Michael Rye (born John Michael Riorden Billsbury; March 2, 1918 – September 20, 2012) was an American actor. His decades-long career spanned

radio Radio is the technology of communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 3 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitter connec ...

, television,

animated cartoon Animation is a filmmaking technique whereby still images are manipulated to create moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Animati ...

s and video games. Aside from his voice over work, Rye also acted in on-screen television roles as well, including parts in '' Dr. Kildare'' and ''

77 Sunset Strip ''77 Sunset Strip'' is an American private detective crime drama television series created by Roy Huggins and starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Roger Smith, Richard Long (from 1960 to 1961) and Edd Byrnes (billed as Edward Byrnes). Each epis ...

''. He is also credited in TL Osborn's gospel documentaries as the narrator.

Early life

Rye was born John Michael Riorden Billsbury in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

Radio career

He began his career during the

Golden Age of Radio The Golden Age of Radio, also known as the old-time radio (OTR) era, was an era of radio in the United States where it was the dominant electronic home entertainment medium. It began with the birth of commercial radio broadcasting in the earl ...

when

radio programming Radio programming is the process of organising a schedule of radio content for commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting by radio stations. History The original inventors of radio, from Guglielmo Marconi's time on, expected it to be use ...

was at the height of its popularity. Rye, who broadcast from Chicago, participated in an average of forty network radio shows per week. He was cast in numerous lead roles for radio shows, including Gary Curtis for the

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

soap opera, ''

Ma Perkins ''Ma Perkins'' (sometimes called ''Oxydol's Own Ma Perkins'') is an American radio soap opera that was heard on NBC from 1933 to 1949 and on CBS from 1942 to 1960. It was also broadcast in Canada, and Radio Luxembourg carried it in Europe. T ...

''; Tim Lawrence on ''

Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...

''; Jack Armstrong on the radio adventure series, '' Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy''; and Pembroke in the soap opera, ''

Backstage Wife ''Backstage Wife'' is an American soap opera radio program that details the travails of Mary Noble, a girl from a small town in Iowa who came to New York seeking her future. Personnel Vivian Fridell had the title role from 1935 until the early ...

''. He starred in radio productions produced and broadcast from Hollywood, including the ABC crime drama, '' This is Your FBI''; the radio anthology series, ''

Lux Radio Theater ''Lux Radio Theatre'', sometimes spelled ''Lux Radio Theater'', a old-time radio, classic radio anthology series, was broadcast on the Blue Network, NBC Blue Network (1934–35) (owned by the National Broadcasting Company, later predecessor of A ...

''; the radio drama, '' The Whistler''; the CBS radio comedy, '' Meet Millie''; and the CBS drama, ''

Suspense Suspense is a state of anxiety or excitement caused by mysteriousness, uncertainty, doubt, or undecidedness. In a narrative work, suspense is the audience's excited anticipation about the plot or conflict (which may be heightened by a viol ...

''. He also provided the narration for the world's first full-length recorded book, the 1969 audio adaptation of ''

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin ''The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin'' is the traditional name for the unfinished record of his own life written by Benjamin Franklin from 1771 to 1790; however, Franklin appears to have called the work his ''Memoirs''. Although it had a tort ...

''.

Animation

With the advent of television, Rye transitioned from radio to animated shows and on-screen acting roles. In addition to lending his sonorous bass-baritone voice as the

Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a ...

in the 1966–1969 animated cartoon series based on the character, for which he is perhaps best remembered, Rye worked extensively in

Hanna-Barbera Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. ( ; formerly known as H-B Enterprises, Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. and H-B Production Co.), simply and commonly known as Hanna-Barbera, was an American animation studio and production company, which was acti ...

productions, including the ''

Scooby-Doo ''Scooby-Doo'' is an American media franchise owned by Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Entertainment and created in 1969 by writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears through their animated series, ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'', for Hanna-Barbera (which wa ...

'' series during the 1970s, and later provided voices for '' Pound Puppies'', which aired on ABC's Saturday morning lineup from 1986 to 1989. During this time, he also played Mr. Slaghoople, Wilma's Dad in '' The Flintstone Kids''. He voiced both Apache Chief and

Green Lantern Green Lantern is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. They fight evil with the aid of rings that grant them a variety of extraordinary powers, all of which come from imagination, fearlessness, ...

in Hanna-Barbera's '' Challenge of the Superfriends'', '' The All-New Super Friends Hour'', and '' Super Friends''. He was also cast in '' Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears'', which aired from 1985 to 1991, as the voices of King Gregor and his nemesis Duke Igthorn, who is the nemesis of the Gummi Bears as well.

Television

Rye's on-screen television roles included parts on ''

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars ''Schlitz Playhouse of Stars'' is an anthology series that was telecast from 1951 until 1959 on CBS. Offering both comedies and drama, the series was sponsored by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. The title was shortened to ''Schlitz Playh ...

'', '' M Squad'', ''

'', ''

General Electric Theater ''General Electric Theater'' is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations. Radio After an audition show ...

'', '' Dr. Kildare'', and ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western television series that aired for eight seasons, first on the NBC television network (1957–1962) and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and reached the top of the ...

''.

Later career

Rye appeared in television and radio commercials until his retirement from advertising in the late 1990s. His career, which began in radio, also spanned the video game era in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. Rye narrated thousands of training films, videos and software for industrial and workplace functions. Rye served as the National President of the Information Film Producers of America (IFPA) in the 1970s for a single two-year term. He was also inducted as an honorary, lifetime member of Sperdvac, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety and Comedy.

Death

Michael Rye died from a short illness on September 20, 2012, in

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

at the age of 94. He was survived by his wife, Patricia Foster Rye.

Filmography

Live action

* '' Hands of a Stranger'' - George Britton * '' Two Lost Worlds'' - Captain Hackett * '' The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin'' - Ace Rocklin (ep. "Pritikin's Predicament") * '' Jane Wyman Presents'' - Fred Jackson (ep. "The Bravado Touch") * ''

'' - Hanlon (ep. "The Liam Fitzmorgan Story") * '' M Squad'' - Carlson (ep. "The Crush Out") * '' Perry Mason'' - Commentator (ep. "The Story of the Laughing Lady") * '' Mr. Terrific'' - The President (ep. "I Can't Fly") * '' Mission: Impossible'' - Agent Belson (ep. "The Traitor")

Animated roles

* ''

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo ''A Pup Named Scooby-Doo'' is an American animated mystery comedy series produced by Hanna-Barbera. It is the eighth incarnation of the studio's ''Scooby-Doo'' franchise and depicts younger versions of the title character and his companions as ...

'' - Skippy Johnson, Arnie Barney * '' The All-New Super Friends Hour'' - Apache Chief,

* '' Battle of the Planets'' - President Kane, Additional Voices * '' Challenge of the Superfriends'' - Apache Chief,

* '' Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears'' - Duke Igthorn, King Gregor, Sir Gawain * ''

DuckTales DuckTales refers to: Film and television * ''DuckTales'' (1987 TV series), original TV series ** '' DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp'' * ''DuckTales'' (2017 TV series), reboot TV series Video games * ''DuckTales'' (video game) ...

'' - Narrator (for the recap sequences in the serialized versions of ''Time is Money'' and ''Super Ducktales'') * ''

Hot Wheels Hot Wheels is an American media franchise and brand of scale model model car, cars invented by Elliot Handler and introduced by his company Mattel on May 18, 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox (brand), Matchbox until Mattel bought ...

'' - Jack "Rabbit" Wheeler * '' Skyhawks'' - Captain Mike Wilson * '' Mighty Man and Yukk'' - Main Title Narrator * '' Pink Panther and Sons'' - Additional Voices * '' Scooby and Scrappy-Doo'' - Additional Voices * '' Shirt Tales'' - Additional Voices * '' Snorks'' - Additional Voices * ''

Spider-Man Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appearance, first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in ...

'' - Mysterio * '' Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends'' -

Magneto A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce periodic pulses of alternating current. Unlike a dynamo, a magneto does not contain a commutator to produce direct current. It is categorized as a form of alternator, ...

* '' Spider-Man: The Animated Series'' -

Farley Stillwell Farley Stillwell is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a scientist best known for transforming Mac Gargan into the Scorpion. Publication history Stillwell first appeared in ''The Amazing Spi ...

* '' Super Friends'' - Apache Chief, Green Lantern * '' Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show'' - Apache Chief, Green Lantern * '' The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo'' - Demondo, Zimbulu, Reflector Specter * ''

The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

'' - Additional Voices * '' The All-New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show'' - Additional Voices * '' The Dukes'' - Additional Voices * '' The Flintstone Kids'' - Mr. Slaghoople * '' The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible'' - Narrator * '' The Godzilla Power Hour'' - Additional Voices * '' The Incredible Hulk'' - The Supreme Hydra/Steve Perry, Jasper Bryn * ''

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a ...

'' - Lone Ranger * '' The Mork & Mindy / Laverne & Shirley / Fonz Hour'' - Additional Voices * '' The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show'' - Main Title Narrator * '' The Real Ghostbusters'' - Dr. Crowley * '' The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy Hour'' - Additional Voices * ''

The Smurfs ''The Smurfs'' (; ) is a Belgian comic franchise centered on a fictional colony of small, blue, humanoid creatures who live in mushroom-shaped houses in the forest. ''The Smurfs'' was created and introduced as a series of comic characters by ...

'' - Additional Voices * '' The Super Globetrotters'' - Narrator * '' The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians'' - Green Lantern * '' Yogi's Treasure Hunt'' - Additional Voices * '' Fluppy Dogs'' - J. J. Wagstaff

Films

* ''

Hugo the Hippo ''Hugo the Hippo'' () is a 1975 animated film produced by the Pannónia Filmstúdió of Hungary and co-produced in the United States by Brut Productions, a division of French perfume company Faberge. It was released in Hungary in 1975 and in th ...

'' - Grownups * '' Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers'' - Mayor * '' Yogi and the Invasion of the Space Bears'' - Ranger Jones

Video games

* ''

Dragon's Lair ''Dragon's Lair'' is a video game franchise created by Rick Dyer. The series is notable for its film-quality animation by ex-Disney animator Don Bluth, and complex decades-long history of being ported to many platforms. It has also been adapte ...

'' - Narrator * '' Space Ace'' - Narrator * '' Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp'' - Narrator

Information Film Narrator

* ''Various Productions for Aerojet-General Corporation Sacramento'' * ''Various Productions for Air Force Space & Missile Systems Center

Radio

* Announcer on '' The Cisco Kid'' (1943–1945) * Jack Armstrong on '' Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy'' (1944–1946) * The Narrator on '' Mystery House'' (1944–1946) * Announcer on '' Joyce Jordan, M.D.'' (1944–1947) * Mr. First Nighter on '' The First Nighter Program'' (1945–1954) * Gary Curtis on ''

'' (1945–1959) * Reverend Dr. John Ruthledge on ''

'' (1947–49, replacing Arthur Peterson, Jr.) * Mark Dillon in the first ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centered on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central charact ...

'' audition show (1949) * Several roles on ''

'' (1940s) * Hank Stafford on '' Granby's Green Acres'' (1950) * Johnny Booth Jr. on '' Meet Millie'' (1951–1954) * Several roles on ''Dangerous Assignment'' (1953) * Several roles on ''

'' (1950s) * Announcer on ''The Horizons West Show'' (1965–1966)

References

External links

*
1979 interview with Michael Rye on ''Speaking of Radio''

Obituary - Variety
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rye, Michael 1918 births 2012 deaths American male radio actors American male television actors American male video game actors American male voice actors Hanna-Barbera people Male actors from Chicago