Burl Ives was an American musician and actor (1909-1995). He released the albums Burl Ives Sings Little White Duck (And Other Children's Favorites), Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Original 1964 TV Soundtrack), and Return of the Wayfaring Stranger. Ives won the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 1958 film The Big Country. He appeared in the film Cat on a Hot Tin Roof that same year. Ives voiced Sam the Snowman in the classic holiday special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and appeared in the television series Roots in 1977. His most popular songs include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and A Holly Jolly Christmas.