Alan Reed facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alan Reed
Reed in Time Table (1956)
Born	Herbert Theodore Bergman (1907-08-20)August 20, 1907 New York City, U.S.
Died	June 14, 1977(1977-06-14) (aged 69) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Alan Reed Sr. Teddy Bergman
Alma mater	American Academy of Dramatic Arts Columbia University
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1930–1977
Spouse(s)	Finette Walker ​ (m. 1932)​
Children	3

Alan Reed was an American actor. He was born Herbert Theodore Bergman on August 20, 1907. He is best known as the first voice of Fred Flintstone. Fred Flintstone was the main character on the popular cartoon show The Flintstones. Alan Reed also acted in many movies and TV shows. He was also a big star on radio programs.

Early Life and Education

Alan Reed was born in New York City. His parents were from Eastern Europe. He went to George Washington High School. After high school, he studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He also studied journalism at Columbia University.

He started his acting career in New York City. He even performed on Broadway, which is famous for its theater shows. For some years, Reed traveled around performing in vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a type of entertainment with different acts. He also worked at a candy factory and as a social director at a country club.

Career Highlights

Starting in Radio and on Stage

Alan Reed began his career in the 1930s. He was known as Teddy Bergman back then. He co-starred in a CBS radio show called Henry and George. This show had short dramas and music.

Reed became very famous on radio. He played many different characters. He was Solomon Levy on Abie's Irish Rose. He was also the poet Falstaff Openshaw on Fred Allen's NBC radio show. Later, he had his own short show called Falstaff's Fables. He also voiced Officer Clancey on Duffy's Tavern. He was Shrevey the driver on The Shadow. He also played Pasquale, an Italian immigrant, on Life with Luigi.

As Teddy Bergman, Reed also acted on Broadway. He appeared in plays like Double Dummy and A House in the Country.

Television and Later Roles

From 1957 to 1958, Reed had a regular role on the CBS show Mr. Adams and Eve. He played J.B. Hafter, a studio boss. He also played this character on The Bob Cummings Show. In 1963, he was in an episode of My Favorite Martian. He also had a recurring role as Mr. Swidler on the ABC show Mickey in 1964–65.

Voice Acting Success

Alan Reed was a talented voice actor. In 1955, he voiced Boris the Russian Wolfhound in Walt Disney's movie Lady and the Tramp.

His most famous voice role started in 1960. He became the voice of Fred Flintstone. Fred was the main character of Hanna-Barbera's popular cartoon, The Flintstones. Reed voiced Fred for all six seasons of the show. He also voiced Fred in many spin-off shows. These included The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show and The Flintstone Comedy Hour. His last time voicing Fred Flintstone was in an episode of Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics. He also voiced Dum Dum, Touché Turtle's sidekick.

Reed also voiced Santa Claus in a TV reading of a play. He was also the voice of J.J. Keebler for Keebler cookies commercials.

Personal Life

In May 1932, Alan Reed married Finette Walker. She was a Broadway actress. They met at a TV station in New York City. Finette was a dancer in the original Broadway show Anything Goes. Alan and Finette had three sons. One of their sons, Alan Reed, Jr., also became an actor.

Later Years and Passing

Alan Reed passed away on June 14, 1977. He was almost 70 years old. He had some health issues in his later years. After he passed away, his body was donated for medical research.

Filmography

Film

Television

Radio

Theatre

See also

In Spanish: Alan Reed para niños