Janet Waldo, who died Saturday, voiced many iconic young women for Hanna-Barbera in her 40s and 50s, including Judy Jetson, Penelope Pitstop, and Josie from Josie and the Pussycats.
Waldo began voicing perky teen girls on radio during World War II, shortly after being discovered by Bing Crosby. Her breakthrough was the eponymous heroine on the CBS radio sitcom Meet Corliss Archer.
https://youtu.be/YKtvHf4BpfM?t=2m19s
For the next 4 decades, she summoned her high-pitched, high-energy exclamations in an exaggerated version of how teens talked in the middle of the 20th century.
Janet also played Wilma Flintstone's mother Pearl Slaghoople.
Fans were upset when Janet recorded Judy's voice for The Jetsons Movie in 1990, but was eventually replaced by Tiffany. Janet was almost 70 by then. She was still doing appearances in her 90s. Thanks for all the smiles, Janet!
• Janet Waldo Dies: ‘The Jetsons’ Voice Actress Was 96 (Deadline.com)
