Dr.T: Really liked those old Jay Ward ‘toons, eh?

RP: I liked Jay Ward’s stuff a lot. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Stan Freberg on a couple of things, and of course June Foray. I never had the pleasure of meeting Bill Scott, Jay Ward or Hans Conreid but I do know Corey Burton, who got the opportunity to work with all those guys. He does the best Hans Conreid; it’s like he’s channeling Hans Conreid.

The character of Mr. Smartypants on Histeria was part of a great Warner Bros. period for Paulsen when he also voiced Tiny Toons, Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain.

Dr.T: Working with Maurice LaMarche on the Pinky and the Brain cartoons had to be a career highlight. What do you consider to be some other highlights during your career?

RP: Well, Pinky and the Brain certainly has to be up there. I won some awards — an Emmy for Pinky in 1999 — and that was a huge thrill. Working for and with Steven Spielberg. Being able to create characters that had some life, and I think some legs to them. Getting to work with people like Maurice and other folks that I really do like and respect. Raphael was certainly a highlight because that was the first big, big show that I worked on. It was an iconic show; everyone in the world knew Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so that was pretty cool. And, of course, all the stuff that happened as a result of those things, such as getting to play in charity hockey games with my heroes like Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Stan Mikita — all of the people I’ve gotten to meet through doing cartoon voices.

I remember years ago we had jackets made up for Animaniacs. Jess Harnell put together these really beautiful leather jackets that were airbrushed on the back, and there were only six of them made. One for Tress, Jess, and myself, one for Andrea Romano, one for Tom Ruegger and one for Mr. Spielberg. When we saw Tom Ruegger we told him “When you speak to Mr. Spielberg please tell him we have this jacket for him. Maybe you can take it to him as a gift and tell him thank you very much.” The next day I get a call from Mr. Spielberg’s secretary and she said, “I understand you have a jacket for Steven. Maybe you’d like to come over, have lunch at Amblin and give it to him.” So, two days later I find Tress, Jess and myself with Steven Spielberg having lunch at Amblin, just the four of us. He was the sweetest guy, never took a phone call, gave us all his attention. It was one of those days you call your Mom and Dad and say “Guess what? I just got done having lunch with — Steven Spielberg!” It was truly special.

A few months ago I did a pilot for Nickelodeon with Carl Reiner, Dick Van Dyke and Rose Marie. That’s another one where I called my folks. There are a number of highlights. If I walk out of here and die in the next five minutes, honestly, I’ve had a hell of a run. To be able to do what I do, make money, have a family and be friends with Gordie Howe? I’ve been so fortunate.

Dr.T: Other fine work you do involves charities, families and children. What are some of the projects you’re involved in at present?

RP: It’s more stuff that I do on my own. I’ve been involved in a project called “Famous Phone Friends” which we all do, Nancy Cartwright, myself and Dan Castellaneta. It puts athletes, celebrities and actors in touch with children in the hospitals, who would like to talk to them. I can be helpful because these children, through diabolical circumstances, find themselves spending their days watching what I do. My feeling is, you can’t not do something about it. More than the children, who are very brave, there are the parents who are absolutely devastated. I really love to do it, and I get as much out of it as the kids — because I go home and I’m a much better parent. Having your kid spill ice cream on the couch is nothing compared with your child being ill. I do some stuff with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; I’m always calling kids or doing something. I get a lot of requests for autographs and things to raise money for charities, and I’m always glad to do it.

Dr.T: Okay — a producer gives the greenlight to an animated series about the Detroit Red Wings. Whose voice do you want to audition for?

RP: Oh boy, Gordie Howe, right off the bat! What a guy, a real sportsman, even gracious when losing. I don’t know if I could do as good a Gordie Howe as some other actor friends of mine but I would definitely audition for the role. If I could be Gordie Howe — hey, that’s all I’d need to be!

Dr.T: So tell me, Rob... how would Pinky end this interview?

RP: (as Pinky): “Oh, Martin, thank you so much for flying across the country to talk to a silly old person like me! And — “ Oh, wait, you should ask me, “Pinky, are you pondering what I’m pondering?” Go ahead!

Dr.T: (a poor imitation of the Brain): “Pinky... are you pondering what I’m pondering?”

RP: (as Pinky): “Well, I think so, Martin, but if Jimmy cracks corn and nobody cares, why does he keep doing it? NARF!”

Martin “Dr. Toon” Goodman is a longtime student and fan of animation. He lives in Anderson, Indiana.