Charles Fleischer has spent more than five decades moving between stand-up stages, television sets, and recording booths. Most people know him for one unforgettable sound: the high-energy, manic voice of Roger Rabbit. Yet the man behind that cartoon star built a career that stretches far beyond a single film.
Born in Washington, D.C., on August 27, 1950, Fleischer is 76 years old as of 2026. He began performing comedy as a child, making his first appearance at age nine at Camp Kewanee in Pennsylvania. After briefly studying medicine at Southampton College (then part of Long Island University), he switched to acting training at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago.
From Comedy Clubs to Early Television
Fleischer moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s to pursue comedy full-time. He quickly became a regular on the club circuit and made his national television debut on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In in 1973, where he played homemade instruments fashioned from lead pipe and shower wands. A Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson appearance followed in 1974.
Throughout the rest of the decade he worked steadily. He appeared on Keep On Truckin’, The Richard Pryor Show, and other sketch and variety programs. His most visible early sitcom role came as Carvelli, one of the Sweathogs, on Welcome Back, Kotter during the 1978–79 season. He also turned up as Chuck on Laverne & Shirley.
These years established him as a versatile comic performer comfortable with both character work and physical bits.
The Roger Rabbit Breakthrough
Everything changed in 1988 with Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Fleischer provided the voices for four characters: the title rabbit, the taxi Benny the Cab, and the weasels Greasy and Psycho. The performance required him to deliver the dialogue live on set so that Bob Hoskins and the other actors could react in real time—an unusually demanding approach for the era.
The film became a landmark hybrid of live-action and animation and remains his best-known credit. He later returned to the role for the short films Tummy Trouble, Roller Coaster Rabbit, and Trail Mix-Up, as well as various Disney television and theme-park appearances.
Film and Voice Work Beyond Toontown
Fleischer’s on-screen and voice résumé includes a wide range of projects:
- Dr. King in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
- Terry in Back to the Future Part II (1989)
- Roles in Dick Tracy, My Girl 2, Gridlock’d, and Zodiac
- Voice work in We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story, The Polar Express (Elf General), Rango, and Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers
He has continued performing stand-up, appearing at comedy clubs and conventions, and has been part-owner of a multi-media company in Southern California. In the early 2010s he hosted the web series Fleischer’s Universe.
Personal Life
Fleischer married Sheryl Strassman in 1977; the couple divorced in 2006. They have two daughters, Rachel and Jessica. According to more recent records, he married Victoria Fleischer in July 2023.
Net Worth
Public estimates of Charles Fleischer’s net worth center around $4 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The figure reflects decades of voice work, television appearances, film roles, live comedy, and business interests. Exact current assets are not publicly detailed.
FAQ
Who is Charles Fleischer?
Charles Fleischer is an American stand-up comedian, actor, musician, and writer best known as the voice of Roger Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
How old is Charles Fleischer?
He was born on August 27, 1950, making him 76 years old in 2026.
What other voices did Charles Fleischer do in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
In addition to Roger Rabbit, he voiced Benny the Cab, Greasy, and Psycho.
Is Charles Fleischer still performing?
Yes. He continues to appear at comedy clubs, conventions, and related events, and maintains interests in writing and multi-media projects.
Was Charles Fleischer on Welcome Back, Kotter?
Yes. He played the recurring role of Carvelli during the 1978–79 season.
Conclusion
Charles Fleischer’s career is a reminder that some of the most memorable performances in film never appear on camera. From childhood stand-up routines to the recording booth that brought Roger Rabbit to life, he has remained a working comedian and character actor for more than fifty years. The rabbit may have made him famous, but the steady, multi-hyphenate career that surrounds it is what defines him.
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