Wally Cox

Wally Cox (1924-1973) was a comedic actor best known for his TV work, starring on the sitcom Mister Peepers (1952-1955), voicing cartoon character Underdog, and as a regular on Hollywood Squares. After performing as a comedy monologist in clubs, Cox made his TV debut in 1949 as a contestant on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, performing a routine as a teenaged hoodlum talking about his friend Dufo. Cox performed the routine in other venues, including a 1952 single under the title "What a Crazy Guy." The latter was one of the records used by Jim Henson on Sam and Friends, lip synced to by the Muppets.

In 1962, Cox crossed paths with Henson more directly in the comedy pilot Mad Mad World, as one of several actors as faux news correspondents and co-starring the Muppets.

After his initial Godfrey exposure, Cox took the "Dufo" routine to other shows and to Broadway in the 1950 revue Dance Me a Song (with Bob Fosse dancing as Dufo). After appearances on variety shows and in TV anthologies, Cox landed a starring vehicle as nebbishy teacher Mister Peepers, with recurring co-stars including Tony Randall and Jack Warden. While keeping his usual nasal tones, Cox voiced canine superhero Underdog from 1964 to 1967, and he was one of the core Hollywood Squares panelists (1966-1973) along with Paul Lynde and Charley Weaver. TV guest spots included The Beverly Hillbillies, The Odd Couple, Mission: Impossible (cast in a dramatic role in the pilot, as a safecracker helping the team), The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bonanza, and The Twilight Zone. Occasional films included three Disney movies and Spencer's Mountain (with Henry Fonda).