Jackie Vernon's son reveals Frosty the Snowman's voice actor led a double life with 3 secret families

Shocking revelations about the man who brought Frosty the Snowman to life have emerged from within his own family. David Vernon, son of comedian and actor Jackie Vernon, stated on a recent radio broadcast that his father maintained at least three undisclosed families and battled multiple substance addictions before passing away in November 1987 at the age of 63.

During his appearance on Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia, David remembered his father as a dedicated entertainer who struggled privately with personal challenges that were unknown to the public. David, one of three children with Jackies wife Hazel, recounted discovering the existence of his fathers other families as a child when a stranger appeared at their Los Angeles home.

There was a woman there with a child who was older than me, David recalled. She wanted to speak to my dad, and when I told her he wasnt home, she insisted on speaking with my mom instead. David overheard a tense discussion between his mother and the visitor, which eventually led to the revelation that his father had been married at least three times before Hazel.

Jackie Vernon, who voiced Frosty in the 1969 holiday classic, had other children from these earlier marriages. He named all his sons Ralph, after his original name, Ralph Verrone, David said. But he abandoned those families and moved on. Hazel and my dad agreed that she would name their sons if he named their daughters, which is why my siblings and I were never called Ralph.

David also spoke about his fathers mental health struggles, saying Jackie relied heavily on pills such as tranquilizers, Quaaludes, and Valium. He fought hard to overcome depression and addiction. It was difficult for all of us to watch him go through that, David explained.

Despite his personal hardships, Jackie found joy in his work as Frosty. David recalled one of the last Christmases with his father, watching the classic special together. He was proud of it, laughed at it, and it brought him a lot of happiness. It became a warm memory for him, which I cherished seeing, he said.

David noted that while Jackie had toured as a comedian and performed alongside stars like Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, he cherished being remembered as a beloved holiday figure. He truly embraced it. He accepted that this role would define part of his legacy, and he loved it, David shared.

The Frosty the Snowman specials continue to air yearly on NBC and Freeform, keeping Jackie Vernons legacy alive for new generations.

Author: Aiden Foster