Internationally renowned voice actor Laurence Harold Moran died on Thurs, Dec. 28, 2017.
Known throughout the Chicago production community as “The Funny Voice Man,” Moran entertained, informed, and persuaded millions of fans and consumers over a career that spanned nearly five decades.
Besides bringing life to characters like Quaker Oats’ Cap’n Crunch and McDonald’s Monopoly Man, Moran was also known as a voice for puppets on the Sunday morning television program, The Magic Door, and worked on commercials for healthcare products and education.
A member of the Screen Actors Guild and America Federation of Radio and Television Artists, he found time to play cello for musical groups like the Oak Park Symphony Orchestra, perform with members of the Oak Park Village Players in in Appalachia, contribute short stories to magazines, and write and direct several children’s music programs.
In his spare time, he volunteered for the Pacific Garden Mission’s program, “Unshackled.”
To those close to him, the native Chicagoan — born in the Windy City on March 2, 1939 — was worth a lot more than a few laughs.
According to Radio Bob Monachino, founder and head of creative production group Radio Bob Resort, Moran was “a pro.”
“Larry Moran could spew off any kind of character and take any kind of direction you wanted,” he explains, adding, “he always came in with a tin of cashews.”
Chicago voice actor Tim Dadabo credits Moran for teaching him an exceptional work ethic.
“When I first got into this business, he sat me down and asked, ‘what have you done for the business today? Did you sit down and practice? Did you read the trades? Did you listen to other peoples’ demos?’” Dadabo recalls. “That was Larry’s work ethic. If he didn’t have an appointment or a gig, he was practicing or marketing. “
Dadabo says that he “took everything Larry did and basically copied it,” a task made easier by Moran himself, who was “always happy to give advice” whenever Dadabo asked.
Moran also founded a voiceover business group that met on Saturday mornings in the clubroom of his condo to discuss how to make the business better and, according to Dadabo, “supplied the coffee and the doughnuts.”
After adding his unforgettable voice to Chicago’s advertising and entertainment communities, Moran retired to New Buffalo, MI.
“The last time I saw Larry was at an ARU party,” says Dadabo. “He took me aside and told me, ‘you’re the only one who has done exactly what I asked, and you’re going to take over this town.’ I walked into the bathroom and balled my eyes out.”
Larry is survived by six children and 12 grandchildren. Contributions in his name may be made to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Boys Town USA, or Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, MI.
