Betty Jean Ward (born September 16, 1944 in Wilmington, Delaware) is a prolific voice actress, singer, former Playboy Bunny (yes, really), and licensed aviator. She is best known for her work on Jana of the Jungle and her one-woman stage show, Stand-Up Opera. Her second husband, Gordon Hunt, was a voice recording director for Hanna-Barbera (this made her the stepmother of Gordon's daughter, actress Helen Hunt). Fans of 1980s cartoons remember her as Scarlett in the original series of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, one of a handful of shows that juxtaposed her with Michael Bell.
Notable roles:
- Ben 10 as Betty Jean Tennyson
- Courage the Cowardly Dog as Tulip
- Curious George as Aunt Margaret
- DuckTales (1987) as Birdy McQuack and Loopy McQuack
- DC Super Hero Girls as Master Alchemist
- The Flintstones (late 1980s and mid-'90s) as Betty Rubble
- Gargoyles as Fleance, Professor Duane, and Lady of the Lake
- G.I. Joe as Scarlett
- Jana of the Jungle as Jana
- Jonny Quest: The Real Adventures as Iris the Computer and Nurse Holloway
- The Little Rascals (Hanna-Barbera's version) as Butch and Waldo
- My Little Pony 'n Friends as Surprise
- The New Woody Woodpecker Show as Winnie Woodpecker and Mother Nature
- Regular Show as Dr. Asinovskovich
- Scooby-Doo (1997 to 2001) as Velma Dinkley
- Samurai Jack as Witch Hag
- The Snorks as Casey Kelp, Celia and Lil' Seaweed
- Space Stars as Elektra
- The Spectacular Spider-Man as Mayor Waters
- Super Friends as Wonder Woman (Super Powers Team season only; oddly uncredited)
- Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage as Casca and Eriza
- Totally Spies! as Dr. Bittersweet
- Voltron as Princess Allura and Witch Haggar
- The Wizard of Oz as Glinda the Good Witch
- W.I.T.C.H. as Halinor, The Mage and Miriadel
- Several voiceovers for attractions at Disney Theme Parks
Tropes associated with B.J. Ward:
- Cross-Dressing Voices: She did voices for Butch and Waldo in Hanna-Barbera's animated version of The Little Rascals.
- Do Not Call Me "Paul": She'd rather go by her initials than by Betty Jean.
- Method Acting: She is a rare voice acting example. During her stint as the voice of Velma in Scooby-Doo, she would wear turtleneck sweaters and glasses to the recording sessions to help get into character.
- Playboy Bunny: She worked as one in the 1960s.