Mae Questel

Mae Questel (September 13, 1908 – January 4, 1998) was an American actress and vocal artist. Her surname was pronounced "ques-TELL". Originating from vaudeville, Questel provided the voice for the animated characters, Betty Boop and Olive Oyl. In her later career, she played occasional small roles in films and television. Born Mae Kwestel in New York City, she won a talent contest at the age of 17, and began performing in vaudeville. She was seen... more

Mae Questel (September 13, 1908 – January 4, 1998) was an American actress and vocal artist. Her surname was pronounced "ques-TELL". Originating from vaudeville, Questel provided the voice for the animated characters, Betty Boop and Olive Oyl. In her later career, she played occasional small roles in films and television. Born Mae Kwestel in New York City, she won a talent contest at the age of 17, and began performing in vaudeville. She was seen by animator Max Fleischer, who was looking for an actress to provide the voice for his Betty Boop character. Questel's "Boop-boop-a-doop" routine, done in a style similar to that of the song's originator, Helen Kane, while at the same time evoking something of the naughty allure of film star Clara Bow, was exactly what Fleischer wanted. From 1931 until 1939, Questel provided the voice of Betty Boop in more than 150 animated shorts. During the 1930s she released a recording of "On the Good Ship Lollipop" which sold more than two million copies... less