Pinto Colvig

When movies were just silent mimes and not “talkies,” There came a young man from the state of Oregon who made tremendous contributions to the first generation of movies with synchronized sound. Vance DeBar Colvig carried the name Pinto for his entire life, nicknamed by his friends at school for the freckles on his face. As a professional cartoonist and writer working for The San Francisco Bulletin, Pinto decided to break into the movie business and shifted to Hollywood. It was the age of black and white silent films, and he worked on writing gags and scenes for the same. As a cartoon writer and an animation enthusiast, Pinto brought in the idea of combining cartoons with actual films that were lively shot on camera.

His unique methods always succeeded, and soon enough, Pinto Colvig was the talk of the town. Then came a massive breakthrough in films, as well as in Pinto’s career. Silent films became sound films. All of Pinto’s skills and talents came in handy when he decided to take up the role of a voice-over artist. Pinto and his friend Walter Lants, After facing a flop in giving a shot to make an early talking cartoon film Bolivar and the Ostrich decided to join companies already in the business. Pinto shook hands and signed a contract with Disney in 1930. At Disney, Pinto wrote songs, dialogues, and dubbed voices for characters.

He was the voice of Goofy from 1932 until his death. He has also dubbed Grumpy and Sleepy in Snow White and the seven dwarfs and the practical pig in The Three Little Pigs. Disney honored Pinto as a “Disney Legend” for his contributions and memorable portrayal of characters. Collaborating with Alan Livingston, Pinto developed the character ‘Bozo the Clown’, later which he played on television. Pinto, already as an experienced clown at circuses, Pulled this one off with ease and competence. Much later after his death, on 28th May 2004, Pinto got included in the International Clown Hall of Fame in Wisconsin. On 3rd October 1967, Pinto departed this life with lung cancer he developed with his smoking habit.