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.