He’s probably one of the biggest names in voice-acting these days. Even if you’re not into animation (both kid and adult stuff) like me, you’ve heard him for years on TV. Billy has been the Cheerios Honey-Nut Bee and the Red M&M over the last several decades. I’m sure he’s done other stuff because he can alter his voice enough that you can’t always recognize him. Case in point was the Martian leader in Futurama who is based upon a gardener he knew.
Speaking of the show which keeps coming back from the dead, a major reason why I have a special place in my heart for Futurama because Fry is loosely based on Billy when he was in his twenties; he mentioned this Marc Maron’s WTF podcast as he talked about how directionless he was then while almost drinking himself to death. Sure the fictional character and real person diverge in many ways on how self-destructive they are but I see his point. We’re all discovering how humans truly aren’t grown up until later than we wish. I’m very grateful he received the opportunity to work on the Beany and Cecil revival which then led to him becoming Stimpy on the short-lived, Nineties phenomena Ren & Stimpy. I regret not recording nor being enthused enough the interview Billy gave WGLT’s news director in 1992. I was friends with a DJ on Illinois State’s NPR affiliate and it would’ve cool to be in the studio listening live. However, I have met him in person for a live Futurama table read at Austin’s TV Fest circa 2018! Billy was there with Maurice LaMarche, Phil Lamar, David Herman and David X Cohen to promote their legendary show moving to Hulu after years on Netflix. Very nice guy! Obviously, I had him with the others autograph my Simpsons Chucks since the Planet Express crew have been to Springfield via couch gag and to prevent a Simpson from ruining the future.
If you love cartoons or have watched them with children (your own, those related to you or babysitting), you can catch him through this vast list I know off the top of my head: My Life as a Teenage Robot, Justice League, Disenchantment, CatDog, Doug, Oblongs, Adventure Time, Space Jam (the one with Jordan), King of the Hill, Dilbert, Jimmy Neutron, Crank Yankers, Kid Notorious, Johnny Bravo, Billy & Mandy, Squirrel Boy, Drawn Together and the current Spitting Image.
Please forgive my selfishness Billy, I hope you keep doing voices for another 30 years! You’ve brought so much laughter and happiness to millions! I hope you have a fantastic birthday with all the people you love to be with!