Dear Mr. Not as Clever as He'd like Everyone to Think
He Is:
If
you happen to be talking about legendary voice actor
Robert Paulsen, then yes! Robert Paulsen's name just
happens to be Robert Paulsen.
Born
on March 11th, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, Robert Paulsen
was immediately deemed a child prodigy when his parents
discovered that their little bundle of joy had the
amazing ability to manipulate his voice. However,
they assumed that the outside world would not accept
Robert because of his differences. His parents kept
him in their basement for over two decades. Despite
this, they attempted to give him a normal life. He
was well-taken care of and was home schooled by his
mother. Once he hit puberty, his voice(s) changed
dramatically. Although this is to be expected in every
adolescent, his mother was bewildered by these sudden
vocal transformations. His parents decided to set
him free, into the real world.
With
little guidance in the outside world, Robert Paulsen
befriended animals, such as mice, turtles, and bears.
He noticed that different animals in the same species
each possessed different personality traits; much
like humans. He studied which voice each animal positively
responded to and communicated with them accordingly.
Two
unknown hikers found Robert Paulsen in a wooded area
40 miles outside of Detroit. They took him in and
immediately discovered his talent. Luckily, one of
the hikers was a friend of a cartoonist, who just
so happened to be hiring voice talent. This was Robert's
big break.
At
the age of 25, Robert began a prestigious voice acting
career when he used his talents for The Smurfs. He
is also well known for voicing Snow Job (G.I. Joe),
Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) Yakko Warner,
and Pinky (Animaniacs). His lengthy credentials can
be found here.
This
remarkable man, who was born with a talent like no
other, who was raised in the basement of a middle-class
family's home, who was sent to fend for himself in
the wilderness when he was only 13 years-old, and
who used the same ability, that caused his parents
to shun him, to create a name for himself in the hearts
of those who love animated television. Who is this
man?
His
name is Robert Paulsen.
Regards,
The Axis of Stevil |
