The Voice Behind the Cartoons: The Life and Legacy of Daws Butler

When you hear the drawl of a laid-back dog or the sing-song of a wisecracking bear on classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons, you’re hearing the artistry of Daws Butler. Born Charles Dawson Butler on November 16, 1916 — that is his age/birthdate — Butler’s voice and imagination shaped some of the most enduring animated characters of the 20th century. His birthday, November 16, marks the arrival of a soul who would help define a generation of cartoons.

“From Shy Boy to Vocal Chameleon”

Butler’s early life was far from the glamour of Hollywood. Born in Toledo, Ohio, he later moved with his family to Oak Park, Illinois, where as a boy he was painfully shy and often withdrew from public speaking.

Yet that same shyness drove him toward a different kind of stage: local theaters and amateur contests, where he began experimenting with impersonations and impressions — voices of famous radio personalities, public figures, and even a Model T Ford.

In the mid-1930s, Butler formed a comedy act with two friends, called “The Three Short Waves,” performing in nightclubs, theaters, and radio across the Midwest.  Their act lasted until 1941, when Butler joined the U.S. Navy as America entered World War II — an interlude that would set the stage for a remarkable future.

“A Ears-Only Revolution in Animation”

After his military service, Butler relocated to California and began landing radio roles. His breakthrough came when legendary animator Tex Avery hired him at MGM — not for his looks, but for his voice: Butler demonstrated 25 voices in a single audition, showcasing dialects, accents, and characters that would prove irresistible to animation studios.

That initial opportunity blossomed when Hanna‑Barbera tapped Butler (and his friend Don Messick) to bring to life a new generation of animated stars. From there, Butler’s voice would become synonymous with beloved characters — including Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, Snagglepuss, Baba Looey and many more. 

What set Butler apart wasn’t just mimicry — it was innovation. For Yogi Bear, he started with an impression of actor Art Carney, but quickly transformed it into something richer, deeper, and uniquely “Yogi.”  For Snagglepuss, he drew from actor Bert Lahr — but again, molded the voice into an original creation.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Butler recorded hundreds of roles — across theatrical shorts, television series, commercials, even radio — becoming one of the most prolific and versatile voice actors in history.

“Behind the Mic: A Life in Family and Mentorship”

Butler’s professional success was mirrored by a stable personal life. During his naval service in World War II, he met Myrtis Martin — they married around 1943. Together they had four sons: David, Don, Paul, and Charles. They remained married until his death.

That continuity at home contrasted with Butler’s behind-the-scenes world, where he was rarely seen but always heard. As one obituary put it, although fans recognized his characters, Butler “labored in anonymity throughout his life, standing in front of microphones in recording studios” rather than in marquees.

But “anonymous” doesn’t mean forgotten — his legacy endures through the many voice actors he mentored. Beginning in the mid-1970s, Butler started an acting workshop, helping train a generation of voice talent. Among his protégés were Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson), Corey Burton, Bill Farmer (current voice of Goofy and Pluto), Bob Bergen (voice of Porky Pig), and many others.

“Valuation of a Legend: What Was His Net Worth?”

Estimating the net worth of a voice actor from the early–mid 20th century is difficult. Still, several public sources — mainly fan- and celebrity-net-worth aggregators — put Butler’s net worth at around US$2 million at the time of his death.

It’s important to note that such figures are speculative. They attempt to quantify decades of studio work, radio gigs, royalties, and residuals — many of which were undocumented, informal, or tied to studios rather than individuals. What’s clear is that Butler built a modest but meaningful financial legacy, consistent with a working actor whose career spanned more than half a century.

“When the Mic Fell Silent: Death and Legacy”

As time wore on, Butler’s output diminished — but not his influence. In the mid-1980s, he returned to perform in revivals of old favorites, including a new run of The Jetsons and feature-length cartoons like The Good, the Bad, and Huckleberry Hound (released the year he died).

On May 18, 1988, Butler died of a heart attack at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles — following a recent bout of pneumonia and a prior stroke.  His funeral was held at Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, and he was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.

In the decades since, Butler’s influence has arguably only grown. Cartoon lovers today — and voice actors who learned the trade from his proteges — continue to experience the charm, wit, and warmth of characters he helped bring to life. Through them, Butler’s legacy remains vivid, alive, and evergreen.

“More Than Just a Voice: Why Daws Butler Matters Today”

In an industry where on-screen talent often gets the spotlight, Butler's career is a powerful reminder of the impact of voice, creativity, and craftsmanship. He transformed what might have been one-off cartoon voices into enduring personalities — characters beloved by generations.

He also helped professionalize voice acting, showing that doing voices was not just novelty, but serious performance craft. Through his workshop and mentorship, he seeded talent that would go on to define animation and voice-over work for decades.

For fans of animation history, of classic cartoons, or of voice acting as an art form, Butler’s story is one of grit, creativity, and quiet brilliance — a testament to what can happen when a shy kid from Ohio finds his voice, and the world listens.