Frank Welker

Welker in 2016, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Franklin Wendell Welker

Place of Birth: Denver, Colorado, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 12, 1946

Ethnicity: German, some English and Scottish

Frank Welker is an American actor. One of the most prominent voice actors of all time, he has given one of the longest continuous performances ever, having voiced the character Fred Jones on Scooby-Doo since his inception in 1969, in most of his appearances. He has also voiced the character Scooby-Doo since 2002, among other vocals in the franchise. Among his over 860 credits covering film, television, and video games, are also the shows Jabberjaw, Muppet Babies, The Jetsons, The Simpsons, Futurama, and The Garfield Show, as well as The Smurfs, Transformers, and Curious George franchises, the latter in the title role; the film Mortal Kombat (1995); and the Epic Mickey video games.

He is the son of Lillian and Merrill Welker. His father was born in Swallwell, Alberta, Canada, to American parents.

Frank’s paternal grandfather was John Gilbert/Gib Welker (the son of Jacob Welker and Elizabeth Culp). John was born in Ludlow, Livingston County, Missouri. Elizabeth was the daughter of John R. Culp and Catherine Reip.

Frank’s paternal grandmother was Alice Pullen (the daughter of William A. Pullen and Sarah Blackburn). Alice was born in Livingston County, Missouri. William was the son of John Pullen and Diana McAlpin. Sarah was the daughter of James Rankin Blackburn and Sarah Sinnard.

Frank’s maternal grandfather was Henry T. Redig (the son of Philip Redig and Anna Wiesner). Henry was born in Wisconsin, to German parents.

Frank’s maternal grandmother was named Fannie Mills (who likely was the daughter of Adam Mills and Caroline Hess). Fannie was born in Iowa.

Sources: Marriage record of Frank’s parents – https://www.familysearch.org

Frank’s father on the 1916 Canada, Prairie Provinces Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Frank’s father – https://www.legacy.com

Genealogies of Frank’s paternal grandparents, John Gilbert/Gib Welker and Alice (Pullen) Welker – https://www.findagrave.com

Frank’s paternal grandmother, Alice Pullen, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Frank’s mother on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org