Billie Lou Watt

Billie Lou Watt (June 20, 1924 – September 7, 2001) was an American actress. She was best known as the original English dub voice of the title characters of the 1960s anime series Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion, the character Elsie the Cow for Borden Cheese's television commercials, and a live-action turn playing Ellie Harper Bergman on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow. Early life Watt was born on June 20, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Watt. She attended Midland and Howe Heights schools and Ritenour High School and received dramatic training at St. Louis School of the Theater. She was also active with a local amateur theatrical group. Her career on the stage began at the age of 12 in the role of Becky in a local play based on the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Her education continued at Northwestern University. Career Her first role on a professional stage came two years later at the St. Louis Municipal Opera production of The American Way. Her first acting role using mainly her voice was heard by listeners of the KMOX radio program The Land We Live In. She graduated from Ritenour High School and Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois before continuing her acting career in the touring company of the play Kiss and Tell. This would lead up to performing on the stages of New York City, with special thanks to George Abbott for hiring her for the musical Barefoot Boy with Cheek. She also appeared in Little Women and King of Hearts during her time on Broadway. Watt's first regular role on television had her portraying the girlfriend of the title character in The Billy Bean Show (1949, 1951). A review of The Billy Bean Show in the trade publication Billboard said: "Billie Lou Watt did a smooth job as his girl friend. This ingenue should be a natural for many television shows." She also appeared on the 1958 series From These Roots as Maggie Barber Weaver.