Anecdotes

Provides the voice for "Red" on the M&M commercials.

His father was an abusive alcoholic. According to Billy, his father tried to kill him 15 times.

Due to his role on Futurama (1999), he has portrayed President Richard Nixon more than any other actor.

He was addicted to alcohol and drugs in his early 20's. He went to Rehab and has been sober for over 30 years.

Did not start his career in radio and voice acting until he was 30 years old.

Did celebrity impressions on the Howard Stern Show for years.

Some of his characters' voices such as Stimpy are based on the voice of Larry Fine of The Three Stooges.

He is considered one of the best vocal artists in the film industry.

Made his live-action debut in Mark Hamill's Comic Book: The Movie (2004) along with numerous other voice-over actors. Hamill has made a real career as a voice-over actor and wanted many of his peers to appear on film in the flesh.

Described his experience working on The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991) as among the worst of his life and has said he'll never work with John Kricfalusi again.

He has been openly critical of the use of famous actors in animated films over professional voice actors.

Turned down the opportunity to reprise his role as the voice of the title character on the Doug (1991)-spinoff, Brand Spanking New! Doug (1996) because he considered it a role he did and did well and it was time to put it aside and move on.

Did the voice of ZIM in the pilot episode of Invader ZIM (2001).

Billy West attended a few Three Stooges conventions in the early 1990s and met Larry Fine's sister, Lyla Budnick. Billy's ability to recreate Larry's voice was so good, he would often bring Lyla to tears.

In addition to Philip J. Fry, Professor Farnsworth, Doctor Zoidberg, and Zapp Brannigan, he also auditioned for the role for Bender in Futurama (1999).

He auditioned for the role for Klaus in American Dad (2005).

He has often been compared to Mel Blanc.

Turned down the opportunity to reprise the role as the voice of the legendary Stimpy on John K.'s new Ren & Stimpy 'Adult Party Cartoon' (2003) on Spike.

He was drafted to fight in the Vietnam War but never served.

Disliked Brand Spanking New! Doug (1996).

His favorite Looney Tunes character is Elmer Fudd.

He auditioned for the role for Rigby in Regular Show (2010).

Friends with Richard Steven Horvitz.

He moved to Boston, Massachusetts when he was 11.