Anyone who grew up in the 1980s to mid 90s will fondly recall the wide array of quality animated shows that graced the television screen. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rupert and Dragon Ball Z may come to mind, perhaps the only three shows that acclaimed voice actor, and today’s Star Pick John Stocker, did not do a voice on in this era of superlative children’s programming.
Working since the 1960s, Stocker has been an integral part of the animated field for more than forty years. With one hundred and thirty seven acting credits alone, the sometimes voice director has an illustrious pedigree, to say the least. Beginning with perhaps his most acclaimed turn, henchman Mr. Beastly in The Care Bears, he gave the character a maniacal laugh for the ages, along with a rich, textured voice that brings to life the entertaining yet clumsy hijinks of the never successful villain who had a good heart deep down.
With an Internet Movie Database page that is hard to fathom, Stocker also voiced characters on The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin (Newton Gimmick), The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (Toad, Koopa Troopa, as well as several others) – he reprised his role as Toad in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, Babar (Basil), Beetlejuice (Bartholomew Bat and additional voices), The New Super Mario World (Oogtar), The Adventures of Tintin (Thompson), multiple voices on Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Tales from the Cryptkeeper (Melvin as well as others), X-Men (Graydon Creed/Leech) as well as doing the voice (part-time) of Grandpa as well as being an ADR director on the show Sailor Moon. Each of his characters will be immensely memorable to those who spent their after school hours and weekends in front of the television, getting lost in these imaginative worlds; Stocker is a perfect example of a voice actor’s voice actor. Make sure to take a look at his IMDb page to see all of his recent work as well, which is aplenty and not highlighted here.
After regaling me with some interesting stories and letting me in on the secret of where he got inspiration for Beastly, the humourous gentleman promptly handled my perennial question – what is your favourite film? Choosing one of the classics from the 1970’s, The Godfather, Stocker spoke of how there is just “something appealing about it. . . maybe, in another life, I was a gangster”. Make sure to watch the interview below to hear so many great stories from this era of animated tv as well as more on The Godfather.
As I’ve already reviewed The Godfather as part of several other Star Picks, I will steer you to them. For the full movie review, check out blues rock guitarist Tony D’s article: http://filmizon.com/movie_reviews/a-movie-you-couldnt-refuse/ It is also acting great Ron Perlman’s top pick, discover why: http://filmizon.com/movie_reviews/worth-a-repeat/ Finally, television personality and journalist Steve Paikin also selected the feature film as his favourite: http://filmizon.com/movie_reviews/add-this-crime-classic-to-your-agenda/
I’d like to thank Mr. Stocker for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do the interview, and hopefully it will have you revisiting some of his best roles. . . it is likely an offer that you couldn’t refuse.