Janet Waldo

Infobox Actor
name = Janet Waldo


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birthdate = February 4, fy|1924
birthplace = Yakima, Washington, U.S.
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occupation = actress, voice artist
yearsactive = fy|1938-present
spouse = Robert Edwin Lee (1948-1994, his death)
domesticpartner =

Janet Waldo (born February 4, fy|1924, Yakima, Washington [voice actor|id=1741|name=Janet Waldo] [some sources say born February 4, 1918, Grandview, Washington [amg name|2:74183] [tvtome person|52287] [http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Janet-Waldo] ] ) is an American actress and voice artist with a career encompassing radio, television, animation and live-action films.

Early life

Waldo's mother was a singer trained at the Boston Conservatory of Music, and her father was a descendent of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Her sister, Elizabeth, later became a violin virtuoso who appeared in the movie "Song of Mexico" [imdb name|0907226|Elizabeth Waldo] Growing up, Waldo had a love of acting and the theatre from an early age, and performed in plays at her church. She attended the University of Washington, where her performance in a student theatrical garnered her an award which brought her to the attention of UW alumnus Bing Crosby. A talent scout for Paramount Pictures who was with Crosby at the time signed Waldo for a screen test, which lead to contract with the stufio.Eder, Bruce [http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=2:74183~T1 "Janet Waldo" (Allmovie biography)] ]

Career

Waldo appeared in several dozen films in uncredited bit parts and small roles, although she was the leading lady in three Westerns, two of them starring Tim Holt. But her big break came in radio with a part on Cecil B. DeMille's "Radio Theatre". In her radio career, she lent her voice to many programs, including "One Man's Family", "The Gallant Heart", "Star Playhouse" and Edward G. Robinson's "The Big Town", and had recurring parts on "The Red Skelton Show" and "People Are Funny", but she left a lasting impression as teenager Corliss Archer in "Meet Corliss Archer" even though Shirley Temple starred in the film adaptations, "Kiss and Tell" and "A Kiss for Corliss". Waldo later turned down the offer to play the part in a television adaptation.

In animation, she is most noted for providing the voice of Judy Jetson in all versions of the Hanna-Barbera television cartoon "The Jetsons", except in where her voice track was wiped so that the role could be played by Tiffany. Waldo is the last surviving main cast member of "The Jetsons" series.

Waldo also provided voices for Nancy in "Shazzan", Josie in "Josie and the Pussycats", Penelope Pitstop in "Wacky Races" and its spin-off series, she and Gary Owens are the surviving cast members of "The Perils of Penelope Pitstop" series because their co-stars from that series have passed away: Mel Blanc, Paul Winchell, Don Messick and Paul Lynde. A teenage babysitter named Jeannie from "Tom and Jerry" in the two episodes, "Busy Buddies" and "Tot Watchers", the witch, Sersi in Thundarr the Barbarian in the episode "Island of the Body Snatchers" and many other animated female characters. She did the voices of Morticia Addams in the short-lived 1973 cartoon series adaptation of "The Addams Family". She also provided the voice of Princess in "Battle of the Planets".

Waldo made a rare television acting appearance when she appeared on an episode of "I Love Lucy" with Richard Crenna, as Peggy, a young girl smitten with Ricky Ricardo. She made an appearance on an episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" as Amanda. She later was the female lead opposite Anthony Franciosa in the short-lived sitcom "Valentine's Day" in 1964.

Personal life

Waldo was married to well-known playwright Robert Edwin Lee – writing partner of Jerome Lawrence – from 1948 until his death in 1994; they had two children.

Notes

External links

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* [http://www.otrsite.com/ra/ra1020.ram Jerry Haendiges Listening Lounge: Janet Waldo in "Meet Corliss Archer" (April 6, 1947)]
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