[Deathwatch] Jackson Beck, voice actor, 92

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Jackson Beck, voice of Superman introduction, dies at 92
July 29, 2004, 2:32 AM EDT

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--obit-beck0729jul28,0,5
765067.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

NEW YORK (AP) _ Jackson Beck, a master of voice-over who bellowed the
phrase "It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!" to introduce the
Superman radio show and used his versatile voice to promote everything
from Aqua Fresh toothpaste to Combat roach killer, has died. He was 92.


Beck died at about 6 a.m. Wednesday of complications of old age,
according to Jeff David, a friend. He had been ill after suffering a
series of small strokes four or five years ago, David said.

In addition to narrating Superman's adventures, Beck doubled as
villains, supporting characters and the Daily Planet copyboy, Beany, on
the popular radio broadcasts of the 1940s. 

He also portrayed of the bully Bluto in more than 300 Popeye cartoons,
was the voice of the Cisco Kid and was known for his impersonations of
world leaders in "The March of Time," an enactment of the week's news
from Time magazine. 

Beck's strong, deep voice was heard on television commercials for Sugar
Frosted Flakes, Pepsi, Brawny paper towels, Hasbro-Bradley's GI Joe
figures and dozens of other products, as well as football and boxing
promotions for NBC. 

"I'm an advertising man, and I treat my voice as a business," Beck told
Newsday in 1990. "People who treat it as art don't make any money." 

He also did voice-over for two Woody Allen movies, "Radio Days" and
"Take the Money and Run," and could be heard on "National Lampoon"
radio broadcasts and "Saturday Night Live." He worked well into his
80s. 

Beck, the son of Max Beck, a silent film actor, was a founding member
of the American Federation of Radio Artists, which merged with the
Television Authority to become what is now the American Federation of
Television and Radio Artists. He is survived by a son, Leslie Winter.