HB Voice Actors in Classic TV Shows Part Deux

 This is a post I've been meaning to get out for a while now! At the end of January, I uploaded a post sharing several appearances from Hanna-Barbera voice actors in live-action TV shows of yesteryear. If you missed that, check it out right here. Now, it's time for part the second! Last time, I looked at the original Flintstones, Alan Reed and Jean Vander Pyl, so it's only natural that this installment focuses on the Rubbles. Let us begin with Barney Rubble, voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc. Blanc's name may be synonymous with animation, but he did have a few live-action credits. One of those, just like Alan Reed and the other major Flintstones actors, was The Beverly Hillbillies. He appeared in one episode as a cab driver, and made the most out of what could have been a pretty plain role. Here's a little excerpt from said episode.

Barney wouldn't be anything without Miss Betty Rubble, so the next actor I'd like to spotlight is the lovely Bea Benaderet. Benaderet is arguably different from other voice actors HB employed in that she's far more known for her screen work than she is for her work in animation. She was in many shows, including Beverly Hillserbillies, I Love Lucy, and Petticoat Junction, the last of which was her big starring role. Benaderet played Kate Bradley in the series, a widow who runs a hotel known as the Shady Rest. Here's a clip from one of the show's Christmas episodes. She truly was an underrated talent, whether it be in animation, live-action, or radio.

The final actor I'd like to spotlight today is one of my favorite voice actors, Don Messick. Messick was a king of cartoon voiceovers, but what many might not know is that in the 1980s, he was a regular on a live-action series. Titled The Duck Factory, the show focused on a young cartoonist working at the titular Duck Factory, the masterminds behind "The Dippy Duck Show". Messick, unsurprisingly, played a voice actor. The show is also notable for starring an actor who would go on to become one of the most in-demand actors of the next decade. His name is Jim Carrey, perhaps you've heard of him?  Below is the pilot episode of the series. Give it a watch, and if you're interested, check out the rest of the show, too! As far as I know, every episode is available on YouTube.