Carl Banas

Carl Banas (born January 23, 1929) is a Toronto born radio personality and actor. As a TV actor he appeared in the series Wojeck as police detective Byron James,^[1] and provided voices for numerous TV series and features. He was also known as a radio personality on Toronto radio station CKFM-FM, later and more famously known as MIX 99.9, (currently known as Virgin Radio 999) in the 1970s and 1980s. He mainly hosted weekday evenings, and was known for his deep voice, smooth manner and vignettes about Toronto featured during his show.^[2] In 1987 he moved to CJEZ 97.3 "Easy 97" (later known as 97.3 EZ Rock and currently as "Boom 97.3") where he continued hosting weekday evenings until he left the station and retired from radio.

Banas continues to be active in commercial work (voice-overs/narrations); most recently lending his talents to "Talking Books" readings for international Christian development organization, cbm Canada, based in Stouffville Ontario.

Banas also performed live readings of Dickens' A Christmas Carol every year before Christmas utilizing his voice skills to play multiple characters. One such performance was recorded and published by Polydor Records under the title Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and Other Yuletide Favorites.^[3] He also recorded voices for numerous TV commercials and cartoons. He is also the last surviving cast member from Spider-Man. Banas also voice acted in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (in which Banas played the head elf among other voices). As of July 24, 2021, Banas is one of the last two surviving cast members of the special, along with Corinne Conley.

Partial filmography[]

• Tales of the Wizard of Oz (TV) (1961) .... Dandy Lion/Wizard of Oz/Ham the Flying Monkey/Maxamillion Cinema/Talking Munchkin Voice/Opening Title Singer/Various
• Return to Oz (TV) (1964) .... Dandy Lion (the Cowardly Lion)/Wizard of Oz
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV) (1964) .... Train with Square Wheels/Spotted Elephant/Jelly Pistol/Misfit Plane/Other Toys/Head Elf/Elves
• Prince Planet (TV) (1965) .... Dan Dynamo
• The King Kong Show (TV) (1966) .... Prof. Bond
• Rocket Robin Hood (TV) (1966) .... Titanor/Dr. Manta
• Wojeck (TV) (Regular) (1966) .... Det. Sgt. Byron James
• The Amazing Spider-Man (TV) (1967) .... Charles Cameo/Dr. Manta
• The Smokey Bear Show (TV) (1969) .... Voice
• The Reluctant Dragon & Mr. Toad Show (TV) (1970)
• The Frog Prince (TV) (1971) .... Sweetums
• Festival of Family Classics (1972) .... Several Characters
• (1974) .... Radio Announcer
• (1976) ..... Lion
• (1976) .... Narrator
• King of the Beasts (TV) (1977) .... Lion
• Math Patrol (TV) (1977) .... Cast
• (1978) .... Narrator
• (TV) (1978) .... Narrator
• The Christmas Raccoons (TV) (1980) .... Schaeffer
• (TV) (1980) .... King Lion
• News from Zoos (TV) (1981) .... Charlie
• The Raccoons on Ice (TV) (1981) .... Schaeffer
• The Trolls and the Christmas Express (TV) (1981) .... Voice
• The Raccoons and the Lost Star (TV) (1983) .... Schaeffer
• The Raccoons: Let's Dance! (TV) (1984) .... Schaeffer
• The Raccoons (TV) (Main Character) (1985–1991) .... Schaeffer/Mr. Mammoth/Bear/Mr. Willow/Squaredance Caller
• Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater (TV) (1987) .... Grandpa Kitty
• Babar (TV) (1989) .... Additional Voices
• Babar: The Movie (1989) .... Old Tusk
• Dumb Bunnies (TV) (1998) .... Grampa Uppity

References[]

External links[]

• Carl Banas at IMDb
• Rock Radio Scrapbook.ca