IMDb attributes almost 550 credits to William Bletcher (1894-1979), while the AFI Catalogue lists only around 120. The huge discrepancy is owing to Bletcher’s success as a voice actor, working on many short cartoons for Disney and MGM. He was the voice of Disney’s Big Bad Wolf, Pete, Barney Bear, and the bulldog in the Tom and Jerry cartoons.
Bletcher also appeared in many comedy shorts, from 1916 onwards, as well as the films listed by the AFI. Notable pictures featuring Bletcher include Sullivan’s Travels (1941), I Married a Witch (1942), The Canterville Ghost (1943), The Kid from Brooklyn (1946) and Calamity Jane (1953).
Billy Bletcher was involved with four MGM musicals. He was the voice of the Big Bad Wolf in the Disney cartoon sequence in Hollywood Party. He played the Chief of Police in Babes in Toyland, and provided voices for various Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz. Finally, he played a small role in Best Foot Forward.
