Burl Ives was an American actor, singer, and songwriter who narrated the 1964 Christmas classic, 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'. He was known for his distinctive voice and his folk music. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1958 for his role in 'The Big Country' and was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Children's Album in 1965 for his work on 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'.