Frosty the Snowman Voice Actor Jackie Vernon Had 3 Secret Families

by

The voice of Frosty the Snowman was a jolly, happy—and prolific—soul.

Jackie Vernon, best known as the voice of Frosty the Snowman in the classic 1969 holiday cartoon, had three children with his wife, Hazel. However, reports suggest he also had several other children that he kept secret from the rest of his family.

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this! Jackie’s son, David Vernon, told me the story of how he found out about his dad’s secret life. Apparently, when he was a kid, someone just showed up at their house – totally out of the blue! – and that’s how David first learned about everything. It was such a shock for him, finding out all that stuff about his father. I’m seriously obsessed with this whole story!

David recalled meeting a woman with a teenage son who seemed a bit tough or unpolished, as he described on the November 30th episode of Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia. He thought the son was likely in his late teens.

Let me tell you, dealing with difficult situations is something I’ve seen a lot of. In this case, a woman was trying to reach Jackie, and David simply said he was traveling. But she didn’t let it go there – she insisted on speaking to his mother, and that’s when everything changed. It turned out to be a really surprising discovery – a total game changer, honestly!

He said he overheard an argument, and shortly after, the people involved left. He then learned that before his current family, his father had been married at least three times, which came as a surprise to him.

David shared that he’d learned about his father’s other children, and discovered something that connected them all.

David explained that his grandfather had sons with different women, and he gave them all the same first name – Ralph, which was his birth name, Ralph Verrone. However, he didn’t stay with any of those families, and eventually moved on.

I’ve always been a huge Jackie Gleason fan, and it breaks my heart to know he went through so much privately. David, a close friend, said it was a really tough fight with depression and addiction. But what’s amazing is that towards the end of his life, before he passed away in 1987 at 63, Jackie actually found real happiness in Frosty the Snowman. It was wonderful to hear he could still find joy in that classic, and it’s something I always remember when I think of him.

David fondly remembered one of the last Christmases he spent with his father. They all watched a movie together, and his dad was incredibly proud of being a part of it. David said his father really enjoyed the film, laughed throughout, and was visibly happy he’d done it, which meant a lot to David.

For more Christmas classics to revisit this holiday season, keep reading…

Many people associate the idea of a “white Christmas” with the classic 1954 film of the same name. Still beloved over 60 years later, White Christmas is considered one of the best holiday movies ever made. Audiences continue to enjoy its memorable songs like “Sisters,” “White Christmas,” and “Snow” while celebrating the season. The film follows two talented song-and-dance partners, Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye), as they fall in love with a performing sister duo – Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen) – while putting on a spectacular show in Vermont.

When Santa Claus accidentally falls from a roof and passes away on Christmas Eve, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) unexpectedly finds himself chosen to become the new Santa, thanks to a peculiar clause. As he adjusts to his new role, his life transforms in surprising ways, his son becomes increasingly fascinated by him, and things get quite eventful as he prepares to take on the responsibilities of being Santa.

During the holidays, we wholeheartedly recommend watching Miracle on 34th Street, regardless of which version you like best. The heartwarming story of a lawyer and a young girl trying to prove a man is the real Santa Claus has been made into a movie twice, and both films are fantastic. The original, released in 1947, starred Maureen O’Hara, Natalie Wood, John Payne, and Edmund Gwenn. The story was then retold in 1994, this time in color, with Elizabeth Perkins, Mara Wilson, Dylan McDermott, and Richard Attenborough taking on the roles.

The movie Home Alone launched Macaulay Culkin to fame, thanks to director John Hughes and the hilarious story of Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old accidentally left behind when his family goes to Paris for Christmas. When two burglars target his house, Kevin cleverly defends it with a series of homemade traps, like swinging paint cans, slippery ornaments, and even a blowtorch. It’s a classic that everyone loves! By the way, Home Alone 2 is also a great choice for the holidays.

Why choose between Halloween and Christmas when you can have both? The Nightmare Before Christmas cleverly combines the two holidays in a story about Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, who discovers Christmas Town and tries to bring its magic to his own Halloween Town. This classic film by Tim Burton is delightfully dark and quirky as Jack attempts to transform his town and introduce Christmas where it doesn’t quite fit.

Looking for a romantic and heartwarming movie? The Holiday delivers just that! It follows two women, both recently heartbroken, who decide to swap homes for the holidays—one from Los Angeles and the other from England. A change of scenery helps them rediscover happiness…and maybe even find love along the way.

If you grew up in the ’90s, get ready for a fun holiday story! Jonathan Taylor Thomas plays a guy who gets a little pranked and ends up stranded in the desert, dressed as Santa! He eventually makes his way home for Christmas and decides to embrace the Santa look for an unexpected and adventurous road trip.

Everyone loves A Charlie Brown Christmas! It’s a joy to rewatch this classic every year. Watching Charlie Brown search for the real spirit of Christmas, along with his little Christmas tree and Snoopy’s dancing, is always delightful.

Few movies feel more like Christmas than Holiday Inn. This classic 1942 film actually introduced the song “White Christmas” – it appeared in the movie before the later film of the same name. The story centers around Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby), who opens a unique inn that’s only open on holidays. He falls in love with his dance partner, Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds), but she’s drawn to Jim’s former partner, Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire), who dreams of becoming a movie star.

The 1966 animated special, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, continues to be beloved by audiences young and old. Each new generation enjoys seeing the classic Dr. Seuss story unfold as the Grinch attempts to ruin Christmas for the Whos in Whoville. While the story is also told in the later live-action film, many feel the original animated version holds a unique charm.

Jim Carrey played the Grinch in the 2000 live-action movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas. He perfectly captures the character, making him both endearing and dislikeable as the Grinch tries to stop Christmas from happening in Whoville. We think it would be perfect to watch both this funny film and the original 1966 animated version throughout December – you can’t get enough of the Whoville spirit!

Let’s give a shout-out to the British for creating this delightful Christmas movie! Love Actually follows the stories of eight very different couples as they navigate love, heartbreak, new crushes, and even international romances, all leading up to Christmas in London. It’s a fun, passionate, and romantic film brimming with holiday cheer.

I absolutely adore ‘Elf’! It’s one of those movies I can watch over and over. What really gets me are the incredibly quotable lines – they’re just perfect! It’s so heartwarming to watch Buddy (Will Ferrell) leave the North Pole and come to New York City, trying to find his dad and figure out who he is. And honestly, his total dedication to elf traditions while navigating the city is hilarious. Plus, seeing him fall in love and ultimately help save Christmas? It’s just the best!

One year after Jack Frost (Michael Keaton) tragically dies in a car accident while traveling for work, he returns as a snowman. He then tries to repair his relationships and create lasting memories with his son, Charlie (Joseph Cross), knowing his time is limited before he melts. The heartwarming film also features Kelly Preston as Jack’s wife.

Holidays are a time for families to come together, no matter how quirky! The movie The Family Stone perfectly captures the awkwardness of being the ‘outsider’ at Christmas. When Meredith Morton (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) joins her boyfriend’s very unconventional family for the holidays, things don’t go as planned. She brings her sister along for support, but that actually makes things worse, as the Stones are already dealing with their own personal problems and end up taking it out on both sisters.

When people think of holiday movies, some immediately picture Kevin McCallister, while others love Ralphie, played by Peter Billingsley. This classic film, A Christmas Story, takes place in the 1940s and follows a young boy named Ralphie and his determined quest to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Even though everyone warns him he’ll “shoot his eye out,” Ralphie never gives up, even if it means enduring some embarrassing moments – like being forced to wear a ridiculous pink bunny suit!

The Griswold family always seems to find trouble with their elaborate plans, but that’s what makes their movies so funny! In National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, they’re determined to have a perfect Christmas, but things quickly go wrong and chaos erupts. Chevy Chase is back as Clark Griswold, the dad, guaranteeing a hilariously messy holiday season.

What’s not to love about Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Christmas movie? This 1996 comedy follows Howard Langston, played by Schwarzenegger, who desperately wants to be seen as a cool dad. He promises his son the popular Turbo Man action figure for Christmas, but quickly realizes they’re sold out everywhere. What follows is a hilarious adventure as he races around town, competes with a determined mail carrier, and even ends up as Turbo Man in a parade—all in a quest to find that one elusive toy.

It’s a Wonderful Life, a beloved film from 1946, tells the story of George Bailey (James Stewart), a disheartened man who feels like a failure. An angel is sent to show him how different things would be if he hadn’t lived, revealing just how much of a positive impact he’s had on others. (Be warned – it’s revealed he truly does matter!)

Read More

2025-12-03 02:21