Voice Of Gumby And Alka-Seltzer's Speedy Dies At 85

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — You probably wouldn't recognize his face, but the man who voiced such popular characters as Gumby and Alka-Seltzer's hyper Speedy, has died.

Dick Beals was 85.

According to Newsday, Beals died Tuesday in Vista, California.

The Detroit-born Beals could be heard on thousands of TV commercials for companies ranging from Oscar Mayer, Vaseline and Campbell's Soup.

Beals was the voice of Davey in the animated "Davey and Goliath" TV series from 1960-1964. He was replaced in 1965. During this period, he was often hired to voice kid's roles in cartoons. He was Mr. Spacely's son on "The Jetsons."

The 4 foot 7 inch Beals -- who at his heaviest weighed about 70 pounds -- got his start working in radio dramas but it was his childlike voice (he reportedly had a long-standing glandular problem) made him rich and sought after.

His autobiography is entitled "Thing Big."