JoBe Cerny, the actor whose familiar giggle helped bring the Pillsbury Doughboy to life, has died at age 78 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease, according to TMZ.
His son, Tim Cerny, told the outlet that his father died on October 30 in Illinois. He said Cerny was diagnosed with Alzheimer's around 2020 and stepped away from voicing the popular advertising character as his health declined.
For many viewers, Cerny's voice was instantly associated with Poppin' Fresh, the white baking mascot better known as the Pillsbury Doughboy. The character's delighted response to a poke in the stomach became a familiar feature of television advertising.
Cerny's career extended beyond the recording booth. Across more than five decades, he appeared in thousands of commercials and other productions. He also became recognisable as the silent spokesperson for Cheer detergent, demonstrating a different side of his skills as a performer.
Away from his professional work, Cerny enjoyed racing go-karts and collecting model trains, his family told TMZ. Those interests offered a glimpse of the man behind a voice heard in countless homes.
His work connected him with generations of television viewers, many of whom knew his distinctive laugh even if they never knew his name.
