Thurl Ravenscroft (February 6, 1914 – May 22, 2005) was an American voice actor and basso profundo known as the booming voice behind Tony the Tiger’s “They’re grrreat!” in Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes television commercials for more than five decades. Ravenscroft was also known, albeit uncredited, as the vocalist for the song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” from the classic Christmas television special, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (More from Wikipedia)
As written by Stuart Hamblen – one of the earliest “singing cowboys” – “This Ole House” was originally treated as an epitaph for a dead mountain man who was found in his home. Rosemary Clooney’s rollicking, gospel-tinged version is a rock and roll treatment of the song; as with Hamblen’s original recording, her cover version features basso profundo vocals by Thurl Ravenscroft. Ravenscroft is best known as the original voice behind Tony the Tiger in TV commercials for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal and also performed the vocals (uncredited) for the song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” on the classic Christmas television special, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. Shortly after Thurl Ravenscroft’s death in 2005, I heard an interview with him on NPR, and I don’t think I have ever heard a man who had such a deep voice.
(June 2013/1)
