For our unKnown actor this week, we have a man of many voices and accents. He has been featured in many different Disney films over a span of 20 years playing several characters that Disney fans have grown to love. This man is Bill Thompson, born July 8, 1913 in Indiana and died July 15, 1971 in Los Angeles. Besides his Disney roles, Bill is also known for providing the lovable monotone voice for Droopy the dog in all of his cartoons throughout the 1940s and 1950s.
Bill’s bit with Disney started in 1951 with Alice in Wonderland. He voiced the frantic White Rabbit and the know-it-all Dodo.
The same year, he was in the Walt Disney Christmas Show, which was a TV movie, as the character Willoughby.
1953 was Bill’s next voice stint, bringing the gullible yet lovable Mr. Smee to life in Peter Pan. He also voiced a few of the other pirates as needed, though he was not credited for them.
In the 1953 short Ben and Me, Bill gave his voice to some of the background characters and to Governor Keith.
Lady and the Tramp (1955) would not be the same without Bill’s voice talents because he did a handful of the characters in that film! His main character was the scotty dog Jock, but he also voiced Bull the Bull Terrier, the Policeman at the Zoo, Dachsie and Joe.
Four years later, we hear him in Sleeping Beauty, giving a voice to Prince Phillip’s father, King Hubert.
There was a long break before his next Disney film, which came as a short film in 1967. He voiced Scrooge McDuck in Scrooge McDuck and Money.
There were two characters that Bill brought to Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color throughout its broadcast. Those characters were Ranger J Audubon Woodlore and an Ajax Employment Agency Proprietor.
Bill’s last Disney film came the year before his death, in 1970, where he had a short yet memorable voice part as Uncle Waldo in The Aristocats. It was a small part, but I know that is one that my sister and I laugh at every time we watch it! "Neighbourhood!!"
I hope you are enjoying reading about all of the different actors throughout Disney history and how they shared their many talents with us and future generations!
Showing posts with label Aristocats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aristocats. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
unKNOWN Actors: Eva Gabor
This actress we are featuring has a very recognizable voice and an even more recognizable name, Eva Gabor. Born February 11, 1919 in Hungary and passed away July 4, 1995, Eva is most known for portraying Lisa Douglas on the 1960’s shows Petticoat Junction and Green Acres. Since she is so well known, you are probably wondering why on earth we are going to talk about her on this site. Well, what is not as well known about Eva was that she had a few Disney appearances in her time, which is naturally what I’m going to be talking about.
She first came to work for Disney in 1963 for a TV movie, voicing Contessa Czigoina in Mickey and the Contessa.
Eva must have enjoyed working with Disney because she accepted her first animated movie voice over job in 1970 providing a voice to Duchess in The Aristocats.
1977 is when we hear Eva again. She is heard in The Rescuers as the brave mouse, Miss Bianca. She revived this role thirteen years later in 1990’s The Rescuers Down Under.
While her Disney parts are few, she has her place in Disney history because of them.
She first came to work for Disney in 1963 for a TV movie, voicing Contessa Czigoina in Mickey and the Contessa.
Eva must have enjoyed working with Disney because she accepted her first animated movie voice over job in 1970 providing a voice to Duchess in The Aristocats.
1977 is when we hear Eva again. She is heard in The Rescuers as the brave mouse, Miss Bianca. She revived this role thirteen years later in 1990’s The Rescuers Down Under.
While her Disney parts are few, she has her place in Disney history because of them.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
unKNOWN Actors: Pat Buttram
This time on unKNOWN Actors, we are going to look at a guy who’s voice is one that I have always found unique and always stands out to me when I hear it in a movie; the distinctive southern drawl of Pat Buttram. Born June 19, 1915 in Alabama and died Jan 8, 1994 in LA, California, there are several movies that you can find him in.
The first would be in 1970’s The AristoCats, where Pat provides the voice for the self-appointed hound leader, Napoleon.
In Robin Hood (1973) his voice is used to bring the cruel and greedy Sheriff of Nottingham to life.
Luke the Swamp mouse, a somewhat lazy character in The Rescuers (1977) is Pat’s next voice.
The next movie brings Pat back to doing the voice of another somewhat mean character, giving a voice to the, at times, mean spirited Chief in The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Pat had a short voice job in 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit, voicing one of the toon bullets that fires out of the cartoon gun that Eddie tries to use in Toontown.
The last Disney movie that Pat voiced for, in fact, the last movie he ever voiced for, was A Goofy Movie in 1995. He was the voice for Possum Park Emcee.
And now, you can put a name to that unique voice that you hear next time you watch any of these movies! See if you can pick out Pat Buttram’s voice easier!
If you have a fact about this actor or the name of someone you would like me to research, send me an email to lady_aurora_yensid@hotmail.com or leave me a comment below.
The first would be in 1970’s The AristoCats, where Pat provides the voice for the self-appointed hound leader, Napoleon.
In Robin Hood (1973) his voice is used to bring the cruel and greedy Sheriff of Nottingham to life.
Luke the Swamp mouse, a somewhat lazy character in The Rescuers (1977) is Pat’s next voice.
The next movie brings Pat back to doing the voice of another somewhat mean character, giving a voice to the, at times, mean spirited Chief in The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Pat had a short voice job in 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit, voicing one of the toon bullets that fires out of the cartoon gun that Eddie tries to use in Toontown.
The last Disney movie that Pat voiced for, in fact, the last movie he ever voiced for, was A Goofy Movie in 1995. He was the voice for Possum Park Emcee.
And now, you can put a name to that unique voice that you hear next time you watch any of these movies! See if you can pick out Pat Buttram’s voice easier!
If you have a fact about this actor or the name of someone you would like me to research, send me an email to lady_aurora_yensid@hotmail.com or leave me a comment below.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
unKNOWN Actors: Hermione Baddeley
The unKNOWN actress that we have today is one who is probably known moreso for her live action roles than her voiceover, especially since she only did a cartoon voice once. Nonetheless, she is a Disney actress and should be recognized. Its Hermione Baddeley, born November 13, 1906 in England and died August 19, 1986 in Los Angeles, CA.
Her first Disney role was as the Domestic named Ellen in Mary Poppins (1964), the maid who ends up having to take care of the children every time they get rid of a nanny.
The Happiest Millionaire (1967) is Hermione’s next live action role, and her last one in Disney, playing Mrs. Worth.
Her final Disney role is the one voiceover she did, giving a voice to Madame Adelaide Bonfamille in The AristoCats (1970). A short Disney resume, but a good one for Hermione Baddeley.
Her first Disney role was as the Domestic named Ellen in Mary Poppins (1964), the maid who ends up having to take care of the children every time they get rid of a nanny.
The Happiest Millionaire (1967) is Hermione’s next live action role, and her last one in Disney, playing Mrs. Worth.
Her final Disney role is the one voiceover she did, giving a voice to Madame Adelaide Bonfamille in The AristoCats (1970). A short Disney resume, but a good one for Hermione Baddeley.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
unKNOWN Actors: Carole Shelley
Carole Shelley, born in London, England August 16, 1939, had a small Disney career, but was in well-known films providing the voice for small but memorable characters.
Her first Disney appearance was in 1970 in The AristoCats. She gave a voice to Amelia Gabble, one of the geese that help the family of cats find their way back to Paris as her and her sister go to meet up with their rather obnoxious uncle.
In 1973, Carole provides the voice for another bird, this one being Lady Klucky, the chicken that plays Maid Marion’s lady in waiting in Robin Hood.
It wasn’t until 1997 that we hear Carole again in Disney, and in another small part once again. She is the voice for Lachesis, one of The Fates from Hercules. She also provided the voice for the Fates in the Hercules television show in 1999.
While Carole Shelley only had a few small parts in Disney Films, her voice is still part of the Disney family and the knowledge should be shared. You can still hear her voice today; she is currently performing on Broadway in Wicked and Billy Elliot: The Musical.
Her first Disney appearance was in 1970 in The AristoCats. She gave a voice to Amelia Gabble, one of the geese that help the family of cats find their way back to Paris as her and her sister go to meet up with their rather obnoxious uncle.
In 1973, Carole provides the voice for another bird, this one being Lady Klucky, the chicken that plays Maid Marion’s lady in waiting in Robin Hood.
It wasn’t until 1997 that we hear Carole again in Disney, and in another small part once again. She is the voice for Lachesis, one of The Fates from Hercules. She also provided the voice for the Fates in the Hercules television show in 1999.
While Carole Shelley only had a few small parts in Disney Films, her voice is still part of the Disney family and the knowledge should be shared. You can still hear her voice today; she is currently performing on Broadway in Wicked and Billy Elliot: The Musical.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
unKNOWN Actors: Phil Harris
Phil Harris, Born June 24, 1904 in Linton, Indiana and died August 11, 1995 in Rancho Mirage, California, is a guy who I knew was a Disney name. He has a very familiar voice; one I thought was more involved than it turns out that he is. He did only 3 movies, but you will immediately recognize his characters and voice.
His short stint with Disney began in 1967, providing the voice of Baloo the Bear in The Jungle Book.
Three years later, Phil lent his voice to Abraham de Lacy Giuseppe Casey Thomas O'Malley, also known as Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats.
1973 was his third and last performance for Disney, playing Little John in Robin Hood.
While this is a very short list of performances, the three characters are very well known and it is Phil's very recognizable voice that brings them to life and makes them the characters we know and love.
His short stint with Disney began in 1967, providing the voice of Baloo the Bear in The Jungle Book.
Three years later, Phil lent his voice to Abraham de Lacy Giuseppe Casey Thomas O'Malley, also known as Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats.
1973 was his third and last performance for Disney, playing Little John in Robin Hood.
While this is a very short list of performances, the three characters are very well known and it is Phil's very recognizable voice that brings them to life and makes them the characters we know and love.
Friday, November 12, 2010
unKNOWN Actors: George Lindsey
The actor we are looking at today is from Jasper, Alabama, born on December 17th, 1935, and is best known for playing a character that was, as my sister would say, quite a goober. This actor is none other than George Lindsey, and that character is Goober Pyle, a comedic character from such shows as Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Andy Griffith Show, and Mayberry RFD. When he wasn’t playing this goofy cousin to Gomer, he had several other acting gigs, some of them with, you guessed it, Disney!
George is first spotted in a Disney work in 1964 during Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. In the show Bristle Face, he played Hermie Chadron.
In 1970, he did his first Disney voice over, providing the voice of Lafayette, the bloodhound sidekick of Napoleon in The AristoCats.
A few years later George was once again voicing an animal, but quite a different kind. In Robin Hood (1973), he was the voice of Trigger, a vulture who worked alongside of the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The last Disney voiceover he did was in 1977 for The Rescuers, the voice of a Rabbit.
After his voiceovers, his only other Disney gig was in 1982, playing a guy named Wally in the Herbie the Love Bug television show, an apparently unsuccessful show that only had 5 episodes. From what I have read, none of these episodes have been released on DVD or anything by Disney.
He may have only been in a few movies, but George Lindsey has a recognizable, comedic tone in his voice that can be heard through his characters, making them easy to pick out. His characters were silly and his voice complimented the characters actions perfectly!
George is first spotted in a Disney work in 1964 during Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. In the show Bristle Face, he played Hermie Chadron.
In 1970, he did his first Disney voice over, providing the voice of Lafayette, the bloodhound sidekick of Napoleon in The AristoCats.
A few years later George was once again voicing an animal, but quite a different kind. In Robin Hood (1973), he was the voice of Trigger, a vulture who worked alongside of the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The last Disney voiceover he did was in 1977 for The Rescuers, the voice of a Rabbit.
After his voiceovers, his only other Disney gig was in 1982, playing a guy named Wally in the Herbie the Love Bug television show, an apparently unsuccessful show that only had 5 episodes. From what I have read, none of these episodes have been released on DVD or anything by Disney.
He may have only been in a few movies, but George Lindsey has a recognizable, comedic tone in his voice that can be heard through his characters, making them easy to pick out. His characters were silly and his voice complimented the characters actions perfectly!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
unKNOWN Actors: Thurl Ravenscroft
So far in this series, I have focused on voice actors from Disney movies who most Disney fans may not know. This is probably not the case with this next actor. Thurl Ravenscroft is a name not only known throughout Disney movies, within Disney theme parks and even outside of the Disney name!
Let’s begin with the couple big things outside of Disney that Thurl is known for. In 1966 version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the deep singer of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is Thurl, though he was not in the credits of the film. The other voice that he is famous for is Tony the Tiger from the Frosted Flakes commercials with the trademark quote “They’re grrrrrrrrreat!”
While these two roles are larger roles, he got his start much earlier than that, especially in the Disney area.
Thurl’s deep bass voice is what makes him recognizable and while he did do several speaking parts, he is best known for his singing roles in many Disney films. These singing roles started out in shorts, including the popular short “The Nifty Nineties” (1941). There was even one short where Thurl had a speaking part, and that was as Paul Bunyan in 1958’s Paul Bunyan.
After doing some shorts, Thurl was put into some full length animated features as a singer, including Dumbo (1941), Make Mine Music (1946), and Cinderella(1950).
Alice in Wonderland was the first movie that featured Thurl with The Mellomen, a quartet that he helped form that became very well known as back up singers for several artists and appeared in movies. In Alice in Wonderland, Thurl and the Mellomen were the voices for the card painters who were “Painting the Roses Red”. The Mellomen were also featured as background singers in Peter Pan (1953), Lady and the Tramp (1955) and Sleeping Beauty (1959).
The first large character voice that Thurl had was in 1961’s One Hundred and One Dalmations as Captain, the horse in the barn by the De Ville Mansion.
In 1963, he was the voice for Black Bart, a knight fighting to become king in The Sword and the Stone.
In Mary Poppins (1964), Thurl did the voice for the singing Hog during “Jolly Holiday”.
I think now is a good time to point out that Thurl was quite good at making dog noises. The howling song of “Home Sweet Home” in Lady and the Tramp was…howled by Thurl, in Mary Poppins he did the wimper noises made by Andrew, he made dog sounds for The Fox and the Hound, and in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s versions of Pirates of the Caribbean, the dog that is singing along with “Yo Ho, A Pirates Life for Me” is Thurl. Interesting, no?
In 1967, Thurl was in The Jungle Book and many believe him to be the voice of the ruthless tiger, Shere Khan. This is completely false! He did not do Shere Khan’s voice, not even the low singing voice. That was done by George Sanders. Thurl did sing however in the movie, he can be best heard singing Captain Haiti’s March.
The Artistocats (1970) had Thurl doing the voice of the Russian bass-playing cat, Billy Bass. In the 1971 movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks, he is a background singer and he even has a solo line in the song “Portobello Road”. Thurl’s deep voice can be heard singing songs in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977).
One of the last voices that Thurl did was the voice of Kirby from The Brave Little Toaster. While this movie is not labeled as Disney, it was produced by Hyperion Pictures, which is a Disney owned company.
Wow, this is a long history huh?? I haven’t even touched on Thurl’s appearance in the Theme Parks! I am going to take a break and I will post a second part of this unKNOWN Actors article soon.
Let’s begin with the couple big things outside of Disney that Thurl is known for. In 1966 version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the deep singer of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is Thurl, though he was not in the credits of the film. The other voice that he is famous for is Tony the Tiger from the Frosted Flakes commercials with the trademark quote “They’re grrrrrrrrreat!”
While these two roles are larger roles, he got his start much earlier than that, especially in the Disney area.
Thurl’s deep bass voice is what makes him recognizable and while he did do several speaking parts, he is best known for his singing roles in many Disney films. These singing roles started out in shorts, including the popular short “The Nifty Nineties” (1941). There was even one short where Thurl had a speaking part, and that was as Paul Bunyan in 1958’s Paul Bunyan.
After doing some shorts, Thurl was put into some full length animated features as a singer, including Dumbo (1941), Make Mine Music (1946), and Cinderella(1950).
Alice in Wonderland was the first movie that featured Thurl with The Mellomen, a quartet that he helped form that became very well known as back up singers for several artists and appeared in movies. In Alice in Wonderland, Thurl and the Mellomen were the voices for the card painters who were “Painting the Roses Red”. The Mellomen were also featured as background singers in Peter Pan (1953), Lady and the Tramp (1955) and Sleeping Beauty (1959).
The first large character voice that Thurl had was in 1961’s One Hundred and One Dalmations as Captain, the horse in the barn by the De Ville Mansion.
In 1963, he was the voice for Black Bart, a knight fighting to become king in The Sword and the Stone.
In Mary Poppins (1964), Thurl did the voice for the singing Hog during “Jolly Holiday”.
I think now is a good time to point out that Thurl was quite good at making dog noises. The howling song of “Home Sweet Home” in Lady and the Tramp was…howled by Thurl, in Mary Poppins he did the wimper noises made by Andrew, he made dog sounds for The Fox and the Hound, and in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s versions of Pirates of the Caribbean, the dog that is singing along with “Yo Ho, A Pirates Life for Me” is Thurl. Interesting, no?
In 1967, Thurl was in The Jungle Book and many believe him to be the voice of the ruthless tiger, Shere Khan. This is completely false! He did not do Shere Khan’s voice, not even the low singing voice. That was done by George Sanders. Thurl did sing however in the movie, he can be best heard singing Captain Haiti’s March.
The Artistocats (1970) had Thurl doing the voice of the Russian bass-playing cat, Billy Bass. In the 1971 movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks, he is a background singer and he even has a solo line in the song “Portobello Road”. Thurl’s deep voice can be heard singing songs in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977).
One of the last voices that Thurl did was the voice of Kirby from The Brave Little Toaster. While this movie is not labeled as Disney, it was produced by Hyperion Pictures, which is a Disney owned company.
Wow, this is a long history huh?? I haven’t even touched on Thurl’s appearance in the Theme Parks! I am going to take a break and I will post a second part of this unKNOWN Actors article soon.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
unKNOWN Actors: Sterling Holloway
Continuing in our pursuit of Disney voice actors who you know, but may not know you know….if that makes sense….It is time to look at our next Disney Star: Sterling Holloway
Sterling was born on January 4, 1905 in Cedartown, Georgia and died November 22, 1992. His main feature is a high pitched voice, and it was this voice that made him a staple in Disney history!
He is most known for voicing the “chubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff.” That’s right! Sterling is the original voice for Winnie the Pooh. From Pooh Bear’s first appearance in 1966 with Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree until 1977 in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Sterling covered the voice for this lovable character. Though this is his most well known part, this was neither his first nor his only!
Sterling Holloway’s career with Disney started long before the “willy nilly silly old bear” (can you tell that I really like Winnie the Pooh?). Like our last featured actress, Verna Felton, Sterling got his start in 1941’s Dumbo, providing the voice for Mr. Stork.
The following year, he provides the voice for Adult Flower in Bambi.
The years following Bambi introduced him into his second most popular role in film as the Narrator. He provided the narrator voice for such movies as 1944’s The Three Caballeros, 1946’s Make Music Mine, 1947’s Mickey and the Beanstalk and 1960’s Goliath II. He was also heard as the narrator for The Wonderful World of Color on television in 1957 and as the Sleeping Beauty Narrator for the 1978 Christmas in Walt Disney World.
In 1950, Sterling was once again voicing characters for Disney full length animated features, becoming the sly and devious Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.
In The Jungle Book in 1967, he voiced Kaa, the hypnotist boa constrictor who always wanted to wrap his coils around the man cub, Mowgli.
Sterling’s last Disney movie appearance outside of Winnie the Pooh would be in 1970 as Roquefort, the mouse that had befriended Dutchess and the kittens in The Aristocats.
There were a few Disney shorts that Sterling had a part in, including Peter and the Wolf (1946) as the Narrator, Lambert the Sheepish Lion (1952) as the Narrator and Mr. Stork, and in Ben and Me (1953) as Amos Mouse.
As you can see, Sterling Holloway has been a huge part of the Disney Family. In fact, he was given the honor of being named a Disney Legend in 1991.
I hope you are enjoying these actor profiles of some Disney classic voice actors. If there are any actors you would like me to cover or if you have any questions, feel free to email me at lady_aurora_yensid@hotmail.com.
Sterling was born on January 4, 1905 in Cedartown, Georgia and died November 22, 1992. His main feature is a high pitched voice, and it was this voice that made him a staple in Disney history!
He is most known for voicing the “chubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff.” That’s right! Sterling is the original voice for Winnie the Pooh. From Pooh Bear’s first appearance in 1966 with Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree until 1977 in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Sterling covered the voice for this lovable character. Though this is his most well known part, this was neither his first nor his only!
Sterling Holloway’s career with Disney started long before the “willy nilly silly old bear” (can you tell that I really like Winnie the Pooh?). Like our last featured actress, Verna Felton, Sterling got his start in 1941’s Dumbo, providing the voice for Mr. Stork.
The following year, he provides the voice for Adult Flower in Bambi.
The years following Bambi introduced him into his second most popular role in film as the Narrator. He provided the narrator voice for such movies as 1944’s The Three Caballeros, 1946’s Make Music Mine, 1947’s Mickey and the Beanstalk and 1960’s Goliath II. He was also heard as the narrator for The Wonderful World of Color on television in 1957 and as the Sleeping Beauty Narrator for the 1978 Christmas in Walt Disney World.
In 1950, Sterling was once again voicing characters for Disney full length animated features, becoming the sly and devious Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.
In The Jungle Book in 1967, he voiced Kaa, the hypnotist boa constrictor who always wanted to wrap his coils around the man cub, Mowgli.
Sterling’s last Disney movie appearance outside of Winnie the Pooh would be in 1970 as Roquefort, the mouse that had befriended Dutchess and the kittens in The Aristocats.
There were a few Disney shorts that Sterling had a part in, including Peter and the Wolf (1946) as the Narrator, Lambert the Sheepish Lion (1952) as the Narrator and Mr. Stork, and in Ben and Me (1953) as Amos Mouse.
As you can see, Sterling Holloway has been a huge part of the Disney Family. In fact, he was given the honor of being named a Disney Legend in 1991.
I hope you are enjoying these actor profiles of some Disney classic voice actors. If there are any actors you would like me to cover or if you have any questions, feel free to email me at lady_aurora_yensid@hotmail.com.
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