Bob McFadden's life was a remarkable journey, filled with twists and turns that took him from a small town in Ohio to the bright lights of show business. Born in East Liverpool, Ohio, McFadden's early life was marked by a passion for singing and impersonations, which he showcased in a weekly talent show while stationed in Puerto Rico with the Navy during World War II.
After leaving the Navy, McFadden worked in a Pittsburgh steel mill, but his true calling was in show business. He got his big break as an opening act at hotels and nightclubs, supporting legendary performers like the McGuire Sisters, Harry Belafonte, and others.
In 1950, McFadden met his wife Jeanette in Boston, where they both worked together. Jeanette and her twin sister performed synchronized swimming exercises in a pool below the stage, while McFadden sang above. The two eventually married and moved to Queens in the mid-1960s.
McFadden's career as a voiceover talent took off, with hundreds of thousands of dollars pouring in from advertising and cartoon work. He lent his voice to iconic campaigns for Ban deodorant, Campbell soup, Ford, Frankenberry cereal, Geritol, Mountain Dew, and Pepto-Bismol, among many others. One of his most memorable roles was as the voice of a parrot for "Wisk laundry detergent," a commercial that ran for over 25 years. He also famously barked like a dog for Crest toothpaste.
In 1982, TV Guide recognized McFadden as one of the "elite of TV commercial voice-overs." He continued to work in the industry, creating ethnic characters for comedy albums, including "The Yiddish Are Coming!" He was also a stable voice for Terrytoons, and his most notable role was as Cool McCool's "Pop the Cop" for King Features Syndicate in 1966.
McFadden's later years were marked by retirement in Delray Beach, Florida, where he continued to perform in supper clubs, imitating Jack Benny and Ed Sullivan. He even sang impressions of Frankie Laine, Billy Eckstine, and The Ink Spots. In 1959, he was asked to perform a show in Spanish in Cuba, just days before Fidel Castro took over. McFadden's brother-in-law wrote the show in Spanish, allowing McFadden to pronounce everything phonetically. The high point of the act was Roy Rogers' sidekick, George 'Gabby' Hayes, singing underwater in Spanish.
Sadly, McFadden's life was cut short when he passed away on January 7, 2000, due to ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. Despite his untimely passing, McFadden's legacy lives on, a testament to his remarkable talent and dedication to his craft.
