Voice-A-Versa - by Billy West (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From the voice behind Ren & Stimpy, Doug, Bugs Bunny, nearly half the main Futurama characters, and much more, a revealing memoir of life before--and in front of--the mic

Billy West is one the most accomplished and beloved voice actors alive today. He's brought to life original animated characters like Stimpy from Ren & Stimpy, Doug Funnie, and Philip J. Fry, Dr. Zoidberg, Zapp Brannigan, and Professor Farnsworth (and more) on Futurama. And he's played iconic characters like Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in Space Jam, Popeye, and Woody Woodpecker.

Chances are, he's made you laugh many times. You might even know some of his lines by heart.

In Voice-A-Versa, West recounts his remarkable life in show business and the circuitous route that got him there, from a radio-call in contest that led to skits on morning radio in Boston, to a one-off appearance on The Howard Stern Show that turned into a regular role, to a big move to Hollywood, and legendary roles working with other talented creators.

But West's life story is deeper and darker than that, and this memoir reveals the traumatic upbringing that scarred and shaped him, and which gave birth to the "Billy-verse" of voices.

Review Quotes

"A deeply personal narrative of overcoming trauma with the help of one's natural gifts."

-- "PUBLISHERS WEEKLY"

"Suffused with the kind of joy that comes from having experienced success after significant drawbacks. . . . sweet, winning, and--most important--a lot of fun. . . A must for fans of the shows with which West has become synonymous."

-- "KIRKUS REVIEWS"

"Billy West is among the elite voiceover talents in our business, a talented musician, and a fantastic storyteller. It's been an absolute joy to share the studio with him for the last thirty-some years as we play the now iconic M&M's characters, and it's always fun to listen to whatever else he has going on (which is always a LOT). He is truly the Man of a Thousand Voices."

-- "J.K. SIMMONS"

"Billy West is my friend, and if I had my way, he would only talk to me as Larry Fine. He makes me laugh so much, but more than that, he makes me happy--because there is love in his every breath. I think everyone knows Billy is the greatest voice guy, but he also has a remarkable voice on the page. Billy is a hell of a writer, and he has a hell of a story to write."

-- "PENN JILLETTE"

"Billy West is the kind of genius you have to write about in the plural. He's not just a brilliant actor, he's a hundred brilliant actors. And this hilarious book will give you the lowdown on Billy's wild lives and unforgettable voices, and how those fevered brains of his crack us all up."

-- "MATT GROENING"

"Billy West is the world's greatest voice actor. He is that rarest of weapons, the loose cannon who is also a straight shooter, firing off verbal missiles on unexpected trajectories that somehow slam into the target with explosive hilarity, disarming sincerity, and deeply felt emotion."

-- "DAVID X. COHEN, Executive Producer, Futurama"

About the Author

Billy West is an accomplished voice-over actor, musician, and former radio personality. Born in Detroit in 1952, he got his start in the entertainment industry on morning radio in Boston and as a failed stand-up comic, then became a regular on The Howard Stern Show from 1989 to 1995. His voice roles include Bugs Bunny in Space Jam, Doug Funnie in Doug, Ren Hoëk and Stimpson J. Cat from The Ren & Stimpy Show, and many others, as well as characters in advertisements, including Buzz the Bee for Honey Nut Cheerios and the Red M&M.