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Lucille Bliss

Voiceover Artist

"Smurfette felt so real to me because I created her voice, so I could feel her emotions. It may sound strange but it's true. We have to think like the character and it takes over. That's what I tell my students, too. You must lose yourself if you want to be successful in animation and be the character." 

About This Interview

In her two-and-a-half hour Archive interview, Lucille Bliss talks about her early work in USO shows in San Francisco and her first big break as a voice artist on Walt Disney's "Cinderella" as stepsister "Anastasia." She describes the creation of the television series The Happy Birthday To You Show, a local children's show that she hosted in San Francisco. She talks about the format of the show, memorable moments as host, and how it inspired The Mickey Mouse Club. Bliss speaks in great detail about her part as the voice of the title character in television's very first cartoon, Crusader Rabbit.   She talks of the premise of the show, the contributions of collaborators Alex Anderson and Jay Ward, and how her part came to be recast for the later version of the series. Bliss also recalls the difficulties of battling occasional rejection and bad breaks, which for her included the loss of a lucrative contract at Hanna-Barbera for Ruff and Reddy, and her replacement as the voice of "Elroy" on The Jetsons. She then details her most well-known role as "Smurfette" on the 1980s animated hit, The Smurfs. She discusses how she won the role, describes her character, and talks about her work with the ensemble cast that included Paul Winchell as the villainous "Gargamel." Finally, she talks about her later work both on camera and as a voice artist, including on the cult animated series Invader ZIM.  B-roll consists of stills from The Happy Birthday To You Show (illustrating the Disney merchandise that the series was given by the studio), as well as a few stills from Bliss' early career. Gary Rutkowski conducted the interview on August 26, 2005 in Universal City, CA. 

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • Armistead Maupin's Tales of City
  • Crusader Rabbit
  • Flintstones, The
  • Happy Birthday To You Show, The
  • Invader ZIM
  • Jetsons, The
  • Mickey Mouse Club, The
  • Smurfs, The
  • Space Kiddettes

People

  • Alex Anderson
  • Joseph Barbera
  • Alan Young

Topics

  • Characters & Catchphrases
  • Pop Culture
  • TV Theme Songs
  • WWII
  • War

Professions

  • Performers

Featured Content

Video Clip: Watch Papa Smurf turn Smurfette from Gargamel's creation into a real Smurf:

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  • Topics
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Highlights

  • Lucille Bliss on a demonstration of "Smurfette's" voice on <i>The Smurfs</i> <br/>Lucille Bliss on a demonstration of "Smurfette's" voice on The Smurfs
    Clip begins at: 19:44, Duration: 00m 33s
  • Lucille Bliss on her character "Smurfette" on <i>The Smurfs</i>Lucille Bliss on her character "Smurfette" on The Smurfs
    Clip begins at: 00:55, Duration: 01m 33s
  • Lucille Bliss on becoming "Charlie McCarthy's" sweetheartLucille Bliss on becoming "Charlie McCarthy's" sweetheart
    Clip begins at: 18:56, Duration: 01m 12s
  • Lucille Bliss on getting fired from voicing "Elroy" on <i>The Jetsons</i>Lucille Bliss on getting fired from voicing "Elroy" on The Jetsons
    Clip begins at: 05:05, Duration: 03m 55s
  • Lucille Bliss on a demonstration of the voices of "Rags" and "Crusader Rabbit" on <i>Crusader Rabbit</i>Lucille Bliss on a demonstration of the voices of "Rags" and "Crusader Rabbit" on Crusader Rabbit
    Clip begins at: 18:50, Duration: 01m 16s
  • Lucille Bliss on advice to an aspiring voiceover artistLucille Bliss on advice to an aspiring voiceover artist
    Clip begins at: 01:41, Duration: 01m 11s

Interview

  • Part 1
  • On her childhood and early influences; on wanting to be an actress from a young age; on studying advertising
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On her start in professional acting on radio serials; on discovering she had a talent for doing voices; on writing a radio column and meeting celebrities; on performing at Armed Forces Talent Shows during World War II
    Clip begins at: 05:44
  • On working as "Charlie McCarthy's" sweetheart with Edgar Bergen; on auditioning for Disney's "Cinderella"
    Clip begins at: 18:56
  • Part 2
  • On coming to Hollywood to work at Disney; on voiceover tips from Walt Disney when she played "Anastasia" in "Cinderella"; on her special diet for her voice
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On her early memories of television; on creating and hosting a local San Francisco children's TV show - The Happy Birthday to You Show; on her show being the inspiration for The Mickey Mouse Club
    Clip begins at: 06:06
  • On packaging The Happy Birthday to You Show and dealing with sponsors; on working with children on the show
    Clip begins at: 21:37
  • Part 3
  • On auditioning for the voice of Crusader Rabbit; on show creators Jay Ward and Alex Anderson and controversy with Shull Bronsall at Metromedia
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On production of and the characters on Crusader Rabbit
    Clip begins at: 15:56
  • On the popularity of Crusader Rabbit; on recording the show and syndication; on the show's legacy; on voicing characters in commercials
    Clip begins at: 20:06
  • Part 4
  • On her involvement with voices in Disney's "101 Dalmations"; on working with animator Friz Freleng; on voicing characters on The Flinstones
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On getting fired from voicing "Elroy" on The Jetsons; on falling ill, her process of auditioning, and her demo reel
    Clip begins at: 05:05
  • On getting the role of "Smurfette" on The Smurfs; on the premise and plot of The Smurfs; on the show's theme song and popularity
    Clip begins at: 15:07
  • Part 5
  • On her character "Smurfette" on The Smurfs; on her favorite episodes, a typical production week, and the popularity of the show
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On Smurf figurines and toys; on voice actors that worked on The Smurfs; on negotiations for a movie of The Smurfs; on specials of the series and why The Smurfs ended
    Clip begins at: 06:54
  • On working on Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City; on commuting from San Francisco to Los Angeles
    Clip begins at: 14:44
  • On being a founding member of the San Francisco Chapter of the Screen Actors Guild
    Clip begins at: 18:23
  • On voicing a character on Invader ZIM
    Clip begins at: 19:43
  • On her proudest career achievement; on the most difficult character she ever played
    Clip begins at: 22:47
  • Part 6
  • On her diet and rituals to maintain her voice; on advice to an aspiring voiceover artist
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On how she'd like to be remembered
    Clip begins at: 03:07
  • On B-roll photos from her career - from The Happy Birthday To You Show, The Edgar Bergen Show, and her involvement with the San Francisco SAG chapter
    Clip begins at: 05:16

Shows

  • Armistead Maupin's Tales of City
    • Lucille Bliss on working on Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City
      Clip begins at: 14:44, Duration: 02m 01s
  • Crusader Rabbit
    • Lucille Bliss on the creation of the animated show Crusader Rabbit by Jay Ward and Alex Anderson 
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 15m 56s
    • Lucille Bliss on production on and the characters of the animated show Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 15:56, Duration: 04m 10s
    • Lucille Bliss on the popularity, recording, and legacy of the animated show Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 20:06, Duration: 06m 50s
  • Flintstones, The
    • Lucille Bliss on voicing characters on The Flinstones
      Clip begins at: 03:38, Duration: 01m 18s
  • Happy Birthday To You Show, The
    • Lucille Bliss on creating and hosting the children's show, The Happy Birthday to You Show
      Clip begins at: 06:27, Duration: 15m 10s
    • Lucille Bliss on packaging The Happy Birthday to You Show and dealing with sponsors
      Clip begins at: 21:37, Duration: 03m 53s
    • Lucille Bliss on working with children on The Happy Birthday to You Show
      Clip begins at: 25:30, Duration: 03m 29s
    • Lucille Bliss on photos from The Happy Birthday To You Show
      Clip begins at: 05:16, Duration: 02m 09s
  • Invader ZIM
    • Lucille Bliss on voicing a character on Invader ZIM
      Clip begins at: 19:43, Duration: 04m 55s
  • Jetsons, The
    • Lucille Bliss on getting fired from voicing "Elroy" on The Jetsons
      Clip begins at: 05:05, Duration: 05m 02s
  • Mickey Mouse Club, The
    • Lucille Bliss on Disney merchandising on her San Francisco local series The Happy Birthday to You Show that led to development of The Mickey Mouse Club
      Clip begins at: 17:18, Duration: 01m 40s
  • Smurfs, The
    • Lucille Bliss on getting the role of "Smurfette" on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 16:15, Duration: 05m 04s
    • Lucille Bliss on the premise and plot of The Smurfs; on the show's theme song and popularity
      Clip begins at: 21:19, Duration: 07m 27s
    • Lucille Bliss on her character "Smurfette" on The Smurfs; on her favorite episodes, a typical production week, and the popularity of the show
      Clip begins at: 00:55, Duration: 08m 17s
    • Lucille Bliss on voice actors on The Smurfs; on the end of the series
      Clip begins at: 09:13, Duration: 05m 30s
  • Space Kiddettes
    • Lucille Bliss on voicing a character on Space Kiddettes
      Clip begins at: 15:33, Duration: 00m 42s

People

  • Alex Anderson
    • Lucille Bliss on not thinking highly of Shull Bronsall at Metromedia and how he blocked her working for Hanna-Barbera
      Clip begins at: 07:15, Duration: 01m 51s
    • Lucille Bliss on Jay Ward and Alex Anderson's daily involvement with Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 13:13, Duration: 02m 43s
    • Lucille Bliss on the creation of the animated show Crusader Rabbit by Jay Ward and Alex Anderson
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 02m 17s
  • Joseph Barbera
    • Lucille Bliss on William Hanna and Joseph Barbera starting Hanna-Barbera and wanting her for their shows
      Clip begins at: 09:50, Duration: 03m 23s
    • Lucille Bliss on winning the role of "Smurfette" on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 20:54, Duration: 00m 25s
    • Lucille Bliss on Joseph Barbera creating the role of "Smurfette" on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 27:19, Duration: 00m 25s
  • Jack Benny
    • Lucille Bliss on writing a radio column and meeting Jack Benny
      Clip begins at: 09:19, Duration: 01m 04s
  • Edgar Bergen
    • Lucille Bliss on becoming "Charlie McCarthy's" sweetheart
      Clip begins at: 18:56, Duration: 01m 12s
    • Lucille Bliss on a photo from around the time she was on The Edgar Bergen Show
      Clip begins at: 08:01, Duration: 00m 33s
    • Lucille Bliss on working with Edgar Bergen as "Charlie McCarthy's" sweetheart
      Clip begins at: 20:15, Duration: 00m 51s
  • Shull Bonsall
    • Lucille Bliss on not thinking highly of Shull Bronsall at Metromedia
      Clip begins at: 07:15, Duration: 05m 58s
  • Russ Coughlan
    • Lucille Bliss on Russ Coughlan voicing the evil characters on Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 02:29, Duration: 00m 43s
  • Walt Disney
    • Lucille Bliss on Walt Disney wanting voiceover artists to record on records, not tape for "Cinderella"; on tips from Walt Disney
      Clip begins at: 01:46, Duration: 02m 32s
  • Jerry Fairbanks
    • Lucille Bliss on working with Jerry Fairbanks on Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 23:47, Duration: 00m 48s
  • Friz Freleng
    • Lucille Bliss on working with animator Friz Freleng
      Clip begins at: 02:32, Duration: 01m 06s
  • William Hanna
    • Lucille Bliss on William Hanna and Joseph Barbera starting Hanna-Barbera and wanting her for their shows
      Clip begins at: 09:50, Duration: 03m 23s
    • Lucille Bliss on winning the role of "Smurfette" on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 20:54, Duration: 00m 25s
  • Winston Hibler
    • Lucille Bliss on working for director Winston Hibler when she played "Anastasia" - one of the stepsisters in the Disney film "Cinderella"
      Clip begins at: 01:26, Duration: 02m 52s
  • Gordon Hunt
    • Lucille Bliss on production on The Smurfs - directed by Gordon Hunt (father of Helen Hunt)
      Clip begins at: 02:47, Duration: 02m 14s
    • Lucille Bliss on working with director Gordon Hunt on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 12:35, Duration: 00m 33s
  • Margaret Loesch
    • Lucille Bliss on NBC executive Margaret Loesch encouraging her to work for Hanna-Barbera
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 00m 54s
  • Vern Louden
    • Lucille Bliss on Verd Louden voicing the tiger "Rags" on Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 02:29, Duration: 00m 43s
  • George Lucas
    • Lucille Bliss on getting cast to voice a character in a George Lucas video game
      Clip begins at: 26:06, Duration: 00m 50s
  • Alan Oppenheimer
    • Lucille Bliss on voice actors on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 11:54, Duration: 00m 08s
  • Alan Reed
    • Lucille Bliss on working with the ensemble team of The Flinstones
      Clip begins at: 04:01, Duration: 00m 55s
  • Artie Shaw
    • Lucille Bliss on meeting Artie Shaw and Paulette Goddard
      Clip begins at: 10:23, Duration: 01m 26s
  • Jay Ward
    • Lucille Bliss on Jay Ward trying to sell Crusader Rabbit and some of his other shows
      Clip begins at: 05:43, Duration: 03m 23s
    • Lucille Bliss on Jay Ward and Alex Anderson's daily involvement with Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 13:13, Duration: 02m 43s
    • Lucille Bliss on the creation of the animated show Crusader Rabbit by Jay Ward and Alex Anderson
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 02m 17s
  • Paul Winchell
    • Lucille Bliss on Paul Winchell, who voiced "Gargamel" on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 22:24, Duration: 02m 17s
  • Alan Young
    • Lucille Bliss on voice actors on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 09:40, Duration: 00m 13s

Topics

  • Historic Events and Social Change > War
    • Lucille Bliss on performing at Armed Forces Talent Shows during World War II and auditioning the Marine Corps Band
      Clip begins at: 12:20, Duration: 06m 36s
  • Historic Events and Social Change > War > WWII
    • Lucille Bliss on performing at Armed Forces Talent Shows during World War II and auditioning the Marine Corps Band
      Clip begins at: 12:20, Duration: 06m 36s
  • Pop Culture
    • Lucille Bliss on a demonstration of the voices of "Rags" and "Crusader Rabbit" on Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 18:50, Duration: 01m 16s
    • Lucille Bliss on getting the role of "Smurfette" on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 16:15, Duration: 01m 21s
    • Lucille Bliss on "Smurfette's" relationship to her fellow Smurfs on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 25:50, Duration: 00m 39s
    • Lucille Bliss on the theme song on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 26:32, Duration: 00m 36s
    • Lucille Bliss on a demonstration of "Smurfette's" voice on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 19:44, Duration: 00m 33s
    • Lucille Bliss on her character "Smurfette" on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 00:55, Duration: 01m 33s
    • Lucille Bliss on the popularity of The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 06:53, Duration: 02m 19s
  • Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
    • Lucille Bliss on a demonstration of the voices of "Rags" and "Crusader Rabbit" on Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 18:50, Duration: 01m 16s
    • Lucille Bliss on getting the role of "Smurfette" on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 16:15, Duration: 01m 21s
    • Lucille Bliss on "Smurfette's" relationship to her fellow Smurfs on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 25:50, Duration: 00m 39s
    • Lucille Bliss on a demonstration of "Smurfette's" voice on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 19:44, Duration: 00m 33s
    • Lucille Bliss on her character "Smurfette" on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 00:55, Duration: 01m 33s
  • Pop Culture > TV Theme Songs
    • Lucille Bliss on the theme song on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 26:32, Duration: 00m 36s

Genres

  • Children's Programming
    • Lucille Bliss on creating and hosting The Happy Birthday to You Show
      Clip begins at: 06:27, Duration: 15m 10s
    • Lucille Bliss on packaging The Happy Birthday to You Show and dealing with sponsors
      Clip begins at: 21:37, Duration: 03m 53s
    • Lucille Bliss on working with children on The Happy Birthday to You Show
      Clip begins at: 25:30, Duration: 03m 29s
    • Lucille Bliss on the creation of the animated show Crusader Rabbit by Jay Ward and Alex Anderson
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 15m 56s
    • Lucille Bliss on production on and the characters of the animated show Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 15:56, Duration: 04m 10s
    • Lucille Bliss on the popularity, recording, and legacy of the animated show Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 20:06, Duration: 06m 50s
    • Lucille Bliss on getting the role of "Smurfette" on The Smurfs
      Clip begins at: 16:15, Duration: 05m 04s
    • Lucille Bliss on the premise and plot of The Smurfs; on the show's theme song and popularity
      Clip begins at: 21:19, Duration: 07m 27s
    • Lucille Bliss on her character "Smurfette" on The Smurfs; on her favorite episodes, a typical production week, and the popularity of the show
      Clip begins at: 00:55, Duration: 08m 17s
    • Lucille Bliss on voice actors on The Smurfs; on the end of the series
      Clip begins at: 09:12, Duration: 05m 31s
    • Lucille Bliss on voicing a character on Invader ZIM
      Clip begins at: 21:32, Duration: 03m 06s

Professions

  • Performers > Actress
    • Lucille Bliss on wanting to be an actress when she was little
      Clip begins at: 02:47, Duration: 01m 07s
    • Lucille Bliss on discovering she had a talent for doing voices when she acted in radio serials
      Clip begins at: 07:31, Duration: 00m 26s
  • Performers > Voiceover
    • Lucille Bliss on a demonstration of the voices of "Rags" and "Crusader Rabbit" on Crusader Rabbit
      Clip begins at: 18:50, Duration: 01m 16s
    • Lucille Bliss on her audition process for voiceovers and her demo reel
      Clip begins at: 12:52, Duration: 02m 15s
    • Lucille Bliss on her advice on being successful at animation
      Clip begins at: 02:28, Duration: 00m 18s
    • Lucille Bliss on advice to an aspiring voiceover artist
      Clip begins at: 01:41, Duration: 01m 11s
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Submitted by ShadowWing Tronix on Sun, 2013-01-06 01:23.

Slight correction: Smurfette did show up in the original comic, but there were a number of changes between the character in the comics and the Hanna-Barbera version. Changes for the better, frankly.

Submitted by AnimationRules on Mon, 2012-11-12 19:01.

RIP. Thanks for doing this interview.

Submitted by DarkWillUser on Wed, 2011-06-08 22:38.

Its also Smurfette.

Submitted by chicagoSUGANO on Fri, 2011-04-08 17:16.

I LOVE Lucille Bliss, she is a unique & talented lady.

Submitted by jackwolf131 on Sun, 2011-03-13 14:48.

I loved the story of Thumper, The Rabbit back in the 1960's

Submitted by thewzrdofoz on Sat, 2011-01-08 22:42.

@Prankster206 Also, William Phipps was the voice of Prince Charming in Cinderella. He is still alive

Submitted by sorrowfulscreams1516 on Wed, 2011-01-05 05:37.

DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM

Submitted by HardyRStudios on Wed, 2010-12-29 17:51.

@Prankster206 Don't forget June Foray who played Lucifer the cat and June's definitely still alive; she's returning as Granny and Witch Hazel on the new Looney Tunes Show coming out next year (2011).

Submitted by Prankster206 on Fri, 2010-10-08 23:35.

She played the voice of Anastasia the only voice actor/actress alive from Cinderella.....crying shame, Ilene Woods died July 1st 2010 :(

Submitted by Doommaster1994 on Sun, 2010-08-29 06:37.

Her and June Foray are both voice acting legends.

Submitted by fear569173 on Wed, 2010-07-28 23:02.

@megadisneyfan2 LOLOLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOOLOLLOLOLOOLLOOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

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