National Melvin Day

History of National Melvin Day

The name Melvin came to English-speaking countries during the Norman Conquest of England, led by the infamous William the Conqueror during the 11th century. It became one of many customs passed down to the people of Scotland, and by the 19th century, it was a typical English name.

An example is actor Mel Gibson, who is of Irish ancestry. Born Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson on January 3, 1956, his first name came from St. Mel’s Cathedral, located in his Irish-born mother’s hometown of Longford. Gibson, who has dual Irish and American citizenship, is best known for playing William Wallace in “Braveheart” (1995). He also starred in “Mad Max” (1979), “Lethal Weapon” (1987), and most recently, “Father Stu” (2022), which is set in the city of Boston.

For those who grew up watching “Looney Tunes,” the voice of Mel Blanc is familiar and comforting. Born Melvin Jerome Blanc on May 30, 1908, he was famous for voicing beloved cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and many more. Blanc was one of his generation’s most renowned voice artists, working for Warner Bros and Hannah Barbera studios at the peak of his career. So well known was his voice that he lent it to Private Snafu in a series of Warner Bros shorts made to train young American GIs through an animated medium. Blanc always received screen credits, a rarity for voice actors at the time, and was known for protecting his intellectual property fiercely, both contractually and legally.