Billy Van was a Canadian actor and comedian whose career spanned several decades, and while he was primarily known for his live-action television work, he also contributed his voice to animated projects, including the role of the Scarecrow in a 1982 anime film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.

Born William Allan Van Evera in Toronto, Canada, in 1934, Van began his show business career as a singer, performing with his four brothers in a touring act called the Van Evera Brothers. He later transitioned to comedy and television, becoming a prominent figure in Canadian entertainment. He gained national recognition for his work on the CBC late-night satire program Nightcap in the 1960s. He is perhaps best remembered for the children's series The Hilarious House of Frightenstein in the early 1970s, where he showcased his versatility by playing the host and a multitude of characters. His work extended to the United States, where he was a regular performer on variety shows such as The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and The Bobby Vinton Show, and he also became famous for a long-running series of Colt 45 beer commercials.

In terms of voice acting, Van's work was often part of a broader career that included live-action performance and hosting. One of his confirmed voice roles was in the 1982 anime film The Wizard of Oz, where he provided the voice for the Scarecrow. His performance in this production was noted by some reviewers as being particularly charming. His other voice work included narrating the educational animated program Eureka!, which taught children about physics and chemistry. Later in his career, after undergoing heart surgery in 1998, he semi-retired but continued to do voice-over work for commercials and animated programs. Other voice credits include the character Walter Lederhaus in the 1985 animated special For Better or For Worse: The Bestest Present and a role in the series Stories From My Childhood.

Throughout his career, Van collaborated with numerous comedians and performers. He frequently appeared with John Byner on the sketch comedy show Bizarre. He also worked alongside fellow Canadians like Dave Broadfoot and Jack Duffy, and in the United States, he was a cast member on shows headlined by Sonny & Cher, Ray Stevens, and Bobby Vinton. His work on Nightcap and The Hilarious House of Frightenstein, where he developed satirical and spontaneous comedic styles, is seen as influential on later successful comedy programs.

For his contributions to his craft, Van received a Clio Award, a prestigious honor in the advertising industry, for his work on the Colt 45 commercials. He is also honored with a picture on the Canadian Comedy Wall of Fame at the CBC broadcast centre in Toronto. Billy Van passed away in 2003 at the age of 68.