Janice Karman

Last updated

Janice Karman
Born
Other namesJanice Bagdasarian
Occupations
  • Filmmaker
  • designer
  • actress
  • singer
Years active1973–present
Known forThe wife of Ross Bagdasarian Jr., daughter of Harvey Karman
Notable work The Chipettes
Spouse
(m. 1980)
Children2
Father Harvey Karman
Relatives Ross Bagdasarian (father-in-law)

Janice Karman Bagdasarian is an American filmmaker, designer, actress, and singer. She is the co-owner of Bagdasarian Productions with her husband Ross Bagdasarian Jr.

Contents

Early life

Karman was born in Los Angeles, California. Her father was psychologist Harvey Leroy Karman (born Harvey Walters). Her mother, Felice Karman, was also a psychologist. [1] Karman played the role of Bunny in the 1975 film Switchblade Sisters (alternate title: The Jezebels), and Hank in the 1976 exploitation film Slumber Party '57 .

Bagdasarian Productions

The focus of Bagdasarian Productions company is on creating albums, cartoons, and other products based on the Alvin and the Chipmunks characters, who were created by Bagdasarian's father Ross Bagdasarian Sr., besides helping to produce the records and cartoons. Karman provides the singing voices of Theodore and the members of the female spin-off group The Chipettes: Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor (since 2015, she replaces Dody Goodman as the voice of Miss Beatrice Miller).

In 1983, Karman, as writer and producer, assisted with the creation of an Alvin and The Chipmunks version of the Christmas Carol. This version of the film is available on DVD. [2]

In Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks, Janice also got to play the role of La-Lu. She originally voiced Theodore in the film series, but for promotional reasons Theodore was re-recorded by the singer and actor Jesse McCartney. [3] However, her singing was kept in.

Personal life

Karman and her husband Ross Bagdasarian Jr. were married in 1980, together they have two children, a daughter Vanessa and a son Michael. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alvin and the Chipmunks</span> Virtual band and media franchise

Alvin and the Chipmunks, originally David Seville and the Chipmunks and billed for their first two decades as the Chipmunks, are an American animated virtual band and media franchise first created by Ross Bagdasarian for Novelty records in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks named Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. The characters have since featured in several television series and films, as well as other media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chipettes</span> Fictional girl group from Alvin and the Chipmunks

The Chipettes are a fictional girl group from the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise consisting of three female anthropomorphic chipmunk singers: Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor, alongside their adoptive human mother, Beatrice Miller. They first appeared in the animated television series Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1983. In this and related materials, the Chipettes served as female featured characters in their own right, starring in numerous episodes. The title of the show was changed from Alvin and the Chipmunks to simply The Chipmunks in 1988 to reflect this. In the animated television series and the 1987 animated film The Chipmunk Adventure, all of the Chipettes were voiced by their creator, Janice Karman, the wife of Ross Bagdasarian Jr.. Karman also wrote and voiced the Chipettes' dialogue on their studio albums, while studio singers Susan Boyd, Shelby Daniel and Katherine Coon provided their singing voices. In the animated television series Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks, Eleanor is voiced by Vanessa Bagdasarian, the daughter of Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and Janice Karman.

David "Dave" Seville is a fictional character, the adoptive father and producer and manager of the fictional singing group Alvin and the Chipmunks. The character was created by Ross Bagdasarian, who had used the name "David Seville" as his stage name prior to the creation of the Chipmunks, while writing and recording novelty records in the 1950s. One of the records, recorded in 1958 under the David Seville stage name, was "Witch Doctor", featuring a sped-up high-pitched vocal technique. Bagdasarian would later use that technique in "The Chipmunk Song ", which would introduce both Alvin and the Chipmunks as a singing group and Bagdasarian's music producer "Dave". Bagdasarian would go on to create The Alvin Show, based on the Alvin and the Chipmunks group, where he voiced the semi-fictional character David Seville, based largely on himself, with Alvin based on Ross's sometimes rebellious son Adam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Bagdasarian</span> American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor (1919-1972)

Ross S. Bagdasarian, known professionally by his stage name David "Dave" Seville, was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor of Armenian descent best known for creating the cartoon band Alvin and the Chipmunks. Initially a stage and film actor, he rose to prominence in 1958 with the songs "Witch Doctor" and "The Chipmunk Song ", which both became Billboard number-one singles. He produced and directed The Alvin Show, which aired on CBS in 1961–62.

<i>The Alvin Show</i> American animated TV series

The Alvin Show is an American animated television series that aired on CBS in the early 1960s. This was the first series to feature the singing characters Alvin and the Chipmunks. The Alvin Show aired for one season, from October 4, 1961, to September 12, 1962 and was originally sponsored by General Foods through its Jell-O gelatin and Post Cereal brands. Although the series was created in color, it was initially telecast in black and white. It was later rebroadcast in color from 1962-65 for Saturday mornings on CBS and again Saturday mornings on NBC in 1979.

Ross Dickran Bagdasarian is an American actor, singer, animator, and record producer, known for his work on the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise. He is the son of the franchise's creator, Ross Bagdasarian.

<i>The Chipmunk Adventure</i> 1987 animated film by Janice Karman

The Chipmunk Adventure is a 1987 American animated musical-adventure comedy film based on the Saturday-morning cartoon series Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Alvin and the Chipmunks virtual band and media franchise created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr.. The film was directed by Janice Karman and written by Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr.. The plot follows the Chipmunks and the Chipettes as they go on a hot air balloon race around the world while their guardian David is out on a trip, not knowing that it is a cover for a diamond smuggling ring. The chipmunks travel through a series of adventures in different countries while being hunted down by the diamond smugglers, Claudia and Klaus Furschtein.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks</i> (1983 TV series) American animated television series

Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated television series featuring the Chipmunks, which was produced by Bagdasarian Productions in association with Ruby-Spears Enterprises from 1983 to 1987, Murakami-Wolf-Swenson in 1988 and DIC Enterprises from 1988 to 1990.

A Chipmunk Christmas is a 1981 animated Christmas television special based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Produced by Bagdasarian Productions in association with Chuck Jones Enterprises, it first aired on NBC December 14, 1981, nine years after the death of Alvin and the Chipmunks creator Ross Bagdasarian Sr.. This was the first time that Alvin, Simon and David Seville were voiced by Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and the first time that Theodore was voiced by Janice Karman.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman</i> 2000 American film

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman is a 2000 American animated comedy horror musical film produced by Bagdasarian Productions and Universal Cartoon Studios and based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks. It is the second Alvin and the Chipmunks direct-to-video film following Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein, and the third of three Universal Cartoon Studios productions to be animated overseas by Tama Productions in Tokyo, Japan. The film introduces the voices of Maurice LaMarche and Miriam Flynn.

<i>Urban Chipmunk</i> 1981 studio album by Alvin and the Chipmunks

Urban Chipmunk was the first country album by Alvin and the Chipmunks, released on February 4, 1981. The title parodies the 1980 movie Urban Cowboy.

<i>A Very Merry Chipmunk</i> 1994 studio album by Alvin and the Chipmunks

A Very Merry Chipmunk is a 1994 music album by Alvin and the Chipmunks, released by Sony Wonder. It is their fourth Christmas album. The album reached #147 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks</i> (film) 2007 live-action animated film by Tim Hill

Alvin and the Chipmunks is a 2007 American jukebox musical comedy film directed by Tim Hill from a screenplay by Jon Vitti and the writing team of Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi. It is the first installment in the live-action film series of Alvin and the Chipmunks. The plot follows chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, who move in with struggling songwriter Dave Seville after losing their home. When Dave discovers their rare singing talent, he introduces them to JETT Records executive Ian Hawke, whose plans threaten the chipmunks' newfound family dynamic. The cast includes Jason Lee, David Cross, and Cameron Richardson, with voices by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney.

Rockin' Through the Decades is a live-action/animated TV special based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was directed by Steve Karman, produced by Bagdasarian Productions, and premiered on NBC on December 9, 1990.

<i>Undeniable</i> (Chipmunks album) 2008 studio album by The Chipmunks

Undeniable is a 2008 album by The Chipmunks. Its release was connected to the version of the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise from Alvin and the Chipmunks, but contains no music from the film. It was released on November 4, 2008, as the follow-up to the Alvin and the Chipmunks: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Chipmunks as a franchise.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel</i> 2009 film by Betty Thomas

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is a 2009 American live-action/animated jukebox musical comedy film directed by Betty Thomas and written by Jon Vitti and the writing team of Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. It is based on Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Chipettes. It is the second installment in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film series and the sequel to Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007). The film stars Zachary Levi, David Cross and Jason Lee, with voices by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney. Christina Applegate, Anna Faris and Amy Poehler voice the new characters. The film sees the Chipmunks entering high school under the care of Dave Seville's cousin, Toby. Meanwhile, Ian Hawke recruits the Chipettes to restore his career.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked</i> 2011 film by Mike Mitchell

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a 2011 American live-action/animated jukebox musical adventure comedy film directed by Mike Mitchell and written by the writing team of Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, based on the characters Alvin and the Chipmunks created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. and the Chipettes created by Janice Karman. It is the third installment in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film series following the first from 2007, and the second from 2009. The film stars Jason Lee, David Cross and Jenny Slate. Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate return to voice the Chipmunks and the Chipettes, respectively. In the film, playing around while aboard a cruise ship, the Chipmunks and the Chipettes go overboard and end up marooned in a tropical island, where they discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.

<i>Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks</i> French-American animated television sitcom series started in 2015

Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks is a French-American animated musical comedy television series created by Janice Karman. Produced by Bagdasarian Productions and Technicolor Animation Productions with the participation of M6, it features Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Chipettes and marks their first television appearance together since 1990. First announced by Bagdasarian Productions in 2010, a promotional trailer for the series was posted on YouTube.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip</i> 2015 film by Walt Becker

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip is a 2015 American live-action/animated jukebox musical comedy film directed by Walt Becker and written by Randi Mayem Singer and Adam Sztykiel. It is based on the characters Alvin and the Chipmunks created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. and the Chipettes created by Janice Karman. It is the fourth and final installment in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film series and the sequel to Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011). The ensemble cast includes Jason Lee, Tony Hale, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Josh Green. Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney all reprise their roles as the Chipmunks, while Kaley Cuoco, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate voices the Chipettes. Cuoco replaced Amy Poehler as the voice of Eleanor in the film. The plot centers on the Chipmunks as they head to Miami after believing that Dave Seville will propose to his girlfriend Samantha, who has a son who bullies the Chipmunks.

Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2007 jukebox musical comedy film Alvin and the Chipmunks based on the characters of the same name created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Released on November 20, 2007, through Rhino Records, Razor & Tie and Chipmunk Records, the album featured original songs as well as existing musical numbers from the Chipmunks' discography. Ali Dee Theodore served as an executive producer on the soundtrack. An album, consisting of an original score composed by Christopher Lennertz, released as Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Score) as a limited edition album on September 19, 2008 through La-La Land Records.

References

  1. "Ms. Magazine". Ms. Foundation for Education and Communication. July 1, 1975. Retrieved December 16, 2018 via Google Books.
  2. "The Christmas Encyclopedia (3rd edition)2014 129 William D. Crump The Christmas Encyclopedia (3rd edition) Jefferson, NC McFarland 2013 x+527 pp. 9780786468270 $75". Reference Reviews. 28 (4): 17. May 13, 2014. doi:10.1108/rr-01-2014-0011. ISSN   0950-4125.
  3. thestate.com Archived February 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "The Chipmunks: Ross Bagdasarian Jr. & Janice Karman : How I Built This with Guy Raz". NPR.org. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
Preceded by
Created
Voice of The Chipettes
1983–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Created
Voice of Brittany Miller
1983–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Created
Voice of Jeanette Miller
1983–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Created
Voice of Eleanor Miller
1983–2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by Voice of Theodore Seville
1978–present
Succeeded by