Frank Welker (actor)

This article is about the actor. For other uses, see Frank Welker.

Frank Welker
Years active at Hanna-Barbera	1969-2001
Years active at Warner Bros.	2002-present
Characters played	Scooby-Doo Fred Jones Dynomutt Jabberjaw Tom Cat Jerry Mouse Barney Rubble Bogg Flooky Top Troll Tooter Shellby Orbitty Don Coyote McWolf Mr. Dinkley Astro Magilla Gorilla Himself Robopup Higgins Mr. Conroy Chickenstein/Casmer Codwaller Dinkley 2000 Bruce Wormsley
Welker lookalike on What's New, Scooby-Doo?
Welker guesting on Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?

Franklin Wendell "Frank" Welker is an American voice actor and former stand-up comedian. His most prolific roles for Hanna-Barbera (H-B) are Fred Jones and Scooby-Doo since 1969 and 2002, respectively. He has also been Wonder Dog, Marvin White, Dynomutt, Jabberjaw, the Shmoo, Orbitty, Barney Rubble, Tom Cat, Jerry Mouse, and McWolf. He was also Fangface on Ruby-Spears' Fangface.

He was interviewed in 2021 for The CW's Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now!

History with Hanna-Barbera

Welker was doing a Friskies dog food commercial when he was informed by the casting agent's fiancé that she was casting for Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! He initially went in to read for Scooby-Doo, but was told not to worry, as that went to H-B veteran Don Messick. He also wanted to audition for Shaggy Rogers, who he found more appealing than the "guy in an ascot." Casey Kasem also came into an audition for Fred, but Hanna-Barbera preferred the actors in the opposite roles.

He was also one of many to audition for Scrappy-Doo, and although he didn't get the part, his ad-lib of the catchphrase, "Puppy power," was approved by Joseph Barbera and added to the script.

Roles

The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda

• The main role of Don Coyote in the The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda TV series (1990-1991).

Buford and the Galloping Ghost

• The main roles of Buford and Nugget Nose in Buford and the Galloping Ghost (1978).

Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels

• Role(s) in Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels undetermined (1977-1980)

CB Bears

Main article: CB Bears (TV series)

• Cool Cat and Wiley Fox in the episode "The King and His Jokers" (1977).
• Carnival worker and ringmaster in the episode "The Carnival Caper" (1977).

The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley

• The main roles of Sheldon and Crusty in the The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley TV series (1988).

Dink, the Little Dinosaur

• The main role of Scat in the Dink, the Little Dinosaur TV series (1989-1990).

Dynomutt

• The main role of Dynomutt in the Dynomutt, Dog Wonder TV series (1976-1978).

Fangface

• Main role of Fangface in the Fangface TV series (1978-1980).

The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang

• Main role of Mr. Cool in the The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang TV series (1980-1981).
• Brontosaurus and Rock in the episode "King for a Day" (1980).
• Uncle Horatio in the episode "Bye Bye, Blackbeard" (1980).
• News editor in the episode "Westward Whoa!" (1980).
• Judge Morris's henchman in the episode "You'll Never Get Witch" (1980).
• Guards in the episode "The 20,000 Drachma Pyramid" (1980).
• Dragon in the episode "Gone with the Wand" (1980).

Foofur

• The main roles of Foofur and Chucky in the Foofur TV series (1986-1988).

Jabberjaw

• The main role of Jabberjaw in Jabberjaw (1976).

Jetsons

Main article: Jetsons (franchise)

• The main role of Orbitty in The Jetsons TV series (1985).
• Astro in the The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania DTV film (2017).

Johnny Bravo

• Fred Jones and Speed Buggy in the Johnny Bravo episode "Bravo Dooby-Doo" 1997).

The Kwicky Koala Show

Main article: The Kwicky Koala Show

• • The main role of Dirty Dawg in the Dirty Dawg segments (1981).

Laff-a-Lympics

• The main roles of Dynomutt, Tinker, Yakky Doodle, Magic Rabbit, Sooey Pig in Laff-A-Lympics (1977-1978).
• Guest appearances as Jabberjaw in the episodes "India and Isreal" (1977), "Africa and San Francisco" (1977), "New York and Turkey" (1978), and "New Orleans and Atlantis" (1978).

Laverne & Shirley

• The main role of Mr. Cool in the Laverne & Shirley TV series (1981-1982).
• Zarkon's superior in the Laverne & Shirley episode "Invasion of the Booby Hatchers" (1981).
• Chungo in the Laverne & Shirley episode "Jungle Jumpers" (1981).

Monster Tails

• The main roles of Frankenmutt and Mumfrey in the Monster Tails TV series (1990).

Mystery Island

• Main role of P.O.P.S. in the Mystery Island TV series (1977).

Pink Panther and Sons

• The main roles of Rocko and Finkio in the Pink Panther and Sons TV series (1984).

The Pirates of Dark Water

• The main role of Niddler The Pirates of Dark Water (1990-1992). Welker replaced and redubbed Roddy McDowell after the first five episodes.

Popeye

Main article: Popeye (franchise)

• Shelly's father in the Popeye and Son episode "The Girl from Down Under" (1987).
• Walrus in the Popeye and Son episode "The Girl from Down Under" (1987).
• Dolphin in the Popeye and Son episode "The Girl from Down Under" (1987).

Richie Rich

• The main role of Dollar in the Richie Rich TV series. (1980-1984).

The Robonic Stooges

• Main role of Curly Howard in The Robonic Stooges TV series (1977).

Scooby-Doo

Main article: Scooby-Doo (franchise)

• The main role of Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! TV series (1969-1970).
• Pink dog and Charlie in the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! episode "Decoy for a Dognapper" (1969).
• Hermit of the Hills in the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! episode "Jeepers, It's the Creeper" (1970).
• Dolphin and seals in the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! episode "Scooby's Night with a Frozen Fright" (1970).
• Sheep rustler in the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! episode "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Werewolf" (1970).
• The main role of Fred Jones in The New Scooby-Doo Movies TV series (1972-1973).
• Cleopatra the plant and male housekeeper in The New Scooby-Doo Movies episode "Scooby-Doo Meets the Addams Family" (1972).
• The main role of Fred Jones in The Scooby-Doo Show TV series (1976-1978).
• The main role of Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo TV series (1979).
• The main role of Fred Jones in the Scooby Goes Hollywood TV special (1979).
• Guest appearances of Fred Jones in The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries episodes "Happy Birthday, Scooby-Doo," (1984)
• Spider in the A Pup Named Scooby-Doo episode "Snow Place Like Home" (1988).
• Robopup, Higgins, and Mr. Conroy in the A Pup Named Scooby-Doo episode "Robopup" (1988).
• Chickenstein/Casmer Codwaller and Eddy Jones in the A Pup Named Scooby-Doo episode "Chickenstein Lives" (1989).
• Dinkley 2000, Bruce Wormsley, and Mr. Dinkley in the A Pup Named Scooby-Doo episode "The Computer Walks Among Us" (1989).
• Fred Jones in the DTV film Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998).
• Fred Jones in the DTV film Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost (1999).
• Fred Jones in the DTV film Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders (2000).
• Fred Jones, lion, and Cyber Fred in the DTV film Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase (2001).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the DTV film Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire (2003).
• Scooby-Doo, Fred Jones, and skunk in the DTV film Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of the Mexico (2003).
• Main roles of Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in What's New, Scooby-Doo? (2002-2006).
• Doctor (uncredited) in the What's New, Scooby-Doo? episode "There's No Creature Like Snow Creature" (2002).
• Scooby-Doo, Fred Jones, and Lachlan Haggart in the DTV film Scooby-Doo! and the Loch Ness Monster (2004).
• Scooby-Doo, Fred Jones, and Wiki-Tiki in the Aloha, Scooby-Doo! DTV film (2005).
• Scooby-Doo, Fred Jones, and interviewer/monster (monster uncredited) in the An Evening with the Scooby Gang DVD short (2005).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! in Where's My Mummy? DTV film (2005).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy! DTV film (2006).
• The main roles of Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue! TV series (2006-2008).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Chill Out, Scooby-Doo! DTV film (2007).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King DTV film (2008).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword DTV film (2009).
• Scooby-Doo in the Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins TV film (2009).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo DTV film (2010).
• Scooby-Doo in the Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster TV film (2010).
• The main roles of Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated TV series (2010-2013).
• Barty Blake in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "Beware the Beast from Below" (2010).
• Barty Blake in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "The Secret of the Ghost Rig" (2010).
• Pig monster in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "The Legend of Alice May" (2010).
• Barty Blake and Char Char Gothakon in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "The Shrieking Madness" (2010).
• Barty Blake in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "The Dragon's Secret" (2011).
• Freak of Crystal Cove in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "Pawn of Shadows" (2011).
• Barty Blake and the Freak of Crystal Cove in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "All Fear the Freak" (2011).
• Barty Blake in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "The Night the Clown Cried" (2012).
• Barty Blake in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "Aliens Among Us" (2013).
• Barty Blake in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "Stand and Deliver" (2013).
• Barty Blake in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "Gates of Gloom" (2013).
• Barty Blake in the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "Come Undone" (2013).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare DTV film (2010).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur DTV film (2011).
• Scooby-Doo, and Fred Jones, misc. bikers in the Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire DTV film (2012).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Spooky Games DTV short film (2012).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Big Top Scooby-Doo! DTV film (2012).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays DTV short film (2012).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon DTV film (2013).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright DTV film (2013).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! and the Spooky Scarecrow DTV short film (2013).
• Scooby-Doo, Fred Jones, presenter in the Scooby-Doo! Mecha Mutt Menace DTV short film (2013).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery DTV film (2014).
• Scooby-Doo, Fred Jones, Eshu in the Scooby-Doo! Ghastly Goals! DTV short film (2014).
• Scooby-Doo, Fred Jones, and train conductor in the Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy DTV film (2014).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness DTV film (2015).
• Scooby-Doo, Fred Jones, and Aquazilla (uncredited) in the Scooby-Doo! and the Beach Beastie DTV short film (2015).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery DTV film (2015).
• The main roles of Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! TV series (2015-2018).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Lego Scooby-Doo! Knight Time Terror TV special (2015).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the DTV film Lego Scooby-Doo! Haunted Hollywood (2016).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the DTV film Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon (2016).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the DTV film Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown (2017).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Lego Scooby-Doo! Blowout Beach DTV film (2017)
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold DTV film (2018).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost DTV film (2018).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! and the Curse of the 13th Ghost DTV film (2019).
• The main roles of Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? TV series (2019-2020).
• Swamp Monster and squirrel (both uncredited) in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "Revenge of the Swamp Monster!" (2019).
• Speed Buggy in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "A Mystery Solving Gang Divided" (2019).
• Magilla Gorilla in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "Peebles' Pet Shop of Terrible Terrors!" (2019).
• Screaming Skulls of London and security guard in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "Elementary, My Dear Shaggy!" (2019).
• Robot minions in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "[[When Urkel-Bots Go Bad!" (2019).
• Bill Tally in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "The Fastest Fast Food Fiend!" (2019).
• Pete in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "Attack of the Weird Al-Osaurus!" (2019).
• Jewelry store owner in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "Now You Sia, Now You Don't!" (2019).
• Anchorman in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "Quit Clowning!," (2019).
• Sam Sheehan in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "Hollywood Knights!" (2020).
• Moving man #2 in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "Dance Matron of Mayhem!" (2020).
• Drama teacher in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "The High School Wolfman's Musical Lament!" (2020).
• Zalia Z. Fairchild in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "The Dreaded Remake of Jekyll & Hyde!" (2020).
• Himself in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "A Haunt of a Thousand Voices!" (2021).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island DTV film (2019).
• Scooby-Doo in the Scoob! theatrical film (2020).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo! DTV film (2020).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! The Sword and the Scoob DTV film (2021).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog DTV film (2021).
• Scooby-Doo, Fred Jones, Jabberjaw, and Great Gazoo in the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now! TV special (2021).
• Scooby-Doo in Cartoon Network Special Edition: NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest TV special (2022).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! DTV film (2022).
• The glorified main role of William Jones in the Velma TV series (2023-2024).
• Scooby-Doo in Cartoon Network Special Edition: NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest TV special (2023).
• Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! DTV film (2023).
• The main role of Scooby-Doo in the cancelled Scooby-Doo! and the Mystery Pups TV series, which was announced in 2024.

Snorks

• The main roles of Tooter Shellby and Occy in the Snorks TV series (1984-1989).

Star Fairies

• Lavender in the Star Fairies TV special (1985).

Tom and Jerry

Main article: Tom and Jerry (franchise)

• The main roles of Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse in the Tom & Jerry Kids TV series (1990-1994)
• Jerry Mouse in the Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring DTV film (2002).
• Spike and Ubu in the Tom and Jerry: Blast Off to Mars DTV film (2005).

Super Friends

Main article: Super Friends (franchise)

• The main roles of Marvin White and Wonder Dog in the Super Friends (1973). He was credited as Franklin Welker.
• Bill in the Super Friends episode "The Power Pirate." (1973).

Teen Wolf

• Valor and Daisy in the Teen Wolf episode "Teen Wolf's Family Secret" (1986).
• Valor, Daisy, Mr. Conroy, Tiny, and kittens in the Teen Wolf episode "Grampa's in the Doghouse" (1986).
• Valor in the Teen Wolf episode "The Werewolf Buster" (1986).
• Valor in the Teen Wolf episode "Shopworn Wolf" (1986).
• Valor, Daisy, and Mayor Maconi in the Teen Wolf episode "The Beast Within" (1986). (replacing Kenneth Mars)
• Baby, Valor, Daisy, and brush salesman in the Teen Wolf episode "Up a Family Tree" (1986).
• Dell Davies and Mayor Maconi in the Teen Wolf episode "Wolf Pride" (1986).
• Teacher in the Teen Wolf episode "Wolf of My Dreams" (1986).
• Mayor Maconi, Fangs, and Valor in the Teen Wolf episode "Leader of the Pack" (1986).
• Edmund Preston, Valor, and Mayor Maconi in the Teen Wolf episode "The All American Werewolf" (1986).
• Frank Johnson and Herman Mitchell in the Teen Wolf episode "Under My Spell" (1986).
• Rubbish, toy dog, and toy store owner in the Teen Wolf episode "Teen Wolf Punks Out" (1986).
• Mr. Dimwitty in the Teen Wolf episode "Teen Wolf's Curse" (1987).
• Bink in the Teen Wolf episode "Toot Toot, Tut Tut and All That Rot" (1987).
• Billy Bob and Mr. Brody in the Teen Wolf episode "Down on the Farm" (1987).
• Mayor Maconi in the Teen Wolf episode "Diary of a Mad Werewolf" (1987).

Trollkins

• The main roles of Bogg, Flooky, and Top Troll in the Trollkins TV series (1981).

Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch

• The main roles of Wheelie and Chopper in the Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch TV series (1974).

Wildfire

• The main role of Mudlusk in the Wildfire TV series (1986).

Yogi Bear

Main article: Yogi Bear (franchise)

• The main roles of Jabberjaw, Buford, Nugget Nose, and Captain Good/Phantom Phink, and Clean Kat/Sinister Sludge in the Yogi's Space Race TV series (1978).
• Captain Portside in the Yogi Bear episode "Bear Cruise" (1988).
• Ninja Raccoon in the Yogi Bear episode "Attack of the Ninja Raccoon" (1988).
• Ninja Raccoon in the Yogi Bear episode "In Search of the Ninja Raccoon" (1988).
• Ninja Raccoon in the Yogi Bear episode "Ninja Raccoon, The Final Shogun" (1988).
• Dax Nova in the Yogi and the Invasion of the Space Bears TV film (1988).
• Fred Jones in the Jellystone! episode "Frankenhooky." (2024).

Other roles

Welker has done a multitude of voice roles for Saturday morning cartoons (or just any day of the week) of the '80s and '90s, which include Megatron/Galvatron and Soundwave on The Transformers, Doctor Claw on Inspector Gadget, Slimer on The Real Ghostbusters, Fall Apart Rabbit on Bonkers, and Abu on Aladdin, and Mr. Plotz, Runt, Ralph the Guard, Buttons on Animaniacs. Tom Ruegger, the creator of Animaniacs, influenced the casting of Welker for Ralph, in particular, because of Welker playing Dimwittie in The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries. He also acted as Santa's Little Helper and Snowball II and Nibbler in prime-time animated sitcoms, The Simpsons and Futurama, respectively. He is also the voice of Garfield the Cat and Curious George in TV shows and movies since the 2000s.

He has also had on-camera roles largely from the '60s to the '80s, playing opposite Elvis Presley in The Trouble with Girls, and Don Knotts in How to Frame a Figg, and played Don Messick's rival in an episode of The Duck Factory.

For his role in the live-action Transformers films, he once again voiced Soundwave and Ravage in the second movie, Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen. He would reprise as Soundwave again in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, as well taking on the roles of Shockwave and Barricade. He returned as Galvatron and Megatron, in Transformers: Age of Extinction and Transformers: The Last Knight, respectively.

Tributes

• One of the culprits of "Who's Who in Scooby-Doo" in DC Comics' Scooby-Doo #74 was named Frank Welker.
• The fake Fred in the What's New, Scooby-Doo? episode "A Scooby-Doo Valentine" turns out to be a middle-aged man resembling Welker.
• In Capstone's Scooby-Doo! Encyclopedia, they refer to the sheep rustler from the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! episode "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Werewolf", as Frank Welker.
• "My Life with Scooby-Doo! Frank Welker's Animated Journey", a featurette included on the Blu-ray release of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!: The Complete Series.
• In the theatrical animated film Scoob!, there is an Officer Frank and Officer North, the latter of whom is named after Daphne Blake's second voice actor, Heather North.
• He plays himself in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "A Haunt of a Thousand Voices!"