Cal Howard (March 24, 1911 – September 10, 1993) was a prolific force in the animation industry, possessing a rare combination of talents that allowed him to excel as a writer, animator, and voice actor. Throughout a career that spanned over fifty years, Howard worked for nearly every major animation house during the “Golden Age,” including Disney, Warner Bros., MGM, Walter Lantz, and Fleischer Studios. His versatility made him a “utility player” of the industry; he was as comfortable storyboarding a gag for a cartoon short as he was providing the voice for a romantic lead in a feature-length epic.
In 1939, Howard delivered one of his most notable vocal performances in the Fleischer Studios’ Technicolor masterpiece Gulliver’s Travels. He provided the speaking voice for Prince David, the son of King Little, whose secret romance with Princess Glory serves as the emotional heart of the film’s sub-plot. While the character’s singing was dubbed by the crooner Lanny Ross, Howard’s earnest and sincere delivery gave the Prince a grounded, human quality amidst the whimsical conflict between the kingdoms of Lilliput and Blefuscu. This role highlighted his ability to bring a sense of high-stakes drama to animated storytelling during a pivotal moment in cinema history.
While his voice work was significant, Howard’s most enduring legacy is found in his prolific output as a writer and story editor. He was a key architect of the humor and narrative structure for some of the most famous characters in television history. He served as a writer for The Flintstones, Jonny Quest, and The Jetsons, and spent many years at the Walter Lantz Studio, where he penned dozens of shorts for Woody Woodpecker. His sharp wit and understanding of character dynamics ensured that he remained a sought-after talent well into the late 20th century, contributing to the transition between theatrical shorts and the prime-time animation boom.
Howard remained a dedicated member of the animation community until his passing in 1993, leaving behind a massive body of work that continues to entertain audiences. He is remembered as a consummate professional—a man who helped build the foundations of American animation from behind the scenes and through the microphone, ensuring that the characters he touched would live on in pop culture history.
