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Four more times you saw Alan Reed on TV before The Flintstones
Fred Flintstone as a bad guy?! It happened!
You know Alan Reed as the voice of family caveman Fred Flintstone.
Reed voiced Fred for the entirety of the run of The Flintstones and contributed his talents to multiple spinoff projects involving the "Modern Stone Age Family."
According to this 2010 article, "Reed based his accent on the intonations of his Galitzianer grandfather of Ukrainian descent, who frequently quarreled with Reed's father, a Litvak who hailed from Lithuania."
Reed may have pulled his inspiration from his grandfather, but he molded that inspiration into a multitude of characters that popped up on programming that's made its appearance on the MeTV airwaves. Look at where we found Reed before he made his home in Bedrock.
1. Peter Gunn (1960), Mr. Garson
A restaurateur's luck takes a definite turn for the worse after he witnesses a gangland murder. Who's the mob boss out for blood in this delectable drama? None other than Reed himself! He indulges in a fresh pastry while scoping the restaurant. His words of advice? "No shootin' those police — they'll be on your heels for the rest of your life!"
2. The Beverly Hillbillies (1964, 1968)
Reed makes two appearances on The Beverley Hillbillies that may have slipped by your notice. The first, in 1964, involved Reed playing manger to rock 'n' roll idol Johnny Poke, who visits the Clampetts while in town to play the Hollywood Bowl. The second, in 1968, had Reed as Gene Booth, manager to two professional female wrestlers. They saw him as management, it seems.
3. Batman (1967), General MacGruder
When the opportunity to be on Batman arises, you take that opportunity! Reed certainly did when playing General McGruder in the season-two episode "Penguin Sets a Trend." Flattery can get you far in "The Hexagon," and the Penguin uses this on the general to gain access to Room X, a highly confidential space. But don't worry — it's all worth it for a 10-year contract!
4. Petticoat Junction (1968), The Bandit (a.k.a Mr. Lawson)
Reed gets to play the villain one more time in this Petticoat Junction appearance. Mr. Lawson has recently checked into the hotel but is not the quiet guest that he appears to be. It turns out that the string of robberies taking place in town began just after his arrival. Coincidence? Of course not!
SEE MORE: 5 times you saw Fred Flintstone in TV and movies while The Flintstones was on air
That's not all! Keep an eye out for him (and an ear out for Fred's voice) in The Dick Van Dyke Show and more! READ MORE
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