In Memoriam:Jason Beck, Voice Artist("It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!")

Jason Beck, veteran radio announcer, set the standard for announcers in the early days of television, and founded the American Federation of Radio Artists (now the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which includes crew workers, makeup artists, and many other TV/Radio professions).

Remember this...?

"Faster than a speeding bullet!
More powerful than a locomotive!
Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!"
"Look! Up in the sky!" "It's a bird!" "It's a plane!"
"It's - SUPERMAN!"

"Yes, it's Superman - strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman! Who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for Truth, Justice, and the American Way!"

Jackson Beck

NEW YORK (AP) - Jackson Beck, a master of voice-over who bellowed the phrase "It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!" to introduce the "Superman" radio show and used his versatile voice to promote everything from Aqua Fresh toothpaste to Combat roach killer, died Wednesday. He was 92.

Beck had been ill after suffering a series of small strokes four or five years ago, according to Jeff David, a friend.

In addition to narrating Superman's adventures, Beck doubled as villains, supporting characters and the Daily Planet copyboy, Beany, on the popular radio broadcasts of the 1940s.

He also portrayed of [sic] the bully Bluto in more than 300 "Popeye" cartoons, was the voice of the Cisco Kid and was known for his impersonations of world leaders in "The March of Time," an enactment of the week's news from Time magazine. LINK