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Janet Waldo, the voice of Judy Jetson, dies at 96

Janet Waldo, best known as the voice of Judy Jetson from the hit cartoon "The Jetsons," has died at 96.
/ Source: TODAY

Janet Waldo, the voice of Judy Jetson on "The Jetsons" and Josie on "Josie and the Pussycats," died at 96 on Sunday in Washington.

Waldo was in her 40s in 1962 when she became the voice of Judy, the teenage daughter of George and Jane Jetson on the hit cartoon about a family living in a space-age future.

Janet Waldo
Janet Waldo, who died at 96 on Sunday, holds up a picture of Judy Jetson, the character she voiced for more than 20 years as part of the hit cartoon "The Jetsons."Everett Collection

She remained with the show for its entire run until 1987 while also serving as the voice of Josie beginning in 1970, according to her obituary. Waldo was the last surviving cast member from "The Jetsons," according to TV Guide.

Waldo spoke about her love for the character when she was replaced from playing Judy in the 1990 film "Jetsons: The Movie" in favor of pop singer Tiffany.

"'I was totally crushed,'' Waldo told the Orlando Sentinel. ''I originated the character, and I feel very sentimental about Judy. If they had recast the whole show, there wouldn't have been any problem at all. But the fact that my part was the only one that was changed just threw me."

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She began her career as a voice actress in 1943 thanks to an invitation by Bing Crosby to appear on his radio show, according to her obituary. She also voiced characters on hit shows like "The Flintstones," "The Smurfs" and "King of the Hill," while guest starring on "I Love Lucy" and "The Andy Griffith Show."

Waldo was married to playwright Robert Lee for 46 years until his death in 1994. She is survived by her two children, Lucy and Jonathan.

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