The Man Behind Sam The Snowman: 7 Shocking Facts About The 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer' Narrator

Every holiday season, as of December 2025, millions of viewers tune in to watch the beloved 1964 stop-motion animated television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The story of the misfit reindeer, Hermey the Elf, and the Island of Misfit Toys is guided by the warm, folksy presence of the special's narrator: Sam the Snowman.

The voice behind this iconic, top-hatted figure belongs to a legendary American folk singer and Academy Award-winning actor whose career spanned over six decades, yet his role as the Christmas classic's storyteller remains one of his most enduring legacies. That man is Burl Ives, and his life was as colorful and storied as the characters he helped bring to life for the Rankin/Bass production.

Burl Ives: The Life and Career of Sam the Snowman

The narrator of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is the character Sam the Snowman, voiced by American icon Burl Ives. His professional career was marked by incredible versatility, moving seamlessly between music, film, and television.

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• Full Name: Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives
• Born: June 14, 1909, in Hunt City, Illinois, U.S.
• Died: April 14, 1995 (Age 85), in Anacortes, Washington, U.S.
• Occupation: Folk Singer, Musician, Actor, Author.
• Famous Alias: "The Wayfaring Stranger" (also the title of his 1948 autobiography).
• Signature Songs (Non-Christmas): "A Little Bitty Tear," "Funny Way of Laughin'," "Blue Tail Fly."
• Signature Christmas Songs: "A Holly Jolly Christmas," "Silver and Gold" (both featured in the Rudolph special).
• Major Acting Award: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for The Big Country (1958).
• Other Notable Films: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), East of Eden (1955).
• Rudolph Role: Voice of Sam the Snowman, the special’s narrator and musical host.

The Enduring Magic of Sam the Snowman and the 1964 Special

The decision by producers Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass to cast Burl Ives as the narrator was a masterstroke. Ives's distinctive, warm baritone and his established reputation as "America's most authoritative interpreter of American folk songs" lent an immediate sense of comfort and authenticity to the Christmas special.

The special, which first aired on NBC in 1964, was based on the 1939 story by Robert L. May and the 1949 song by Johnny Marks. Its success was unprecedented, making it the longest-running Christmas television special in history. The narrator, Sam the Snowman, functions as a friendly guide, setting the scene at the North Pole and introducing key characters like Donner, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and the aspiring dentist, Hermey the Elf.

Sam the Snowman is more than just a storyteller; he is the special's musical host. Burl Ives performs two of the special's most iconic original songs: "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Silver and Gold." These songs, delivered with Ives's signature folk style, have become perennial holiday hits, cementing his voice in the Christmas canon far beyond the animated special itself.

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The special's enduring appeal, even 60 years later (celebrated in 2024), is a testament to the quality of the stop-motion animation, the theme of accepting misfits, and the comforting presence of its narrator.

5 Surprising Facts About Burl Ives and His Iconic Christmas Role

While Burl Ives is remembered by many as the friendly snowman, his life and the production of the special contain several fascinating details that add layers to his holiday legacy.

1. Ives Was a Highly Decorated Dramatic Actor

While his folk music career was massive, Ives was also a critically acclaimed actor. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Rufus Hannassey in the 1958 Western epic, The Big Country. His filmography includes major roles in classics like East of Eden and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, roles far removed from the jolly, singing snowman. This dramatic background highlights the depth of talent he brought to the voice-over work.

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2. The Special's Airing Rights Recently Changed Hands

In a major piece of recent holiday news, the broadcasting home of the classic special moved. After airing on CBS for decades, the rights to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer recently returned to NBC as part of a new, multiyear licensing deal. This shift in network—from CBS back to the network of its original 1964 debut—was a significant event in the world of holiday television, keeping the special in the headlines and proving its continued commercial value.

3. He Was a True "Wayfaring Stranger"

The title of Ives's autobiography, The Wayfaring Stranger, was not just a catchy name. As a young man, Burl Ives traveled extensively across the United States, working odd jobs and singing folk songs, cementing his status as a genuine interpreter of American folklore. This experience gave his voice the authentic, world-weary, yet kindly quality that made him the perfect choice to narrate the tale of Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys.

4. The Narrator Character Was Created Specifically for Him

The character of Sam the Snowman did not exist in the original 1939 story or the 1949 song. The producers at Rankin/Bass created the character specifically to serve as a narrator and to provide a vehicle for Burl Ives’s voice and musical talents. This decision not only gave the special a cohesive structure but also allowed for the inclusion of the new, enduring songs like "Silver and Gold," which Ives performs.

5. He Shared the Screen with Other Voice-Over Legends

Ives was part of an ensemble of talented voice actors, many of whom were Canadian, including Billie Mae Richards, who voiced the titular Rudolph, and Paul Soles, who voiced Hermey the Elf. Larry Mann voiced Yukon Cornelius, and Stan Francis voiced Santa Claus. The chemistry among these performers, guided by Ives's narration, is a key reason the special feels so timeless and beloved by multiple generations.

The Lasting Legacy of Burl Ives’s Christmas Voice

Burl Ives passed away in 1995, but his voice remains an essential part of the American Christmas soundtrack. His role as Sam the Snowman is a masterclass in voice-over work, providing a warm, inviting, and authoritative presence that anchors the entire Rudolph story. The special’s message of tolerance and acceptance, driven by the journey of Rudolph and his friend Hermey, is delivered with a sense of homespun wisdom thanks to Ives’s unique contribution.

Whether you're listening to "A Holly Jolly Christmas" on the radio or watching the stop-motion classic on NBC this year, remember that the narrator is more than just a snowman. He is Burl Ives, the folk singer, the Oscar winner, and the "Wayfaring Stranger" who found his most beloved home at the North Pole.