Wallace Maynard "Wally" Cox was an American comedian and actor, particularly associated with the early years of television in the United States. His Disney roles included Mertons in The Barefoot Executive, Becker in the 2-part Wonderful World of Disney episode "The Wacky Zoo of Morgan City", Jason in The Boatniks, Mr. Wampler in The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, and the host of the Mouse Factory episodes "Back to Nature", "Ben Franklin", and "The Reluctant Dragon".
Cox was born in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Denby High School. During World War II, Cox and his family returned to New York City, where he attended City College of New York. He next spent four months in the United States Army, and on his discharge attended New York University. While working in a jewelry shop, Cox performed at parties and nightclubs while studying acting with Stella Adler.
He began to appear in productions through radio, stage and television and found a breakthrough with the NBC sitcom as the titular Mister Peepers. He continued to appear in television shows such as Goodyear Television Playhouse, The Martha Raye Show, Wagon Train, Alias Smith and Jones, Mission: Impossible, Here's Lucy, The Beverly Hillbillies, Lost in Space, I Spy, The Monkees, The Twilight Zone, and the voice of the original Underdog animated series. His film credits include State Fair, Spencer's Mountain, The Bedford Incident, Morituri, Something's Got to Give, and Up Your Teddy Bear.
Cox was found dead on February 15, 1973, in his home in Hollywood, California of an apparent heart attack caused by a coronary occlusion. He was cremated.
Roles[]
Trivia[]
- He was a close friend to actor Marlon Brando with whom he was roommates.
- He was once considered to voice Piglet in Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.
- He was also considered to voice Roquefort in The Aristocats.
- He was the voice of the original 1960s' classic cartoon character, Underdog (voiced by Jason Lee), the 2007 live-action film of the same name is based on.