In production at around the same time as Oliver & Company was a warm-up to what was to come. Based on the Hans Christen Andersen story, The Little Mermaid was originally planned as part of Walt Disney’s earliest feature films, a proposed package featuring vignettes of Hans Christen Andersen tales. Although development soon started after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the late 1930s, it was cancelled due to various circumstances. While directing The Great Mouse Detective in 1985, Robert Clements discovered the Hans Christen fairy tale while browsing through a bookstore. Believing the story provided an “ideal basis” for an animated feature film and keen on making a film that took place underwater, he wrote and presented a 2-page treatment to Walt Disney Studios chief Jeffrey Katzenberg. Since the studio was in developing a sequel to Splash, Katzenberg passed thinking it too similar a project and thought a “girls’ film” wouldn’t do well at the box office. Only to change his mind the very next day. While in production during the 1980s, the staff found by chance the original story and visual development work done by Kay Neilsen for Disney’s proposed 1930s feature. With many of the changes made by staff in the early 1930s to Hans Christen Andersen’s story were coincidentally the same as the changes by Disney writers in the 1980s. In 1987, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman became involved. Ashman particularly proposed to change the crab from an English-butler named Clarence to a Jamaican one named Sebastian. Anyway, once Jeffrey Katzenberg realized that The Little Mermaid could be a success, more money and resources was dedicated to it than any other Disney animated film in decades. It was also the first post-Walt film to film live actors and actresses for animators’ reference material with Sherri Lynn Stoner and Joshua Finkel serving as live action models for Ariel and Eric respectively. While it would be the last Disney animated film to employ the traditional hand-painted cel method. Upon its release in 1989, The Little Mermaid opened to rave reviews and a box office total of $235 million. Also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Under the Sea.” In this post we’ll meet the voice behind Sykes in Oliver & Company, voice actor Frank Welker, as well as the voices behind Ariel, Prince Eric, Ursula, King Triton, Sebastian, Chef Louie, Harold, and Carlotta.

141. Robert Loggia

Dates: 1930-2015

Early Life and Career: Born Salvatore Loggia in Staten Island, New York City. Parents were Italian immigrants from Sicily. Father was a shoemaker. Grew up in the city’s Little Italy where his family spoke Sicilian at home. Graduated from New Dorp High School before taking courses at Wagner College where he joined the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. Earned a degree in journalism in 1951 and studied acting with Alvina Krause at Northwestern University. After serving in the US Army as a reporter for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service in the Caribbean, Loggia started his career in the Actors Studio under Stella Adler. Made his first film in 1956.

Movies and Cartoons: Oliver & Company (1988) as well as episodes of Walt Disney Presents.

Characters: Sykes

Also Known For: Actor who performed in several films and TV shows throughout his 60-year career. Film appearances include Somebody Up There Likes Me, The Garment Jungle, The Lost Missile, The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Three Sisters, Efego Baca: Six Gun Law, Che!, Two Missionaries, Speed Trap, First Love, Revenge of the Pink Panther, The Ninth Configuration, S.O.B., An Officer and a Gentleman, Trail of the Pink Panther, Curse of the Pink Panther, Jagged Edge, Prizzi’s Honor, Armed and Dangerous, Hot Pursuit, Scarface (1983), Big, Relentless, Triumph of the Spirit, Opportunity Knocks, The Marrying Man, Gladiator (1992), Innocent Blood, Bad Girl, I Love Trouble, Man with a Gun, Independence Day, Lost Highway, The Dog of Flanders, The Proposition, Hard Time, The Suburbans, Return to Me, The Shipment, Rain, Apostle Peter and the Last Supper, Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, The Diary of Preston Plummer, An Evergreen Christmas, No Deposit, Sicilian Vampire, Independence Day: Resurgence, and The Red Maple Leaf. TV appearances include Studio One, Playhouse 90, NBC Matinee Theater, Wagon Train, Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, The United States Steel Hour, Overland Trail, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Naked City, Alcoa Premiere, The Untouchables, The Du Pont Show of the Week, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Rawhide, Route 66, Gunsmoke, The Wild Wild West, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, T.H.E. Cat, The Big Valley, The High Chaparral, The F.B.I., Mannix, Starsky & Hutch, McMillan & Wife, Kojak, S.W.A.T., Columbo, Charlie’s Angels, Wonder Woman, The Rockford Files, The Six Million Dollar Man, Police Woman, The Bionic Woman, Hawaii Five-O, Fantasy Island, A Woman Called Golda, Little House on the Prairie, Murder, She Wrote, Magnum P. I., Echoes in the Darkness, Favorite Son, Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8, Sunday Dinner, Wild Palms, Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771, Picture Windows, The Right to Remain Silent, Joan of Arc, Dharma & Greg, Frasier, The Outer Limits, Touched by an Angel, Malcolm in the Middle, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Sopranos, Monk, Men of a Certain Age, and Family Guy. Video Game appearances include Freespace 2, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition, and Scarface: The World Is Yours.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Della Marjorie Sloan from 1954 to their divorce in 1981 with whom he had 3 children. Second wife was Audrey O’Brien from 1982 until his death.

Later Life: Was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010. Died from the disease’s complications in 2015 in his Brentwood home at Los Angeles at 85. Was interred in Westwood Memorial Park.

Trivia: Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Jagged Edge. Won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for Big. Also had 2 Emmy nominations. Was honored by his alma mater, the University of Missouri with an honorary degree for his career and humanitarian efforts.

142. Frank Welker

Dates: 1946-present

Early Life and Career: Born Franklin Wendell Welker in Denver, Colorado. Dad was a mining engineer. Began his career as a stand-up comedian and impressionist before transitioning to on-screen and later voice acting. First major role came in 1969.

Movies and Cartoons: Oliver & Company (1988), The Little Mermaid (1989), The Rescuers Down Under (1990), Duck Tales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), A Goofy Movie (1995), Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Hercules (1997), Mulan (1998), The Tigger Movie (2000), The Emperor’s New Groove (2000), Return to Never Land (2002), and Frozen (2013) as well as various series, cartoon shorts, video games, direct-to-video installments, live action remakes, and theme park attractions.

Characters: Louie the Sausage Vendor, Max, Stuffed Tiger, Marahute, Joanna, Sultan, Figaro, Abu, Rajah, Bigfoot, Flit, Baby Bird, Pegasus, Cri-Kee, Khan, Bees, Llamas, Jaguars, Misty, Nana 2, Giant Octopus, and Sven.

Also Known For: Voice actor who began his career in the 1960s and holds over 680 film, television, and video game credits as of 2023, making him one of the prolific voice actors in history. While his films have amassed a total worldwide box office gross of $17.4 billion, also making him the fourth highest grossing actor as of 2024. Best known for voicing Fred Jones in the Scooby Doo franchise since its inception in 1969 and has voiced the titular character since 2002. Has also voiced Baby Kermit, Baby Beaker, Wonder Dog, Marvin White, Heckle and Jeckle, Quacula, Spike, Tyke, Droopy, Slick Wolf, Barney Bear, Dr. Claw, M.A.D. Cat, Megatron, Galvatron, Soundwave, Santa’s Little Helper, Snowball II, Shao Kahn, Reptile, Curious George, Garfield, Nibbler, Jabberjaw, Speed Buggy, Hector the Bulldog, Astro, and Orbitty. Much of his work includes animal and monster vocalizations. Has done commercials for Honey Smacks, McDonald’s, Rice Krispies, State Farm, and Froot Loops. Film appearances include Once Upon a Girl, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Trouble with Girls, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, How to Frame a Figg, The Informant!, Heidi’s Song, Cujo, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Up the Creek, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Gremlins, My Science Project, Troll, SpaceCamp, My Little Pony: The Movie, The Transformers: The Movie, The Chipmunk Adventure, Pinocchio and the Emperor of Night, G.I. Joe, My Neighbor Totoro, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Happily Ever After, Prancer, Jetsons: the Movie, Graveyard Shift, Hudson Hawk, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, Porco Rosso, Super Mario Bros. (1993), Monkey Trouble, The Shadow, Little Giants, Stargate, In Search of Dr. Seuss, The Santa Clause, The Pagemaster, Gordy, Congo, Mortal Kombat, Independence Day, Space Jam, Mars Attacks!, Cats Don’t Dance, Anaconda, Quest for Camelot, Doug’s 1^st Movie, The Road to El Dorado, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Scooby Doo, The Powderpuff Girls Movie, Looney Tunes: Back in Action, The Cat in the Hat, Curious George, The Ant Bully, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Mirror Mirror, The Smurfs, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Smurfs: The Last Village, Transformers: The Last Knight, and Scoob!. TV appearances include Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie, Super Friends, Butch Cassidy, Valley of the Dinosaurs, The Partridge Family, Wonderbug, Hong Kong Phooey, Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch, Jabberjaw, The Scooby-Doo/Dinomutt Hour, ABC Weekend Special, The Robotic Stooges, Laff-A-Lympics, Dinky Dog, Fangface, Yogi’s Space Race, The New Fantastic Four, The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle & Jeckle, The World’s Greatest Super Friends, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, The Tom & Jerry Comedy Show, The Flintstone Comedy Show, The Frankenstones, Heathcliff, The Kwicky Koala Show, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, The Smurfs, Richie Rich, The Littles, Inspector Gadget, Dungeons & Dragons, Saturday Supercade, Turbo Teen, Wolf Rock TV, The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show, Muppet Babies, The Transformers, The Jetsons, Pound Puppies, The Real Ghostbusters, Johnny Quest, My Little Pony ‘n Friends, Popeye and Son, Garfield and Friends, Superman, Hagar the Horrible: Hagar Knows Best, Timeless Tales from Hallmark, Tiny Toon Adventures, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, The Simpsons, Where’s Waldo?, Batman: The Animated Series, Fish Police, Bonkers, Animaniacs, Sonic the Hedgehog, Gargoyles, The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries, Freakazoid!, Pinky and the Brain, Dexters Laboratory, Adventures from the Book of Virtues, Jungle Cubs, Superman: The Animated Series, Johnny Bravo, Histeria!, The Powderpuff Girls, The Wild Thornberrys, Family Guy, Futurama, Batman Beyond, Jackie Chan Adventures, SpongeBob Squarepants, Time Squad, Static Shock, My Life as a Teenage Robot, W.I.T.C.H., Curious George, Robot Chicken, The Garfield Show, Bubble Guppies, Mad, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Avengers Assemble, The Tom and Jerry Show, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Supernatural, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars Resistance, Teen Titans Go!, Velma, and Jellystone!. Video game appearances include Toonstruck, Fallout, Quest 64, Animaniacs: Ten Pin Alley, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, and Lego Dimensions.

Personal Life: Claimed to have dated actresses Pamela Sue Martin and onetime co-star Teresa Ganzel.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award in 2016. Since 2014, Welker has been the only original voice actor still in the Scooby-Doo franchise. Since obtaining his pilot’s license in 2010, he owns a Beechcraft Bonanza B36T from a local general aviation airport in Los Angeles County.

143. Jodi Benson

Dates: 1961-present

Early Life and Career: Born Jodi Marzorati in Rockford, Illinois. Raised in a Catholic family, she graduated from Boylan Central Catholic High School and Millikin University. Made her debut on Broadway in 1983.

Movies and Cartoons: The Little Mermaid (1989), Toy Story 2 (1999), and Toy Story 3 (2011) as well as various cartoon shorts, series, live action film, video games, theme park attractions, stage shows, albums, and direct-to-video installments.

Characters: Ariel, Vanessa, and Barbies

Also Known For: Actress and singer best known as Ariel. Has performed as a concert soloist all over the world with The Boston Pops, The Philly Pops, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, The National Symphony, as well as the Cleveland, Dallas, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Chicago Symphonies. Film appearances include Thumbelina, A Christmas Carol (1997), Flubber, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Enchanted, The Little Engine That Could, and Secret of the Wings. TV appearances include Hunter, The Pirates of Dark Water, P.J. Sparkles, The Wild Thornberrys, Batman Beyond, Duck Dodgers, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Camp Lazlo, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, Clarence, The Wingfeather Saga, The Loud House, and Sweet Magnolias. Video game appearances include Grandia II, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Stage appearances include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Marilyn: A Fable, Sophisticated Ladies, Smile, Chess, Crazy for You, and Gypsy.

Personal Life: Married to actor/singer Ray Benson since 1984 and has a son and a daughter to him. Has also become a born-again Christian and has contributed as host and narrator of the children’s Christian home video series called “Baby Faith” created by Integrity Publishers & FamilyTreeMedia from 2004 to 2006.

Later Life: Currently lives in Lake Lanier within the Greater Atlanta area in Georgia. Also, is currently the resident guest soloist for the Walt Disney Company/Disney Cruise Line and ambassador for feature animation.

Trivia: Made Disney Legend in 2011. Was nominated for a Tony Award in 1992. Starred in the Kennedy Center Honors for Ginger Rogers. Said to be good friends with Linda Larkin and Paige O’Hara.

144. Christopher Daniel Barnes

Dates: 1972-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Portland, Maine as the youngest of 3 children. Began his career as a child model and later pursued acting at 8. Was practically a teenager still in high school when he starred in The Little Mermaid.

Movies and Cartoons: The Little Mermaid (1989) as well as direct-to-video installments and video games.

Characters: Prince Eric

Also Known For: Actor, writer, and former child model best known for voicing Spider-Man in the 1990s animated series and playing Greg Brady in The Brady Bunch films. Film appearances include American Dreamer, The Brady Bunch Movie, Shut Up and Kiss Me, and The Dino King. TV appearances include ABC Weekend Specials, As the World Turns, Starman, Day by Day, The Golden Girls, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Blossom, Empty Nest, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Wings, Beverly Hills 90210, Malcolm & Eddie, Sonic Underground, 7^th Heaven, JAG, Girlfriends, Touched by an Angel, Jackie Chan Adventures, and Ultimate Spider-Man. Video game appearances include Police Quest III: The Kindred, Law & Order: Dead on the Money, Law & Order: Double or Nothing, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, Spider-Man: Edge of Time, Marvel Heroes, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Dawn Nallick whom he divorced. Second and current wife is Rebecca Guyadeen since 2012.

Later Life: Earned his BA in 2004 and his MA in 2009. Enjoys reading, writing short stories, playing guitar, and yoga. Freely shares his short stories on his own website christopherdanielbarnes.com.

Trivia: None.

145. Pat Carroll

Dates: 1927-2022

Early Life and Career: Born Patricia Ann Carroll in Shreveport, Louisiana. Family moved to Los Angeles when she was 5 and she soon began acting in local productions. Graduated from Immaculate High School and attended the Catholic University of America after enlisting in the US Army as a civilian actress technician. Began her acting career in 1947.

Movies and Cartoons: The Little Mermaid (1989) as well as other series, video games, them park attractions, and direct-to-video installments.

Characters: Ursula

Also Known For: Actress and comedian who’s made numerous guest appearances in popular TV shows as well as providing the voice for Ursula. Film appearances include Up Front, With Six You Get Eggroll, The Brothers O’Toole, Racing with the Moon, My Neighbor Totoro, Songcatcher, Nancy Drew, and BFFs. TV appearances include Make Room for Daddy, Studio 57, Caesar’s Hour, Producer’s Showcase, Kraft Television Theatre, The Steve Allen Show, General Electric Theater, The United States Steel Hour, Cinderella, The Carol Burnett Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Police Story, Laverne & Shirley, Good Heavens, Busting Loose, Police Woman, The Love Boat, Legends of the Superheroes, Trapper John M.D., Yogi’s Treasure Hunt, Pound Puppies, Galaxy High School, A Garfield Christmas, Superman, Garfield’s Thanksgiving, Designing Women, and ER. Stage appearances include Anything Goes, Something’s Afoot, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Show-Off, Mother Courage and Her Children, Volpone, Electra, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Our Town.

Personal Life: Married to Lee Karisan from 1955 to their divorce in 1976. Had 2 children, including actress and writer Tara Karisan.

Later Life: Died of pneumonia at her Cape Cod, Massachusetts home in 2022 at 95.

Trivia: Filed a $12,000 contract against Hanna-Barbera for breach of contract regarding her role on The Jetsons. Has won an Emmy, Grammy, and Drama Desk Award as well as been nominated for a Tony Award. Received an honorary doctorate from Siena College in Albany, New York in 1991.

146. Kenneth Mars

Dates: 1935-2011

Early Life and Career: Born in Chicago. Father was a radio and television personality. Studied fine arts and acting at Northwestern University. Made his acting debut in 1962.

Movies and Cartoons: The Little Mermaid (1989) as well as a variety of series, video games, and direct-to-video installments.

Characters: King Triton

Also Known For: Actor best known for his roles as Franz Liebkind in The Producers (1967) and Inspector Kemp from Young Frankenstein. Played comedic roles, often German characters. Appeared in the Fallout video game. Film appearances include Act One, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, What’s Up, Doc?, The Paralllax View, Night Moves, Yellowbeard, Prince Jack, Protocol, Fletch, The Adventures of the American Rabbit, Radio Days, For Keeps, Illegally Yours, Police Academy 6: City Under Siege, Shadow and Fog, We’re Back! A Dinosaur Story, Thumbelina, Citizen Ruth, and Rough Magic. TV appearances include Gunsmoke, Wonder Woman, It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman, Columbo, Carol Burnett & Company, Hart to Hart, The Facts of Life, The Smurfs, The New Scooby Doo Mysteries, Tiny Toon Adventures, Timeless Tales from Hallmark, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, A Different World, Fieval’s American Tails, The Pink Panther, Bonkers, Animaniacs, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Batman: The Animated Series, Freakazoid!, Diagnosis: Murder, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The Drew Carey Show, Life with Louie, Police Academy: The Series, Godzilla: The Series, Becker, Just Shoot Me!, Malcolm in the Middle, Oliver Beene, Hannah Montana, and The Land Before Time.

Personal Life: Married to Barbara Newborn from 1977 until his death. Had 2 daughters named Susannah and Rebecca.

Later Life: Retired in 2008. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006 that had already spread beyond the pancreas. Cancer made him so ill that Jim Cummings had to replace him. Died in 2011 in Granada Hills, California at 75.

Trivia: None.

147. Samuel E. Wright

Dates: 1946-2021

Early Life and Career: Born in Camden, South Carolina where he was involved in sports and the arts. Moved to New York City in 1946 to pursue an acting career full time.

Movies and Cartoons: The Little Mermaid (1989) and Dinosaur (2000) as well as series, live shows, direct-to-video installments, albums, and video games.

Characters: Sebastian and Kron

Also Known For: Actor best known as the voice of Sebastian as well as for playing Dizzy Gillespie in Bird. Narrated the 1988 Clint Eastwood documentary Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser. Film appearances include Strapped and Me and Him. TV appearances include Ball Four, Enos, The Gift of Amazing Grace, The Cosby Show, Separate but Equal, Raw Toonage, Alex Haley’s Queen, Marsupilami, Law & Order, and New York Undercover. Stage appearances include Jesus Christ Superstar, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Pippin, Over Here!, The Tap Dance Kid, Welcome to the Club, and Promises, Promises.

Personal Life: Married to a woman named Amanda whom he met during a West End production of Two Gentlemen of Verona from 1974 until his death. Had 3 children named Keely, Dee, and Sam Jr.

Later Life: Retired in 2008. Was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018. Died from it at his home in Walden, New York in 2021 at 74.

Trivia: “Under the Sea” won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Was the original Mufasa on the Broadway version of The Lion King.

148. Rene Auberjonois

Dates: 1940-2019

Early Life and Career: Born in Manhattan, New York City. Father was Swiss-born Fernand Auberjonois, a Cold War-era correspondent and Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer. Mother was descendant from Joachim Murat who was one of Napoleon’s marshals and King of Naples during the First French Empire as well as his wife Caroline Bonaparte. Great-grandmother was a Russian noblewoman named Eudoxia Michailovna Somova. Named after his paternal grandfather who was a Swiss post-impressionist painter. Family moved to Paris for a few years after World War II before moving back and joining the South Mountain Road artists’ colony in Rockland County, New York, whose residents included Burgess Meredith, John Houseman, and Lotte Lenya. Family also lived in London where Auberjonois completed high school while studying theater. Attended what is now Carnegie Mellon University and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Fine Arts in 1962. Was also a member of the original faculty of the Julliard School’s Drama Division when it opened in 1968 under John Houseman. After college, Auberjonois worked with several different theater companies, beginning with the prestigious Arena Stage in Washington D.C. Traveled between Los Angeles and New York working in numerous theater productions. Helped found Bill Ball’s American Conservatory Theater in Pittsburgh before moving with the company to San Francisco. Then came the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and the Brooklyn Academy of Music Repertory Company in New York City. Was also a member of the Peninsula Players summer theater program during the 1962 season. Made his Broadway debut in 1968.

Movies and Cartoons: The Little Mermaid (1989) as well as a variety of cartoon series and direct-to-video installments.

Characters: Chef Louis

Also Known For: Actor best known for playing Odo in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Clayton Endicott III in Benson, and Paul Lewiston in Boston Legal. Was Father Mulcahy in the film M*A*S*H and Reverend Oliver in The Patriot. Had more than 200 screen credits as well as narrated audiobooks and performed voice work in video games. Directed many stage productions and TV episodes as well. Film appearances include Brewster McCloud, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Pete ‘n’ Tillie, The Hindenburg, King Kong (1976), The Big Bus, Where the Buffalo Roam, Walker, Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach, The Last Unicorn, Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, Cats Don’t Dance, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, The Lost Language of Cranes, The Player, The Ballad of Little Jo, Batman Forever, Inspector Gadget, The Princess Diaries, The Cat Returns, This Is Happening, Certain Women, Windows on the World, and Raising Buchanan. TV appearances include NET Playhouse, The Mod Squad, McMillan & Wife, The Birdmen, Night Gallery, Conflict, Ben Franklin in Paris, Harry O, The Jeffersons, The Bob Newhart Show, Rhoda, The Bionic Woman, Man from Atlantis, The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, The Flinstone Comedy Show, Super Friends: The Legend Super Powers Show, The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, Wildfire, The New Adventures of Johnny Quest, Charlie’s Angels, Mrs. Columbo, Hart to Hart, The Wild Wild West Revisited, Snorks, Pound Puppies, Superman, The Smurfs, Murder, She Wrote, L.A. Law, Batman: The Animated Series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bonkers, Rugrats, The Savage Dragon, Richie Rich, Men in Black: The Series, The Wild Thornberrys, Max Steel, Justice League, The Mummy, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Outer Limits, Chicago Hope, Stargate SG-1, The Practice, Frasier, Star Trek: Enterprise, Duck Dodgers, Archer, Young Justice, The Looney Tunes Show, The Tom and Jerry Show, Avengers Assemble, Star Trek: Prodigy, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, The Good Wife, The Librarians, and Madam Secretary. Video game appearances include Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Harbinger, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Fallen, Legend of Kain: Soul Reaver 2, Legend of Kain: Soul Reaver 3, Command & Conquer: Renegade, New Legends, Legacy of Kain: Defiance, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Fallout: New Vegas, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, Ben 10: Omniverse 2, Skylanders: Superchargers, and Star Trek Online. Audiobook appearances include The Pendergast novels, Slaves of Sleep, and World War Z.

Personal Life: Married to Judith Helen Mihalyi from 1963 until his death. Had a daughter named Tessa and a son named Remy Luc who both became actors. Had 3 grandchildren by the time of his death.

Later Life: Went through chemotherapy for lung cancer in 2018. In 2019, it was discovered the cancer had spread to his brain. Due to potential for serious cognitive side effects, Auberjonois chose not to pursue the whole brain radiation treatment that his doctors suggested. Instead, as a California resident, Auberjonois sought medical aid in dying under the California End of Life Option Act. In December of that year, he spent his final hours with his family at his Los Angeles home reminiscing over old photos and listening to music. He then took the medication prescribed for assisted suicide and died 2 days later at 79. Since the California End of Life Option Act stipulates that death certificates should list the underlying  terminal illness as the cause of death, his cause was given as metastatic lung cancer.

Trivia: Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2018. Said that family name means “armorer.” Was on the advisory board of Sci-Fest LA, the first annual Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival, held in 2014. Won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Coco in 1970 and was nominated for 3 more. Won a Drama Desk Award for Big River. Was nominated for 3 Emmys.

149. Edie McClurg

Dates: 1945-present

Early Life and Career: Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Father was a mailman. Mother was an FAA secretary. Attended Catholic elementary and high school before going to the University of Missouri – Kansas City in the mid-1960s earning her BA in 1967 and teaching radio there for 8 years. Also earned a master’s degree from Syracuse University in 1970. Was also a DJ, newswoman, and producer for the NPR affiliate KCUR-FM. There she portrayed John Ehrlichman in Conversation 26 of NPR’s national coverage of the Nixon Tape transcript. While visiting her actor brother Robert in San Francisco, McClurg was asked to participate in an impromptu stage performance by the Pitschel Players. She ended up joining the cast and moved to Los Angeles. After the Pitschel Players, she joined the Groundlings Improv Troupe. Made her screen debut in Carrie (1976) as Helen Shyres.

Movies and Cartoons: The Little Mermaid (1989), A Bug’s Life (1998), Home on the Range (2004), Cars (2006), Cars 2 (2011), Wreck-It-Ralph (2012), Frozen (2013), and Zootopia (2016) as well as direct-to-video installments and series like Goof Troop and Darkwing Duck.

Characters: Carlotta, Dr. Flora, Mollie the Pig, Minny, Mary, and Gerda

Also Known For: Actress and comedian who specialized in supporting and recurring roles in film and television. Often played characters with a cheery accent. Best known roles were Herb Tarlek’s wife Lucille in WKRP in Cincinnati, Bonnie Brindle in Small Wonder, Mrs. Marv Mendenhall on The David Letterman Show, and Mrs. Patty Poole in The Hogan Family. Played Helen Shyres in Carrie (1976), the check out lady in Mr. Mom, Grace in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the car rental agent in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and Heater Wilson in Natural Born Killers. Was also Mrs. Violet Bleakman and Grandma Ethel in Clifford the Big Red Dog. Film appearances include Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie, Pandemonium, The Secret of NIMH, The Longshot, Back to School, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, Kikki’s Delivery Service, Curly Sue, A River Runs Through It, Airborne, Under the Hula Moon, Carpool, Casper: A Spirited Beginning, Flubber, Holy Man, The Rugrats Movie, My Neighbors the Yamadas, Hanging Up, Meeting Daddy, Van Wilder, The Master of Disguise, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Breaking Dawn, Fired Up!, Foodfight!, and A Long Way Off. TV appearances include Tony Orlando & Dawn, ABC Afterschool Special, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, Harper Valley PTA, The Incredible Hulk, Alice, American Playhouse, The Jeffersons, The Dukes, Snorks, Diff’rent Strokes, Trapper John M.D., Faerie Tale Theatre, The Jetsons, Moonlighting, Mr. Belvedere, Timeless Tales from Hallmark, The Golden Girls, Tiny Toon Adventures, The Addams Family, Roseanne, Dinosaurs, Full House, Seinfeld, Adventures in Wonderland, L.A. Law, Empty Nest, Life with Louie, 7^th Heaven, Touched by an Angel, Melrose Place, Married…with Children, Nash Bridges, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Columbo, Mad About You, CatDog, Batman Beyond, Providence, Malcolm in the Middle, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Hannah Montana, Curious George, Days of Our Lives, Elvira’s Movie Macabre, Portlandia, Desperate Housewives, Doc McStuffins, Two and a Half Men, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Ben 10: Omniverse, NCIS, Mike & Molly, and Family Guy. Video game appearances include Nightmare Ned and Escape from Monkey Island.

Personal Life: Most likely never married.

Later Life: In 2019, TMZ reported that McClurg’s family and friends filed court documents requesting conservatorship to manage her affairs. They said the neurological tests provided evidence that she was unable to live alone without assistance and is “especially vulnerable to undue influence, given her poor judgment and evident dementia.” TMZ further reported that a conservator, McClurg’s cousin, actress Angelique Cabral had been appointed. In 2022, the lawyer for the conservatorship filed court documents alleging that McClurg had been abused by a man who had befriended her, moved into her house, and had become her court-appointed caregiver. The documents alleged that the man had sexually abused McClurg and a police report was filed with the Los Angeles Police Department. They further allege that the man tried to remove her from the state to marry her. The conservatorship judge granted an order of protection hearings that same year. Retired in 2022.

Trivia: Worked with fellow Groundling player Paul Reubens on his first play of The Pee Wee Herman Show, in which she appeared in 1981 as “Hermit Hattie.” Studied improvisation comedy under Violet Spolin and joined the Spolin Players.

150. Will Ryan

Dates: 1949-2021

Early Life and Career: Born and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Became established by singing about the American West. In 1966, his earlier band Wead played a gig in Wellington, Ohio. In the late 1970s, he teamed up with Phil Baron as Willo and Phillo. They had regular gigs on television, radio, comedy clubs, and universities throughout the US. They later paired up again to voice Teddy Ruxpin and Grubby the Octopede in the Teddy Ruxpin book and tape series as well as the 1980s cartoon. Duo relocated to California to write and record wacky songs for Disneyland Records.

Movies and Cartoons: The Little Mermaid (1989) as well as in specials, shorts, albums, and series.

Characters: Harold

Also Known For: Voice actor, musician, and singer best known as the voice of Petrie in The Land Before Time and Grubby in The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin. Did voice work of 100 characters in the Christian drama Adventures in Odyssey. Created Elmo Aardvark a pastiche of early animated cartoon stars in 1993. Film appearances include Frog and Toad Are Friends, An American Tail, Frog and Toad Together, Morris Goes to School, Rock-a-Doodle, Thumbelina, The Pebble and the Penguin, and Looney Tunes: Back in Action. TV appearances include Cap’n O.G. Readmore’s Jack and the Beanstalk, Cap’n O.G. Readmore’s Puss in Boots, Garfield and Friends, Saban’s Adventures with Oliver Twist, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Roary the Racing Car, and Family Guy.

Personal Life: Married to Nancy Niparko until his death.

Later Life: Died from pancreatic cancer in 2021 in Santa Monica, California at 72.

Trivia: Co-hosted a show with fellow voice actress Katie Leigh “Tell Ya Later” on YouTube throughout most of 2021. Last episode premiered 4 days before Ryan’s death.

              These next 2 movies are spins on classic literary tales based on the works of Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens. If you want to do an animated adaptation based on Sherlock Holmes with animals, then Eve Titus’ children’s book series Basil of Baker Street would be it. At first, the project fell into limbo back in the early 1980s because of its similarities to The Rescuers, most notably its heroes being mice. But production began once Disney estimated that The Black Cauldron wouldn’t be a success. Those involved also had to work at a $10 million budget and a year to complete the film. As for animation, the finale uses early CGI and takes inspiration from the 1979 anime film The Cabinet of Cagilostro. While Dr. Dawson was modeled as a tribute to animation consultant Eric Larson, the last of Disney’s Nine Old Men. Its 1986 release was a box office success and received decent reviews from critics such as 2 thumbs up by Siskel & Ebert. But like movies such as The Aristocrats, The Rescuers, and The Fox and the Hound, its 78% Rotten Tomatoes show that it’s regarded as good movie but no masterpiece. Still, “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind,” number is a great villain song.

              Oliver & Company is based on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. But it’s set in modern day New York City with animals voiced by two major music legends at the height of their careers comprising of a Broadway queen and a rock icon, a couple of comedians, and sitcom veterans. This would be the first film developed under the leadership of Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg and was approved around the same time as The Little Mermaid. For the animals, animators used films like Lady and the Tramp and One Hundred and One Dalmatians for reference as well as the actors’ movements documented by artists and video tape. While some scenes were animated with computer-assisted imagery. In its 1988 release, Oliver & Company became the first animated film to gross $100 million worldwide and managed to out earn The Land Before Time. Yet, it also opened to mixed reviews and holds a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Siskel and Ebert gave it 2 thumbs down. While Vincent Canby of The New York Times said it looks cheesy and second-rate. The animation is somewhat better than the usual stuff seen on Saturday morning television, but not much. It is totally without distinctive visual style, suggesting only the sort of bland cartoon drawings one finds in a manual of first-aid instructions.” In this post, we’ll meet voice actor Cheech Marin, Alan Young, Walker Edmiston, and Tony Anselmo, as well as the voices behind Dr. Dawson, Miss Mouse, Oliver, Einstein, and Rita.

131. Val Bettin

Dates: 1923-2021

Early Life and Career: Born Valentine John Bettin in La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 1948, he went to England to enroll in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts where he graduated in 1950. Later went to Iowa to become a drama teacher. Made his film debut in 1980.

Movies and Cartoons: The Great Mouse Detective (1986) as well as TV series, direct-to-video films, and video games.

Characters: Dawson and Thug Guard

Also Known For: American character actor who often used an English accent in almost all his roles. Film appearances include Somewhere in Time, The Man Who Wasn’t There (1983), and Shrek. TV appearances include Webster, Great Scott!, American Masters, Mighty Ducks, and W.I.T.C.H. Also appeared in video game Zork: The Grand Inquisitor.

Personal Life: Married to Hilda Pender from 1950-2007. Wife was from Manchester, England and they met in London.

Later Life: Retired in 2008. Died in 2021 of natural causes in Ventura, California at 97. Buried in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.

Trivia: None.

132. Alan Young

Dates: 1919-2016

Early Life and Career: Born Angus Young in North Shields, Northumberland, England to Scottish parents. Father was a miner and tap dancer. Mother was a singer. Family moved to Edinburgh, Scotland when he was a toddler and later to West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada when he was six. Spent a lot of childhood bedridden due to his sever asthma but came to love radio. By the time Young was in high school, he had his own comedy series on CBC network but left it during World War II in order to serve in the Royal Canadian Navy. But later resigned once he learned that he’d be spending his time writing for a navy show. He attempted to join the Canadian Army but they rejected to him because of his childhood asthma. After leaving the service, Young moved to Toronto and resumed his Canadian radio career until an American talent agent discovered him in 1944, which brought him to New York City. This eventually led to his own show. Made his first film in 1946.

Movies and Cartoons: The Great Mouse Detective (1986) as well as other cartoon series like Duck Tales and Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, specials like Mickey’s Christmas Carol, direct-to-video installments, and albums.

Characters: Mr. Flaversham and Scrooge McDuck

Also Known For: British actor, comedian, and radio presenter best known for playing Wilbur Post in Mr. Ed as well as voicing Scrooge McDuck for over 40 years from 1974 until his death. Had his own variety sketch show on both radio and television during the 1940s and 1950s called The Alan Young Show. Film appearances include Margie, Androcles and the Lion, Gentlemen Marry Brunettes, Mr. Belvedere Goes to College, Tom Thumb, The Time Machine (1960), The Cat from Outer Space, Em & Me, and The Time Machine (2002). TV appearances include General Electric Theater, Screen Director’s Playhouse, Studio One, Chevron Hall of Stars, Matinee Theatre, Studio 57, The Steve Allen Show, Death Valley Days, The Love Boat, Spider Man and His Amazing Friends, The Incredible Hulk, The Smurfs, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Scooby Doo and Scrappy-Doo Show, Mister T, Murder, She Wrote, Coming of Age, Doogie Houser M.D., Coach, Batman: The Animated Series, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Duckman, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Hart to Hart, ER, and Static Shock. Radio appearances include Texaco Star Theater, Family Theater, The Jack Benny Program, Hollywood Star Playhouse, Sears Radio Theater, and Adventures in Odyssey.

Personal Life: Claimed to have dated Marilyn Monroe several times. Married 3 times. First wife was Mary Ann Grimes from 1941 to their divorce in 1947. Had 2 children with her. Second wife was Virginia McCurdy from 1948 to their divorce in 1995. He also had 2 children with her. Third wife was Mary Chipman from 1996 to their divorce in 1997. Although he dedicated his book Mr. Ed and Me to her.

Later Life: Spent his final years at the Motion Picture & Television House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. Died there in 2016 at 96. Was buried at sea.

Trivia: Considered by TV Guide to be “the Charlie Chaplin of television.” Won 2 Emmys for his variety show.

133. Melissa Manchester

Dates: 1951-present

Early Life and Career: Born in The Bronx in New York City. Came from a musical family of Jewish origin. Father played bassoon for the New York Metropolitan Opera for 3 decades. Mother was one of the first woman to design and found her own clothing firm, Ruth Manchester Ltd. Started her singing career at an early age. Learned piano and harpsicord at the Manhattan School of Music. At 15, she began singing commercial jingles. At 17, she became a staff songwriter for Chappell Music while attending Manhattan’s High School of the Performing Arts. At 19, she studied songwriting at New York University with Paul Simon. Played in the Manhattan club scene where a friend and fellow jingle singer Barry Manilow introduced her to Bette Midler. Became a member of the Harlettes in 1971, Midler’s backup singers. Released her first album in 1973.

Movies and Cartoons: The Great Mouse Detective (1986) as well as a direct-to-video film.

Characters: Miss Mouse

Also Known For: Singer, songwriter, and actress whose songs have been played on adult contemporary radio stations since the 1970s. Has also appeared on stage, film, and in television. Film appearances include The Promise, The Last Starfighter, For the Boys, Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, Dirty Girl, and For Colored Girls. TV appearances include Midnight Special, Blossom, The Search for Tomorrow, The Muppet Show, The Trials of Rose O’Neill, and General Hospital. Hit songs include, “Midnight Blue,” “Rescue Me,” “Dirty Work,” “I Wanna Be Where You Are,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” “Through the Eyes of Love,” “Without You,” “Race to the End,” “You Should Hear How She Talks About You,” “My Boyfriend’s Back,” “Energy,” “Walk On By,” and “Be My  Baby.”

Personal Life: Married to her tour coordinator Kevin De Remer since 1982. Has 2 children with him.

Later Life: Is currently an adjunct professor at USC Thornton School of Music.

Trivia: Won a Grammy Award in 1982 for “You Should Hear How She Talks About You” in the category of Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Has received the Governor’s Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences for her contributions to music and the recording arts. Body of work has been featured in an exhibit at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. Has been inducted in the Bronx Hall of Fame. Was honored by Michael Feinstein and Songbook Foundation Executive Director Christopher Lewis with the Songbook Hall of Fame’s New Standard Award for her contributions to the American Songbook and her timeless music in 2021. Had 2 songs nominated for Academy Awards in 1979 and 1980. Sang the US national anthem for the 1991 World Series.

134. Tony Anselmo

Dates: 1960-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Formed an early interest in Disney after seeing Mary Poppins at the age of 4. Family moved to Sunnyvale, California when Anselmo was 7 and he continued to study Disney and animation. Using the Preston Blair art book Advanced Animation, he began drawing. He also built a light table of his own as well as began creating animation with a Super 8 camera. Attended Marian A. Peterson High School. Took night art classes at local colleges and began correspondence with artists who animated Disney films like Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Eric Larson, and Milt Kahl. Later studied at the Character Animation Department of California Institute of the Arts on a full scholarship from the Disney Family in the fall of 1978. Began his career at Disney in 1980 and contributed to the animation of 20 feature films. Was trained and mentored by Clarence Nash. When Nash died in 1985, Anselmo inherited the role of Donald Duck just as Nash had wished. Has been the only person to both animate and voice Donald Duck.

Movies and Cartoons: The Great Mouse Detective (1985) as well as other various cartoons, series like Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, Duck Tales, and Quack Pack, video games, direct-to-video installments, albums, theme park attractions, and other projects as Donald Duck. Also voiced for Gargoyles and Phineas and Ferb.

Characters: Thug, Donald Duck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie

Also Known For: Voice actor and animator. Worked as a Disney animator for The Black Cauldron (1985), The Great Mouse Detective (1985), Oliver & Company (1988), The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), The Lion King (1994), Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Hercules (1997), Mulan (1998), Tarzan (1999), Fantasia 2000 (1999), The Emperor’s New Groove (2000), Home on the Range (2004), and Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005) as well as other cartoons. Has been credited in 23 animation roles.

Personal Life: As far as I know, there’s really not much I can dig about his personal life.

Later Life: Still works at Disney as of 2025.

Trivia: Became a Disney Legend in 2009. Won the 2014 BTVA Voice Acting Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series as well as the BTVA Video Game Voice Acting Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game. Began collecting merchandise at an early age and is known for his comprehensive collection of posters relating to the works of Walt Disney. This resulted in a 2002 book, The Disney Poster Book Featuring the Collection of Tony Anselmo. Collection was used in exhibits at The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.

135. Walker Edmiston

Dates: 1926-2007

Early Life and Career: Born in St. Louis, Missouri. Participated in local theater productions during his high school years. Later studied at the Pasadena Playhouse. During the 1950s, he worked on puppet shows on KTLA-TV in Los Angeles. In 1962, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he began a daily puppet show on KOOL-TV. Was also director at Children’s Theater in Phoenix.

Movies and Cartoons: The Great Mouse Detective (1985) as well as series like Dumbo’s Circus.

Characters: Thug

Also Known For: Actor and puppeteer who’s best known as the voice of Wally the Walrus. Films include Everything’s Ducky, The Beach Girls and the Monster, Stagecoach (1965), The Green Berets, Pufnstuf, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Down and Dirty Duck, Scared to Death, The Bear, The Transformers: The Movie, Dick Tracy, and Whisper of the Heart. TV appearances include The Flintstones, Star Trek: The Original Series, The Monkees, The Wild Wild West, H.R. Pufnstuf, The Bugaloos, Bonanza, Lidsville, Mission: Impossible, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, Land of the Lost, Trilogy of Terror, Little House on the Prairie, The Bob Newhart Show, The Waltons, The Dukes of Hazzard, Buck Rogers of the 25^th Century, Spider-Man, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, The Transformers, and Adventures in Odyssey.

Personal Life: Married to a woman named Evelyn from 1950 until her death in 1998. Had 2 daughters Andria and Erin.

Later Life: Retried in 2006. Died from cancer in 2007 in Woodland Hills, California.

Trivia: Auditioned for the voice of Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back.

136. Joey Lawrence

Dates: 1976-present

Early Life and Career: Born Joseph Lawrence Mignogna III in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Oldest of 3 sons to an insurance broker father and former elementary school teacher turned personnel manager mother. Family name was changed to “Lawrence” when he and his younger brothers started acting. Landed his first acting role in a Cracker Jack commercial at 5. Began a music career at 16. Graduated from Abington Friends School. Graduated from the University of Southern California in 1994.

Movies and Cartoons: Oliver & Company (1988) and A Goofy Movie (1995) as well as series like Recess and The Emperor’s New School.

Characters: Oliver and Chad

Also Known For: Actor, musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, and game show host. Best known as a child actor in the early 1980s who portrayed Joey Russo in Blossom and Joey Longo in Melissa & Joey. Also starred in Gimme a Break! and Brotherly Love with real-life brothers Matthew and Andrew. Film appearances include Summer Rental, Chains of Gold, Desperate But Not Serious, Do You Wanna Know a Secret?, Roe v. Wade, Money Plane, and Frankie Meets Jack. TV appearances include Diff’rent Strokes, Silver Spoons, ABC Afterschool Special, Adventures in Babysitting, Almost Home, Empty Nest, Something Wilder, Wheel of Fortune, Horse Sense, Touched by an Angel, Jumping Ship, Romantic Comedy 101, The Zeta Project, American Dreams, Run of the House, Haf & Half, CSI: NY, My Fake Fiance, Splash, Celebrity Family Feud, Cupcake Wars, Hawaii Five-O, Celebrity Big Brother, and The Masked Singer. Best known single is “Nothin’ My Love Can Fix.”

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First wife was Michelle Vella from 2002 to their divorce in 2005. Second wife was Chandie Yawn-Nelson whom he met during a vacation to Disney World when they were teenagers. They married there in 2005. Have 2 children named Charleston and Liberty. Reports surfaced in 2018 that the couple filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2017, which was later settled. Yet, Lawrence filed for divorce in 2020. Met third wife Samantha Cope on a Lifetime television film set whom he married in 2022. Has a daughter born with her in 2023. Cope filed for divorce in 2024 but they apparently reconciled later that year.

Later Life: Launched the “Brotherly Love Podcast” in 2023 with brothers Matthew and Andrew.

Trivia: None.

137. Cheech Marin

Dates: 1946-present

Early Life and Career: Born Richard Anthony Marin in Los Angeles to Mexican parents. Mom was a secretary. Dad was a police officer and US Navy veteran of World War II. Had a cleft lip that was surgically repaired. Received the nickname “Cheech” from his uncle which is derived from “chicharron,” a pork rind and it was attributed to him from the time he was born. Family moved to Granada Hills, California in 1955 where he attended St. John Baptist de la Salle Catholic School and Bishop Alemany High School. During his teens, he began attending folk music events in Ash Grove and Melrose Avenue. Afterwards, Marin studied at California State University, Northridge where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa. During his second semester, he worked almost full-time at Nordskog Industries in Van Nuys. It was also during this time that he became introduced to marijuana through his fraternity and became acquainted with Timothy Leary at a Students for a Democratic Society campus event and the two would become lifelong friends. Soon after graduating as an English major at CSUN in 1968, he auditioned to sing for Frank Zappa’s band, the Mothers of Invention but wasn’t offered a place. He then moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in order to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War and met his future partner Tommy Chong in Calgary, Alberta. The two would become a highly successful comedy duo during the 1970s and early 1980s with a number of comedy albums and feature films all in which Marin c-wrote with Chong. They disbanded in 1985 and Marin began his solo career.

Movies and Cartoons: Oliver & Company (1988), The Lion King (1995), Cars (2006), Cars 2 (2011), Cars 3 (2017), and Coco (2017) as well as series like Elena of Avalor, direct-to-video films, video games, live appearances, specials, and theme park attractions.

Characters: Tito, Banzai, Ramone, and Corrections Officer.

Also Known For: Comedian, actor, screenwriter, and director best known as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s and as Don Johnson’s partner Insp. Joe Dominguez on Nash Bridges. Film appearances include Up in Smoke, Nice Dreams, Still Smokin’, Yellowbeard, Get Out of My Room, After Hours, Echo Park, Born in East L.A., Fatal Beauty, Ghostbusters II, Far Out Man, The Shrimp on the Barbie, Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, Charlie’s Ghost Story, A Million to Juan, Desperado, From Dusk to Dawn, The Great White Hype, Tin Cup, Paulie, Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, Pinocchio, Masked and Anonymous, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Christmas with the Kranks, Grindhouse, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Race from Witch Mountain, Tales from Earthsea, Machete, The Book of Life, Dark Harvest, Shotgun Wedding, Champions, and The Long Game. TV appearances include The Tracey Ullman Show, Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme, Great Performances, Married…with Children, The Golden Palace, Tales from the Crypt, The Cisco Kid, Sesame Street, Santo Bugito, The Courtyard, South Park, George Lopez, Judging Amy, Dora the Explorer, Lost, Mind of Mencia, Grey’s Anatomy, MADtv, The Simpsons, Lopez Tonight, American Dad!, Psych, Anger Management, Jane the Virgin, Maya and the Three, Home Economics, Lopez vs. Lopez, The Legend of Vox Machina, The Muppets Mayhem, and Primos.

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First wife was Darlene Morley who co-produced Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers as well as played a minor role in Cheech & Chong films as Rikki Marin. Couple had a child and divorced in 1984. Second wife was Patti Heid in 1986 to their divorce. Couple have 2 children. Third wife was longtime girlfriend, Russian pianist Natasha Rubin whom he married in a sunset ceremony at their Malibu home in 2009. They’ve been together ever since.

Later Life: In 2019, Marin signed an agreement with Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corporation to have exclusive rights to use cannabis and cannabis-related products utilizing the Private Stash brand throughout Canada for 2 years, with the agreement renewing for an additional year upon achieving various milestones. Currently lives in Malibu with his wife Natasha as well as is a fan of the LA Rams and the LA Dodgers.

Trivia: Identifies as Chicano as well as speaks some Spanish that he often speaks in his movies. Won a Grammy in 1973 for best Comedy Recording for Los Cochinos. Has been an avid collector of Chicano art since the 1980s and there have been 2 national touring exhibitions that have featured works in his private collection. Since Marin feels that it’s important to use his celebrity status to call attention to what he sees as an under-appreciation and under-represented style of art. In collaboration with the city of Riverside, California and the Riverside Art Museum, Marin established The Cheech Marin Center of Chicano Art, Culture, & Industry which opened in 2022. There, Marin has donated 700 pieces of Chicano art, the largest collection of such art in the world. The center provides a location for Chicano art study and presentation and is expected to draw international attention. Is an active golfer. Also enjoys horse archery on a special course built on his private land.

138. Richard Mulligan

Dates: 1932-2000

Early Life and Career: Born in The Bronx and served in the US Navy during the Korean War before studying to become a playwright at Columbia University. After college, he began working in theatre, making his debut as stage manager and performer on Broadway in 1960. Made his first film in 1962 and first appeared on television that same year.

Movies and Cartoons: Oliver & Company (1988)

Characters: Einstein

Also Known For: Character known for his roles as Burt Campbell in Soap and Dr. Harry Weston in Empty Nest. Most notable film role was of George Armstrong Custer in Little Big Man. Often portrayed eccentric but loveable characters. Film appearances include Love with a Proper Stranger, The Undefeated, Irish Whiskey Rebellion, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Visit to a Chief’s Son, Scavenger Hunt, S.O.B., Trail of the Pink Panther, Malibu, Teachers, Micki + Maude, Doin’ Time, The Heavenly Kid, and A Fine Mess. TV appearances include The Defenders, Car 54, Where Are You?, Route 66, The Hero, Gunsmoke, I Dream of Jeannie, Bonanza, The Partridge, Matt Helm Little House on the Prairie, Charlie’s Angels, Hunter, The Love Boat, The Twilight Zone, Highway to Heaven, The Golden Girls, Nurses, The Angry Beavers, and Hey, Arnold!.

Personal Life: Younger brother of director and producer Robert Mulligan. Married 4 times. First wife was Patricia Jones from 1955 to their divorce in 1960. Had a son named James Mulligan. Second wife was Joan Hackett from 1966 to their divorce in 1973. Third wife was Lenore Stevens from 1978 to their divorce in 1990. Fourth wife was porn actress Rachel Ryan which only lasted for 6 months.

Later Life: Died of colorectal cancer at his Los Angeles home in 2000 at 67. His remains were cremated.

Trivia: Has won 2 Emmys and a Golden Globe. Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in television located at 6777 Hollywood Boulevard.

139. Roscoe Lee Browne

Dates: 1922-2007

Early Life and Career: Born in Woodbury, New Jersey. Father was a Baptist minister. Graduated from Woodbury Junior-Senior High School in 1939. Attended the historically black Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1946. During World War II, he served in Italy with the United States Army’s 92 Infantry Division and organized its track and field team. After the war and his college graduation, Browne undertook postgraduate work under the GI Bill at Middlebury College, Columbia University, and the University of Florence. A middle-distance runner at the time, Brown won 2 Amateur Athletic Union 1,000 – yard national indoor championships. Was also said to tour Europe as a half-miler with the USA Track and Field team from 1950 to 1951. And from 1946-1952, he occasionally returned to Lincoln University in order to teach English, French, and comparative literature. Upon leaving academia, Browne earned a living for several years selling wine at the Schenley Import Corporation before leaving to become a full-time professional actor. Made his debut at New York City’s first Shakespear in the Park during that very year.

Movies and Cartoons: Oliver & Company (1988) and Treasure Planet (2002)

Characters: Francis and Mr. Arrow

Also Known For: Actor and director who resisted playing stereotypically black roles, instead performing in several productions with New York City’s Shakespeare Festival Theater, Leland Hayward’s satirical NBC series That Was the Week That Was, and a poetry performance tour of the United States in addition to his work in film and television. Best known for his movies and many guest appearances during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1966, Browne made his stage directorial debut with A Hand Is On the Gate that starred James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, and Moses Gunn. Narrated a record album in 1977 called The Story of Star Wars, which presented the events depicted in the first released film using the dialogue and sound effects. Performed August Wilson plays on both Broadway and the Pittsburgh Public Theater. Did audio recordings of books Film appearances include The Connection, Pie in the Sky, Black Like Me, The Comedians, Topaz, The Liberation of L.B. Jones, The Cowboys, Cisco Pike, The World’s Greatest Athlete, Logan’s Run, Legal Eagles, Moon 44, The Mambo Kings, Eddie Presley, Naked in New York, Babe, Dear God, Forest Warrior, Babe: Pig in the City, Morgan’s Ferry, and Unchained Memories. TV appearances include Espionage, Insight, Mannix, The Outcasts, Bonanza, The Name of the Game, Stanford and Son, All in the Family, The Streets of San Francisco, Good Times, Barney Miller, Starsky & Hutch, Maude, Benson, Soap, Magnum P.I. For Us the Living: The Medgar Evans Story, The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible, The Cosby Show, Visionaries: The Knights of the Magical Light, The Real Ghostbusters, Highway to Heaven, Falcon Crest, A Different World, Columbo, Father Dowling Mysteries, Law & Order, SeaQuest DSV, Batman: The Animated Series, Freakazoid!, Spider-Man, Cosby, The Wild Thornberrys, Hope Island, ER, The Proud Family, The Shield, Static Shock, and Will & Grace. Stage appearances include The Taming of the Shrew, Julius Caesar, Titus Andronicus, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, The Cool World, Purlie Victorious, The Blacks: A Clown Show, King Lear, Brecht on Brecht, The Winter’s Tale, The Ballad of Sad Café, The Threepenny Opera, Benito Cereno, The Old Glory, Hell Is Other People, Danton’s Death, Trolius and Cressida, Beyond the Fringe, Sodom and Gomorrah, Man and Superman, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Volpone, The Dream on Monkey Mountain, A Rap on Race, As You Like It, Desire Under the Elms, Pantomime, My One and Only, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Two Trains Running, and House of Flowers.

Personal Life: Never married.

Later Life: Died of stomach cancer in 2007 at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles at 84.

Trivia: Has won 3 Emmys and was once nominated for a Tony Award. Inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1973 and to the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2008.

140. Sheryl Lee Ralph

Dates: 1956-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Waterbury, Connecticut. Father was a professor. Mother was a Jamaican fashion designer and creator of the kariba suit. Raised between Mandeville, Jamaica and Long Island, New York. Attended Uniondale High School in Uniondale, New York where she starred in a production of Oklahoma! as Ado Anne. Graduated in 1972 and was crowned Miss Black Teenage New York earlier that year. Graduated from Rutgers University at 19, the youngest woman ever to do so. During her time there, Ralph was one of the earliest winners of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships awarded by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Also, in that year, Ralph was named one of the top ten college women in America by Glamour magazine. Initially, she hoped to study medicine but after winning that scholarship and dealing with cadavers, Ralph switched to the performing arts. Began her career on stage during the 1970s.

Movies and Cartoons: Oliver & Company (1988) as well as the series Recess.

Characters: Rita

Also Known For: Actress and singer best known for originating the role of Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls in 1981 and starring as Barbara Howard in Abbott Elementary. Had a voice role in the video game BioShock and recorded 2 albums. Hit single was “Here Comes the Rain Again.” Film appearances include A Piece of the Action, The Mighty Quinn, Skin Deep, Mistress, To Sleep with Anger, The Distinguished Gentlemen, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, The Flintstones, White Man’s Burden, Bogus, Deterrence, Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel, Christmas in Compton, Step Sisters, The Comeback Trail, The Fabulous Four, and Ricky. TV appearances include Good Times, Wonder Woman, The Jeffersons, Search for Tomorrow, V: The Series, L.A. Law, Amazing Stories, Family Feud, Falcon Crest, Designing Women, Soul Train, Moesha, The Wild Thornberrys, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Hollywood Squares, Justice League, It’s a Living, The Proud Family, Static Shock, Justice League Unlimited, 7^th Heaven, ER, Hannah Montana, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Young Justice, Smash, RuPaul’s Drag Race, 2 Broke Girls, Criminal Minds, Ray Donovan, One Mississippi, MacGyver, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Soul of a Nation, Celebrity Family Feud, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, Bob’s Burgers, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Stage appearances include Thoroughly Modern Millie, Wicked, Goosebumps: The Musical, Thoughts of a Colored Man, and Ohio State Murders.

Personal Life: Older sister of actor and comedian Michael Ralph. Married twice. First husband was French businessman Eric Maurice from 1990 to their divorce in 2001. Has 2 children with him. Second and current husband is Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes since 2005.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Nominated for a Tony Award for Dreamgirls. Won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary in 2022, becoming the first black woman to win in 35 years. Received 5 NAACP Image Award nominations. Was a commencement speaker at Rutgers in 2023. Was named The Advocate’s 2024 Advocate of the Year for her impactful work in advocacy and representation of marginalized communities. Named an honorary member Delta Sigma Theta sorority in 2004. Received an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 2008 at Tougaloo College after giving its commencement address and received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree there. Was named 2024 Jamaican of the Year on Jamaicans.com, which celebrated her extraordinary contributions to representing Jamaican culture and excellence globally. Sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the Super Bowl XLVII pregame show in 2023 as well as appeared as Mrs. Claus in that year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Based on Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain series, the people at Disney made The Black Cauldron as an attempt to appeal to teenagers as their first animated film to have a PG rating. Work on the movie began in 1973 with the film rights to Alexander’s books obtained with mostly story development done throughout the 1970s. While production began in 1980. The Black Cauldron would also become the first Disney animated film to use the animation photo transfer process (APT) only to revert back to the good old xerographic process used by Disney since the 1950s after the APT-transferred line art would fade off of the cels over time. Not to mention, the first to use computer-generated imagery. And it would be the last animated feature completed at the original animation building at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. While its score would be composed by the great Elmer Bernstein. By the time of its 1985 release, The Black Cauldron would be Disney’s most expensive film at the time at $44 million. Unfortunately, it was one of Disney’s biggest disasters becoming a box office bomb grossing $21.3 million domestically. Even worse is that this movie has a 56% Rotten Tomatoes rating and has become one of the least popular and most forgotten Disney movies that many people today aren’t aware that this film exists. In fact, it’s more forgotten than The Sword in the Stone. Mainly because it’s a dark fantasy adventure film that only appeals to particular niches of people who are either die-hard Disney or fantasy fans. In this post, we’ll meet the voices behind 2 more characters from The Fox and the Hound, one from The Great Mouse Detective, voice actor Wayne Allwine, as well as the voices behind Dallben, Fflewddur Fflam (and Professor Porter), King Eidilleg, and Creeper.

121. Sandy Duncan

Dates: 1946-present

Early Life and Career: Born in New London, Texas. Father was a gas station owner. Performed her first dance recital at 5. Moved to Tyler, Texas while in the third grade. Started her entertainment career at 12 when she performed at a local production of The King and I.

Movies and Cartoons: The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Characters: Vixey

Also Known For: Actress, comedian, dancer and singer. Best known for her performances in the Broadway revival of Peter Pan, the sitcom The Hogan Family, and Disney films like The Million Dollar Duck and The Cat from Outer Space. Films include Midnight Cowboy, Star Spangled Girl, Rock-a-Doodle, The Swan Princess, and Never Again. TV appearances include Search for Tomorrow, The Jackie Gleason Show, What’s My Line?, Funny Face, The Sandy Duncan Show, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, The Hollywood Squares, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The $25,000 Pyramid, Dinah!, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, The Muppet Show, Roots, The Love Boat, ALF, Barney and the Backyard Gang, Law & Order, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Theater appearances include The King and I, Billion Dollar Baby, South Pacific, Showboat, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Brigadoon, The Music Man, Carousel, Life with Father, Canterbury Tales, Wonderful Town, Chicago, Jubilee, Anything Goes, Mame, Driving Miss Daisy, The Glass Menagerie, Finding Neverland, and Love Letters.

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First husband was singer-actor Bruce Scott whom she met in an Off-Broadway production of Your Own Thing. Married from 1968 to their divorce in 1972, said to be caused by tensions resulting from Duncan’s rise to stardom. Or in other words, her success was too much for his ego. Second husband was a consulting surgeon for her brain tumor surgery named Dr. Thomas Calcaterra from 1973 to their divorce in 1979 because of demands regarding Duncan’s 1978 nightclub act and her refusal to remain at home to be a “good doctor’s wife.” Third and current husband actor and choreographer Don Correia since 1980 whom she performed on stage with. They have 2 sons who were born in 1982 and 1984.

Later Life: Currently lives in Connecticut with her current husband Correia.

Trivia: Nominated for 3 Tony Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, and 3 Golden Globe Awards. Taylorville, Illinois named a street in her honor. Won a Drama Desk Award in 1970 and a Theatre World Award in 1968.

122. Richard Bakalyan

Dates: 1931-2015

Early Life and Career: Born in Watertown, Massachusetts. Father was from Armenia. Mother was from Canada. Father died when he was 8. Growing up in a tough neighborhood, he learned boxing to defend himself from street fights. Served a year’s probation at 15 for unknown crimes. Served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. After 4 years, he was discharged under the rank of staff sergeant.

Movies and Cartoons: The Fox and the Hound (1981) as well as a The Wonderful World of Disney and a 2-part story in Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.

Characters: Dinky

Also Known For: Character actor who got his start playing juvenile delinquents before going on to play thugs, outlaws, and soldiers. Once he aged out, often cast as a comedy heavy, particularly in Disney live action films. Film appearances include Attila, The Brothers Rico, The Delinquents, The Delicate Delinquent, Dino, Juvenile Jungle, Hot Car Girl, Paratroop Command, Up Periscope, The Errand Boy, Follow That Dream, Operation Bikini, Robin and the 7 Hoods, The Patsy, None But the Brave, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Von Ryan’s Express, The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Charley and the Angel, Chinatown, The Strongest Man in the World, The Shaggy D. A., Return from Witch Mountain, Blame It on the Night, and Night School Confidential. TV appearances include Casey Jones, The Walter Winchell File, Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer, Bat Masterson, The Lawless Years, U.S. Marshal, The Deputy, Peter Gunn, Hennessy, Bold Venture, The Rebel, Wanted Dead or Alive, Johnny Ringo, Mr. Lucky, Lock-Up, The Untouchables, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Lawman, Dr. Kildare, Laramie, Wagon Train, Ben Casey, Vacation Playhouse, Gunsmoke, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., The Mod Squad, The Partridge Family, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Emergency!, Ellery Queen, Kojak, Monster Squad, The Streets of San Francisco, Most Wanted, Bionic Woman, The Rockford Files, Charlie’s Angels, CHiPs, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Cagney & Lacey, Hill Street Blues, Hunter, Matlock, Baywatch Nights, JAG, Cold Case, and My Name Is Earl.

Personal Life: Married to Elizabeth Baumann from 1952 to her death in 1967.

Later Life: Died suddenly of a stroke in 2015 at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, New York at 84.

Trivia: Was close friends with Bobby Darin and may have been possibly one of the last people Darin saw until his untimely demise from heart disease. Was profiled in the book, Names You Never Remember, With Faces You Never Forget by Justin Humphreys. Lifetime member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

123. Freddie Jones

Dates: 1927-2019

Early Life and Career: Born in Dresden, Staffordshire, England. Father was a porcelain thrower. Mother was a clerk and pub pianist. Worked in selling electronics before joining the British Ceramic Research Association for 10 years. Until a girlfriend at the time suggested that he take a drama course, after which he joined a repertory in Shelton and other local theatre groups. Won a scholarship to the Rose Buford Training College of Speech and Drama. Spent time in repertory theatre in London before making his debut in 1962 with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Arts Theatre. Made first film in 1967.

Movies and Cartoons: The Black Cauldron (1985)

Characters: Dallben

Also Known For: British actor who had an extensive career in television, theatre, and film for almost 60 years. Best known for originating the character Sir in The Dresser and as showman Bytes in The Elephant Man. Film appearances include Marat/Sade, The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom, Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, Goodbye Gemini, Assault, Kidnapped, Antony and Cleopatra, Sitting Target, The Many Rites of Dracula, Son of Dracula, Vampira, Juggernaut, Never Too Young to Rock, Zulu Dawn, Firefox, Krull, Firestarter, Dune (1984), Erik the Viking, Young Sherlock Holmes, Comrades, Wild at Heart, Dark River, Consuming Passions, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Prince of Jutland, My Life So Far, The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), Ladies in Lavender, and The Libertine. TV appearances include Z-Cars, Our Man at St. Mark’s, Festival, ITV Play of the Week, The Wednesday Play, Mystery and Imagination, The Avengers, The Baron, Armchair Theatre, The Caesars, The Saint, ITV Playhouse, BBC Play of the Month, Jackanory, Out of the Unknown, For the Love of Ada, The Goodies, Love and Mr. Lewisham, The Adventurers, The Protectors, Bowler, Fall of Eagles, ITV Sunday Night Drama, Play for Today, This Week, Shades of Greene, Space:1999, The Ghosts of Motley Hall, Nicholas Nickleby, Duchess of Duke Street, Van der Valk, The Mayor of Casterbridge, The Devil’s Crown, Pennies from Heaven, Play for Today, In Loving Memory, Secret Orchards, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, The District Nurse, Screen Two, Theatre Night, Vanity Fair, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Boon, The Paper Man, Inspector Morse, On the Air, Screen One, ScreenPlay, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Just William, The Bill, The Life and Crimes of William Palmer, Duck Patrol, The Passion, The League of Gentlemen, Midsomer Murders, Casanova, and Emmerdale.

Personal Life: Married to Jennifer Heselwood from 1965 until his death. Had 3 sons including famous character actor Toby Jones best known as the voice of Dobby as well as an actor named Casper and a director named Rupert.

Later Life: Died after a short illness at 91 in Bicester, Oxfordshire in 2019. After his death, his Emmerdale castmates paid tribute to Jones with a double-bill of episodes dedicated to him.

Trivia: None.

124. Sir Nigel Hawthorne

Dates: 1929-2001

Early Life and Career: Born in Coventry, Warwickshire, England. Father was a physician. Family moved to Cape Town, South Africa where his father bought a practice when he was 3. Attended St. George’s Grammar School there and Christian Brothers College where he played on the rugby team. Although Hawthorne has described his time at the latter as not a particular happy experience. Enrolled in the University of Cape Town where he met and sometimes acted in plays with future biographer Theo Aronson but withdrew and returned to the United Kingdom to pursue a career in acting in the 1950s. At least after making his stage debut in 1950 and decided to move to London.

Movies and Cartoons: The Black Cauldron (1985) and Tarzan (1999)

Characters: Fflewddur Fflam and Professor Porter

Also Known For: British actor best known for playing Sir Humphrey Appleby in Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister and as King George III in The Madness of King George. Film appearances include Young Winston, The Hiding Place, Spiderweb, Watership Down, History of the World: Part I, Memoirs of a Survivor, Firefox, Gandhi, Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, Turtle Diary, Demolition Man, Richard III (1995), Twelfth Night or What You Will (1996), Amistad, The Object of My Affection, Madeline, The Winslow Boy, and The Reasonable Man. TV appearances include The Last Man Out, Man of the World, Mrs. Wilson’s Diary, Dad’s Army, The Last of the Baskets, Hadleigh, Bill Brand, Crown Court, Marie Curie, Just William, Warrior Queen, Going Straight, Holocaust, Edward & Mrs. Simpson, The Knowledge, The Tempest, The Good Companions, A Tale of Two Cities, Tales of the Unexpected, Pope John Paul II, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, A Woman Called Golda, The Bartchester Chronicles, Jenny’s War, Late Flowering Lust, Russia’s War: Blood upon the Snow, The Fragile Heart, Animal Stories, Victoria & Albert, and Call Me Claus. Stage appearances include You Can’t Take It with You, His Excellency, Mrs. Wilson’s Diary, The Philanthropist, As You Like It, The Fire that Consumes, The Critic, The Miser, Shadowlands, The Madness of King George, The Trials of Oz, and King Lear.

Personal Life: Was in a long, committed relationship with stage manager and screenwriter Trevor Bentham from 1979 until his death. They met in 1968 while Bentham was stage-managing the Royal Court Theatre. They lived together in Radwell and Thundridge. Both were fundraisers for the North Hertfordshire Hospice and other local charities. Was outed as gay in 1995 in the publicity surrounding the Academy Awards, but he and Bentham attended the ceremony. Afterwards, he spoke openly about being gay in interviews and his autobiography, Straight Face, which was published posthumously.

Later Life: Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2000 and had undergone several operations but had been discharged from the hospital by Christmas. Died from a heart attack in his home in 2001 at 72. Was survived by his longtime boyfriend Bentham and his funeral was held at St. Mary’s parish church in Thunbridge while he was cremated at Stevenage Crematorium. Funeral was attended by Maureen Lipman, Charles Dance, Loretta Swit, and Frederick Forsyth. Service was led by Right Reverend Bishop Christopher Herbert of Saint Albans. Coffin had a wreath of white lilies and orchids and Bentham served as a pallbearer.

Trivia: Won 3 BAFTA Awards. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1994 for The Madness of King George. Also won an Oliver and Tony Award for his theatre performances. Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1987. Knighted in 1999.

125. Arthur Malet

Dates: 1927-2013

Early Life and Career: Born Vivian Arthur Rivers Malet in Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, England. Went to the United States in the 1950s, changed his forename to Arthur, began acting onstage, and won 2 Drama Desk Awards in 1957. Came to prominence in the 1960s.

Movies and Cartoons: Mary Poppins (1964), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), and The Black Cauldron (1985)

Characters: Mr. Dawes Jr., Mr. Widdenfield, and King Eidilleg

Also Known For: British actor often known for playing characters much older than his real age. Film appearances include King Rat, Penelope (1966), The Scorpio Letters, The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffith, In the Heat of the Night, The Great White Hope, Vanishing Point, The Culpepper Cattle Co., Young Frankenstein, The Enforcer, Heaven Can Wait, Halloween, Savage Harvest, The Secret of NIMH, City Heat, Dick Tracy, Hook, A Little Princess, and Anastasia. TV appearances include Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Gunsmoke, The Rifleman, Dennis the Menace, The Untouchables, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Rawhide, The Andy Griffith Show, The Wild Wild West, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Bewitched, The Monkees, Bonanza, The Virginian, I Dream of Jeannie, Mission: Impossible, Night Gallery, Columbo, Hawaii Five-O, Police Woman, Charlie’s Angels, Wonder Woman, Dallas, and CHiPs.

Personal Life: Never Married.

Later Life: Died in 1985 in Santa Monica, California at 85.

Trivia: None.

126. John Byner

Dates: 1938-present

Early Life and Career: Born John Biener in New York City. Mother was a mental hospital attendant. Father was a truck mechanic. Stand-up comedy career began in Greenwich Village at Max Gordon’s jazz club and opened for many of the city’s jazz greats at various nightclubs. Later. He’d do the same throughout the country. Made his first TV appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show where he did impressions of Ed Sullivan, John Wayne, Dean Martin, George Jessel, and Johnny Mathis.

Movies and Cartoons: The Black Cauldron (1985)

Characters: Gurgi and Doli

Also Known For: Actor, comedian, and impressionist who had a lengthy TV and film career. Best known for his voice work in The Ant and the Aardvark, in which the title characters are voiced by his impressions of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. His rendition of Gurgi also bears similarities to Gollum from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Film appearances include What’s Up, Doc?, The Great Smokey Roadblock, Stroker Ace, Transylvania 6-5000, Munchie Strikes Back, RoboDoc, and D.O.A. TV appearances include The Ed Sullivan Show, Get Smart, The Pink Panther Show, The Odd Couple, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Hawaii Five-O, Soap, ABC Weekend Special, The Love Boat, Married…with Children, Garfield and Friends, The Pink Panther, Duckman, Rugrats, Judge Judy, Dharma & Greg, and The Angry Beavers.

Personal Life: Married 4 times. First wife was Eleanor Belcher from 1960 until their divorce in 1969. Had 4 children including a son named Donny who on TV dressed as him. Second wife was Sally Fisher from 1982 to their divorce in 1983. Third wife was Ksenia Prohaska from 1985 until their divorce. Fourth and current wife is Anna Gabys since 1992.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025 but doesn’t seem to have any screen credit since 2022.

Trivia: Said to be the forerunner of comic impressionists like Dana Carvey, Frank Caliendo, and Jim Carrey.

127. Phil Fondacaro

Dates: 1958-present

Early Life and Career: Born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Began acting in 1981.

Movies and Cartoons: The Black Cauldron (1985) as well as an episode in The Magical World of Disney.

Characters: Creeper

Also Known For: Actor and stuntman with a height of 3’6.” Best known for his role in the horror comedy Bordello of Blood as well as in fantasy films like Troll and Willow. Played one of the few Ewoks to have a death scene in Return of the Jedi. Film appearances include Under the Rainbow, Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Dungeonmaster, Hard Rock Zombies, Invaders from Mars, Steele Justice, The Garbage Pail Kids Movie, Memories of Me, Monster High, The Doors, The Nature of the Beast, Hellraiser: Bloodline, The Creeps, Sweet Jane, Blood Dolls, The Gentleman Bandit, Sideshow, The Polar Express, Land of the Dead, Immortally Yours, and Watchmen Chapter Two. TV appearances include Faerie Tale Theatre, Tales from the Darkside, Thirtysomething, Superboy, Quantum Leap, Married…with Children, Renegade, Tales from the Crypt, Northern Exposure, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Addams Family Reunion, Hercules, The Pretender, Touched by an Angel, Sliders, Passions, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Personal Life: Married to Elena Bertagnolli since 2001 and has 3 children. Bertagnolli was once Verne Troyer’s manager. Brother Sal is also an actor and has appeared in some films with him.

Later Life: Is still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

128. Sir John Hurt

Dates: 1940-2017

Early Life and Career: Born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. Father was a mathematician turned clergyman and vicar as well as a headmaster. Mother was a one-time actress and became “the first female draughtsman” at Metropolitan Vickers in Manchester. Was sent to St. Michael’s Preparatory School in Offord, Kent where he eventually developed his passion for acting. In fact, he decided he wanted to become an actor after his first role as a girl in a school of The Blue Bird. Yet, had a teacher who abused him and his fellow students that affected him deeply. At 12, he attended The Lincoln School because he failed the entrance exam for admission to his brother’s school. Later, his family moved to St. Aidan’s Church in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire where they lived near a cinema but wasn’t allowed to go there. So he and his mom went to the repertory theater instead. However, his parents disliked his acting ambitions and encouraged him to become an art teacher instead. At 17, Hurt enrolled in Grimbsy Art School to study art, later winning a scholarship that allowed him to study for an Art Teacher’s Diploma at Saint Martin’s School of Art. Unfortunately, the scholarship wasn’t a full ride while paying his tuition fees and living expenses were difficult so he persuaded his friends to pose naked and sold portraits. In 1960, he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts where he studied for 2 years and graduated in 1962 with an Acting Diploma. Made his first film that same year.

Movies and Cartoons: The Black Cauldron (1985) and The Tigger Movie (2000)

Characters: The Horned King

Also Known For: British actor whose career spanned over 5 decades and is regarded as one of the UK’s greatest actors. Possessed what was called, “the most distinctive voice in Britain.”  Frequently played in positions of power, suffer physical torment, and/or ended up dying. Best known roles are Robert Rich in A Man for All Seasons, Max in Midnight Express, Caligula in I, Claudius, John Merrick in The Elephant Man, Executive Officer Gilbert Kane in Alien, and Garrick Ollivander in the Harry Potter series. Film appearances include The Wild and the Willing, The Contact, The Sailor from Gibraltar, In Search for Gregory, Before Winter Comes, Mr. Forbush and His Penguins, The Pied Piper, The Dangerous Ladies, East of Elephant Rock, Watership Down, Heaven’s Gate, History of the World: Part I, The Plague Dogs, Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Hunting of the Snark, Spaceballs, Frankenstein Unbound, King Ralph, Thumbelina, Great Moments in Aviation, Rob Roy, Love and Death on Long Island, Contact, Lost Souls, Crime and Punishment (2002), Dogville, Hellboy, Pride, The Skeleton Key, Valiant, The Proposition, V for Vendetta, Boxes, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Oxford Murders, Outlander, An Englishman in New York, Brighton Rock, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Melancholia, Immortals, Snowpiercer, Hercules (2014), The Absinthe Drinkers, Jackie, The Good Night, and Damascus Cover. TV appearances include Drama 61-67, Z-Cars, Armchair Theatre, Thursday Theatre, ITV Play of the Week, Gideon’s Way, Wessex Tales, The Naked Civil Servant, Play for Today, Crime and Punishment, King Lear, Deadline, The Storyteller, Six Characters in Search of an Author, Great Moments in Aviation, Picture Windows, Watership Down, Screen Two, Masters of Science Fiction, Recount, Merlin, An Englishman in New York, Human Planet, Planet Dinosaur, The Hollow Crown: Henry V, Playhouse Presents, Doctor Who, The Last Panthers, and The Strain. Audio appearances include The Divine Comedy, Doctor Who: The War Doctor, War and Peace, and The Invisible Man. Video game appearances include Tender Loving Care, Cracking the Conspiracy, and LEGO Dimensions.

Personal Life: Had an older brother who converted to Catholicism and became a monk and writer at Glenstal Abbey with Hurt’s assistance. However, Hurt’s private life would be nothing like this. Has been married 4 times as well as had 2 long-term girlfriends. First wife was actress Annette Robertson from 1962 to 1964. First long-term girlfriend was French model Marie-Lise Volpeliere-Pierrot from 1967 to her death in 1983. The couple had planned to get married after 15 years together but while riding together in Ascott-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire, Volpeliere-Pierrot got thrown from her horse, went into a coma, and died later that day. Second wife was an old friend and American actress Donna Peacock whom he married in 1984 at a local Register Office. They moved to Kenya but divorced in 1990. Third wife was an American production assistant Joan Dalton whom he met while filming Scandal. Had 2 sons with her but they divorced in 1996. Second long-term relationship was with Dublin-born presenter and writer Sarah Owens. They moved to County Wicklow where they settled close to their friends, director John Boorman and Claddaugh Records founder and Guinness heir Garech Browne. They broke up in 2002. Fourth wife was an advertising film producer Anwen Rees-Meyers whom he wed in 2005. Gave up drinking and smoking during this marriage and the couple settled in Cromer, Norfolk. Remained with her until his death.

Later Life: In 2015, Hurt publicly announced that he had early-stage pancreatic cancer and confirmed that he’d continue to work while undergoing treatment. Said that he and the medical team treating him were “more than optimistic about a satisfactory outcome.” Following treatment, stated that he was in remission later that year. Died at his home in Cromer, Norfolk in 2017 at 77.

Trivia: Was made a Commander of the British Empire in 2005. Knighted in 2015. Won 4 BAFTAs. Won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in 1978 for Midnight Express. Nominated for 2 Academy Awards. Was among British cultural icons selected by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear on an updated version of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to celebrate the British figures in his life that he most admired. Received the Will Award from The Royal Shakespeare Company in 2004. In 2016, an education and exhibition space called The John Hurt Centre opened in Cinema City, Norwich. Has been patron for Cinema City, the Proteus Syndrome Foundation, and Project Harrar. Also designed a Paddington Bear statue for The British Museum, which was later auctioned to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Received honorary doctorates from the University of Derby, the University of Hull, and the University of Lincoln. Was appointed provost for the Norwich University College of the Arts and became its first chancellor when the college became a full university in 2013. Holds the record for the most onscreen deaths at 47 (my apologies, Sean Bean).

129. Wayne Allwine

Dates: 1947-2009

Early Life and Career: Born in Glendale, California where his father sang in a barbershop quartet.  He was a graduate of John Burroughs High School and an active member of that school’s music and theater department. While in high school, Allwine formed an acoustic music group called The International Singers, which performed in clubs and colleges throughout the state. After graduating, he briefly toured with an instrumental rock group Davie Allan & and the Arrows, playing rhythm guitar, harmonica, and saxophone. Later became a Dixieland jazz drummer, occasionally sitting with Firehouse Plus Two’s alumni George Probert’s Monrovia Old Style Jazz Band. Started working in the Disney mail room in 1966 before moving to the sound effects department with Jimmy MacDonald. After working with the sound department for 7 years, Allwine got the call for an open audition for Mickey Mouse in late 1976 after the previous actor failed to show up. Upon auditioning for the role, Allwine became the third official voice for Mickey Mouse in 1977.

Movies and Cartoons: The Black Cauldron (1985), The Great Mouse Detective (1986), as well as various Mickey Mouse cartoons, video games, and theme park attractions.

Characters: Horned King’s Huntsman, Thug #2, and Mickey Mouse

Also Known For: Voice actor, sound effects editor, and foley artist. Best known as the third English voice of Mickey Mouse and the first official casting following the establishment of Disney Character Voices International in 1988. Was a sound effects editor for The Fox and the Hound (1981), Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore (1983), and Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983). Was sound editor for The Black Cauldron (1985) and The Great Mouse Detective (1986). Outside Disney, Allwine was sound editor for Three Men and a Baby, Alien Nation, The Good Mother, Innerspace, and Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. Also reprised his voice for Mickey in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Personal Life: Married 4 times. First wife was Alyson Page from 1968 to their divorce in 1973. Second wife was Karla Marie Hokr, Carlsen from 1975 to their divorce in 1986. Third wife was Kim Knowlton from 1986 to their divorce in 1990. Fourth wife was Minnie Mouse voice actress Russi Taylor in 1991. They remained together until his death. Also has 3 biological children and one adopted child from previous marriages.

Later Life: Died in 2009 of hypertensive crisis caused by acute complications of diabetes at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles at 62. Was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Trivia: To date, is the longest running voice actor to play Mickey Mouse, which was 32 years. Won 2 Golden Reel Awards for Best Sound Editing, notably one in 1987 for The Great Mouse Detective (1986). Also won a Primetime Emmy Award for sound editing as well. Named a Disney Legend with wife Russi Taylor in 2008.

130. Barrie Ingham

Dates: 1932-2015

Early Life and Career: Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. Educated at Heath Grammar School and became a Royal Artillery officer. Made his debut in Manchester with the Library Theatre Company before moving to London’s Old Vic. Also performed with the Royal Shakespeare, Mermaid Theatre Company, and Royal National Theatre.

Movies and Cartoons: The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Characters: Basil and Bartholomew

Also Known For: British actor who’s worked on stage, film, and television who was featured in over 200 films and TV productions. Films include Dr. Who and the Daleks, Invasion, A Challenge for Robin Hood, The Day of the Jackal, and The Bruce. TV appearances include Danger Man, Doctor Who, The Baron, The Avengers, Hine, Funny Man, The Jeffersons, Remington Steele, Hart to Hart, Airwolf, The A-Team, Murder, She Wrote, Matlock, Webster, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Personal Life: Married to Tarne Philips from 1957 to his death. Had 4 children.

Later Life: Died at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in 2015 at 82. Remains were cremated.

Trivia: None.

              The voice actors for The Rescuers and The Fox and the Hound have considerable overlap with voice actors so it kind of makes sense that I do the films together in this post. Although I have done some of them who’ve appeared in previous films as well. Nonetheless, The Rescuers is based on 2 books by Margery Sharp published in 1959 and 1962 to considerable success that Walt Disney optioned by Walt Disney back in the early 1960s with a development of an animated film adaptation underway. There were several treatments to the story with some versions that included penguins, bears, a singing bullfrog, bringing back Cruella DeVil, and such. Eventually settling with an orphan girl getting kidnapped by two greedy lowlifes who use her to find treasure in the bayous of Louisiana. While mice Bernard and Bianca come to rescue her. Also, they based Madam Medusa on an animator’s ex-wife who also happened to be Lillian Disney’s niece. Still, it only took 4 years and $7.5 million to make The Rescuers. Its 1977 success raked $48 million at the box office as the highest grossing animated film at that point and would become the first Disney movie to have a sequel. It also received rave reviews as well as holds a 79% rating from Rotten Tomatoes.

              Loosely based on the story by Daniel P. Mannix, The Fox and the Hound would be the last movie to have any involvement with any of Disney’s Nine Old Men. Although animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston had involvement in this movie’s early development, their retirements handed it over to a new generation that included future directors Tim Burton, Brad Bird, and John Lasseter. During the production, its release was delayed for 6 months following the abrupt departure of Don Bluth and 11 of his fellow animators, which constituted over 15% of the animation department, mostly over training and the atmosphere. They also started their own company Don Bluth Productions which produced many movies that are now Disney property. Especially if they were made under 20^th Century Fox. Also, Chief was originally supposed to die like he did in the book. But apparently, Disney wasn’t able to do this to a main character that’s not really a villain. Despite that they did this to Bambi’s mother along with the oysters in Alice and Wonderland and Rusty in Lady and the Tramp. They will do it again to Mufasa (which made my parents have second thoughts taking 4-year-old me to watch this in the movies). Upon its 1981 release, The Fox and the Hound grossed $39.9 million at the box office and opened to mixed reviews. With Vincent Canby of The New York Times claiming the film “breaks no new ground whatsoever”, while describing it as “a pretty, relentlessly cheery, old-fashioned sort of Disney cartoon feature, chock-full of bouncy songs of an upbeatness that is stickier than Krazy Glue and played by animals more anthropomorphic than the humans that occasionally appear.” Further noting that it “is rather overstuffed with whimsy and folksy dialogue. It also possesses a climax that could very well scare the daylights out of the smaller tykes in the audience, though all ends well. Parents who don’t relish chaperoning their tykes to see the movie, but find they must anyway, can take heart in the knowledge that the running time is 83 minutes. That’s about as short as you can get these days.” Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times praised the film stating, “For all of its familiar qualities, this movie marks something of a departure for the Disney studio, and its movement is in an interesting direction. The Fox and the Hound is one of those relatively rare Disney animated features that contains a useful lesson for its younger audiences. It’s not just cute animals and frightening adventures and a happy ending; it’s also a rather thoughtful meditation on how society determines our behavior.” Nowadays, it’s viewed in a more positive light with a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and TV Guide giving it 4 out of 5 stars. While Ebert’s view of the movie has gone more mainstream. In this post, you’ll meet the voices behind Madam Medusa, Mr. Snoops, Orville, Ellie Mae (and Widow Tweed), Rufus (and Mr. Digger), Mr. Chairman, Gramps, Digger the Mole, Big Mama, and Amos Slade.

111. Geraldine Page

Dates: 1924-1987

Early Life and Career: Born in Kirksville, Missouri. Father was a professor at a medical school that’s now part of A.T. Still University. At 5, her family moved to Chicago. A member of Englewood Methodist Church, she was an active member within its theater group. Had aspirations of becoming a pianist or visual artist but decided to pursue acting after appearing in her first amateur theater production at 17. After graduating from Chicago’s Englewood Technical Prep Academy, Page attended the Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago (now DePaul University). After graduating from there, Page studied acting at the Herbert Berghof School and the American Theatre Wing in New York City where she studied with Uta Hagen for 7 years and later at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg. During this time, she’d return to Chicago in the summers to perform in a summer repertory theatre in Lake Zurich, Illinois, where she and several fellow actors established their own independent theater company. Also spent 2 critically successful years performing with a winter stock company called the Woodstock Players who mostly performed at the Woodstock Opera House. There, she was singled out by The Chicago Tribune’s Claudia Cassidy as destined to be a star to bear watching. Also during that time, she worked some odd jobs such as hat check girl, theater usher, lingerie model, and factory worker. Was also called, “the lady of a thousand faces” for her ability to change her looks and actions to an extent that her most devoted fans were unable to recognize her. Made her New York Stage debut in 1945 and her film debut in 1953. Unfortunately, Page’s association with Hagen got her blacklisted in Hollywood not long after and didn’t work in film for 10 years. But she did work on Broadway and TV.

Movies and Cartoons: The Rescuers (1977)

Characters: Madame Medusa

Also Known For: Actress whose career spanned 4 decades across stage, screen, and television. Films include Hondo, Summer and Smoke, Sweet Bird of Youth, Toys in the Attic, Dear Heart, The Three Sisters, The Happiest Millionaire, What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?, The Beguiled (1971), Happy as the Grass Was Green, Pete ‘n’ Tillie, The Day of the Locust, Nasty Habits, Harry’s War, The Pope of Greenwich Village, The Bride, White Nights, The Trip to Bountiful, and Native Son. TV appearances include Lux Video Theatre, Studio One, Robert Montgomery Presents, The Philco Television Playhouse, Omnibus, Windows, Matinee Theatre, The United States Steel Hour, Kraft Television Theatre, General Electric Theater, Playhouse 90, NBC Sunday Showcase, ABC Stage 67, NBC Children’s Theatre, Ghost Story, Night Gallery, The Snoop Sisters, Kojak, Hawaii Five-O, The Blue and the Gray, Loving, The Dollmaker, The Hitchhiker, and American Playhouse. Stage appearances include Summer and Smoke, The Immortalist, The Rainmaker, Separate Tables, Sweet Bird of Youth, Strange Interlude, The Three Sisters, A Streetcar Named Desire, Agnes of God, Paradise Lost, Inheritors, The Madwoman of Chaillot, and Blithe Spirit.

Personal Life: Married twice. First husband was violinist Alexander Schneider from 1954 to their divorce in 1957. Second husband was actor Rip Torn in Pinal Arizona in 1963. Had twin sons named Anthony “Tony” and Jonathan “Jon” and a daughter named Angelica who became an actress under her mother’s name. Although they remained married and reasonably “close” until her death, they lived separately from the early 1980s on. He had an affair with actress Amy Wright with whom Page had starred with under Torn’s direction. In 1983, Torn fathered a child with Wright. When asked about her marriage by columnist Cindy Adams, Page replied, “Of course Rip and I are still married. We’ve been married for years. We’re staying married. What’s the big fuss?” Ironically, Torn would later play Zeus in Disney’s Hercules (hey, I know Disney portrayed him as a loving family man but I’m talking about the god who’s unable to keep it in his pants here). Was friends with James Dean during the 1954 production of The Immortalist and until his untimely death. She also kept several mementos from the play, including several drawings by him. However, in 2006, Page’s daughter Angelica revealed that her mother and Dean had an affair during The Immortalist’s production. She stated, “According to my mother, their affair went on for three-and-a-half months. In many ways my mother never really got over Jimmy. It was not unusual for me to go to her dressing room through the years, obviously many years after Dean was gone, and find pictures of him taped up on her mirror. My mother never forgot about Jimmy — never. I believe they were artistic soul mates.”

Later Life: On June 13, 1987, Page was supposed to arrive at the Neil Simon Theatre for afternoon and evening performances of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, which had begun its run in March. But she failed to show up. At the end of the evening’s performance, the play’s producer announced that Page had been found dead in her lower Manhattan townhouse at 62. Cause of death was determined as a heart attack. Fans and colleagues such as Sissy Spacek, James Earl Jones, Amanda Plummer, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, and husband Rip Torn attended her memorial service at the Neil Simon Theatre. Rip Torn called her “Mi corazón, mi alma, mi esposa” (“My heart, my soul, my wife”) and said that they “never stopped being lovers, and … never will.”

Trivia: Won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1985 for The Trip to Bountiful. Also won 2 Golden Globes, 2 Primetime Emmys, and a BAFTA Award. Inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1979. Received the Sarah Siddons Award in 1959 for Sweet Bird of Youth. Was portrayed by her own daughter, Angelica in a stage production of Turning Page in 2016 and 2017.

112. Joe Flynn

Dates: 1924-1974

Early Life and Career: Born in Youngstown, Ohio. Father was a physician. Graduated from the Rayen School and attended Northwestern University. During World War II, he served in the Army Special Services where he entertained the troops before moving west to pursue acting and complete his education. Majored in political science at the University of Southern California. Had an interest in theater before leaving northeastern Ohio. Established himself early as a ventriloquist and a radio DJ. He also gained local celebrity as a director by guiding the Canfield Players in such productions as Harvey, Antigone, and Pursuit of Happiness. Broke into television during the pre-network days in Los Angeles by starring in his own sitcom in 1948 at the city’s KTLA station. After appearing in some stage plays, Flynn returned to Youngstown, where in 1950, he ran an unsuccessful campaign for a seat in the Ohio Senate as a Republican. After his electoral defeat, Flynn pursued his acting career and appeared in nearly 30 films. He later recalled watching an audience’s reaction to his performance in the 1956 horror film The Indestructible Man. Despite playing a serious role in the movie, people laughed, convincing Flynn that comedy was his calling.

Movies and Cartoons: The Rescuers (1977) as well as a two-part episode of The Wonderful World of Disney.

Characters: Mr. Snoops

Also Known For: Best known for playing Captain Wallace Binghampton in McHale’s Navy series, film, and its spin-off McHale’s Navy Joins the Air Force. Was also a frequent guest on 1960s TV shows and appeared in several Walt Disney live-action comedies. Specialized in playing bespectacled, irascible authority types. Films include The Babe Ruth Story, The Seven Little Foys, The Desperate Hours, Highway Patrol, The Steel Jungle, The Indestructible Man, The Boss, Portland Expose, Panama Sal, Cry for Happy, The Last Time I Saw Archie, Lover Come Back, Son of Flubber, Divorce American Style, The Love Bug, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, How to Frame a Figg, The Barefoot Executive, The Million Dollar Duck, and Superdad. TV appearances include Highway Patrol, The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, I Dream of Jeannie, That Girl, and Match Game.

Personal Life: Married to Shirley Haskin in 1955 until his death. Had 2 children with her. Son-in-law of director Byron Haskin.

Later Life: Maintained a strong connection to his hometown throughout his life. From 1969-1974, Flynn was involved in Northeastern Ohio’s Kenley Players. Often visited Youngstown to see family. In the early 1970s, Flynn spearheaded a movement on behalf of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) for more equitable distribution of TV residual payments. In 1974, he was discovered dead in his swimming pool of his Beverly Hills home at 49. Cause of death was a heart attack while swimming. Interred in Culver City’s Holy Cross Cemetery. His taping of The Merv Griffin Show had been announced for broadcast that very day, proving to be Flynn’s final appearance.

Trivia: Recipient of the Ohio Association of Broadcasters Award.

113. Jeannette Nolan

Dates: 1911-1998

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles, California and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School. Began her career at the Pasadena Playhouse while a student at Los Angeles City College. Made her radio in 1932 on Omar Khayyam, the first transcontinental broadcast from KHJ. Made her film debut in 1948.

Movies and Cartoons: The Rescuers (1977) and The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Characters: Ellie Mae and Widow Tweed

Also Known For: Character actress with a prolific acting career lasting from the 1930s to the 1990s. Appeared in more than 300 TV shows. Films include Macbeth (1948), Words and Music, Abandoned, No Sad Songs for Me, Kim (1950), Hangman’s Knot, The Big Heat, A Lawless Street, 7^th Cavalry, The Guns at Fort Petticoat, April Love, The Deep Six, Wild Heritage, The Rabbit Trap, Psycho (1960), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Twilight of Honor, My Blood Runs Cold, Chamber of Horrors, The Sky’s the Limit, Manitou, Goliath Awaits, Cloak and Dagger, True Confessions, Street Justice, and The Horse Whisperer. TV appearances include Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Gunsmoke, Have Gun – Will Travel, Perry Mason, The Restless Gun, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Wagon Train, The Twilight Zone, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, My Three Sons, The Richard Boone Show, The Virginian, Charlie’s Angels, Hawaii Five-O, Columbo, The Streets of San Francisco, The Incredible Hulk, Night Court, and The Golden Girls.

Personal Life: Married to actor John McIntire from 1935 until his death in 1991. Had 2 children: character actor Tim McIntire and photographer Holly Wright. Also did several projects together.

Later Life: Died of a stroke in 1998 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at 86. Buried in Eureka, Montana’s Tobacco Valley Cemetery.

Trivia: Nominated for 4 Emmy Awards.

114. John McIntire

Dates: 1907-1991

Early Life and Career: Born in Spokane, Washington but primarily grew up around ranchers in Eureka, Montana. Later lived in Santa Monica, California. Studied at the University of California for 2 years before dropping out. Began acting in radio and wand was active in theater during the 1930s. Made first film in 1947.

Movies and Cartoons: The Rescuers (1977) and The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Characters: Rufus and Mr. Digger

Also Known For: Character actor who appeared in 65 films and many TV series. Best known for replacing Ward Bond in Wagon Train after Bond’s sudden death in 1960 and for replacing Charles Bickford in The Virginian after Bickford’s death in 1967. Often played police figures, judges, doctors, eccentric loners, and other western characters. Film appearances include The Hucksters, Call Northside 777, Black Bart, The Street with No Name, Red Canyon, Command Decision, Ambush, The Asphalt Jungle, No Sad Songs for Me, Shadow on the Wall, Winchester ’73, Westward the Women, The World in His Arms, Sally and Saint Anne, Horizons West, The Mississippi Gambler, The President’s Lady, War Arrow, Apache, The Far Country, The Kentuckian, To Hell and Back, Backlash, The Tin Star, The Gunfight at Dodge City, Psycho, Elmer Gantry, Two Rode Together, Summer and Smoke, Herbie Rides Again, Rooster Cogburn, Goliath Awaits, Cloak & Dagger, and Turner & Hooch. TV appearances include Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Daniel Boone, The Incredible Hulk, and Diff’rent Strokes.

Personal Life: Married to actor Jeannette Nolan from 1935 until his death. Had 2 children: character actor Tim and photographer Holly Wright. Also did several projects together.

Later Life: Died of emphysema and lung cancer at St. Luke’s Hospital in Pasadena, California at 83. Buried in Eureka, Montana’s Tobacco Valley Cemetery.

Trivia: None.

115. Jim Jordan

Dates: 1896-1988

Early Life and Career: Born James Edward Jordan on a farm near Peoria, Illinois. Attended the city’s St. John’s Church where he sang in the choir and met his future wife. Family eventually sold the farm and moved into Peoria. Went on vaudeville until 1924 either with his first wife Marian or as a solo act at various times. Served in the US Army during World War I and was stationed in France. In 1923, the couple went entirely broke that their parents had to wire money to them so they can return to Peoria from Lincoln, Illinois. He and his wife got their first radio break in Chicago in 1924. It’s said that Jordan proclaimed that he could sing better than the singers they’d been listening to on the radio. While Byron bet $10 claiming otherwise. By the end of the evening, the Jordans had their first radio contract at $10 per show for 26 weeks as The O’Henry Twins!, sponsored by Oh Henry! candy. From 1931-1935, the Jordans called Smackout where they played most of the characters. But in 1935, they teamed up with head writer Don Quinn to make Fibber McGee and Molly that ran until 1953 due to the shift from radio to television and the fact Marian’s health began to fail.

Movies and Cartoons: The Rescuers (1977)

Characters: Orville

Also Known For: Actor and radio personality best known for playing Fibber McGee in Fibber McGee and Molly, which was one of the most popular radio shows ever. He and his wife even branched out to movies during the 1940s. Although it was adapted to television, the Jordans and their writers didn’t transition into the series because Marian was too ill to continue. Other appearances include an episode of Chico and the Man and a PSA for AARP  that he did after his first wife died.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was actress and radio personality Marian Driscoll whom he met while at choir practice during his early life in Peoria. They married in 1918 and remained together until her death in 1961. They had 2 children named Kathryn and James as well as worked as a double act for most of their careers. Jordan would play the comic foil while Driscoll would play the stooge. Second wife was Gretchen Stewart, widow of radio comic Henry Stewart. They married in 1962 and remained together until his death.

Later Life: After his wife Marian died in 1961, Jordan remained in semi-retirement other than for some brief appearances during the 1970s. In March 1988, Jordan fell down at his home and suffered a major stroke. Left comatose for a week, he never regained consciousness and died that April in Beverly Hills. His death came at shortly before voice actor selection for The Rescuers Down Under. Acknowledging Jordan’s death, Roy E. Disney wrote Orville out of the script with John Candy playing his brother instead. Buried alongside his first wife in the Saint Ann section of Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, right next to the plot of Sharon Tate.

Trivia: He and his wife have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as Fibber McGee and Molly.

116. Bernard Fox

Dates:1927-2016

Early Life and Career: Born Bernard Lawson in Port Talbot, Glamorgan, Wales. Parents were stage actors and he was the fifth generation of his family to enter show business. Began his film career at 18 months and was an apprentice assistant manager of a theater at 14. After serving in the Royal Navy in World War II and the Korean War, Fox resumed his acting career.

Movies and Cartoons: The Rescuers (1977) and The Rescuers Down Under (1990) as well as the series Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers.

Characters: Mr. Chairman and Doctor

Also Known For: British actor known for his roles as Dr. Bombay from Bewitched, Colonel Crittendon in Hogan’s Heroes, Malcolm Merriweather in The Andy Griffith Show, and Archibald Gracie IV in Titanic. Film appearances include Soho Incident, Home and Away, Blue Murder at St. Trinian’s, A Night to Remember, The Longest Day, The List of Adrian Messenger, Honeymoon Hotel, Strange Bedfellows, Big Jake, The Million Dollar Duck, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Yellowbeard, and The Mummy (1999). TV appearances include Sixpenny Corner, ITV Television Playhouse, ITV Play of the Week, Armchair Theatre, Ensign O’Toole, The Great Adventure, McHale’s Navy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Perry Mason, F Troop, The Flintstones, I Spy, I Dream of Jeannie, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Monkees, Daniel Boone, Night Gallery, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Columbo, Emergency!, Soap, M*A*S*H, What’s Happening!!, Fantasy Island, The Dukes of Hazzard, Lou Grant, The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, The Jeffersons, Knight Rider, Murder, She Wrote, Punky Brewster, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Passions, Dharma & Greg, and Time Squad.

Personal Life: Nephew of British actor Wilfrid Lawson. Married to a woman named Jacqueline in 1962 until his death. Had 2 daughters named Amanda and Valerie.

Later Life: Retired in 2004. Died of heart failure in 2016 at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, California at 89.

Trivia: Was one of the last surviving adult cast members on Bewitched. Was said to be an expert theater historian, a keen gardener, a landscape painter, and a devotee of performing magic.

117. Larry Clemmons

Dates: 1906-1988

Early Life and Career: Born in Chicago, Illinois. Graduated with an architecture degree from the University of Michigan but couldn’t find work due to the effects of the Great Depression. Desperate for work in any area he could find it, Clemmons accepted an offer from Walt Disney to work at his Hyperion Studios in 1930. After several years at Hyperion, he became assistant animator in the Mickey Mouse film series. When World War II broke out, Clemmons left the studio and decamped to the Midwest where he wrote technical manuals for wartime manufacturing plants. He then freelanced in radio and landed a job on

Bing Crosby’s prime-time network where he spent 9 years writing scripts for Crosby and assorted guest stars. Returned to Disney as a writer and segment on The Mickey Mouse Club and other productions.

Movies and Cartoons: The Rescuers (1977)

Characters: Gramps

Also Known For: Animator, screenwriter, and voice actor who wrote for Bing Crosby on his various radio programs and one of the original animators for The Walt Disney Company. Worked as a writer on The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), Robin Hood (1973), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), The Rescuers (1977), and The Fox and the Hound (1981) as well as various shorts. Also wrote for Walt Disney Presents and Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. Animation work for Disney mostly consisted of shorts from the 1930s and 1940s.

Personal Life: Married to Carletta Clarinda Hatch and had 2 children with her.

Later Life: Retired in 1978. Died in Friday Harbor, Washington in 1988 at 81.

Trivia: None.

118. Dub Taylor

Dates: 1907-1994

Early Life and Career: Born in Richmond, Virginia as the middle of 5 children. Mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Father was a cotton broker from North Carolina. Family moved to Augusta, Georgia in 1912 when he was 5 and lived there until he was 13. Got his nickname when his friends began calling him “W” then shortened it further to “Dub.” Performed on vaudeville. Made film debut in 1938.

Movies and Cartoons: The Rescuers (1977)

Characters: Digger the Mole

Also Known For: Character actor who worked extensively in film and television from the 1940s until the 1990s, often in westerns and comedies. Originated the comedic sidekick character Cannonball, a role that he played in 50 films within the span of 10 years. Did commercials for Hubba Bubba gum. Film appearances include You Can’t Take It with you, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Return of Wild Bill, Prairie Schooners, Hands across the Rockies, The Lone Prairie, Minesweeper, Cowboy in the Clouds, Cowboy Canteen, Saddle Leather Law, Cowboy Cavalier, Cyclone Prairie Rangers, Both Barrels Blazing, Rustlers of the Badlands, Song of the Drifter, Silver Trails, Across the Rio Grande, The Story of Will Rogers, Riding High, Lure of the Wilderness, Woman of the North Country, The Charge at Feather River, Crime Wave, Riding Shotgun, Them!, Dragnet, A Star Is Born (1954), Tall Man Riding, I Died a Thousand Times, The Fastest Gun Alive, Tension at Table Rock, No Time for Sergeants, Auntie Mame, A Hole in the Head, Sweet Bird of Youth, Black Gold, Major Dundee, The Hallelujah Trail, The Cincinnati Kid, The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin, Bonnie and Clyde, Death of a Gunfighter, The Wild Bunch, The Learning Tree, The Undefeated, A Man Called Horse, Support Your Local Gunfighter, Evel Knievel, The Getaway, Tom Sawyer, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, The Fortune, Flash and the Firecat, Burnt Offerings, Treasure of Matecumbe, Pony Express Rider, Gator, The Winds of Autumn, Moonshine County Express, 1941, Back to the Future: Part III, Falling from Grace, and Maverick. TV appearances include I Love Lucy, Casey Jones, The Twilight Zone, Dennis the Menace, Laramie, The Andy Griffith Show, The Wild Wild West, The Monkees, Partridge Family, Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie, The Cosby Show, and Designing Women.

Personal Life: Married to Florence Gertrude Hefferman from 1930 until her death in 1987. Had 2 children including painter Buck Taylor.

Later Life: Died of a heart attack in 1994 in Los Angeles at 87. Was cremated and ashes were scattered near Westlake Village, California.

Trivia: None.

119. Pearl Bailey

Dates: 1918-1990

Early Life and Career: Born in Newport News, Virginia. Family moved to Washington D.C. when she was young. When her parents divorced, she moved to Philadelphia with her mother. Made her stage-singing debut at 15 at the suggestion of her brother Bill that she enter an amateur contest at the Pearl Theatre. She won and received an offer to appear there for $35 a week for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the theater closed during her engagement and she wasn’t paid. However, Bailey later won another contest at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theatre and decided to pursue a career in entertainment. She was also known to perform in the church choir at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Brooklyn at Msgr Bernard O’Quinn’s behest. Began her career by singing and dancing in Philadelphia’s black night clubs during the 1930s and soon started performing in other parts of the East Coast. When World War II broke out 1941, Bailey toured the country with the USO, performing for American troops. After her tour, she settled in New York where her solo successes in nightclubs were followed by acts with Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. Mader her Broadway debut in 1946 in St. Louis Woman, for which she received a Donaldson Award for Best Broadway Newcomer. Continued to tour and record albums along with her stage and screen performances.

Movies and Cartoons: The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Characters: Big Mama

Also Known For: Actress, comedian, singer, and author. Had her own variety show on ABC in 1971. Was a spokeswoman for Duncan Hines, Jell-O, Westinghouse, and Paramount Chicken. Film appearances include Carmen Jones, St. Louis Blues, Porgy and Bess, All the Fine Young Cannibals, The Landlord, and Tubby the Tuba. TV appearances include The Andy Williams Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Love Boat, The Muppet Show, and As the World Turns.

Personal Life: Sister of tap dancer Bill Bailey. Married about 4 or 5 times. Third or fourth husband was a man named John Randolph Pinkett from 1948 to their divorce 1952, in which she cited physical abuse as grounds. Last husband was white jazz drummer who was 6 years her junior named Louie Bellson whom she wed in London in 1952. Bellson’s father was naturally opposed to the marriage and interracial couples were rare at the time. Adopted a son named Tony during the mid-1950s and had a daughter named Dee Dee in 1960. Bailey and Bellson remained together until Bailey’s death.

Later Life: Suffered from heart problems for over 30 years. Died at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia in 1990 at 72. Autopsy confirmed cause of death was the narrowing of a coronary artery. Buried at Rolling Green Memorial Park in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Trivia: First African American receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. Received a Special Tony Award for an all-black production of Hello Dolly!. Won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1986. Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1988. Was a passionate fan of the New York Mets and once sang the national anthem at Shea Stadium during the World Series in 1969. Earned a degree in theology in 1985 at 67. Was appointed by Richard Nixon as the US “Ambassador of Love.” Was appointed as a special ambassador to the United Nations by Gerald R. Ford and held that position under 3 presidents. In 1976, she won a Coretta Scott King Award for Duey’s Tale. Was awarded New York City’s Bronze Medallion in 1986. Friends with Joan Crawford and Gypsy Rose Lee. Referred to Crawford as a sister and sang at her funeral. Was USO’s Woman of the Year in 1969. Has a library named after her in Newport News, Virginia. Also has a dress in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Received the Women’s International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award in 1989. Added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.

120. Jack Albertson

Dates: 1907-1981

Early Life and Career: Born Harold Albertson in Malden, Massachusetts and the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants. Father abandoned family before he was born. Mother was a stock actress and worked in a shoe factory. Stepfather was a barber. Although he was bright, he was a poor student and acted more like the disruptive class clown. Dropped out of high school after a single year. Worked in several different job such as at a General Electric factory, a shoe factory, and as a rack boy at some pool halls that provided him opportunities to learn some tap dance routines. Although his sister Mabel taught some steps and he picked up additional routines from watching vaudeville acts. At 18, Albertson began being paid in prize winning contests and later started a singing with a group called “The Golden Rule Four” that practiced under a railroad bridge. Later, he joined a vaudeville road troupe called the Dancing Verselle Sisters then worked in burlesque as a hoofer and straight man to Phil Silvers on the Minsky’s Burlesque Circuit. In addition, he appeared in many Broadway plays and musicals as well as radio.

Movies and Cartoons: The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Characters: Amos Slade

Also Known For: Actor, singer, and dancer. Best known for playing Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Manny Rosen in The Poseidon Adventure, and Ed Brown in Chico and the Man. Film appearances include Miracle on 34^th Street, The Harder They Fall, The Unguarded Moment, Man of a Thousand Faces, Don’t Go Near the Water, Teacher’s Pet, The Shaggy Dog, Lover Come Back, Days of Wine and Roses, A Tiger Walks, The Patsy, How to Murder Your Wife, Changes, Rabbit Run, and Dead & Buried. TV shows include Burns and Allen, I Love Lucy, Have Gun – Will Travel, The People’s Choice, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Jack Benny Program, Klondike, Riverboat, The Twilight Zone, Mister Ed, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Death Valley Days, Ironside, Bonanza, The Big Valley, The Virginian, Gunsmoke, Daniel Boone, Nanny and the Professor, Night Gallery, The Streets of San Francisco, Cher, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Donny & Marie, and Charlie’s Angels.

Personal Life: Younger brother of Mabel Albertson and uncle of George Englund. Married to June Wallace Thomson from 1952 until his death. Had a daughter named Maura Dhu.

Later Life: Resided for many years in West Hollywood, California. Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer but kept this information private and continued to act. Died in his Los Angeles home in the Hollywood Hills at 74 from colon cancer in 1981. Was cremated with his sister Mabel who died 10 months later and their ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.

Trivia: Has won a Tony and Academy Award for his performance in The Subject Was Roses in 1964 and 1968. Also won 2 Emmys during the 1970s. Has the “Triple Crown of Acting.” Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6253 Hollywood Boulevard. Won a 1973 Drama Desk Award for The Sunshine Boys.

              Although The Walt Disney Company wouldn’t spend the next few decades in abject financial peril, the time between Walt Disney’s death and the release of The Little Mermaid was a rather grim time for its feature animation department. From 1970 to 1977, its animation staff declined from 500 to 125 with only 21 people joining during that same period. While the company had basically abandoned animation, preferring to focus more on building Disney World which will open in 1971 and making live-action films. Still, in this period, we still the Walt Disney Company had plenty aspects taking form at this time such as home video releases, Disney on Ice, the Disney Channel, Touchstone Pictures, Tokyo Disneyland, and Tron, the first film to extensively uses computer-generated imagery. While financially it was in the red with a total of $866 in debt and less than $10 million in assets by 1984. That same year, businessman Saul Steinberg attempted to buy out the company but they refused and bought all his stock with a $1.3 billion bank loan for $326 million. As for the animated feature films at that time, plenty of good ones but no real winners.

              In 1984, Michael Eisner became CEO of the Walt Disney Company, appointing Jeffrey Katzenberg as chairman, Frank Wells as president, and Roy O. Disney’s son Roy E. as head of the animation department. Instead of the 4-year plan that Disney had been doing, Eisner wanted the studio to produce an animated feature film every 18 months as well as Saturday morning cartoons. The First Disney Store would open in 1987 and Euro Disneyland would be built around that time as well. They even became more involved in producing films and television through Touchstone such as The Golden Girls. The 1989 release of The Little Mermaid kickstarted the Disney Renaissance, a period of highly acclaimed and highly successful films that has greatly shaped my childhood. Some even scored Oscar nominations but mainly for songs and scores. Since Oscars for animated features didn’t exist until 2001. This was also a time when Disney started acquiring some properties such as the Muppets and Miramax as well as founded Torchwood Pacific Partners, Hollywood Records, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (which it will sell off in 2005). In this volume, we’ll be covering the earlier Disney Renaissance films all the way up to Pocahontas.

In this part we tackle 2 films starring animals called Robin Hood and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Although Robin Hood was in the development from 1968, it had been a culmination of the English folktale as well as the stories of Reynard the Fox that Walt Disney had expressed interest in making movies about those tales as far back as the late 1930s. Still, when director Ken Anderson pitched the idea for Robin Hood, he blended his ideas for the film by conceptualizing him as a fox that used his skills to protect the community. He also wanted to set the film in the Deep South to capture the spirit of Song of the South. But aware of the racial controversy that movie called, Disney executives insisted that it be set in the traditional English location. Because of time spent developing several settings and auditioning actors to voice the title characters, production fell behind schedule. That in order to meet deadlines, animators had to recycle several sequences from previous Disney films that are used in the “Phony King of England” scene. In its 1973 release, Robin Hood grossed a worldwide total of $27.5 million at the box office and would become the first Disney film to be released on home video in 1984. Mainly because it wasn’t held in as high esteem as other titles. Yet, it has received mixed reviews from critics with a 58% Rotten Tomatoes rating with its heavy use of recycled animation prone to the greatest criticism. But it has grown a positive reputation since then as well as become a cult classic.

Disney’s The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh by contrast is a compilation of shorts made as early as the 1960s and initially released with other films. These comprise of Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966), Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968), and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too (1974) as well as a short scene at the end where Christopher Robin says goodbye to Pooh before he starts school. Walt was involved with the first two shorts’ production with the first one being released in his lifetime. And it would be the last film in the Disney canon where Walt Disney had any involvement. As unit it was released as part of a double feature in 1977. Today it holds a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating with some home video and DVD releases including Winnie the Pooh a Day for Eeyore which was released in 1983 and inspired a festival in Austin, Texas called Eeyore’s Birthday. In this volume, you’ll meet voice actor behind the French Milkman in The Aristocats, Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Sir Hiss, Lady Kluck, Alan-a-Dale, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, and Gopher.

101. Carole Shelley

Dates: 1939-2018

Early Life and Career: Born in London, England. Mother was an opera singer of Russian Jewish descent. Father was a German-born Jewish composer who fled his home country for London before the outbreak of World War II. Made her first film in 1949. Made her Broadway debut in 1965.

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970), Robin Hood (1973), and Hercules (1997) as well as the Hercules series.

Characters: Amelia Gabble, Lady Kluck, and Lachesis the Fate

Also Known For: Best known as Gwendolyn Pidgeon in The Odd Couple in all its original iterations. Film appearances include It’s Great to Be Young, Carry On Regardless, The Cool Mikado, The Boston Strangler, Some Kind of Nut, Quiz Show, and The Road to Wellville. TV appearances include BBC Sunday Night Play, The Berenstein Bears, One Life to Live, Frasier, Third Watch, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Personal Life: Married to Albert G. Woods from 1967 until his death in 1971.

Later Life: Retired from acting in 2018. Died of cancer in Manhattan, New York City in 2018 at 79.

Trivia: Monica Evans was maid of honor at her wedding and they most recently reunited at the 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival. Won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play in 1979 for The Elephant Man. Received additional Tony nominations for Absurd Person Singular, Stepping Out, and Billy Elliot. Won an Obie in 1982 for Twelve Dreams. Debuted the role of Madam Morrible in the original Broadway production of Wicked.

102. Peter Renaday

Dates: 1935-2024

Early Life and Career: Born Pierre Laurent Renoudet in New Iberia, Louisiana.

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970), The Rescuers (1977), The Black Cauldron (1985), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), and Mulan (1998) as well as albums, toys, series like TaleSpin, Aladdin, and Darkwing Duck, and various theme park rides at both Disneyland and Disney World.

Characters: French Milkman, La Petit Café Cook, Truck Move, American Delegate, Horned King’s Huntsman, Frollo’s Soldiers, and Hun Army

Also Known For: Character actor whose career spanned some 6 decades in stage, film, radio, television, video games, and theme parks. Best known as the original voice of Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Film appearances include The Love Bug, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, The Barefoot Executive, the Million Dollar Duck, The Adventures of Pinocchio, The Strongest Man in the World, The Shaggy D.A., The Cat from Outer Space, The Devil and Max Devlin, Murder in Texas, The River Rat, Bebe’s Kids, Cats Don’t Dance, Antz, The Prince of Egypt, The Road to El Dorado, Shrek, and Madagascar. TV appearances include Dallas, The Transformers, Defenders of the Earth, Batman: The Animated Series, Animaniacs, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest, Gargoyles, Iron Man, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Adventures of Batman, and Samurai Jack. Video game appearances include Outlaws, Revenant, Shadow of Rome, From Russia with Love, The Matrix: Path of Neo, Dead Rising, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Jeanne d’Arc, Assassin’s Creed, Lost Odyssey, Dragon Age: Origins, and Fallout: Las Vegas. Also voiced various characters in Adventures in Odyssey from 1994-2015.

Personal Life: Married to Florence “Flo” June Daniel from 1979 until her death in 2011. She worked as a secretary in the Walt Disney Studios’ music department for 35 years, including as executive secretary to 2 heads of the department. She was also a coloratura soprano who was also featured on The Sounds of Christmas produced by Disney Records alongside her husband in 1973.

Later Life: Died from natural causes at his home in Burbank, California in 2024 at 89.

Trivia: None.

103. Brian Bedford

Dates: 1935-2016

Early Life and Career: Born in Morley, West Yorkshire, England. Father was a mailman. Attended St. Bede’s Grammar School in Bradford before attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts from 1952 to 1955. Made acting debut in 1965.

Movies and Cartoons: Robin Hood (1973)

Characters: Robin Hood

Also Known For: British actor who appeared on film, television, and stage as well as an actor-director of Shakespeare productions. Theater appearances include Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure, Richard III, As You Like It, Private Lives, The Winter’s Tale, Uncle Vanya, Much Ado About Nothing, The Seagull, The Misanthrope, Arms and the Man, Blithe Spirit, Tartuffe, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Waiting for Godot, The Relapse, The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Timon of Athens, The School for Wives, The School for Husbands, The Imaginary Cuckold, Amadeus, The Little Foxes, Equus, The School for Scandal, Present Laughter, London Assurance, King Lear, and The Importance of Being Earnest. Film appearances include Man of the Moment, Miracle in Soho, The Angry Silence, Number Six, The Punch and Judy Man, The Pad and How to Use It, Grand Prix, Nixon, and The Importance of Being Earnest (2011). TV appearances include The Holy Terror, Androcles and the Lion, The Last Best Year, Mr. Saint Nick, ITV Play of the Week, BBC  Sunday Night-Play, Edgar Wallace Mysteries, Sir Francis Drake, Ben Casey, New York Television Theatre, Coronet Blue, The Name of the Game, Nanny and the Professor, Scarlett, Alfred Hitchcock Presents,  The Equalizer, Murder, She Wrote, Cheers, More Tales of the City, Frasier, Great Performances, Black Jesus, and A Christmas Carol: The Musical.

Personal Life: Married to fellow actor Tim MacDonald from 2013 until his death, his longtime boyfriend of over 25 years at the time of their wedding. The couple shared homes in Stratford, Ontario and Santa Barbara, California.

Later Life: Retired in 2015. Died of cancer in 2016 in Santa Barbara at 80. Remains were cremated.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 7 Tony Awards, winning once for Best Lead Actor in a Play for The School for Wives in 1971. Has won 6 Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Performances including, The Misanthrope in 1969, Private Lives in 1970, The School for Wives in 1971, Jumpers in 1974, in 1992 for Two Shakespearean Actors, and 2011 for The Importance of Being Earnest. Won an Outstanding Performance Obie in 1965 for The Knack. Also received the Outer Circle Critics Award and the L.A. Drama Critics Award. Was in the same RADA class as Albert Finney, Alan Bates, and Peter O’Toole. Was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1997.

104. Roger Miller

Dates: 1936-1992

Early Life and Career: Born in Fort Worth, Texas as one of 3 sons. Father died of spinal meningitis when he was a year old. Since his mother couldn’t adequately support the family, she sent her 3 sons to live with her husband’s 3 brothers. Thus, Miller grew up on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Erick, Oklahoma. Did farm work such as plowing and picking cotton. Aunt and uncle were dirt poor and allegedly didn’t own a telephone until 1951. Miller received his primary education in a one-room schoolhouse. Was an introverted child who often daydreamed or composed songs. Was an FFA member in high school. Was taught fiddle and guitar by his cousin’s husband who also happened to be singer-songwriter Sheb Wooley. Was influenced to become a singer-songwriter by Wooley, Hank Williams, and Bob Willis. Soon he began to run away and perform in Oklahoma and Texas. At 17, Miller stole a guitar out of desperation to write songs. However, he turned himself in the next day and decided to enlist in the US Army to avoid jail. May have served in the Korean War according to what he said. Anyway, near the end of his service while stationed in Atlanta, Georgia, Miller played fiddle for the Circle Wranglers, a military musical group started by Faron Young. While stationed in South Carolina, an Army sergeant whose brother was Kenneth C. “Jethro” Burns from the duo Homer and Jethro, persuaded him to go to Nashville upon discharge. After leaving the army, Miller traveled to Nashville to begin his musical career. Met with Chet Atkins who loaned him his guitar. Miller nervously sang a song in 2 different keys. Atkins advised him to return later when he had more experience. Miller then found work as a bellhop at the Andrew Jackson Hotel where he soon became know as the “singing bellhop.” Until he was finally hired to play the fiddle in Minnie Pearl’s band. He then met George Jones who introduced him to music executives from Starday Records label who scheduled an audition. Impressed, the executives set up a recording session with Jones in Houston. After marrying and becoming a father, Miller put aside his music career to become a fireman in Amarillo by day and performer by night. Later met Ray Price and became a member of his Cherokee Cowboys before returning to Nashville. He then signed with Tree Publishing on a salary of $50 a week and would soon become one of the biggest country songwriters of the 1950s. Signed a recording deal with Decca Records in 1958.

Movies and Cartoons: Robin Hood (1973)

Characters: Alan-a-Dale

Also Known For: Country and folk singer-songwriter best known for his honky-tonk novelty songs. Hits include “King of the Road,” “Dang Me,” “England Swings,” “Billy Bayou,” “Old Friends,” “Tall, Tall Trees,” “Happy Child,” “Half a Mind,” “Chug-a-Lug,” “Do-Wacka-Do,” “That’s the Way I Feel,” “It Only Hurts When I Cry,” and “Husbands and Wives.” Specialized in guitar, fiddle, vocals, and drums. In Robin Hood, he also wrote and performed “Oo-De-Lally,” “Not in Nottingham,” and “Whistle Stop.” TV appearances include Sesame Street, Nestor, The Long – Eared Christmas Donkey, The Muppet Show, Quincy, M.E., Murder, She Wrote, and Lucky Luke. Had his own show on NBC that lasted only 13 weeks in 1966-1967.

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First wife was Barbara Crow from Shamrock, Texas whom he married when they were both 17. Had 4 children, the first of whom died shortly after birth. Divorced shortly after moving to California in 1964. Second wife was Leah Kendrick of San Antonio whom he married in 1964. They had 2 children named Shannon and Dean who later became a country singer-songwriter and music producer. They divorced in 1976. Third wife was singer Mary Arnold whom he met through Kenny Rogers and was a replacement member of the First Edition. After the band broke up, she performed with Miller on tours as a backup singer, including a performance at the White House before President Gerald R. Ford. In 2009, she was inducted in the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. The couple would remain together until Miller’s death and had 2 children. Anyway, subsequent public interest in Miller during the 1960s led to the success he longed hoped for but also brought struggles associated with life in the entertainment business such as burnout as well as alcohol and substance abuse. He has described his amphetamine use during the 1960s as both damaging to his career but helpful in his songwriting. In 1972, he referred to amphetamines as “the snake pit I got into” and supported a ban on the drug in Oklahoma. Of course, Miller would later clean up much of his act in later years except in one major area. Since he was a lifelong smoker.

Later Life: Lived with his family in Santa Fe for some years. Died of lung and throat cancer in 1992 in Los Angeles at 56 only shortly after a malignant tumor was discovered beneath his vocal chords. Since then, Arnold has managed his estate. In 2007, she sued Sony for copyright infringement that culminated in Roger Miller Music, Inc. v. Sony/ATV Publishing, LLC, which went to the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Arnold was ultimately awarded $1 million in royalties and rights to the songs Miller wrote in 1964.

Trivia: Wrote music and lyrics for the 1985 Tony Award-winning musical Big River where he took over for a role once played by John Goodman. Erick, Oklahoma has the Roger Miller Museum in his memory that sits on the road named after him. Was known to give away lines, inciting many potential songwriters to follow him around. Has won 11 Grammys and a Tony. Voted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995.

105. Andy Devine

Dates: 1905-1977

Early Life and Career: Born in Flagstaff, Arizona, then a US territory. Attended Saint Mary’s and Saint Benedict’s College, what is now Northern Arizona University, and was a football player at Santa Clara University. Also played semi-professional football under the name of Jeremiah Schwartz. Ambitious to act, he went to Hollywood where he worked as a lifeguard on Venice Beach and had some roles in silent films. While his peculiar wheezy voice was first thought likely to prevent Devine from moving into talkies, it instead became his trademark. There’s a lot of stories on how Devine came to sound this way, but there’s no sure answer why.

Movies and Cartoons: Robin Hood (1973) as well as some episodes of Disney’s Wonderful World of Color in 1969 and 1970.

Characters: Friar Tuck

Also Known For: Character actor known for his raspy, crackly voice roles in Westerns, including the role as Roy Rogers’ sidekick Cookie in 10 films as well as Jingles in Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok and host of Andy’s Gang. Appeared in over 400 films. Was a regular guest on The Jack Benny Program radio show. Film appearances include That’s My Daddy, Finders Keepers, We Americans, Lonesome, Noah’s Ark, The Divine Lady, Hot Stuff, A Soldier’s Plaything, The Spirit of Notre Dame, Destry Rides Again, Radio Patrol, The Man from Yesterday, The Big Cage, The All American, The Big Cage, Midnight Mary, Saturday’s Millions, Million Dollar Ransom, The President Vanishes, Hell in the Heavens, The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935), Way Down East (1935), Coronado, Romeo and Juliet (1936), A Star Is Born (1937), In Old Chicago, Yellow Jack, The Storm, Stagecoach (1939), Mutiny on the Blackhawk, Tropic Fury, Geronimo, Man from Montreal, Danger on Wheels, Buck Benny Rides Again, Black Diamonds, Lucky Devils, Mutiny in the Arctic, The Flame of New Orleans, A Dangerous Game, North to the Klondike, Danger in the Pacific, Sin Town, Ali Baba and  the Forty Thieves, Babes on Sing Street, Frisco Sal, Sudan, Bells of San Angelo, Springtime in the Sierras, On the Old Spanish Trail, The Gay Ranchero, Under California Stars, Grand Canyon Trail, The Red Badge of Courage, Island in the Sky, Pete Kelly’s Blues, Around the  World in 80 Days (1956), The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, How the West Was Won, Zebra in the Kitchens, Myra Breckinridge, and The Mouse and His Child. TV appearances include The Virginian, Wagon Train, The Twilight Zone, Flipper, Batman, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke.

Personal Life: Married to Dorothy House in 1933 until his death. Also had 2 children with her.

Later Life: Died of leukemia in 1977 in Irvine, California at 77.

Trivia: Was a pilot and owned Provo Devine, a flight school that trained pilots for the government during World War II. Great-grandson of James H. Ward. Has 2 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television and Radio.

106. Terry-Thomas

Dates: 1911-1990

Early Life and Career: Born Thomas Terry Hoar Stevens in Finchley, North London England as the fourth of 5 children. Father was a managing director of a butcher’s business at Smithfield Market and part-time amateur actor. Although he had a reasonably happy childhood at first, he sometimes felt that his parents wanted a daughter in his place. But by the time he reached adolescence his parents’ marriage had failed and they both became alcoholics. In an attempt to bring them together, Thomas often entertained them by performing impromptu slapstick routines, reciting jokes and singing and dancing around the family home. As anyone would expect, the performances seldom work and his dad became increasingly distant from his family. In 1921, Thomas began to nurture his distinctive well-spoken voice, using the speech of Owen Nares for his own delivery and adopted the debonair dress sense of his hero Douglas Fairbanks Sr. Attended the Fernbank School and Ardingly College where he excelled in Latin and geography, and briefly took up drama which soon got him expelled for his frequent and inappropriate use of ad libs during lessons. Also played ukulele and percussion in the school jazz band as well as performed comedy routines to the band’s music. After leaving Ardingly, he took a temporary position at Smithfield Market and worked as a junior transport clerk for the Union Cold Storage Company. All while performing in amateur productions. Made his professional debut in 1930 but mostly played minor roles while he soon worked as a traveling salesman of electrical equipment. Made his film debut in 1933 and spent much of his early film career as an uncredited extra. Eventually came up with the name Terry-Thomas once he began taking more speaking roles. Debuted on radio in 1938. During World War II, Thomas joined the Entertainment National Service Association (ENSA) before he joined the Royal Corps of Signals where he was promoted to the rank of corporal. But he continued to appear in variety and cabaret shows while in the British Army as part of the Stars in Battledress. Finished the war as a sergeant. After demobilization, he starred in the Piccadilly Hayride stage show, hosted the radio show To Town with Terry, and was the star of the first comedy on British television How Do You View?. Soon made a successful transition into British, American and European films and television.

Movies and Cartoons: Robin Hood (1973)

Characters: Sir Hiss

Also Known For: British character actor and comedian who became internationally known during the 1950s and 1960s. Professional career spanned 50 years from the 1930s to the 1980s. Often played disreputable characters such as cads, toffs, and bounders using his distinctive voice as well as his costume and props such as a monocle, vest, and cigarette holder. Striking dress was set off by a 1/3-inch gap between his 2 upper front teeth. Films include The Private Life of Henry VIII, The Ghost Goes West, Helter Skelter, Private’s Progress, The Green Man, Lucky Jim, Blue Murder at St. Trinian’s, Tom Thumb, Charlton-Browne of the F.O., Brothers in Law, Too Many Crooks, The Naked Truth, I’m All Right Jack, School for Scoundrels, Make Mine Mink, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, How to Murder Your Wife, Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, Our Man in Marrakesh, The Daydreamer, Munster, Go Home!, The Sandwich Man, Jule Verne’s Rocket to the Moon, The Perils of Pauline (1967), Arabella, How Sweet It Is!, Monte Carlo or Bust!, Atlantic Wall, The Vault of Horror, The Cherry Picker, Side by Side, The Last Remake of Beau Geste, and The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978). Radio appearances include Variety Bandbox, Worker’s Playtime, To Town with Terry, Top of the Town, In Tow Tonight, and Desert Island Discs. TV appearances include, How Do You View?, Toast of the Town, What’s My Line?, In Town Tonight, Sunday Night at the London Palladium, Armchair Theatre, Tonight Starring Jack Paar, Juke Box Jury, Burke’s Law, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Comedy Playhouse, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, The Hollywood Palace, The Dick Cavett Show, The Kraft Music Hall, Hollywood Squares, and Parkinson.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was South African Flamenco dancer and choreographer Ida Florence “Pat” Patlansky/i whom he met in 1937 while she was auditioning in London for a partner for her Flamenco dancing act. She was keen to employ Thomas as a comedian than as a dancer and they established s double-act billed as “Terri and Patlanski,” which was immediately popular with audiences. They became romantically involved and married in 1938 at the Marylebone Registrar Office afterwards moving to St. John’s Wood. Despite their act’s success, it only lasted for 3 months and they only took on small engagements on the cabaret circuit. Thomas later recounted that “I didn’t give a very good performance … I was a dismal failure.” At the end of the 1938 summer, they were hired by Don Rico who incorporated them into his orchestra with Patlanski at piano and Thomas acting as the compere. Their marriage was rife with affairs on both sides. During their ENSA days, Thomas made he was sent on tour to France where a girlfriend was due to perform, although Patlanski accompanied him during the trip. During the tour, he ensured that Patlanski was sent back to Britain so he could resume his affair with his girlfriend. In 1954, they separated due to increasing domestic tension and the rampant infidelities on both sides. Patlanski moved out and they lived separate lives. The press didn’t report on their breakup until 1957. They divorced in 1962 but they later reconciled and remained friends. By then his mistress of the previous few years, Australian actress Lorrae Desmond had returned to her native Australia and married a surgeon. Although his breakup with Desmond caused Thomas great distress, he sought solace with a 21-year-old woman that he met in Majorca two years previously named Belinda Cunningham. They began a romance and married in 1963 at the Halstead Registry Office near Colchester, Essex. They had two sons and remained married until Thomas’ death.

Later Life: In 1971, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. At first, Thomas didn’t make the news public out of fear that the condition could affect others at work. But as the symptoms manifested themselves in tremors, a shifting gait, stooped posture, and affected speech, he went public, partly in order to stop rumors of on-set drunkenness. Thomas continued to work as much as possible but the situation reduced his film career to supporting roles and cameos and he did Robin Hood for Disney during this period as well. By 1977, he had exhibited a decrease in bodily movement, a sign of how serious his condition had become. His distinctive voice had developed a softer tone and his posture was contorted. In 1982 Thomas appeared in 2 episodes of the BBC series The Human Brain, which examined his condition. His frank interview brought much public awareness to the disease and raised £32,000 for the Parkinson’s Disease Society. Privately, Thomas had become more depressed. His work offers had decreased and he had to sell his London apartment to provide badly needed funds. By 1983, Thomas’ medical bills were at £40,000 a year and he was unable to work. While his financial resources were dwindling. He and his wife had sold their dream house and moved into a small cottage once owned by his ex-wife, which she left to him in her will on her death that year. Shortly after, he worked with ghostwriter Terry Daum on his autobiography, Terry-Thomas Tells Tales. Although they completed the first draft by 1984, Thomas refused to release the manuscript and continued making alterations. They never completed his copyediting: the book would be published after his death. At the same time, he was increasingly depressed by his condition that during an interview, he admitted that “one doctor said I’ve got about four more years to live. God forbid! I shall probably blow my brains out first.” In 1987, he and his wife could no longer afford to live in Spain so they moved back to London, where they lived in a series of rented properties before ending up in a 3-room, unfurnished charity apartment, where they lived with the Actors’ Benevolent Fund’s assistance. After discovering that Thomas was living in virtual obscurity, poverty, and ill health in 1989, actor Jack Douglas and Richard Hope-Hawkins organized a benefit concert for him. Held at the Theatre Royal and ran for 5 hours, it featured 120 artists with Phil Collins topping the bill and Michael Caine as gala chairman. The show raised over £75,000 for Thomas and Parkinson’s UK. The charity concert’s funds allowed Thomas to move out of his charity apartment and into Busbridge Hall nursing home in Godalming, Surrey. He died there in 1990 at 78. Funeral was held at St. John the Baptist Church, Busbridge, where they played the theme of Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. He was cremated at Guildford Crematorium.

Trivia: On-screen persona inspired Dick Dastardly. Although his Carlton-Browne of the F.O. was initially chosen as Britain’s entry for the 1959 Moscow International Film Festival until the British Foreign Office petitioned the British Film Producers’ Association for it to be withdrawn, considering that the Russians might assume the film to accurately portray British diplomatic conduct. Made a series of 15-minute travelogues during the 1960s. Was friends with Jack Lemmon and even attended his wedding. Designed his own house on Ibiza. Dustin Hoffman and Rupert Everett have cited Thomas as an inspiration for their characters Captain Hook in Hook and Prince Charming in Shrek 2. Mark Ruffalo has also listed Thomas as an inspiration for his performance as Duncan Wedderburn in Poor Things. When the National Film Theatre ran a season of Thomas’ films in 1999, a spokesman described how attendees turned up “in evening dress, with false moustaches and carrying cigarettes in long holders … everyone has been trying to steal the cardboard cutouts of Terry … We’ve never had a response like it. To be honest, we are rather unprepared. Nobody expected Terry-Thomas Fever.”

107. John Fiedler

Dates: 1925-2005

Early Life and Career: Born in Platteville, Wisconsin. Father was a beer salesman. Family moved to Shorewood, Wisconsin when he was 5, where he graduated from Shorewood High School in 1943. Enlisted in the US Navy and served in World War II. After his discharge, Fiedler moved to Manhattan and attended the Neighborhood Playhouse. Began his career in radio and made his film debut in 1957.

Movies and Cartoons: Robin Hood (1973), The Many Adventures of  Winnie the Pooh (1977), The Rescuers (1977), The Fox and the Hound (1981), Winnie the Pooh Discovers the Seasons (1981), Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore (1983), The Tigger Movie (2000), The Emperor’s New Groove (2000), The Book of Pooh: Stories from the Heart (2001), Piglet’s Big Movie (2003), and Pooh’s Heffelump Movie (2005) as well as the various series, records, video games, and direct-to-video installments.

Characters: Father Sexton, Piglet, Deacon Owl, Porcupine, and Rudy the Old Man.

Also Known For: Character actor whose career lasted for more than 55 years in stage, radio, film, and television. Often typecast as delicate, quiet, nerdy characters. Although he also played sneaky villains. Most famous roles include Juror #2 in 12 Angry Men, the seemingly benign racist trying to prevent the Younger family from moving into a whites-only neighborhood in A Raisin in the Sun, one of Oscar’s poker cronies named Vinnie in The Odd Couple, and Emil Petersen in The Bob Newhart Show. Film appearances include Sweet Smell of Success, That Touch of Mink, The World of Henry Orient, Guns of Diablo, The Ballad of Josie, Fitzwilly, Rascal, True Grit (1969), The Great Bank Robbery, The Out of Towners (1971), The Fortune, The Shaggy D.A., Harper Valley PTA, Boulevard Nights, Midnight Madness, The Cannonball Run, Savannah Smiles, I Am the Cheese, Seize the Day, and Weekend with Kate. TV appearances include Studio One Hollywood, The United States Steel Hour, Armstrong Circle Theatre, The Twilight Zone, General Electric Theater, The Aquanauts, Have Gun – Will Travel, Pete and Gladys, Dennis the Menace, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Adventures in Paradise, Alfred Hitchock Presents, Dr. Kildare, Outlaws, My Favorite Martian, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, The Fugitive, Perry Mason, The Munsters, Gunsmoke, The Donna Reed Show, That Girl, Star Trek: TOS, Get Smart, Bewitched, Death Valley Days, I Spy, One Life to Live, Columbo, The Odd Couple, McMillan & Wife, The Streets of San Francisco, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, The Manhunter, Great Performances, Three’s Company, The Rockford Files, Fantasy Island, Quincy, M.E., Cheers, Hart to Hart, Father Murphy, Buffalo Bill, McDonaldland, American Playhouse, The Golden  Girls, L.A.  Law, and Cosby.

Personal Life: Never married.

Later Life: Died of cancer in 2005 at 80 and in Englewood, New Jersey within the Lillian Booth Actors Home, a residence for retired actors sponsored by the Actors’ Fund of America. Was cremated and his ashes were scattered on Long Island, New York.

Trivia: Died one day after co-star Paul Winchell. Classmates with Tony Randall, James Doohan, Leslie Nielson, Richard Boone, and Joanne Woodward. Friends with Jack Klugman.

108. Ralph Wright

Dates: 1908-1983

Early Life and Career: Born in Grants Pass, Oregon. Came to the Walt Disney Studios during the 1940s and became well known throughout the ensuing decades for his endearingly gloomy personality traits as well as his bass voice. Shortly after World War II, Wright went to England to work as an animation supervisor for Animaland in David Hand’s short-lived Gaumont-British Animation Studio. Returned to the United States shortly after the studio’s closure in 1950.

Movies and Cartoons: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) and Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore (1983)

Characters: Eeyore

Also Known For: Disney animator and storyboard writer for various films and shorts. Along with his Disney contemporaries, was a pioneer in the use of “gags” within cartoons, often acted out in front of the “story board” a bulletin board pinned with sequential sketches in the cartoon’s scenes. Early on with Goofy’s “How-To” cartoons, Wright pioneered the story concept featuring a hero’s failed attempt at achieving his goals. This technique is still used today in most animation studios, with Warner Bros. incorporating this premise into Wiley E. Coyote and the Roadrunner, Sylvester and Tweety, and Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck cartoons. As this highly reusable format proved to be highly successful. In fact, Frank Tashlin testified to this in a 2004 interview: “That all came from a marvelous fellow who came from Tillamook, Oregon, a fellow by the name of Ralph Wright. He came down, and his pants were twelve inches too short for him, and he wore suspenders—he was out of the hills. But he had a crazy, crazy mind, almost as wild as Roy Williams, who is the best of all. Ralph did the first story of that type for Jack Kinney, called How to Ride a Horse. The Goof tried to stay on the horse—boom, off, another joke. That was the beginning of what still seems to be going on today. Then he and Kinney made more—a series of jokes, just one problem and working it out. It’s like a symphony, with a theme and then the development of that theme.” Films he worked as a writer and story board team member include Bambi (1942), Saludos Amigos (1942), The Three Caballeros (1944), Song of the South (1946), Peter Pan (1953), Lady and the Tramp (1955), The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) as well as a variety of shorts and the Perri and Nikki, Wild Dog of the North documentaries. Other work outside of Disney include Popeye the Sailor, The Dick Tracy Show, Mr. Magoo, and Gay Purr-ee.

Personal Life: Married twice. First to a woman named Marjorie Irene Anderson from 1931 to their divorce in 1955. The couple had 3 children. Second to a woman named Irmagard Julia Muller from 1956 to his death.

Later Life: Spent the last 30 years of his life living in San Luis Obsipo County in Los Osos, California. Died in 1983 at his home from a heart attack at 75.

Trivia: None.

109. Hal Smith

Dates: 1916-1994

Early Life and Career: Born Harold John Smith in Petroskey, Michigan. Family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina and Massena, New York during his childhood. After graduating from high school, Smith from 1936 to 1943 as a DJ and voice talent for WIBX Radio in Utica, New York. An avid flyer, Smith enlisted in the US Army Air Forces in 1943 and was stationed in the Philippines with the Army’s Special Services Division. In Manila, he was assistant manager of the enlisted men’s club Far East Air Force (FEAF) headquarters. This made him responsible for planning and directing shows for the entertainment of his fellow troops. Even utilized his own performing skills in a show titled Strictly from Hunger. Was discharged from the service in 1946 as a sergeant and was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal. Traveled to Hollywood after the war in 1946 when he made his debut.

Movies and Cartoons: The Jungle Book (1967), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), Winnie the Pooh Discovers the Seasons (1981), Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore (1983), and Beauty and the Beast (1991) as well as the series Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, Welcome to Pooh Corner and The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and a variety of other Disney projects.

Characters: Slob Elephant, Monkey, Owl, Winnie the Pooh, and Phillippe as well as Goofy in Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) Flintheart Glomgold and Gyro Gearloose in Duck Tales.

Also Known For: Actor credited in over 300 film and television productions. Best known role was town drunk Otis Campbell on The Andy Griffith Show and Goliath in Davey and Goliath. Was also a prolific voice actor for studios like Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., the Mirisch Corporation, and Sid and Marty Kroft. Was the voice for Elmer Fudd after Arthur Q. Bryan died and Toad in the Frog and Toad series. Also did commercial promotions for 3 Musketeers, United Van Lines, Hickory Farms, Toyota, Green Giant, General Mills, Mattel, Kellogg’s, Pizza Hut, Chicken of the Sea, Ivory soap, Doctor Ross Dog Food, Pioneer Chicken, Bell Telephone Company, Coca-Cola, Chef Boyardee, and hundreds of other sponsors. Also did some considerable work for Focus on the Family, particularly Adventures in Odyssey. Films include Stars Over Texas, The Milkman, O. Henry’s Full House, Santa Fe Passage, There’s Always Tomorrow, The Unholy Wife, Pawnee, The High Cost of Loving, The Apartment, The Three Stooges Meet Hercules, Son of Flubber, Dear Heart, The Great Race, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, Fantastic Planet, The Getaway, Buffalo Rider, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Here Come the Littles, The Adventures of the American Rabbit, The Million Dollar Duck, Oklahoma Crude, An American Tail, and Once Upon a Girl. TV appearances include Death Valley Days, The Adventures of Wyatt Earp, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Have Gun – Will Travel, Bonanza, Peter Gunn, Gunsmoke, Route 66, Leave It to Beaver, Perry Mason, Wagon Train, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Addams Family, Petticoat Junction, Get Smart, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Hogan’s Heroes, Green Acres, Mod Squad, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C, Adam 12, The Brady Bunch, The Streets of San Francisco, Ellery Queen, Hollywood Squares, The Dukes of Hazzard, Little House on the Prairie, Fantasy Island, Night Court, Highway to Heaven, The Huckleberry Hound Show, The Quick Draw McGraw Show, The Bugs Bunny Show, The Flintstones, The Yogi Bear Show, The Jetsons, Space Angel, Rod Rocket, The Funny Company, The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, The Road Runner Show, Gumby, The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour, The Pink Panther Show, Scooby Doo, Where Are You!, Help!…It’s the Hair Bear Bunch!, The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie, Yogi’s Gang, ABC Afterschool Special, Hong Kong Phooey, The Tom and Jerry Show, The Fantastic Four, The Scooby Doo Show, The All-New Popeye Hour, The Kwicky Koala Show, Richie Rich, The Smurfs, Sesame Street, Adventures of the Gummi Bears, The New Yogi Bear Show, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, The Little Mermaid, Rugrats, and Bonkers.

Personal Life: Married twice. First was to Mary Angstadt in 1938 to their divorce. Second was to Louise C. Smith from 1947 until her death in 1992. They had a son named Terry.

Later Life: After his wife’s death in 1992, Smith’s health deteriorated rapidly. In 1994 at 77, Smith died of a heart attack at his Santa Monica home, allegedly listening to a nightly drama on the radio. Buried at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery.

Trivia: Was said to either be a social drinker or not drink at all in real life and would use his Otis character in commercial spots for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Friends with Andy Griffith and Don Knotts.

110. Howard Morris

Dates: 1919-2005

Early Life and Career: Born in The Bronx, New York City to a Jewish family. Father was a rubber company executive. Attended New York University on a dramatic arts scholarship. During World War II, he was assigned to a US Army Special Services Unit where he was the First Sergeant. Based in Honolulu, the unit entertained troops throughout the Pacific. Joined Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows in 1950.

Movies and Cartoons: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) as well as the series The Adventures of the Gummi Bears.

Characters: Gopher

Also Known For: Actor, comedian, and director. Best known roles were Ernest T. Bass in The Andy Griffith Show and as Uncle Goopy in Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows. The original voice of Atom Ant, Forsythe “Jughead” Jones, and the Qantas Airlines Koala. Also voiced Mayor McCheese and the Hamburglar (taking over for Larry Storch in 1986) for McDonald’s McDonaldland campaign. Films include Boys Night Out, 40 Pounds of Trouble, The Nutty Professor, Fluffy, Alice of Wonderland in Paris, With Six You Get Eggroll, Don’t Drink the Water, The Comic, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig Meet the Groovie Goolies, High Anxiety, History of the World Part I, Splash, End of the Line, Transylvania Twist, Life Stinks, and The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit. TV appearances include Caesar’s Hour, The Twilight Zone, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Beetle Bailey, Make Room for Daddy, The Magilla Gorilla Show, Punkin’ Puss and the Mushmouse, Breezly and Sneezly, The Lucy Show, The Secret Squirrel Show, The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, The Atom Ant Show, The Archie Show, My Favorite Martians, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Shirt Tales, Trapper John, M.D., Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Yellow Rose, Snorks, Paw Paws, Sesame Street, Duck Tales, Little Clowns of Happytown, Superman, The New Yogi Bear Show, Fantastic Max, Garfield and Friends, Police Academy, Murder, She Wrote, Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, Cow and Chicken, and The Wild Thornberrys. Served as voice director on Police Academy, Richie Rich, Galaxy High, The Snorks, Rose Petal Place, The Dogfather, Dragon’s Lair, Turbo Team, Little Clowns of Happytown, and Space Stars. Directed episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart, The Patty Duke Show, Bewitched, Hogan’s Heroes, Laredo, The Love Boat, Laverne & Shirley, and Trapper John M.D. Also directed With Six You Get Eggroll, Who’s Minding the Mint?, and Don’t Drink the Water.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Mary Helen McGowan from 1945 to their divorce in 1962. Second wife was Dolores A. Wylie from 1962 to their divorce in 1977. Had 3 daughters and a son along with 3 grandchildren.

Later Life: Died in Hollywood of congestive heart failure at 85 in 2005. “Uncle Goopy” sketch was shown at his funeral and Carl Reiner was one of the eulogizers. Entombed in Laurel Gardens Wall Crypt at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Trivia: In his Special Services Unit, Maurice Evans was company commander while Carl Reiner and Werner Klemperer were soldiers.