Henry Corden
He stepped into the giant shoes of a cartoon icon, giving voice to Fred Flintstone for a generation of Saturday morning viewers.
1920–2005 (age 85)·American actor·Birthday: January 6·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Henry Corden's career was a testament to the working actor's life, a steady stream of character roles in film and television that built a solid, if unspectacular, foundation. Born in Montreal, he carved out a niche with his distinctive, gravelly voice, landing parts in shows like 'The Monkees' and 'The Beverly Hillbillies.' His path changed irrevocably when he began filling in for Alan Reed, the original voice of Fred Flintstone, on singing duties and records. When Reed passed away in 1977, Corden was entrusted with the role full-time, a daunting task of preserving a beloved character's essence. For nearly three decades, he was the voice behind the 'Yabba Dabba Doo!' in commercials, theme park shows, and countless spin-offs, ensuring Fred Flintstone remained a vibrant part of popular culture long after the original Bedrock had been built.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Henry was born in 1920, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Henry Was Born
The biggest hits of 1920
#1 Movie
Way Down East
Henry's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1920Born
Women gain the right to vote in the US
Home: $3,395President: Woodrow Wilson"Swanee" — Al Jolson
1925Started school
The Scopes Trial debates evolution in schools
Home: $4,366President: Calvin Coolidge"Sweet Georgia Brown" — Ben Bernie
1933Became a teenager
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1936Could drive
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1938Could vote
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1941Turned 21
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1950Turned 30
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1960Turned 40
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1970Turned 50
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1980Turned 60
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1990Turned 70
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
2000Turned 80
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2005Died at 85
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
Key Achievements
- Assumed the role of Fred Flintstone's voice in 1977, performing it for nearly 30 years until his own death.
- Provided the singing voice for Fred Flintstone in the 1966 theatrical film 'The Man Called Flintstone.'
- Made his official debut as Fred Flintstone on a 1965 Hanna-Barbera record album featuring songs from 'Mary Poppins.'
- Had a long career as a character actor with appearances in films like 'The Ten Commandments' and TV series like 'The Wild Wild West.'
Did You Know?
He was born in Montreal, Canada, and began his career as a radio impressionist.
Before becoming Fred Flintstone, he voiced the character of the villainous 'Fang' in the 1970s cartoon 'The Hillbilly Bears.'
He was of Russian Jewish descent, with his family's original surname being 'Cohen.'
“You show up, you hit your mark, you say the line. That's the job.”
