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Monday, July 30, 2012

Norman Alden, 1924-2012

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The Aquaman Shrine is sad to report that actor Norman Alden, voice of Aquaman on the Super Friends from 1973-1977, has passed away. He was 87.

I was lucky enough to interview Mr. Alden about his career back in 2007, and he was utterly charming to talk to, consistently putting me at ease, even though I was tongue-tied from actually talking to the Aquaman of my earliest childhood.

But it didn't end there--after our interview, Mr. Alden recorded a custom greeting for the Shrine, in that classic Aquaman voice, which has had a permanent berth in the sidebar ever since he recorded it in 2007. In addition, he was kind enough to contribute to the Aquaman 70th Birthday Celebration last year, adding his invaluable insight on the what it was like to be the King of the Seven Seas.

The Shrine suggests you check out Mr. Alden's filmography over on IMDB--it's a staggeringly diverse list of titles, from Tora! Tora! Tora! to Back to the Future to Ed Wood. Next time you happen upon one of these movies, take notice of Mr. Alden's presence, and remember all of his great work.

Rest in Peace, Norman Alden. You will always be my Aquaman.



Interview with Norman Alden - 2007

Aquaman 70th Birthday Celebration

7 comments:

jim said...

Just saw Norman today on a "Murder She Wrote" rerun. He always enhanced any production he was in.

Joe Tages said...

I just read this on the Wiki obits. Very sad news indeed. My latest Norman Alden sighting had been on an episode of "The Rockford Files" just mere weeks ago. RIP, Mr. Alden.

Earth 2 Chris said...

Great character actor, and such a voice! He gave us many, many hours of fun entertainment.

Chris

David said...

Rats. I still hear his voice whenever I read Aquaman dialog, and I always will.

I remember as a kid seeing Mr Alden in his recurring role on "Elektra Woman and Dyna Girl" and thinking, "So THAT's what Aquaman looks like" Happily, like Mike Road (aka Race Bannon) he looked like he "should have." Not like when I saw Olan (Batman) Soule on an episode of "Andy Griffith" and realized he was a spindly, balding nebbish who made Don Knotts look like Arnold Schwarzenneger. But all "Super Friends" Batman did anyway was lasso people with the bat-rope, so I guess he'd have been up to that.

Wings1295 said...

Always remember him as Aquaman and from Electra Woman. He gave so much, so many roles. I lost two icons yesterday. Alden died, and it was announced RG Armstrong, another great character actor, died on Friday. :(

Unknown said...

THE voice of Aquaman. R.I.P.

James Chatterton

Russell said...

I'll never forget the first time I saw Back To The Future and in the ice cream shoppe the proprietor was Aquaman!! That was the first time I linked the voice with the face.

RIP Mr. Alden, you will be missed.