Michael Rye
Voiceover actor Michael Rye, who had the title role in the 1966 Format Films cartoon series “The Lone Ranger,” died Sunday in Los Angeles after a short illness. He was 94.
Rye was a mainstay in many cartoon series and radio shows.
Born J. Riorden Billsbury in Chicago, he voiced Duke Igthorn and King Gregor, Malsinger and Troll the horse on Disney’s “Gummi Bears,” and Green Lantern and Apache Chief on “The All-New Super Friends Hour” and “Challenge of the “Super Friends.”
Rye was Mr. Slaghoople in 1986’s “The Flintstone Kids.”
He was part of the Hanna-Barbera stable of voice actors, and was heard often in “Scooby-Doo,” “Pound Puppies” and many other HB cartoon series.
During the Golden Age of radio, Rye acted in about 40 network shows during an average week. He had the lead role on “Jack Armstrong — The All American Boy.” As well, he was Gary Curtis on “Ma Perkins,” Tim Lawrence on “The Guiding Light,” and Pembrook on “Backstage Wife.”
Michael Rye is survived by his wife, the former Patricia Foster.
Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
