Gus Wickie

Who was Gus Wickie?

August Wicke, better known as "Gus Wickie" was a baritone singer and voice actor. He was the voice of Bluto in the Fleischer Studios Popeye cartoons from 1935 until 1938, a year often cited erroneously as his death. His final performance for Fleischer was as the "Chief" in Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh. Outside of his animation work, Wicke was best known for his nightclub performances around New York City, particularly at Bill's Gay Nineties, a venue run by Bill Hardy. Wicke generally made up a quartet with Spike Harrison, Fred Bishop, and a rotating fourth member.