Bill Woodson
Encyclopedia
William "Bill" T. Woodson (born July 16, 1917) is a retired American
voice artist. He has a small onscreen appearance in the 1950s sci-fi film "The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms" as a newscaster. He can be heard in the opening narrative of the 1970s television
series The Odd Couple
, explaining how it is that Felix and Oscar end up rooming together. He did the narration of the pilot episode of "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams". He had done some of the voice-over work on a late 1960s series called The Invaders
. Woodson's legacy will be his long association with the Superfriends series where he served as narrator and sometimes voice-actor. Woodson had taken over the role of narrator from actor Ted Knight
. Woodson narrated each subsequent Superfriends episode upon taking over from Ted Knight...narrating well over 100 episodes, including the 7 minute short subject episodes produced during 1980 through 1983. Perhaps his most memorable line from the series was the often-used phrase that accompanied a transition to scenes at the Superfriends' headquarters: "Later, at the Hall of Justice
..." In addition, Woodson also supplied the opening narration and voice for several guest characters on Battle of the Planets
.
Woodson was the narrator for the miniseries adaptation of Herman Wouk's novel, The Winds of War
, and its sequel miniseries, War and Remembrance
. In this capacity, he was able to explain to the television audience the large-scale historical events that provide the context for the storylines of the two miniseries.
Woodson is also the narrator of NFL Films
' official film of Super Bowl II
. The longtime voice of NFL Films, John Facenda
, was unavailable, and Woodson stepped in.
In 2007, Woodson, a California
resident, has lent his serious-sounding voice to a series of humorous commercials promoting the Minnesota Twins
. The ads have had titles like "The Minnesota Twins - Get to Know 'Em"; "Every Fan Counts"; and "This is Twins Territory".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
voice artist. He has a small onscreen appearance in the 1950s sci-fi film "The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms" as a newscaster. He can be heard in the opening narrative of the 1970s television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series The Odd Couple
The Odd Couple (TV series)
The Odd Couple is a television situation comedy broadcast from September 24, 1970 to July 4, 1975 on ABC. It starred Tony Randall as Felix Unger and Jack Klugman as Oscar Madison. It was based upon the play of the same name, which was written by Neil Simon.Felix and Oscar are two divorced men....
, explaining how it is that Felix and Oscar end up rooming together. He did the narration of the pilot episode of "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams". He had done some of the voice-over work on a late 1960s series called The Invaders
The Invaders
The Invaders, a Quinn Martin Production , is an ABC science fiction television program created by Larry Cohen that ran in the United States for two seasons, from January 10, 1967 to March 26, 1968...
. Woodson's legacy will be his long association with the Superfriends series where he served as narrator and sometimes voice-actor. Woodson had taken over the role of narrator from actor Ted Knight
Ted Knight
Ted Knight was an American actor best known for playing the comedic role of Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Henry Rush on Too Close for Comfort, and Judge Elihu Smails in Caddyshack.- Early years :...
. Woodson narrated each subsequent Superfriends episode upon taking over from Ted Knight...narrating well over 100 episodes, including the 7 minute short subject episodes produced during 1980 through 1983. Perhaps his most memorable line from the series was the often-used phrase that accompanied a transition to scenes at the Superfriends' headquarters: "Later, at the Hall of Justice
Hall of Justice (comics)
The Hall of Justice is the fictional headquarters of the Super Friends, in the eponymous animated series. It has subsequently been incorporated into the DC Comics main shared universe, the DC Universe as the new headquarters of the Justice League....
..." In addition, Woodson also supplied the opening narration and voice for several guest characters on Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets is an American animated television adaptation of the Japanese anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman . Of the 105 original Gatchaman episodes, 85 were used in the Battle of the Planets adaptation, produced by Sandy Frank Entertainment...
.
Woodson was the narrator for the miniseries adaptation of Herman Wouk's novel, The Winds of War
The Winds of War
The Winds of War is Herman Wouk's second book about World War II, the first being The Caine Mutiny . Published in 1971, it was followed up seven years later by War and Remembrance; originally conceived as one volume, Wouk decided to break it in two when he realized it took nearly 1000 pages just to...
, and its sequel miniseries, War and Remembrance
War and Remembrance
War and Remembrance is a novel by Herman Wouk, published in 1978, which is the sequel to The Winds of War. It continues the story of the extended Henry family and the Jastrow family starting on 15 December 1941 and ending on 6 August 1945. This novel was adapted into a mini-series presented on...
. In this capacity, he was able to explain to the television audience the large-scale historical events that provide the context for the storylines of the two miniseries.
Woodson is also the narrator of NFL Films
NFL Films
NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows...
' official film of Super Bowl II
Super Bowl II
The second AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, later to be known as Super Bowl II, was played on January 14, 1968 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida....
. The longtime voice of NFL Films, John Facenda
John Facenda
John Thomas Ralph Augustine James Facenda was an American broadcaster and sports announcer. He was a fixture on Philadelphia radio and television for decades, and achieved national fame as a narrator for NFL Films and Football Follies...
, was unavailable, and Woodson stepped in.
In 2007, Woodson, a California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
resident, has lent his serious-sounding voice to a series of humorous commercials promoting the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. The ads have had titles like "The Minnesota Twins - Get to Know 'Em"; "Every Fan Counts"; and "This is Twins Territory".