Fred Newman

Frederick R. Newman (born May 6, 1952) is an American actor, comedian, composer, foley artist, and former talk show host. Career Newman's first job in New York City was at Newsweek. After doing comedy, Newman soon capitalized on his unique vocalizations, and Peter Workman (Workman Publishing) signed Fred to write the best-selling book MouthSounds (first published in 1980 with a vinyl record insert, and updated with a CD in 2004). Newman was an actor and sound-effects artist on Garrison Keillor's live radio variety show A Prairie Home Companion. In an audience favorite feature of the program, Keillor tells an apparently impromptu story that is funny because it requires Newman to strain to supply rapid-fire sound effects for unusual occurrences and obscure animals. Newman was featured in an interview with Jane Pauley on CBS Sunday Morning and the segment was nominated for an Emmy. He has also done character voices and sound effects in numerous film, television and video game credits, including Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Doug (as Skeeter Valentine, Porkchop, Mr. Dink, Stinky, and other characters), Grand Theft Auto 2, Harry and the Hendersons, Gremlins, Munchies, Storybook World, Elmo's World as a special guest on the episode "Mouths" (2007), Wolf and Men in Black.