Lucille Bliss
Voiceover Artist
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
Featured Content
Video Clip: Watch Papa Smurf turn Smurfette from Gargamel's creation into a real Smurf:
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Highlights
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 becoming "Charlie McCarthy's" sweetheart
Clip begins at: 18:56, Duration: 01m 12s- 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 Crusader Rabbit
Clip begins at: 18:50, Duration: 01m 16s
Lucille 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
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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.
RIP. Thanks for doing this interview.
Its also Smurfette.
I LOVE Lucille Bliss, she is a unique & talented lady.
I loved the story of Thumper, The Rabbit back in the 1960's
@Prankster206 Also, William Phipps was the voice of Prince Charming in Cinderella. He is still alive
DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM
@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).
She played the voice of Anastasia the only voice actor/actress alive from Cinderella.....crying shame, Ilene Woods died July 1st 2010 :(
Her and June Foray are both voice acting legends.
@megadisneyfan2 LOLOLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOOLOLLOLOLOOLLOOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
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