. I had NO idea Arnold Stang was his voice. I think I remember Arnold selling those great little chocolate candies–? Chunkies?…They tasted delicious but I seldom bought them since I didn’t feel I was getting the most candy for my money…