JoBe Cerny, beloved voice of the Pillsbury Doughboy and accomplished actor, has died at 78 after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.
JoBe Cerny, the talented voice actor known for bringing the Pillsbury Doughboy to life, has passed away at the age of 78. Cerny died on October 30, 2026, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, as confirmed by his family.
Born on December 5, 1947, in Cicero, Illinois, Cerny pursued a career in the performing arts, earning a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Drama from Valparaiso University and a master’s degree in Theatre from Northwestern University. His career spanned several decades, during which he became a familiar voice in advertising, taking over the role of the Pillsbury Doughboy in 2014 from previous voice actors Paul Frees and Jeff Bergman.
Cerny’s portrayal of the Doughboy, known for his signature giggle when poked in the belly, became iconic in American culture. He continued to voice the character until around 2020, contributing to numerous commercials that featured the cheerful character.
In addition to his work as the Doughboy, Cerny had a diverse career in film and television, appearing in notable movies such as “Somewhere in Time,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” and “Road to Perdition.” He also had a significant role in the creation of a 98-hour dramatized audio production of the New King James Version of the Bible, titled “The Word of Promise,” which featured a star-studded cast.
Cerny was also involved in various projects at his own recording studio, Cerny/American Creative Recording Studio, located in Chicago, where he worked on thousands of projects, including commercials and audiobooks. His contributions to the industry extended to writing a weekly column for Screen Magazine, titled “ADventures in Advertising.”
Outside of his professional life, Cerny was known for his gregarious personality and hobbies, which included go-kart racing and model train collecting. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Eileen, their two sons, Tim and Patrick, and grandchildren Archer and Cleo.
Cerny once reflected on his career, stating, “I’m lucky, I get to be somebody different every day, and in the end, I’m glad I stuck with my irresponsible decision to have fun. It allows me to live happily ever after … every day.”
