Other names Red Pepper Sam, Billy Name William Costello Known for Popeye | Years active 1930-1935 Role Actor | |
Full Name William Costello Born February 2, 1898 ( 1898-02-02 ) Rhode Island Resting place Mariposa District CemeteryMariposa, California Occupation Stage actor, voice actor Died October 9, 1971, San Jose, California, United States Similar People Jack Mercer, Willard Bowsky, Dave Fleischer, Max Fleischer, E C Segar | ||
Bonnie Poe & William Billy Costello Vs Mae Questel & Jack Mercer
William “Billy” Costello (February 2, 1898 – October 9, 1971), a.k.a. "Red Pepper Sam", was an American live and voice actor, and the original voice of Popeye the Sailor in animated cartoons.
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Costello had worked with the Fleischer Studio as the voice of Gus the Gorilla on the Betty Boop radio show and they felt that the raspy voice he had used for that character would work for the new Popeye character they were planning. He was cast to provide the voice for the first Popeye cartoon, 1933's Popeye the Sailor. Costello appeared in the next 24 Popeye shorts until he was fired by the Fleischers, allegedly over "bad behavior," and was replaced with Jack Mercer. Costello's final appearance was in You Gotta Be A Football Hero (1935).
Costello died in San Jose, California, on October 9, 1971. He was buried in Mariposa, California.
Songs
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man
Popeye the Sailor Man Theme
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man Original
Popeye the Sailor Man Original Theme
Dinah
The Teddy Bears' Picnic
Popeye the Sailor
Blow the Man Down