JEFF BERGMAN

Jeff Bergman: The Voice Behind the Legends

Jeffrey Allen Bergman, born on July 10, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a renowned American voice actor, comedian, and impressionist. He is celebrated for reviving and modernizing the voices of several iconic cartoon characters, most notably from Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera. Bergman was the first actor to succeed the legendary Mel Blanc as the voice of Bugs Bunny and other beloved characters following Blanc's passing in 1989 .

Early Life and Education

Growing up in Philadelphia, Bergman developed a passion for impersonations at a young age, with his first impression being of TV host Ed Sullivan at just six years old. By the age of 15, he was already mimicking various Looney Tunes characters. He pursued his interest in theater and communications at the University of Pittsburgh, where he became involved with a student-run radio station and interned at local radio stations KQV and WDVE. During this time, he created his first demo reel, which led to his representation by the William Morris Agency upon his graduation in 1983 .

Career Milestones

Bergman's professional journey began in 1986 when he voiced characters for The Bugs Bunny Show. His breakthrough came when he auditioned for the role of Bugs Bunny by recording a tape where he alternated between his voice and Mel Blanc's original recordings. The then-president of Warner Bros. was unable to distinguish between the two, leading to Bergman becoming the first actor to voice Bugs Bunny after Blanc's death on July 10, 1989—coincidentally, Bergman's 29th birthday .

He made his debut as Bugs Bunny at the 62nd Academy Awards, presenting the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Over the years, Bergman has voiced a multitude of characters, including Daffy Duck, Sylvester the Cat, Tweety Bird, Foghorn Leghorn, Elmer Fudd, and Yosemite Sam, in various productions such as Gremlins 2: The New Batch, The Looney Tunes Show, New Looney Tunes, and Space Jam: A New Legacy .

Beyond Looney Tunes, Bergman has lent his voice to characters like Fred Flintstone in The Flintstones: On the Rocks and George Jetson in Jetsons: The Movie. He also voiced Eustace Bagge in the Courage the Cowardly Dog and Scooby-Doo crossover movie, Straight Outta Nowhere .

Personal Life

Residing in Los Angeles, California, Jeff Bergman is married to Carla Delaney, who is also a voice actor and director. Together, they have two sons. Bergman remains active in the voice acting community, frequently participating in conventions and interviews, where he shares insights into his career and the art of voice acting .

Legacy

With a career spanning over four decades, Jeff Bergman has played a pivotal role in preserving and revitalizing the voices of classic cartoon characters. His ability to capture the essence of these beloved figures has endeared him to fans worldwide, ensuring that the legacy of characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck continues to thrive in contemporary media.