VOICE-A-VERSA HC

From the man behind the voices of Ren & Stimpy, Doug, Bugs Bunny, nearly half the main characters of Futurama, and many more: an unflinching memoir about life before — and at — the microphone.

Billy West is one of the most successful and beloved voice actors of our time. He brought to life original characters such as Stimpy from Ren & Stimpy, Doug Funnie and, on Futurama, Philip J. Fry, Dr. Zoidberg, Zapp Brannigan and Professor Farnsworth. He also took on icons like Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in Space Jam, Popeye and Woody Woodpecker.

• Legendary roles in animation and pop culture
• From radio stunts in Boston through The Howard Stern Show to Hollywood
• A look behind the scenes of the "Billy-verse" of voices
• Candid insights into a traumatic childhood and its influence on art and career

West tells his winding path into show business: from a spontaneous radio call-in to recurring sketches, from a one-off guest spot to a regular role, from the big move to Hollywood to the cult roles — always in creative exchange with renowned colleagues. At the same time, this is the deeper, darker life story of an artist whose past shaped his art and who pours boundless energy, humor, warmth and emotion into every voice.

Praise

• "Billy West is the kind of genius you have to talk about in the plural … This hilarious book delivers the full insider view." — MATT GROENING
• "He makes me laugh so hard — and so happy … Billy is a hell of a writer with a huge story." — PENN JILLETTE
• "The greatest voice actor in the world … explosive comedy, disarming honesty and deep emotion." — DAVID X. COHEN, Executive Producer, Futurama
• "Among the elite voices of our industry … a fantastic storyteller." — J.K. SIMMONS