Studio Center Hall of Fame
Lee Lively
(1927 - 2016)
Look in the dictionary under “Voice of God” and you will likely see a picture of Lee Lively. His deep, resonant voice commanded attention and the radio advertising he voiced got results. But certainly, he was no one-trick pony. Lee was a performer with few limits. He excelled at “hard sell” and he breathed life into characters, both real and cartoonish. From whimsical to somber, Lee could find the perfect energy, tone, and tempo to make the listener hear the authenticity of his delivery and embrace the message of the advertiser.
Lee’s acting was not confined to the voiceover booth. He was an accomplished actor on stage, on screen, and on film. He played King Henry II in “The Lion in Winter” and Don Quixote in “Man of La Mancha.” His television credits include “Matlock,” “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles,” and the mini-series “Dream West.” Lee also appeared in the movies “The Prince of Tides” with Barbra Streisand and “Zelly and Me” with David Lynch.
Lee's Showcase Demo
Lee’s talents were also evident in the visual arts. A renowned portrait artist in oil paint and pastels, Lee was in high demand throughout the southeast. Beginning in 1972, Studio Center commissioned Lee to make twelve pastel drawings every week, six portraits, and six illustrations, and marketed them to television stations across the United States. Portra-Slide/Feature-Slide gave local news departments a cohesive appearance for over twelve years and was phased out when digital alternatives gave stations the ability to create their own graphics. During this period Lee created well over 8,000 images.
His body of work in the voiceover booth was equal. Lee regularly voiced promotions for CBN, AAA, Piggly Wiggly, Kroger, the Audubon Zoo, the United States Navy, and the Kennedy Space Center. The authority of his delivery made Lee a favorite of political candidates on both sides of the aisle. During the sessions, Lee would draw from his considerable experience to make suggestions that would turn a good radio spot into a work of art.