Lorenzo Music
The original, definitive voice of Garfield from the 1980s through 2001.
Gerald David "Lorenzo" Music (May 2, 1937 – August 4, 2001) was an American actor, composer, musician, writer, and producer who gained immense fame in the 1980s for voicing Jim Davis's comic strip character Garfield. He portrayed the unseen but often heard Carlton the Doorman on Rhoda before landing his defining role as the fat, lazy, sarcastic, lasagna-loving cat. Music served as the voice of Garfield across twelve animated specials, an animated series, video games, and commercials until his death in 2001. His nostalgic, drawling performance became so iconic that later actors imitated his style after he passed away.
- Role
- Voice Actor
- Character Portrayed
- Garfield
- Era
- 1980s to 2001
- Status
- Deceased
- Cause of Death
- Complications related to lung and bone cancer
- Key Contribution
- Voiced Garfield in twelve animated specials, an animated series, video games, an
- Legacy
- Definitive Vocal Performance imitated by later actors
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Jim Davis's Garfield was the most popular comic strip in America since Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts by the 1980s, prompting a move into animation. The producers sought a voice for the titular character and auditioned several famed vocal talents, including Sterling Holloway. After just one audition, Music was immediately cast. Davis recalled looking at the room full of actors before spotting "Lorenzo, quietly licking himself" in the corner. Music established the character's unique identity with a sleepy, husky voice that matched the cat's personality perfectly. Before Garfield, Music had already made his voice recognizable to a worldwide television audience as Carlton the Doorman on Rhoda. Although he had no initial interest in acting, producers loved his specific vocal tone and offered him the role of this comically unseen character. The role was so popular it spawned a one-off single in 1975 called "Who Is It?" which became a regional hit, followed by a nominated animated special titled Carlton Your Doorman in 1980.
In Their Own Story
The transition from page to screen relied heavily on Music's ability to translate written thoughts into spoken dialogue. In the recording studio, he brought a specific blend of exhaustion and wit to the microphone, capturing the sarcasm and affection Jim Davis intended for the character. His performance was so distinct that when he passed away in 2001 from complications related to lung and bone cancer, his legacy remained intact through imitation. Music's career spanned decades beyond just Garfield. He co-created The Bob Newhart Show with David Davis, composing its theme music with his wife, Henrietta. He also wrote for The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda. In 1983, he voiced Ralph the All-Purpose Animal in Twice Upon a Time and later lent his voice to characters in Pac-Man, Adventures of the Gummi Bears, and Darkwing Duck. Despite retiring from animation voice acting after Garfield and Friends ended in 1994, he continued with commercial work and other projects until his final days.
Reader's Guide
To understand Music's impact, one must look at his casting history and range. He began his career in the 1960s with his wife Henrietta as the comedy duo "Gerald and His Hen," performing for eight years including a USO show in Japan. He then became a writer and regular performer on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour from 1967 to 1969, winning an Emmy Award for writing. His voice work extended far beyond animation. He voiced Larry the Crash Test Dummy for U.S. Department of Transportation public safety announcements and appeared in Florida grapefruit juice commercials animated by Jim Jinkins. In keeping with his beliefs in Subud, he frequently volunteered on a suicide hotline, where callers sometimes recognized his voice from TV, exclaiming, "Hey, you sound just like that cat on TV!" His body was cremated after his death at age 64, and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Did You Know?
- Jim Davis cast Music immediately after one audition, recalling seeing him "quietly licking himself" in the corner of the room.
- Music originated the role of Carlton the Doorman on Rhoda before landing Garfield, a part he was offered despite having no interest in acting.
- The character of Carlton was so popular it inspired a 1975 single titled "Who Is It?" and a nominated animated pilot in 1980.
- After Music's death in 2001, Frank Welker voiced Garfield in 'The Garfield Show' (2008-2016) and some video games, but the CGI films (e.g., 'Garfield Gets Real' 2007) were voiced by others, and Bill Murray voiced Garfiel
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lorenzo Music?
Lorenzo Music was an American actor and musician born in 1937 who became famous for providing the original, definitive voice of Garfield. He portrayed the sarcastic, lasagna-loving cat in twelve animated specials, a television series, video games, and commercials from the 1980s until his death.
What role did Lorenzo Music play in Garfield's history?
He served as the primary voice actor for Garfield, bringing the character to life with a distinctive nostalgic drawl that defined the cat's personality for over two decades. His performance covered various media formats, including animated specials and video games.
How does Lorenzo Music's story end?
Music passed away on August 4, 2001, due to complications from lung and bone cancer at the age of 64. His death marked the end of an era for fans who had grown up hearing his iconic interpretation of the character.
Why is Lorenzo Music important to Garfield fans?
His unique vocal style became so synonymous with Garfield that it set the standard for all future voice actors, many of whom imitated his delivery. Without his foundational work in the 1980s and 90s, the character's animated legacy would sound significantly different.
Did Lorenzo Music do anything besides voicing Garfield?
Yes, before landing his defining role as the cat, he was a versatile entertainer who voiced Carlton the Doorman on the sitcom Rhoda. He also worked as a composer, writer, and producer throughout his career in the entertainment industry.
More in History & Production
Elsewhere in the Garfield universe
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