June Foray, Voice of Bullwinkle Show's "Natasha" and "Rocky", Dead at 99

June Foray, the legendary voice actress best known for her roles as Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Natasha Fatale on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, passed away on July 26, 2017, at the age of 99 in Los Angeles, California. Her death was due to cardiac arrest, following a period of declining health after a car accident in 2015.

Born June Lucille Forer on September 18, 1917, in Springfield, Massachusetts, Foray began her career in radio at the age of 12 and transitioned into voice acting, becoming one of the most prolific talents in animation history. Her extensive body of work includes voicing iconic characters such as Granny in Looney Tunes, Witch Hazel, Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Jokey Smurf in The Smurfs, Grandmother Fa in Disney’s Mulan, and Magica De Spell in DuckTales .

Beyond her performances, Foray was a passionate advocate for the animation industry. She played a key role in founding ASIFA-Hollywood and was instrumental in establishing the Annie Awards, which honor excellence in animation. The June Foray Award, named in her honor, recognizes individuals who have made significant charitable contributions to the art and industry of animation.

Foray's contributions were widely recognized: she received a Daytime Emmy Award in 2012 for her work on The Garfield Show, a Governors Award from the Television Academy in 2013, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000 . Animator Chuck Jones once remarked, “June Foray is not the female Mel Blanc. Mel Blanc was the male June Foray,” underscoring her unparalleled impact on the world of voice acting.

June Foray's legacy endures through the countless characters she brought to life and her lasting influence on the animation industry.