Gender

Male

Location

San Antonio, TX

Birthday:

May 31

About me

Grammy Award-nominated artist and motivational speaker, Sonny Melendrez was born to inspire. A celebrated radio and television personality and inspirational speaker, he travels around the country and globe to entertain and inspire both on stage and on the air. He is a recognized as a TV host, actor, radio personality, author, commercial spokesman, comedian, motivational speaker, and cartoon voice artist. Named to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of the Top 100 Radio Personalities of All-Time, Sonny is truly the man of a thousand voices. He has provided the voices of several characters in Hanna-Barbera's "Jetsons" cartoon series; created many of the sounds heard in the Gremlins movie; was the bug who yelled "Oh, no! It's RAAAAAID!" in the popular TV commercial; played opposite Walter Mathau as the voice of Bob Cratchet in the animated TV classic, "The Stingiest Man in Town"; and was even the voice of the infamous Fred the Cockatoo in the 70”s NBC TV series, Baretta and was the voice of the Parkay Margarine Talking Tub! Recently, Sonny was chosen to provide the voice of Jerry Seinfeld in a campaign promoting The Bee Movie Game for ActiVision. Sonny Melendrez has hosted drive time shows at some of America’s greatest radio stations, including KIIS, KMPC, KFI, KMGG, and KRLA in Los Angeles. Sonny Melendrez applies his unique talent to rally people behind local and national causes and has helped to raise over 100 million dollars in funds, goods, and services for nonprofits over the last 25 years. Melendrez, was named Inc. Magazine's "Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year” and awarded the “2000 Marketing Philanthropist Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Sales and Marketing Executives of San Antonio. President Ronald Reagan commended Sonny for his efforts in the war on drugs and he received the National Director’s Community Leadership Award by the FBI. Programs that benefit children have always been a priority for Sonny Melendrez. One of the projects of which he is most proud is the children's version of "We Are The World," for which he received a Grammy nomination. The City of San Antonio named the Sonny Melendrez Community Center located on the city's West Side in his honor as way to say “thank you” for his community involvement. A popular TV and radio spokesperson for companies like Disney, Pepsi, McDonald’s, Sears and Sprint PCS and hosted the award winning children's series, You And Me, Kid, on the Disney Channel. Sonny is comfortable in front of any audience and has hosted or been a featured keynote speaker at The White House Hispanic Heritage Awards, the National "Just Say No To Drugs" Rally at the Washington Monument, and the USO 50th Anniversary Gala at the Ambassador's Palace in Paris, France with guest of honor, the late Princess Grace of Monaco. He has taken the stage at over 5,000 events worldwide. Melendrez is an Honored Member of Texas Radio Hall of Fame and has received many other awards including Nosotros Hispanic Personality of the Year, Billboard Radio Personality of the Year, Los Angeles County Friend of the Children Award, UNICEF International Year of the Child Commissioner, National Public Service Award, El Rey Feo XLI –San Antonio, Billboard Broadcast Excellence Award, and the Ford Salute to Education Award. National and international conferences, corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, colleges, and universities have been inspired by Sonny’s captivating motivational presentations. Melendrez, delivers a captivating message as he shares the powerful benefits to be found in positive living through personal and powerful stories of encouragement, comfort, and joy. His motivational keynotes based on his book and audio book, “The Art of Living With Enthusiasm,” are designed to energize audiences to get involved and make a difference in the world around them and embrace a positive attitude in work and life.

What is your current career title or dream job?

Inspirational Keynote Speaker, Award-Winning Radio-TV Host, Voice Artist, Author of "The Art of Living With Enthusiasm!"

Background/Education/Experience

Central Catholic High School University of Texas at El Paso

Organizations & clubs

Texas Radio Hall of Fame Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

What languages do you speak?

English, Spanish

Hobbies & interests

Radio, golf, painting, writing, traveling

Looking for:

networking, employment, friendships