Ross S. Bagdasarian[a] (/bæɡdəˈsɛəriən/; January 27, 1919 – January 16, 1972), also known by his stage name David Seville,[3] was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor best known for creating the cartoon band Alvin and the Chipmunks. Initially a stage and film actor, he rose to prominence in 1958 with the songs "Witch Doctor" and "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)", which both became Billboard number-one singles. He produced and directed The Alvin Show, which aired on CBS in 1961–62.