Comedian Became Voice of Iconic Character Because All the Other Fat Guys Were Busy

Just before Christmas in 1969, Jackie Vernon brought Frosty the Snowman to life. The animated classic premiered on CBS on December 7 and has been a part of millions of families’ holiday season for 56 years. Frosty’s voice is quite distinct and very memorable. But if we hadn’t told you who was behind the corn cob pipe and button nose, would you have known?

During the most recent episode of Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia, Joe gives us a bit more insight into Jackie and how he came to be the voice of one of the most recognized Christmas characters of all time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joe Sibilia (@jsibilia) Jackie Vernon Worked as a Comedian Jackie Vernon was a very funny man whose deadpan delivery left fans in stitches.

Joe plays a clip of an old interview with Jackie where he shares his Frosty origin story. He’d been working in Las Vegas when he received a call to return to Los Angeles to do some voiceover work during the summer. Jackie wanted the money and assumed he was recording lines for a cartoon that would air once. “It turned out to be a Christmas classic,” Jackie Vernon said of Frosty the Snowman.

Jackie Vernon’s son, David Vernon, joined Joe and shared a funny story. Jackie told people all the other fat guys were busy, and that’s how he got the “He had no illusions that they had designed or written the part for him,” David said.

Jackie Vernon was hilarious, and we’re very lucky he gave us the Frosty we know and love today. Frosty the Snowman is part of Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas lineup. You can catch it several times this season. Check out Freeform’s website for airtimes.

Frosty is definitely one of our holiday faves. We’ll watch it at least once this season. This story’s featured image is by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.