Billy West

Birth Name: William Richard Werstine

Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

Date of Birth: April 16, 1952

Ethnicity:
*75% Irish
*25% German

Billy West is an American voice actor, comedian, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his starring voice roles on the animated series Doug, including as the title character, The Ren & Stimpy Show, as Stimpy and others, and Futurama, particularly as Philip, Dr. Zoidberg, and Zapp Brannigan. He has also voiced Bugs Bunny in the film Space Jam, and subsequent works; the Red M&M in commercials; Buzz of Honey Nut Cheerios; and characters including Shaggy Rogers, Muttley, Elmer Fudd, Popeye, Skeets, and Woody Woodpecker. He was also a cast member of The Howard Stern Show, where he performed many impressions.

Billy is the son of Mary Frances and William Werstine. He was raised partly in Boston’s Roslindale neighborhood.

Billy’s paternal grandfather was William Joseph Wehrstein/Werstine (the son of Joseph Wehrstein and Jacobina Barbara Bleier). Billy’s grandfather William was born in Preston, Ontario, Canada. Billy’s great-grandfather Joseph was the son of German parents, Johannes Wehrstein and Johanna Bischof. Jacobina was the daughter of Joannes Jacob Bleiler, who was German, and of Caroline Ebach, who was also of German descent.

Billy’s paternal grandmother was Mary Ellen Shugrue (the daughter of Charles Patrick Shugrue and Winifred Finley). Mary Ellen was born in Indiana. Charles was the son of Lawrence Shugrue and Julia Sullivan. Winifred was the daughter of James Finley and Delia Monaghan.

Billy’s maternal grandfather was Richard Patrick Clancy (the son of John Clancy and Elizabeth Monahan). Richard was born in Massachusetts. John was born in Ireland. Elizabeth was born in Massachusetts, the daughter of John Monahan, who was Irish, and of Elizabeth McKeon, who was born in Massachusetts, also of Irish descent.

Billy’s maternal grandmother was named Julia Mary Cahillane (the daughter of John Cahillane). Julia was an Irish emigrant, from Killorglin, County Kerry.

Sources: Obituary of Billy’s uncle (father’s brother) – https://www.dignitymemorial.com

Birth record of Billy’s paternal grandfather, William Joseph Wehrstein/Werstine – https://www.familysearch.org

Naturalization record of Billy’s paternal grandfather, William Joseph Wehrstein/Werstine – https://www.familysearch.org

Marriage record of Billy’s paternal great-grandparents, Charles Patrick Shugrue and Winifred Finley – https://www.familysearch.org

Billy’s mother on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Billy’s mother – https://www.legacy.com

Billy’s maternal grandfather, Richard Patrick Clancy, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Migration record of Billy’s maternal grandmother, Julia Mary Cahillane – https://www.familysearch.org