Thunderbirds star David Graham revealed the jaw-dropping story behind the voice of Aloysius Parker in resurfaced clip – after his death at the age of 99
As I delve deeper into the world of entertainment, I find myself in awe of the individuals who have graced our screens and touched our hearts with their exceptional talent. David Graham was one such individual, a true luminary of British entertainment whose impact will be felt for generations to come.
David Graham shared that the voice he used for character Aloysius Parker from the British TV show Thunderbirds was actually inspired by a surprising source – a local pub.
On a sad note, the actor who we lost at age 99 this past Friday was renowned for voicing Aloysius Parker, the cherished butler character from the adored 1960s television series.
After his passing, a past interview of David on Good Morning Britain from 2019 has re-emerged. In this conversation with Susanna Reid, Ben Shephard, and Kate Garraway (all in their late 40s and early 50s), he shared the fascinating tale behind the voice of the character he played.
Susanna began the segment by inquiring from David, “Haven’t you been working on Parker for a while?” or simply, “Aren’t you long-time Parker employee, David?
Ever since I got my hands on a model of Thunderbirds back in the swinging ’60s, I’ve been hooked! That’s when my journey with the legendary Gerry Anderson began.
Susanna then asked him how the show came about by saying: ‘How did it come about?’
‘I was working on a television production with a weak script. During filming, he mentioned his interest in making children’s movies, so I told him that I’m not terrible at voice acting and impersonating accents.’
Later, TV host Ben shifted the conversation towards Parker’s voice and inquired whether David and Gerry had collaborated on its creation.
He asked: ‘Parker’s voice is so unique, right? Did you and Jerry collaborate on making it sound that way? Or was the idea yours?’
David disclosed that he was taken to a tavern, where an elderly man serving as a waiter approached him and asked, “Shall I show you our wine selection, sir?
Afterward, David chuckled and said, “And so, Parker came into being. I gave his voice a bit more depth. That’s how he was created.
In addition to his role in Thunderbirds, David was also known for portraying Grandpa Pig on the popular kids’ TV series, Peppa Pig.
And in the 60’s and 70’s, he was used as the voice behind the evil Daleks in Doctor Who.
Through conversations with X, it was found that the account overseeing the profile of the late creator of Thunderbirds, Gerry (presumably managed by his son, Jamie), shared the news of his passing on Friday. They announced: ‘We’re deeply saddened to confirm the demise of the legendary David Graham.’
‘Parker, Gordon Tracy, Brains, and many others knew the voice of David as a cherished friend within Anderson Entertainment. We deeply mourn your loss, David. Our sympathies extend to your loved ones during this difficult time.’
His cause of death has not been revealed.
David’s unique Cockney accent, coupled with his trustworthy yet playful personality, made him one of the cherished aspects of Thunderbirds.
Known mainly for his voiceover work, Graham additionally made appearances on several British TV shows. His roles spanned across genres, including dramas, comedies, and crime shows like The Saint and The Avengers.
In the TV show, his character portrayed Grandpa Pig, who was wedded to Granny Pig and was the father of both Mummy Pig and Aunt Dottie.
David continued to work well into his later years.
He reprised his role as Parker in Thunderbirds, the CGI-animated reboot of the classic series that premiered in 2015.
Additionally, he lent his voice to other significant characters from the iconic series, among them was Brains, the ingenious technician of International Rescue.
His long-term participation in the production, spanning over several decades, underscores the enduring influence of his timeless characters.
Following the announcement of his death, tributes and messages of condolence poured in online.
Taking to X, one fan penned: ‘Rest in Peace David Graham the voice of parker in Thunderbirds and one of the original voices of The Daleks in Doctor Who and I had privilege of meeting him at Blackpool Comic Con 9 years ago and I’m going to miss him terribly’
Very sad news indeed. Farewell, David Graham. You’ve given us many cherished moments. Parker will always hold a special place in my heart.
‘David Graham. A wonderful actor and wonderful voice. The Legend Will Continue; isn’t that correct? ‘Yus. m’Lady’. Thank you for filling all our childhoods with joy.’
One of my all-time favorite characters from ‘Thunderbirds’ has always been Parker. As a child, I adored David Graham’s portrayal of the character so much that when he voiced Parker again in the recent reboot, his performance was flawless and seamless. I have a soft spot for him in my heart.
David Graham was a stalwart figure in British entertainment, leaving an indelible mark through the numerous iconic voices he lent over the years. It’s safe to say that the industry wouldn’t have reached its current heights without his contributions. From Doctor Who to Thunderbirds, his vocals were as comforting as a steaming bowl of soup on a cold day. He will be deeply missed.
Graham was also a member of Lawrence Olivier’s company at the National Theatre.
Apart from excelling in his professional life, he was also lending his vocal talents to characters such as Wise Old Elf and Mr. Gnome for the popular children’s series Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, which airs on Channel 5 in the UK.
In addition to these roles, I’ve managed to sneak my way into some of my all-time favorite shows! I made cameos on ITV’s Coronation Street, The Bill, and London’s Burning, and even graced the screens in BBC dramas like Doctors and Casualty. What a thrill it was to be part of these iconic productions!
Gerry Anderson passed away in 2012 aged 69 from a long illness.
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2024-09-21 14:19