Ivan Owen
Encyclopedia
Ivan Owen was a British
voice actor who created the vocal persona of the puppet
Basil Brush
.
Born in South London
, Owen had already developed expertise in puppet voices when he met Peter Firmin
, Basil's designer, in the 1960s. He voiced Basil from his first appearance in 1963, which he modelled, it is reported, on that of Terry-Thomas
. He also operated the puppet, although the only moving part of it was the mouth.
Although Basil Brush was once ubiquitous in Britain and many countries of the Commonwealth
, Owen maintained his anonymity throughout the height of the puppet's prominence during the 1970s, never giving television interviews or allowing himself to be photographed as he believed it would break Basil's spell. He did one radio interview after he retired as Basil's voice, where his real voice did not particularly resemble Basil's. He died of cancer in 2000.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
voice actor who created the vocal persona of the puppet
Puppet
A puppet is an inanimate object or representational figure animated or manipulated by an entertainer, who is called a puppeteer. It is used in puppetry, a play or a presentation that is a very ancient form of theatre....
Basil Brush
Basil Brush
Basil Brush is a fictional anthropomorphic fox raconteur, best known for his appearances on daytime British children's television. He is primarily portrayed by a glove puppet, but has also been depicted in animated cartoon shorts and comic strips...
.
Born in South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
, Owen had already developed expertise in puppet voices when he met Peter Firmin
Peter Firmin
Peter Arthur Firmin is an English artist and animator. He was the founder of Smallfilms, along with Oliver Postgate. Between them they created a number of popular children's TV programmes, The Saga of Noggin the Nog, Ivor the Engine, Clangers, Bagpuss and Pogles' Wood.-Early life:He trained at...
, Basil's designer, in the 1960s. He voiced Basil from his first appearance in 1963, which he modelled, it is reported, on that of Terry-Thomas
Terry-Thomas
Thomas Terry Hoar Stevens was a distinctive English comic actor, known as Terry-Thomas. He was famous for his portrayal of disreputable members of the upper classes, especially cads and toffs, with the trademark gap in his front teeth, cigarette holder, smoking jacket, and catch-phrases such as...
. He also operated the puppet, although the only moving part of it was the mouth.
Although Basil Brush was once ubiquitous in Britain and many countries of the Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
, Owen maintained his anonymity throughout the height of the puppet's prominence during the 1970s, never giving television interviews or allowing himself to be photographed as he believed it would break Basil's spell. He did one radio interview after he retired as Basil's voice, where his real voice did not particularly resemble Basil's. He died of cancer in 2000.