Written by: Carlos Hernandez

Doug Young: The Prolific Voice of Animation

Doug Young was an American voice actor who left an indelible mark on the world of animation, with a career spanning over five decades and numerous iconic roles to his credit. He is best known for his work on classic cartoons, including The Flintstones, The Yogi Bear Show, and Loopy De Loop, bringing to life a wide range of characters with his impressive vocal range and mastery of accents and dialects.

Bio and Early Career

Born on December 21, 1919, in Los Angeles, California, Young began his career in radio, appearing in classic shows such as The Cisco Kid, The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Red Ryder, and The Whistler. He also worked as an announcer on the syndicated radio comedy The Anderson Family, which starred fellow cartoon voice artist Walter Tetley and aired from 1946 to 1948.

Rise to Fame: Hanna-Barbera and Beyond

Young's big break came when he joined Hanna-Barbera, where he became a master of accent and dialect, often basing his voices on those of famous performers, such as Jimmy Durante and Buddy Hackett. He went on to voice a wide range of characters in various cartoons, including The Quick Draw McGraw Show, The Huckleberry Hound Show, The Magilla Gorilla Show, and Johnny Quest.

The Flintstones and Beyond

One of Young's most iconic roles was as the Grand Poobah of The Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes in The Flintstones series, which aired from 1962 to 1966. He also voiced various characters in other Hanna-Barbera productions, including Loopy De Loop, The Yogi Bear Show, and The Peter Potamus Show.

Personal Life and Legacy

In 1969, Young married Eileene Mary McKay, and they remained together until her passing in 2007. They had two daughters together. Young continued to work as a freelance voice actor until his passing on January 7, 2018, at the age of 98.

Career Highlights and Notable Works

• Loopy De Loop (1959-1965) - Additional voices
• The Quick Draw McGraw Show (1959-1961) - Doggie Daddy, additional voices
• The Huckleberry Hound Show (1960-1961) - Ding-A-Ling Wolf
• The Yogi Bear Show (1961-1962) - Bigelow, Doggie Daddy, additional voices
• The Flintstones (1962-1966) - Grand Poobah, additional voices
• The Magilla Gorilla Show (1964) - J. Whimple Dimple, additional voices
• Jonny Quest (1964-1965) - Additional voices
• The Peter Potamus Show (1964-1965) - Yippee, Additional voices
• Winsome Witch (1965) - Additional voices

Influence and Impact

Doug Young's contributions to the world of animation have left a lasting impact on the industry. His versatility, range, and mastery of accents and dialects have inspired generations of voice actors and animators. His iconic characters and roles continue to entertain audiences of all ages, cementing his place as a true legend in the world of animation.