Percy Edwards British voice artist, bird and animal voice imitator Date of Birth: 01.06.1908 Country: Great Britain

Percy Edwards: The Voice Artist and Animal Mimic

Percy Edwards was a British voice artist and expert in imitating the sounds of birds and animals. Born in 1908 in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, Percy's fascination with nature, especially the world of birds, began at a young age. He was captivated by the songs and calls of birds and animals, studying their behaviors and learning to understand them.

By the age of 12, Percy had mastered the art of imitating the voices of animals and birds. It was not until later that he had the opportunity to showcase his unique and original talent to a wider audience. In 1930, Percy made his debut on BBC radio in the series "Vaudeville." He went on to participate in hundreds of shows, bringing various animals to life with his voice for over 60 years.

Percy's exceptional ability allowed him to imitate more than 600 different birds and animals at the peak of his career. Throughout his long and successful career, he cawed, chirped, sang, clucked, tweeted, roared, barked, bleated, and growled.

His talent also found its place in the film industry, as Percy worked as a voice actor in movies such as "The Plague Dogs," "The Dark Crystal," "Valhalla," "Labyrinth," and many others. One of his most popular works was the film "Santa Claus: The Movie" in 1985. Percy voiced the killer whales in the 1977 film "Orca" and portrayed the sound of sheep bleating in Kate Bush's song "The Dreaming."

In recognition of his contributions to entertainment and ornithology, Percy Edwards was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1993. He was not only an artist but also a respected and well-known member of the Zoological Society of London and a renowned ornithologist.

Percy Edwards lived to the age of 88 and passed away on June 7, 1996, in Hintlesham, Suffolk, England. In 2009, a BBC program called "The Percy Edwards Showdown" was dedicated to his memory, as well as his life and career. The show was hosted by the famous showman and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who pioneered nature documentary films.