1995 would prove to be a monumental year for Disney since it saw the theatrical release of 3 films: A Goofy Movie, Pocahontas, and Toy Story. Now I’ll be talking about Toy Story in my next post since it’s a highly important film. Here I will focus more on A Goofy Movie and Pocahontas. Based on the show Goof Troop, A Goofy Movie also lent inspiration to Jeffrey Katzenberg’s road trip with his then estranged daughter where they bonded and their relationship considerably improved. Since it was considered far less essential than the studio’s mainstream works, it was given a much smaller budget. Animation duties were distributed throughout the world such as in Disney studios in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. A planned release was delayed due to a single dead pixel forcing the studio to reshoot ¾ of the movie again with a non-defective monitor. Add to that Katzenberg being fired during the final days of production. Upon its release, A Goofy Movie opened to mixed reviews and grossed $37.6 million at the box office which was twice of its $18 million production cost. But not stellar numbers. Yet, over the years with home video releases and TV airings, A Goofy Movie has gained a cult following and has become a prominent property within Disney. Especially given the film’s catchy soundtrack as well as its storyline pertaining to cross-generational connections between parents and children. A theme that doesn’t always receive center stage in Disney movies, but it’s also one that’s present in everyday life and one that gives A Goofy Movie its relevance with each passing year.
Although I don’t really expect Disney or animated films in general to be historically accurate, and Pocahontas is no exception. Yet, although I loved the movie since watching it in theaters as a child and still do to some extent, I now realized that Disney’s Pocahontas bears precious little resemblance to the settlement of Jamestown. The historical Pocahontas was about 10 or 11 years old when she would’ve met John Smith and she may have “saved” his life as part of a ritual of her tribe. While her later life where she married John Rolfe, had a son and lived the life of a planter’s wife before moving to England was a very tragic one where she experienced widowhood, abandonment by Chief Powhatan, captivity and gang rape by white settlers, possibly forced marriage to John Rolfe, forced conversion to Christianity, and death by smallpox at the age of 21. As for the setting for Jamestown itself, well, I’ve been to that place and it’s unlikely that tidewater Virginia would ever look like that. While Susan Constant was a caravel ship not a floating castle. Also, Captain John Smith wasn’t a handsome blonde, wasn’t the most likeable guy, may have been sent back to England over a gunpowder accident, and also had a tendency to exaggerate. In addition, according to Adam Ruins Everything, it’s likely that the Pocahontas romance story was Smith’s invention, which later gave rise to the legend that formed the basis of the Disney movie. Still, I have to applaud the Disney crew for doing the research and for trying to depict Native Americans as human beings. Which is more than I can say about the research work that John Smith’s voice actor did for Braveheart or any of his other historical movies that take place before World War II (he’s played by Mel Gibson, which makes things even more problematic). Still, Pocahontas was never meant to be an educational film, but an epic romance that’s based on the legend. Songs were done by Alan Menken and Steven Schwartz. Although Pocahontas ultimately grossed $346.1 worldwide on its initial run, it received mixed reviews, particularly from Native Americans. While it holds a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is not great. But its depiction of Pocahontas as an empowered heroine would later influence later Disney films like Mulan. In this post, you’ll meet actors Rob Paulsen and Wallace Shawn as well as the voices behind Powerline, Bobby Zimuruski, Stacey, Pocahontas, Meeko, Chief Powhatan, Grandmother Willow, and Ketaka.
191. Rob Paulsen
Dates: 1956-present
Early Life and Career: Born Robert Frederick Paulsen III in Detroit, Michigan. Raised in Grand Blanc, Michigan where he graduated from Grand Blanc High School in 1974. Sang in choirs throughout his childhood and adolescence as well as performed plays in school. Yet, his childhood idol was hockey player Gordie Howe and considered the arts to be a secondary career choice due to his primary interest to play in the National Hockey League. After briefly attending the University of Michigan – Flint, he dropped out and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a show business career, much to his father’s disapproval. Worked his first job as a musician before pursuing acting full time. First acting role was in 1983.
Movies and Cartoons: A Goofy Movie (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Return to Never Land (2002) as well as direct-to-video installments, series, video games, and theme park attractions.
Characters: P.J. Pete, Frollo’s Soldiers, and Pirates Rusty
Also Known For: Voice actor and voice director known for his roles in numerous animated television series and films. Best known roles include Yakko and Pinky from Animaniacs, Hadji from The New Adventures of Johnny Quest and The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest, Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Mac in The Looney Toons Show and Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run. Did commercials for Jack in the Box, Tamagotchi, Got Milk?, Taco Bell, American Honda Motor Company, and Haribo. Film appearances include The Ant Bully, Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman, Barnyard, Batman: Gotham Knight, Batman and Harley Quinn, Dragon Hunters, Elvira’s Haunted Hills, Green Lantern: First Flight, Hamburger: The Motion Picture, Happily N’Ever After, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, Jetsons: The Movie, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Lone Wolf McQuade, Mannequin, The Perfect Match, Porco Rosso, The Powderpuff Girls Movie, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie, Spaceballs, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, Teacher’s Pet, Tweety’s High Flying Adventure, Eyes of Fire, Body Double, and Wakko’s Wish. TV appearances include ABC Weekend Special, Adventures from the Book of Virtues, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, All Hail King Julien, American Dragon: Jake Long, The Angry Beavers, Angelica and Susie’s Pre-School Daze, The Batman, Batman: The Animated Series, Back at the Barnyard, Ben 10, Biker Mice from Mars, Bonkers, The Boondocks, Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, Bravoman, Busby: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?, Bump in the Night, Butt-Ugly Monsters, Capitol Critters, The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper, CatDog, Cathy, Catscratch, Challenge of the GoBots, ChalkZone, Chowder, Codename: Kids Next Door, Coconut Fred’s Fruit Salad Island, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, Curious George, Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future, Danny Phantom, Dave the Barbarian, Detention, Dexter’s Laboratory, Dino-Riders, Doc McStuffins, Duck Dodgers, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, The Fairly OddParents, Fish Police, The Flintstone Kids, Freakazoid!, Gary the Rat, Generator Rex, G. I. Joe: A Real American Hero, The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible, Green Eggs and Ham, Green Lantern: The Animated Series, Handy Manny, Henry Hugglemonster, Higglytown Heroes, Histeria!, I Am Weasel, Jackie Chan Adventures, The Jetsons, Johnny Bravo, Justice League, Kung Fu Panda: Lessons of Awesomeness, The Land Before Time, The Legend of Prince Valiant, The Life and Times of Juniper Lee, Loonatics Unleashed, Mad, The Magician, Megas XLR, Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone, Mighty Ducks, Mighty Max, Mighty Magiswords, Mrs. Munger’s Class, My Life as a Teenage Robot, New Kids on the Block, The New Woody Woodpecker Show, The New Yogi Bear Show, Oh Yeah! Cartoons, The Penguins of Madagascar, Pinky and the Brain, The Plucky Duck Show, Poochini’s Yard, Pound Puppies, The Powderpuff Girls, Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja, Rick and Morty, Robot Chicken, Road Rovers, Rocko’s Modern Life, Sabrina: The Animated Series, Samurai Jack, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, The Smurfs, Snorks, Sonic the Hedgehog, Spider-Man, Squirrel Boy, Stripperella, SpongeBob Squarepants, The Super Hero Squad Show, SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, Tak and the Power of Juju, Taz-Mania, Teacher’s Pet, Teen Titans, ThunderCats, The Tick, Time Squad, Timeless Tales from Hallmark, Tiny Toon Adventures, Tom & Jerry Kids, The Transformers, TUGS, Ultimate Spider-Man, What a Cartoon!, The Upside Down Show, Where’s Wally?: The Animated Series, Wild West C. O. W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, Veggie Tales, Wildfire, St. Elsewhere, and Yo Yogi!. Video game appearances include Animaniacs Game Pack, Armed and Dangerous, Baldur’s Gate, Barnyard, Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks, Blazing Dragons, Bubsy in Fractured Fairy Tales, Doom 3, The Fairly OddParents: Breakin’ Da Rules, Final Fantasy X-2, FusionFall, Ghosthunter, God of War, Giants: Citizen Kabuto, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Lost Odyssey, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, Multiversus, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, Orion Burger, Planetscape: Torment, Return to Monkey Island, Sacrifice, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time, Sea of Thieves, Skylanders: Imaginators, The Sopranos: Road to Respect, SpongeBob Squarepants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom, Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, Stupid Invaders, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Tak and the Great Juju Challenge, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time, and Toonstruck.
Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Carol Anne Schnarr from 1979 to their divorce in 1982. Second and current wife is photographer Parrish Todd since 1983. They have a son together.
Later Life: Currently lives with his family in Angoura Hills, California. Was diagnosed with Stage III throat cancer in 2016. He has since undergone treatment and his cancer went into remission. Following his cancer battle, Paulson wrote a memoir titled Voice Lessons: How a Couple of Ninja Turtles, Pinky, and an Animaniac Saved My Life.
Trivia: Has received a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program and 3 Annie Awards. Has long supported various charities and raised donations for cancer research. Paulsen worked a lot for GOALmodels, a program for adolescents, and is a sponsor for Camp Will-A-Way, a camp for kids with developmental disabilities. Also donates funds from autographs to The Wounded Warrior Project.
192. Wallace Shawn
Dates: 1943-present
Early Life and Career: Born in New York City to a Jewish family. Father was longtime New Yorker editor William Shawn. Mother was a journalist. Grew up in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Attended a private liberal arts high school called The Putney School in Putney, Vermont. Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history from Harvard College. Originally intending to become a diplomat, he studied philosophy, politics, economics, and Latin at Magdalen College within Oxford University. Later, Shawn traveled to India as an English teacher on a Fullbright program. Involvement in theater began in 1970 when he met director Andre Gregory who’s since directed several of his plays. During his stage career, Shawn has appeared in mostly his own plays and other projects with Gregory. Made his film debut in 1979 playing Diane Keaton’s ex-husband in Manhattan. In his playwriting career, Shawn’s early plays portrayed emotional and sexual conflicts in an absurdist style, with language both lyrical and violent. His 1977 play A Thought in Three Parts caused controversy in London when a vice squad investigated the production and became susceptible to attacks in Parliament after allegations of pornographic content. While Shawn’s later plays are overtly political, drawing parallels between his characters’ psychology and conduct of governments and social classes. His monologue, The Fever depicts a person sick while struggling to find a morally consistent way to live while faced with injustice, and harshly criticizes the United States’ record in supporting oppressive anti-communist regimes. Many of these plays echo his socialist views as much of his work examines the “connective tissue between private psychology and the politics of inequality.”
Movies and Cartoons: A Goofy Movie (1995), Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Monsters, Inc. (2001), The Incredibles (2004), Toy Story 3 (2010), Chicken Little (2005), and Toy Story 4 (2019) as well as shorts, direct-to-video installments, series, specials, video games, live stage show Toy Story: The Musical, and theme park attractions.
Characters: Principal Mazur, Rex, Gilbert Huph, and Principal Fetchit
Also Known For: Actor, essayist, playwright and screenwriter who’s best known for playing Vizzini in The Princess Bride, Mr. Hall in Clueless, and Dr. John Sturgis in Young Sheldon. Other roles include Jeff Engels in The Cosby Show, Grand Nagus Zek in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Cyrus Rose in Gossip Girl, and Father Frank Ignatius in Evil. Film appearances include The Bostonians, Prick Your Ears, Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills, Vanya on 42nd Street, My Favorite Martian, The Double, Maggie’s Plan, Marriage Story, Manhattan, Radio Days, Rifkin’s Festival, My Dinner with Andre, A Master Builder, All That Jazz, Atlantic City, A Little Sex, Lovesick, Deal of the Century, Shadows and Fog, Mom and Dad Save the World, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, The Wife, Napoleon, Canadian Bacon, All Dogs Go to Heaven 2, Vegas Vacation, Just Write, Critical Care, Duplex, The Haunted Mansion, Melinda and Melinda, Southland Tales, Happily N’Ever After, Kit Kitterage: An American Girl, Mia and the Migoo, Jack and the Beanstalk, Capitalism: A Love Story, The Speed of Thought, A Late Quartet, Admission, Don Peyote, The Only Living Boy in New York, Animal Crackers, and Book Club. TV appearances include Taxi, Civil Wars, One Life to Live, The Pink Panther, Matrix, The Nanny, Murphy Brown, Kalamazoo, King of the Hill, Noah, The Lionhearts, Homicide: Life on the Street, Ally McBeal, Crossing Jordan, Family Guy, Sex and the City, Stargate SG-1, Desperate Housewives, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Life on Mars, ER, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Damages, Eureka, King Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomness, The Good Wife, Adventure Time, BoJack Horseman, Mozart in the Jungle, The Night Shift, Life in Pieces, Mr. Robot, Graves, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Skylanders Academy, The Simpsons, Bubble Guppies, and Krapopolis. Video game appearances include Family Guy Video Game!, The Princess Bride Game, Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse, and King’s Quest. Stage appearances include The Mandrake, Marie and Bruce, Aunt Dan and Lemon, The Designated Mourner, The Fever, and The Threepenny Opera.
Personal Life: Older brother of composer Allen Shawn. Has been with writer Debbie Eisenberg since 1972.
Later Life: As of 2012, he lives in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.
Trivia: Was honored in 2005 with the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award as a Master American Dramatist. Received an Obie Award for playwriting in 1975 for Our Late Night. Has written political commentary for The Nation and in 2004, he published the one-issue-only progressive political magazine Final Edition, which featured interviews with articles by Jonathan Schnell, Noam Chomsky, Mark Strand, and his girlfriend Debbie Eisenberg. Credited as translator of Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera, which opened at Studio 54 in Manhattan in 2006. Published his first nonfiction book, Essays in 2009. It’s a collection of essays that expresses his political perceptions and other aspects of his life. A longtime advocate for the Palestinian people, Shawn serves on the advisory board for Jewish Voice of Peace. Has won a Boston Society of Film Critics Award and a Chlotrudis Award.
193. Tevin Campbell
Dates: 1976-present
Early Life and Career: Born in Waxahachie, Texas. Mother was a postal worker who later became his manager. Father left the family shortly after the birth of his younger brother. Wouldn’t see his dad again until he was 15. With his mom being part of a choir at Joshua Chapel A.M.E., Campbell began singing gospel music at an early age, first in the choir and then as a soloist. At 12, a family friend had him singing to jazz singer Bobbi Humphrey who arranged him to perform at a videotaped showcase in Manhattan. When the tape found its way into the hands of manager Benny Medina, he flew to Texas and signed Campbell to Warner Brothers Records shortly thereafter. The family later moved to Encino, Los Angeles where Campbell attended private school in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood. Medina consulted Quincy Jones to work with Campbell and the latter made his music debut in 1989 with Jones’ single “Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me)” which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Chart in June 1990. This was part of an ensemble album called Back on the Block which one the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1991. Made his first solo hit “Round and Round” which charted #3 on the R&B chart in November 1990. Released his debut album T.E.V.I.N. in 1991.
Movies and Cartoons: A Goofy Movie (1995)
Characters: Powerline
Also Known For: Singer, songwriter, and actor who was most active during the 1990s. Best known as Seaweed in the original Broadway rendition of Hairspray. Albums include T.E.V.I.N., I’m Ready, Back to the World, and Tevin Campbell. Hit songs include “Tomorrow
(A Better You, Better Me),” “Just Ask Me To,” “Tell Me What You Want Me to Do,” “Goodbye,” “Strawberry Letter 23,” “Alone with You,” “Confused,” “Can We Talk,” “I’m Ready,” “Always in My Heart,” “Don’t Say Goodbye Girl,” “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” “Back to the World,” “Could You Learn to Love,” and “Another Way.” TV appearances include The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, New York Undercover, The Parent ‘Hood, Moesha, and Queen Sugar.
Personal Life: Came out as gay in 2018 in an interview with People in 2022. Although he had come out to his family at 19, he claimed that he didn’t understand his sexuality until after leaving the music business, which had left him without “time to process any of that.”
Later Life: Was arrested in 1999 for soliciting a lewd act from an undercover police officer during a sting operation in Van Nuys, California. Was also in possession of a small amount of marijuana. While he was still recording music in the 2000s, he mostly kept a low profile until 2014.
Trivia: Album I’m Ready went double platinum. Has an almost 4-octave vocal range. Has been nominated for 5 Grammy’s and has certified sales of 5 million albums.
194. Pauly Shore
Dates: 1968-present
Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles. Father was actor and stand-up comedian Sammy Shore. Mother was comedy club owner Mitzi Shore. Parents co-founded The Comedy Store with Rudy DeLuca. After his parents divorced, his mom kept the club from 1974 until her death. Graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1986. Made his stand-up debut at the Alley Cat Bistro in Culver City at 17. Was mentored by Sam Kinison and opened several sets. While touring the comedy club circuit, Shore cultivated his alter-ego persona called “The Weasel” where he spoke in surfer parlance, heavily peppered with dudespeak. Big break came as an on-air MTV VJ from 1989 to 1994. Also had his own show called Totally Pauly, serving as a host on MTV’s Spring Break parties. Made his screen debut in 1987.
Movies and Cartoons: A Goofy Movie (1995) as well as the direct-to-video sequel An Extremely Goofy Movie.
Characters: Bobby Zimuruski
Also Known For: Comedian and actor best known for his roles in 1990s comedy films. Film appearances include Encino Man, Son in Law, In the Army Now, Bio-Dome, For Keeps, 18 Again!, Lost Angels, Phantom of the Mall: Eric’s Revenge, Class Act, Jury Duty, Junket Whore, The Bogus Witch Project, The Wash, Pauly Shore Is Dead, My Big Fat Independent Movie, Opposite Day, Adopted, Stonerville, Pauly Shore Stands Alone, and Guest House. TV appearances include 21 Jump Street, Married…with Children, St. Elsewhere, Totally Pauly, Pauly, King of the Hill, Fantasy Island, Futurama, Minding the Store, Whiskey Business, Workaholics, Hell’s Kitchen, Funny You Should Ask, Alone Together, and The Comedy Store.
Personal Life: Can’t find anything about his personal life.
Later Life: Directed a semi-autobiographical mockumentary Pauly Shore Is Dead in 2003. Has also played Trump adviser Stephen Miller in Funny or Die videos.
Trivia: None.
195. Jenna von Oy
Dates: 1977-present
Early Life and Career: Born in Danbury, Connecticut. Attended Newtown High School and began her acting career as a child in regional stage productions and commercials. Made her television debut in 1986 in an episode of ABC Weekend Special, which was followed by a series of guest roles. Landed her best known role as Six LeMeure in Blossom in 1990.
Movies and Cartoons: A Goofy Movie (1995) as well as the direct-to-video sequel An Extremely Goofy Movie and the series Pepper Ann.
Characters: Stacey
Also Known For: Actress best known as Six LeMeure in Blossom and Stevie Van Lowe in The Parkers. Appeared in the film Born on the Fourth of July. TV appearances include Tales from the Darkside, Lenny, Saved by the Bell: The College Years, She Cried No, Dying to Belong, Chicago Hope, Martin, 7th Heaven, Moesha, What’s with Andy?, Cold Case, Family Guy, Battle of the Network Stars, and Call Me Kat.
Personal Life: Married to computer-data consultant Brad Bratcher from 2010 until their divorce in 2020. They have 2 daughters born in 2012 and 2014. Publicly came out as a lesbian in 2023.
Later Life: After her time on Blossom ended, she attended film school at the University of Southern California and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority for 2 years before dropping out to return to acting.
Trivia: Once attempted to launch a country music career during the 2000s.
196. Irene Bedrad
Dates: 1967-present
Early Life and Career: Born in Anchorage, Alaska. Mother was an Inupiaq and father was French Canadian and Cree. She’s enrolled as a citizen of the native village Koyuk in Alaska. Graduated from Diamond High School in 1985. Attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she studied musical theater. First role was as Mary Crow Dog in the 1994 TV production Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee, which depicted the 1970s stand-off between the US government and several Native nations, including many of the Pine Ridge Reservation at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
Movies and Cartoons: Pocahontas (1995) and Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) as well as direct-to-video installments, series, and video games.
Characters: Pocahontas
Also Known For: Alaskan Native actress who’s mostly played Native American lead roles in a variety of films. Best known as Suzy Song in Smoke Signals, an adaptation of a Sherman Alexie short story collection. Film appearances include Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale, Navajo Blues, Wildflowers, Love’s Long Journey, The New World, Turok: Son of Stone, The Tree of Life, Songs My Brother Taught Me, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, and On Sacred Ground. TV appearances include Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee, The Marshal, Grand Avenue, Crazy Horse, Adventures from the Book of Virtues, The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest, Profiler, True Women, Two for Texas, Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles, The Outer Limits, The Agency, Higglytown Heroes, Into the West, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Young Justice Invasion, Longmire, The Mist, Scalped, Westworld, FBI: Most Wanted, The Stand, Alaska Daily, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and American Primeval.
Personal Life: Married to musician Denny Wilson from 1993 to their divorce in 2012 following Bedrad’s allegations that Wilson had abused her. Allegations which Wilson has denied. They also have a son named Quinn. Anyway, when Bedrad was between projects, the pair toured for several years with other musicians in a band called “ID” which came from their first name initials.
Later Life: In 2020, Bedrad was arrested twice in 3 days. The first was for alleged domestic violence, assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and criminal damage. The second was just for disorderly conduct. In 2022, she was again arrested for disorderly conduct in Xenia, Ohio.
Trivia: Has been nominated for a Golden Globe as well as won 2 Western Heritage Awards and 2 First Americans in the Arts Awards. Was the first Native woman to receive a Golden Globe nomination in 1994.
197. John Kassir
Dates: 1957-present
Early Life and Career: Born in Baltimore, Maryland to an Iraqi father from Mosul and a Syrian mother from Mardin in present-day Turkey. During his childhood, Kassir often did impressions in school and was often seen as a “class clown.” His mother often bought props for him and he’d often entertain customers shopping outside Eudowood Plaza. Graduated from Lock Raven High School and attended Towson State University where he studied theatre and formed a comedy troupe with several other students called Animal Crackers. Began his career in stand-up comedy where he first became known in 1985 after defeating Sinbad for best stand-up comic on Star Search.
Movies and Cartoons: Pocahontas (1995), The Princess and the Frog (2009), and Monsters University (2013) as well as direct-to-video installments and series.
Characters: Meeko and Scrooge McDuck
Also Known For: Actor and comedian best known for voicing the Cryptkeeper in HBO’s Tales from the Crypt franchise as well as Ralph in the off-Broadway show Reefer Madness and the subsequent film adaptation. Film appearances include And Then There Was Eve, Casper, Flora & Ulysses, Hellblazers, Jack the Giant Slayer, Monster Mash, Monster Mutt, Pete’s Dragon, Smothered, Spy Hard, An American Tail: Treasure of Manhattan Island, Bayonetta: Bloody Fate, Despicable Me 3, Ghost Cat Anzu, Minions, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Mockingbird Lane, Nothing Special, The Grinch, Sing, Sing 2, The Prophet, The Secret Life of Pets, The Secret Life of Pets 2, The Smurfs, The Smurfs 2, The Tale of Tillie’s Dragon, The Wild Thornberrys Movie, and The Wild. TV appearances include Bones, Castle, Charmed, Cold Case, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Friends, Grounded for Life, Hot in Cleveland, In Living Color, Joan of Arcadia, Moonlighting, NCIS, Sliders, Star Trek: Voyager, The Facts of Life, The Three Stooges, Tour of Duty, Adventure Time, Afro Samurai, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Back at the Barnyard, Ben 10, Bunnicula, Danger Rangers, DC Super Friends, Dexter’s Laboratory, Duckman, Earthworm Jim, Johnny Bravo, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, My Life as a Teenage Robot, New Looney Tunes, Oh Yea! Cartoons, Problem Child, Random! Cartoons, Rick & Morty, Samurai Jack, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy, The Looney Tunes Show, The Plucky Duck Show, The Simpsons, The Wild Thornberrys, Time Squad, and Tiny Toon Adventures. Video game appearances include Afro Samurai, Arknights, Batman: Arkham Origins, Bayonetta 2, Dead Rising, Diablo III, EverQuest II, Final Fantasy XV, Freelancer, Halo 2, Icewind Dale, Lego Jurassic World, Madagascar, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars, Metal Gear Rising, Revengeance, MySims Kingdom, Ninety-Nine Nights II, PlayStation Movie Heroes, Republique, Sacrifice, Shadows of the Damned, Skylanders: Imaginators, Spider-Man 3, Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain, T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger, Tak and the Power of Juju, The Punisher, Tiny Toon Aventures: Buster and the Beanstalk, Ultimate Spider-Man, Universe at War: Earth Assault, and X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse. Stage appearances include Room Service, The Glorious Ones, Man of La Mancha, Silence! The Musical, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was actress Julie Benz from 1998 to their divorce in 2007. Second and current wife is Vanessa Waters.
Later Life: Still working as of 2025.
Trivia: As a stand-up comic, Kassir has opened for Lou Rawls, Tom Jones, The Temptations, Four Tops, Bobby Vinton, Richard Belzer, U2, and Harry Blackstone Jr. Has also appeared on stage performing improv with Robin Williams.
198. Russell Means
Dates: 1939-2012
Early Life and Career: Born in Porcupine on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Tribal name was Waŋblí Ohítika, which is Lakota for “Brave Eagle.” Mother was Yankton Dakota from Greenwood, South Dakota. Father was Ogala Lakota. Family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1942 seeking to escape from poverty and problems on the reservation. Father worked in a shipyard in Vallejo. Means grew up in the Bay Area, graduating in 1958 from San Leandro High School in San Leandro, California. Attended 4 colleges but didn’t graduate from any of them. During his twenties, Means lived in several Indian reservations throughout the United States while searching for work. While at the Rosebud Reservation in south-central South Dakota, he developed severe vertigo. Reservation clinic physicians initially believed that he had been brought in drunk and refused to examine him for several days. Was finally diagnosed with a concussion due to a presumed fight in a saloon. However, a visiting specialist later discovered that reservation doctors had overlooked a common ear infection, costing Means the hearing of one ear. After recovering from his ear infection, Means spent a year working in the Office of Economic Opportunity where he came to know several legal activists who were managing legal action on the Lakota people’s behalf. After a dispute with his supervisor, Means left Rosebud for Cleveland, Ohio where he worked with Native American community leaders against the backdrop of the American Civil Rights Movement. Joined the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968 where he rose to become a prominent leader and was later appointed its president. While the organization began a period of increasing protests and activism.
Movies and Cartoons: Pocahontas (1995) as well as the direct-to-video sequel Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World.
Characters: Chief Powhatan
Also Known For: Ogala Lakota activist for the rights of Native Americans, Libertarian political activist, actor, musician, and writer. Became a prominent member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) after joining the organization in 1968 and helped organize notable events that attracted national and international media coverage. Was active in international issues for indigenous peoples, including working with groups in Central and South America as well as the United Nations for recognition of their rights. Was active in politics at his native Pine Ridge Reservation as well as at the state and national level. Appeared as an actor in numerous films and TV movies from 1992 until 2004. Best known roles are Chingachgook in The Last of the Mohicans, Jim Thorpe in Windrunner, Sitting Bull in Buffalo Girls, Billy Twofeathers in Thomas and the Magic Railroad, and Wandering Bear in Curb Your Enthusiasm. Film appearances include Wagons East, Natural Born Killers, Cowboy Up, Black Cloud, Pathfinder, Unearthed, Rez Bomb, Tiger Eyes, and Days and Nights. TV appearances include The West, Touched by an Angel, Remember WENN, Duckman, Liberty’s Kids, Nash Bridges, Into the West, American Experience, and Banshee.
Personal Life: Married 5 times and divorced 4. Last wife was a woman named Pearl from 1999 until his death. Had a total of 10 children: 7 biological and 3 “adopted in the Lakota way.” His son Tatanka became an actor and comedian. Had 22 grandchildren and often divided his time Porcupine, South Dakota and Chinle Navajo Nation in Arizona. In 1995, he published his autobiography Where White Men Fear to Tread that he wrote with Marvin J. Wolf. He recounted his own family’s problems: his alcoholic father and his own “fall into truancy, crime and drugs” before discovering the American Indian Movement.
Later Life: In 1997, Means was arrested for assault and battery of his father-in-law Leon Grant, a member of the Omaha Nation married to a Dine (Navajo) Nation. AIM Grand Governing Council issued a statement to reiterate its separation from him. In 2011, Means was diagnosed with esophageal cancer that the doctors said was inoperable. Told the Associated Press that he’d reject “mainstream medical treatments in favor of traditional American Indian remedies and alternative treatments away from his home on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.” Although he reported that he beat the cancer by the end of that year, his health continued to decline and he died in 2012 at 72. A family statement read, “Our dad and husband now walks among our ancestors.” Was cremated and his ashes were sprinkled throughout the Black Hills.
Trivia: Once served as Larry Flynt’s running mate in his unsuccessful presidential run in 1983. Ran for the US presidential nomination for the Libertarian Party in 1987 but lost out to Ron Paul. Ran for governor of New Mexico as an independent in 2001. Ran for president of the Ogala Sioux in 1974 and 2004. Recorded albums entitled Electric Warrior with Sound of America Records in 1993 and The Radical in 2007. Was recognized by the Native American Music Awards in 2013 with a Hall of Fame Award. Was an avid painter with showings in various galleries around the country and the world. Andy Warhol painted 18 portraits of him in his 1976 American Indian series. The Dayton Art Institute holds one of these in its collection. Appears as a character in the 1994 adventure game Under a Killing Moon. Was the focus of a 2014 documentary titled Conspiracy to Be Free. In 2016, artist Magneto Dayo and The Lakota Medicine Men recorded a tribute song dedicated to Means and Richard Oakes called “The Journey” on the album Royalty of the UnderWorld. In 1999, Means taped 6 community TV half-hour programs in Santa Monica called “The Russell Means Show” produced by Helene E. Hagan. As host, Means interviewed guests Sacheen Littlefeather, Greg Sarris, Kateri Walker and Redbone. While the series was archived at the Ogala Lakota College Library. Hagan has also authored 2 books on Means: Russell Means: The European Ancestry of a Militant Indian in 2018 and Wakinyan Zi Tiosppaye: The Case of Yellow Thunder Camp in 2022.
199. Linda Hunt
Dates: 1945-present
Early Life and Career: Born Lydia Susanna Hunt in Morristown, New Jersey. Father was president of Harper Fuel Oil. Mother was a piano teacher who taught at the Westport School of Music and performed with the Saugatuck Congregational Church Choir. Was raised in Westport, Connecticut. Was diagnosed with hypopituitary dwarfism as a teenager and would only grow to 4’9.” Attended the Interlochen Arts Academy and graduated from the Goodman School of Drama at what is now DePaul University in Chicago. Made her Broadway debut in 1975 and her film debut in 1980.
Movies and Cartoons: Pocahontas (1995) as well as the direct-to-video sequel Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World, the video game Disney’s Animated Storybook: Pocahontas and the Fantasmic! theme park attraction.
Characters: Grandmother Willow
Also Known For: Actress whose portrayal of Billy Kwan in The Year of Living Dangerously won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and made her the first person in Oscar history to win the coveted statuette for portraying a character of the opposite sex. Other roles include Mrs. Oxheart in Popeye, Judge Zoey Hiller in The Practice, Commander Chennault in Space Rangers, and Henrietta “Hetty” Lange in NCIS: Los Angeles. Narrator in the God of War video game series. Film appearances include Dune (1984), Silverado, Kindergarten Cop, Stranger Than Fiction, The Bostonians, Eleni, Waiting for the Moon, She-Devil, Carmilla, If Looks Could Kill, Rain Without Thunder, Younger and Younger, Twenty Bucks, Pret-a-Porter, Paul Monette: The Brink of Summer’s End, The Relic, Amazon, Eat Your Heart Out, Dragonfly, Auschwitz: The Nazis and the ‘Final Solution,’ The Singing Revolution, and Solo: A Star Wars Story. TV appearances include Great Performances, American Playhouse, The Room Upstairs, The American Experience, Before We Ruled Earth, Carnivale, Nature, The Unit, Without a Trace, and Scorpion. Stage appearances include Hamlet, Ah, Wilderness!, Top Girls, Aunt Dan and Lemon, and The Cherry Orchard.
Personal Life: Has been in a relationship with psychotherapist Karen Kline since 1978. They’ve been married since 2008.
Later Life: In 2018, People magazine reported that Hunt was involved in a multi-car accident in Los Angeles, which resulted in her taking almost a year off from NCIS: Los Angeles.
Trivia: Received 2 Teen Choice Awards for her performance as Henrietta “Hetty” Lange in NCIS: Los Angeles. Is an ambassador of Best Friends Animal Society.
200. Gordon Tootoosis
Dates: 1941-2011
Early Life and Career: Born in Saskatchewan, Canada. Was raised in a family of 13 siblings in the Plains Cree tradition until he was forced from his home thanks to Canada’s oppressive residential school system that was government policy at the time. Placed in a Catholic residential school, Tootoosis was treated harshly and forbidden to speaking his own language. His father, John Tootosis, was an activist for indigenous rights as well as founder of the National Indian Brotherhood and onetime head of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, which often got him in trouble at school. After his traumatic schooling thanks to a horrendous policy, Tootoosis went into social work, specializing in children and juvenile delinquents. While his interest in his own cultural traditions led him to become an accomplished native dancer and rodeo roper, later touring with the Plains InterTribal Dance Troupe during the 1960s and the 1970s throughout Canada, Europe, and South America. He soon became one of North America’s most popular powwow announcers. First acting role was in 1974.
Movies and Cartoons: Pocahontas (1995)
Characters: Kekata
Also Known For: First Nations actor of Cree and Stoney descent who’s been acclaimed for his commitment preserving his culture and telling his people’s stories. Was a founding member of the board of directors of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company. Offered encouragement, support, and training to Aboriginal actors. Served as a leading Cree activist both as a social worker and as a band chief. Film appearances include Alien Thunder, Marie-Anne, Black Robe, Leaving Normal, Legends of the Fall, Pocahontas: The Legend, Lone Star, Alaska, The Edge, Reindeer Games, Nobody’s Baby, The Doe Boy, Black Point, Now & Forever, On the Corner, Seven Times Lucky, Hank Williams First Nation, That Beautiful Somewhere, and Open Season. TV appearances include Red Serge, Stone Fox, Air Wolf, McGyver, North of 60, Northern Exposure, Lonesome Dove: The Series, 500 Nations, The X-Files, Crazy Horse, Four Directions: A Canoe in the Making, Keeping the Promise, The Magnificent Seven, Due South, Dead Man’s Gun, Big Bear, Smallville, Dreamkeeper, Moccasin Flats, Shania: A Life in Eight Albums, Shoebox Zoo, Wapos Bay: The Series, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knees, and Blackstone.
Personal Life: Brother of famous Cree leader Poundmaker. Married to Irene Seseequasis from 1965 until his death. Had 6 children including daughters Glynis, Alana and Disa along with sons Lee, Winston Bear, and Clint. After their daughter Glynis died of cancer in 1997, they took the responsibility of raising her 4 children in Saskatoon.
Later Life: Died in 2011 of pneumonia at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon at 69. Funeral and internment were held on the Poundmaker Cree Reserve in Cut Knife.
Trivia: Was descendent of Yellow Mud Blanket. Awarded membership in the Order of Canada in 2004. Was chief of his band and vice-president of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. In 2015, the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company changed its name to the Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre Company in his honor.
The Lone Girl in a Crowd 