Alan Reed Enters the Ring

 Quick disclaimer: This post was originally set to be published yesterday. Unfortunately, a thunderstorm knocked out my internet from the beginning of the weekend until last night, hence the lack of posts this week. Anywho, onto the post!

When animation fans think of Alan Reed, most tend to think of him as the voice of Fred Flintstone, and that's about it. He wasn't a man of a thousand voices in the way people like Mel Blanc or Daws Butler were, but I would argue he was every bit as innovative as they were. As Greg Ehrbar points out in his new title, Hanna-Barbera: The Recorded History, Reed tackled the role of Fred as a sitcom protagonist first, and as a cartoon character second. This gave the character a sense of reality and grounding, unlike most other classic cartoon characters. This approach was arguably every bit as groundbreaking as the show Fred Flintstone sprung from. 

In celebration of his birthday (August 20th, 1907), here's a nice biography on Reed in The Lewiston Evening Journal published in December of 1964. Reed's radio career, wrestling days, hobbies, and more are all detailed.

Alan Reed Was Wrestling Champ

    Alan Reed, entering his fifth season as the voice of Fred Flintstone, has long ago become accustomed to being greeted with a "Yabba Dabba Doo" wherever he goes. 
    Reed is a veteran of 38 years in show business. He spent 30 years in radio where he frequently worked as many as 35 different broadcasts a week. 

    In such characterizations as Falstaff Openshaw on "The Fred Allen Show," as Rubinoff with Eddie Cantor, and as the original daddy to Fanny Brice's Baby Snooks, Reed achieved nationwide fame. From his roles of Clancy the cop on "Duffy's Tavern" and Pasquale in "Life with Luigi," he moved on to television. He also had a featured role in the "Mr. Adams and Eve" TV series.
    Born Teddy Bergman, he grew up in New York City and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts until he met the age requirement at Columbia University. Majoring in journalism, he also won the Eastern Intercollegiate heavyweight wrestling title and took part in the school's annual varsity shows.
    He began his stage career with an Oklahoma City stock company, but shortly returned to New York and during 1934-35 starred in "The Blubber Bergman Show."
    Reed met his wife, Finette, while both were working in experimental TV in New York City.
    The Reeds moved to Hollywood in 1943, and since that time Allan has appeared in more than 50 motion pictures, the list including such hits as "Viva Zapata," "The Postman Always Rings Twice," "Desperate Hours," and "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
    In 1955 he founded Alan Reed Enterprises, a Hollywood advertising specialties and business gifts sales firm.
    The Reeds reside in a modern ranch style Beverly Hills home above the Sunset Strip. Their sons, Alan Jr. and Stephen, have presented them with five grandchildren.
    Reed's special interests include reading, golf, square dancing, and Fred Flintstone, whom Alan admits he resembles physically.