As I've been mentioning here, I'm emceeing a public Memorial Service tomorrow evening — i.e., Thursday, October 26 — for the great comic actor and cartoon voice artist, Lennie Weinrib. (That's Lennie in the above photo from one of his greatest performances…an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show in which he tricked Rob Petrie into dismantling his telephone. Remember "Scream like a chicken"?)
Lennie passed away on June 28 in Chile. Here's what I posted then about his splendid career. Lennie was the voice of H.R. Pufnstuf, Inch-High Private Eye, Scrappy Doo and dozens of characters for Hanna-Barbera. He was on more than a hundred TV shows. He was an announcer and a writer and a director and a very funny man…reason enough for his friends to gather and have one more good time because of him.
I've received a couple of e-mails from folks saying, "I never knew Lennie but I admired his work. Is it okay if I come to the memorial?" Answer: Absolutely. This is a public function and everyone is welcome. It takes place tomorrow (Thursday) evening at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California in their Starlight Ballroom. The Sportsmen's Lodge is located at 12833 Ventura Boulevard, at the corner of Ventura and Coldwater Canyon.
The doors open at 6:30, we'll have a buffet supper served around 7 PM and then the speeches and film clips and such will commence around 8 PM. Sid and Marty Krofft will be speaking. Lennie's daughter Linda will be speaking. Other friends and prominent folks will talk about our departed friend. (Fair Warning: Rather than burden his daughter with the full tab for this event, we'll be passing the hat to help pay for the room and the food. If you can kick in some bucks, that would be nice. You'll more than get your money's worth.)
If you were a fan of Lennie's work for the Kroffts…or his cartoon voice career…or any of his many TV appearances, come by and help us say goodbye to a great guy. Drop me a note if you think you might make it.