Regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all time, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast began as project Walt Disney had attempted to adapt twice as an animated film but ultimately shelved due to the plot proving too challenging as well as Jean Cocteau’s 1946 version. In 1987, the Disney studio resurrected Beauty and the Beast as a project for a satellite animation studio they established in London. Hiring Linda Woolverton, it became the first animated Disney movie to employ a screenwriter in an official capacity, which was unusual at the time. Since most traditionally animated films were usually developed on storyboard than in scripted form. Although it was originally supposed to be a darker and a non-musical, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken were called again to give Beauty and the Beast the same Broadway-style treatment as they did with The Little Mermaid. Yet, this would be a difficult time for Ashman not just because he was working on songs for Aladdin at the time, but also because he learned that he was dying from AIDS. So Disney decided to move pre-production work to Fishkill, New York, close to Ashman’s New York City home. There, the development crew retooled the script where they enhanced the two major characters, added new ones such as the household objects, and guide the audience toward the film as well as added the “real villain” Gaston. Ashman and Woolverton agreed that Beauty and the Beast should be the Beast’s story since according to producer Don Hahn, “He’s the guy trapped in the monkey suit who has to redeem himself during the course of the movie. The meter’s ticking for him.” They also took some inspiration from the Jean Cocteau version which introduced an oafish suiter named Avenant who’s somewhat similar to Gaston. Although not as bad as his Disney movie counterpart. While the animated objects were given distinct personalities. Production for Beauty and the Beast would be completed on a compressed timeline of 2 years. While Ashman died 8 months before its release. By the time it was shown at the New York Film Festival in 1991, it was still not finished. When it was released in 1991, Beauty and the Beast would rake in a worldwide box office gross of $335 million, critical acclaim, a Best Picture win for a Golden Globe, 2 Academy Awards for its music, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. In 1994, it would become the first Disney film adapted into a Broadway musical, which won a Tony Award and ran for 13 years. In more recent years, Beauty and the Beast is widely considered as one of the greatest animated films of all time for its innovative blend of traditional and computer animation, its role in revitalizing Walt Disney Animation Studios, and its contribution to establishing animation as a legitimate art form beyond children’s entertainment.  In this post, we’ll meet the voice actors David Ogden Stiers, Mary Kay Bergman, and Kath Soucie as well as the voices behind Gaston, LeFou, Lumiere, Chip, Maurice, and Stove.

161. Richard White

Dates: 1953-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee but was primarily raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Bethel Park High School in 1971. Yet, he was actively involved with school musicals and community theater. Later attended the Oberlin Conservatory and the Indiana School of Music. Made his debut in 1979.

Movies and Cartoons: Beauty and the Beast (1991) as well as specials and video games.

Characters: Gaston

Also Known For: Actor and opera singer best known as the voice of Gaston. Stage appearances include The Most Happy Fella, Jekyll and Hyde, Gigi, The Desert Song, Showboat, Carousel, Annie Get Your Gun, Phantom, The Merry Widow, Oklahoma!, Camelot, and A Christmas Carol.

Personal Life: Married twice. First to actress Sharon Halley from 1982 to their 2003 divorce. They have a daughter named Amanda. Second and current wife is singer-actress named Susan Powell whom he met during the 1980s. Couple has been married since 2013.

Later Life: Still working as of 2025.

Trivia: Said he doesn’t see Gaston as a villain or think that he actually died.

162. Jerry Orbach

Dates: 1935-2004

Early Life and Career: Born Jerome Bernard Orbach in The Bronx, New York City. Mother was a greeting card manufacturer and radio singer of Polish-Lithuanian Catholic descent from Luzerne, Pennsylvania who raised him in her faith. Father was a Jewish restaurant manager and vaudeville performer from Hamburg, Germany. Family moved frequently during his childhood, living in places like Mount Vernon, New York, Wilkes-Barre, Nanticoke, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, Springfield, Massachusetts, and Waukegan, Illinois. Attended Waukegan High School and graduated in 1952 where he played on the football team as well as learned acting in a speech class. After his high school graduation, Orbach worked a summer in theatre at the Chevy Chase Country Club of Wheeling, Illinois and enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign in the fall. In 1953, he returned to the Chicago area and enrolled at Northwestern University but left before his senior year. In 1955, he moved to New York City to pursue acting and study at the Actors Studio where one of the instructors was its founder Lee Strasberg. Soon became a successful Broadway and Off-Broadway actor during the 1960s and 1970s.

Movies and Cartoons: Beauty and the Beast (1991) as well as direct-to-video installments, theme park attractions, and video games.

Characters: Lumiere

Also Known For: Actor and singer described at the time of his death as, “one of the last bona fide leading men of the Broadway musical and global celebrity on television” and a “versatile stage and film actor.” Best known as Detective Lenny Briscoe in Law & Order from 1992-2004 and whom he reprised in several series including Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Was also Harry McGraw in Murder, She Wrote (which also starred his Beauty and the Beast co-star Angela Lansbury) and The Law & Harry McGraw. Notable film roles include a detective in Prince of the City, a coach in Brewster’s Millions, and an overly protective father in Dirty Dancing. Film appearances include Guys and Dolls, Marty, Bye Bye Birdie, The Sentinel, The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight, Underground Aces, Someone to Watch Over Me, F/X, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Out for Justice, Toy Soldiers, California Casanova, Universal Soldier, Mr. Saturday Night, The Road to El Dorado, Prince of Central Park, and Manna from Heaven. TV appearances include Annie Get Your Gun, Kojack, Buck Rogers of the 25^th Century, Ryan’s Hope, The Magic of Herself the Elf, Our Family Honor, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers, Tales from the Darkness, Out on a Limb, Simon & Simon, The Golden Girls, Who’s the Boss?, Empty Nest, Quiet Killer, Broadway Bound, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, and Frasier. Stage appearances include The Threepenny Opera, The Fantasticks, Carnival!, The Cradle Will Rock, Guys and Dolls, Carousel, Annie Get Your Gun, Scuba Duba, Promises, Promises, 6 Rms Riv Vu, Chicago, and 42^nd Street. Video game appearances include Law & Order: Dead on the Money, Law & Order: Double or Nothing, and Law & Order: Justice Is Served.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Marta Curro from 1958 to their divorce in 1975. Had 2 sons with her named Anthony “Tony” Nicholas who’s a construction manager and accomplished crossword constructor who’s published more than 25 puzzles in The New York Times and actor-singer Christopher Orbach who once played his nephew Ken on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Second wife was Broadway dancer Elaine Cancilla whom he met while starring as Billy Flynn in Chicago. They were married from 1979 until his death. Had 2 grandchildren named Peter and Sarah Kate by his older son Tony around the time of his death. Lived in a high-rise on 53^rd Street off 8^th Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen and was a fixture of the neighborhood’s restaurants and shops. His glossy publicity photo hangs at Buffy’s Cleaners and was a regular at some of the Italian restaurants nearby.

Later Life: Was diagnosed with prostate cancer early in 1994. Treated with radiation therapy but by the end of the year, the cancer had metastasized. Underwent hormone therapy throughout the next decade while continuing to star in Law & Order. After leaving the series in 2004, he underwent chemotherapy but he ultimately succumbed to the cancer around the end of that year while at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City at 69. Marquees on Broadway dimmed in mourning. NBC aired his last Law & Order episodes and dedicated them to him. Corneas were donated as per his request. Interred at Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum in upper Manhattan.

Trivia: Won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 1968 for Promises, Promises as well as was nominated for another years later. Won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for Law & Order in 2005. Was nominated for 3 Emmys and a Grammy Award. Was said to have an IQ of 163 and perfect 20/20 vision during his whole life. Described his Lumiere voice as “halfway between Maurice Chevalier and Pepe Le Pew.” Performed a live stage rendition to the Oscar-nominated song, “Be Our Guest” at the Academy Awards. Had an intersection of New York City’s 8^th Avenue and 53^rd Street renamed in his honor. Was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1999. Was named a “Living Landmark” by the New York Conservancy along with Law & Order co-star Sam Waterson in 2002. In 2007, the Snapple Theater Center named the Jerry Orbach Theatre at Broadway and 50^th Street. Author Kurt Vonnegut was a fan of his. Starred in Chicago as Billy Flynn alongside Rex Everhart as Amos Hart from 1975-1977.

163. David Ogden Stiers

Dates: 1942-2018

Early Life and Career: Born at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois. Family moved to Eugene, Oregon where he graduated from North Eugene High School and briefly attended the University of Oregon where a performance by George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra ignited his love of classical music. Stiers moved to San Francisco where he performed with The California Shakespeare Theater, San Francisco Actors Workshop, and the improvisational group, The Committee, whose members included Rob Reiner, Howard Hesseman, and Peter Bonerz. Worked for the Santa Clara Shakespear Festival for 7 years until John Houseman discovered him and invited him to study at the Julliard School in New York City where he graduated in 1972. Although he’d occasionally skip acting classes to hear master classes by Pierre Boulez, John Williams, and Sir Georg Solti. Following that, Stiers became a founding member of the City Center Acting Company and appeared in many of their productions. Made Broadway debut in 1974.

Movies and Cartoons: Beauty and the Beast (1991), Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), and Lilo & Stitch (2002) as well as well as direct-to-video installments, series, theme park attractions, live stage appearances, and video games.

Characters: Cogsworth, Governor Radcliffe, Wiggins, Archdeacon, Fenton Q. Harcourt, and Dr. Jumba Jookiba

Also Known For: Actor and conductor who appeared on numerous Broadway productions but is best known as Major Charles Winchester III on M*A*S*H. Other roles include District Attorney Michael Reston in the Perry Mason TV movies during the 1980s, Reverend Gene Purdy in The Dead Zone, and Oberoth in Stargate: Atlantis. Film appearances include THX 1138, The Cheap Detective, Oh, God!, Harry’s War, The Man with One Red Shoe, Better Off Dead…, Another Woman, The Accidental Tourist, Doc Hollywood, Shadows and Fog, The Last of His Tribe, Porco Rosso, Iron Will, Bad Company, Napoleon, Mighty Aphrodite, Everyone Says I Love You, Jungle 2 Jungle, My Neighbors the Yamadas, The Stand-In, Tomcats, The Majestic, Spirited Away, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion, Hoodwinked!, and Lady in the Water. TV appearances include Kojak, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Charlie’s Angels, Rhoda, CBS Afternoon Playhouse, The First Olympics: Athens 1896, North and South, Murder, She Wrote, North and South Book II, Matlock, ALF, The Ray Bradbury Theater, CBS Schoolbreak Special, Wings, Star Trek: The Next Generation, American Experience, Ally McBeal, The Angry Beavers, The Practice, The Outer Limits, The Wild Thornberrys, Bull, Teacher’s Pet, Justice League, Frasier, Touched by an Angel, Static Shock, NOVA, Justice League Unlimited, Leverage, and Rizzoli & Isles. Video game appearances include Toonstruck, Icewind Dale, Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, Uru: To D’ni, Myst V: End of Ages, and Baldur’s Gate: Siege of Dragonspear. Stage appearances include Three Sisters, The Beggar’s Opera, Measure for Measure, Ulysses of Nighttown, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Personal Life: Came out as gay in 2009, telling Oklahoma City blog Gossip Boy that he feared doing so would hurt his career for reasons that I need not explain. Claimed that his reason for coming out had more to do for the sake of a potential partner, “I could claim noble reasons as coming out in order to move gay rights forward, but I must admit it is for far more selfish reasons. Now is the time I wish to find someone, and I do not desire to force any potential partner to live a life of extreme discretion with me.”

Later Life: Spent his later years as associate conductor of the Newport (Oregon) Symphony Orchestra and the Ernest Bloch Music Festival as well as played a major role in establishing the Newport Symphony. Also guest conducted over 70 orchestras around the world including, the Oregon Mozart Players, the Vancouver Symphony, the Virginia Symphony, the Oregon Chamber Players, and the Yaquina (Oregon) Chamber Orchestra, as well as orchestras in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Chicago, Salt Lake City, and Toronto. Died in 2018 from complications of bladder cancer at his home in Newport, Oregon at 75. His will made bequests to several arts organizations in his area, including the Newport Symphony, Newport Public Library, and the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, among others.

Trivia: Received 2 Emmy nominations.

164. Bradley Pierce

Dates: 1982-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Glendale, Arizona, Pierce began acting from the age of 6 and has appeared in various projects ranging from commercial and voiceover work to film and television.

Movies and Cartoons: Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Return to Never Land (2002) as well as a variety of series and video games.

Characters: Chip and Nibs

Also Known For: Actor, producer, and cinematographer. Best known roles outside Disney are Peter Shepherd in Jumanji, Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog, and Pete Lender in The Borrowers. Film appearances include Chaplin, Down to You, Pearl Harbor, Crazy/Beautiful, Riding in Cars with Boys, Big Trouble, Harold & Kumar Get the Munchies, College Road Trip, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Phantom, The Internship, My All-America, Detective Pikachu, Porco Rosso, Whisper of the Heart, and The Cat Returns. TV appearances include Too Young to Die, Life Goes On, Beverly Hills 90210, Days of Our Lives, Roseanne, Herman’s Head, Mad About You, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Cries from the Heart, The Client, The Home Court, The Siege of Ruby Ridge, Touched by an Angel, Mr. Show with Bob and David, Star Trek: Voyager, Camp Rock, Timeless Tales from Hallmark, The Pink Panther, The Busy World of Richard Scarry, The Wild Thornberrys, and As Told by Ginger. Video game appearances include Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland and The Lego Movie Videogame.

Personal Life: Married to Shari Holmes from 2005 to their divorce in 2017. Has 3 children with her.

Later Life: Has a short film production company with fellow actor Joey Zimmerman called ZFO entertainment that also works as press/media outlet.

Trivia: Co-founded Pierce & Luna, a cocktail company geared towards bartending education and liquor review. Along with partner, Bella Luna, Pierce has begun bartending services and consultations for elite parties. They also provide specialty cocktails for festivals such as the Hollywood Burlesque Festival and the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

165. Rex Everhart

Dates: 1920-2000

Early Life and Career: Born in Watseka, Illinois. Father was a doctor and mother died when he was 15. Attended Western Military Academy in 1935 and graduated in 1938. Studied at the University of Missouri and received a theater degree at the Pasadena Playhouse. Received a bachelor’s and master’s degree at New York University where he studied acting with Martin Ritt, Paul Mann, and Curt Conway. Started his theater career in 1939, working in regional and repertory theaters including the Phoenix Theater, Yale Repertory Theater and seven seasons at The American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut. Also served in the US Navy as a 1^st lieutenant during World War II from 1942 to 1947. Appeared in Pasadena Playhouse productions, acted and directed shows for NYU, as well as acted at Newport, Rhode Island’s Sarah Stamms Theatre and Dallas’ Margo Jones Theatre. Made his Broadway debut in 1955.

Movies and Cartoons: Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Characters: Maurice

Also Known For: Film, theater, and television actor with a career spanning over 5 decades. Film appearances include Who Killed the Teddy Bear?, The Seven-Ups, Matilda (1978), Superman, Friday the 13^th, The Rosary Murders, and Family Business. TV appearances include Armstrong Circle Theatre, Naked City, The Du Pont Show of the Week, ABC Stage 67, For the People, Car 54, Where Are You?, The Trials of O’Brien, The Blue Hotel, Gnomes, The Elephant Man, ABC Afterschool Special, Man in a Suitcase, Law & Order, Square One Television, and Ghostwriter. Stage appearances include No Time for Sergeants, Tall Story, Lysistrata, Peer Gynt, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, Tenderloin, Skyscraper, 1776, The Iceman Cometh, Peer Gynt, Chicago, Working, Woman of the Year, The Playboy of the Western World, Rags, and Anything Goes.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Jill Reardon from 1944 to their divorce in 1957. Second wife was actress Clare Violet whom he met during the run of Tenderloin. They were married from 1962 until his death. Also had a daughter named Degan together. Lived in Westport, Connecticut for 37 years.

Later Life: Retired in 1997. Died of lung cancer in 2000 in Branford, Connecticut at 79.

Trivia: Was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in 1978 for Working. Was Howard Da Silva’s understudy in 1776. Starred in Chicago as Amos Hart alongside Jerry Orbach as Billy Flynn from 1975-1977.

167. Jo Anne Worley

Dates: 1937-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Lowell, Indiana. Parents divorced in 1962 and father remarried and had a second family with a woman named Nancy. Said she had such a loud voice that she had to only lip sync hymns at church because she’d drown everyone else if she sang them. Was named class clown before graduating from high school in 1955. Afterwards, Worley moved to Blauvelt, New York, where she began her professional career as a member of the Pickwick Players. This led to a drama scholarship to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. After studying at Midwestern for a couple of years, Worley moved to Los Angeles to study at Los Angeles City College and the Pasadena Playhouse. Was soon given her first role in the musical Wonderful Town. Received her first major break in 1961 in a Los Angeles musical revue called Billy Barnes People, which later moved to Broadway. In 1965, Worley created her own nightclub in Greenwich Village, where Merv Griffin discovered her in 1966. Impressed by her talents, Griffin engaged her to be among the primary guests of his show where she appeared 40 times. In 1967, Worley’s stint on Griffin’s show led to her discovery by George Schlatter, who soon cast her in Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. She remained there until 1970.

Movies and Cartoons: Beauty and the Beast (1991) and A Goofy Movie (1995) as well as a variety of direct-to-video installments, video games, and series.

Characters: Wardrobe and Miss Maples

Also Known For: Actress, comedian, and singer whose work covers film, television, theater, talk shows, game shows, cartoons, and commercials. Best known for her work on the comedy-variety show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Film appearances include Moon Pilot, Head, The Shaggy D.A., and Nutcracker Fantasy. TV appearances include The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Adventures in Paradise, Captain Nice, Hot Dog, Night Gallery, Adam-12, The Paul Lynde Show, Pyramid, Emergency!, Match Game, The Six Million Dollar Man, New Zoo Revue, Hawaii Five-O, The Love Boat, The Gift of the Maji, CHiPs, The All New Popeye Hour, Murder, She Wrote, Super Password, Pound Puppies, The Wuzzles, The Pink Panther, Mad About You, Caroline in the City, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Hollywood Squares, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, Bones, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Middle. Stage appearances include Carnival!, Hello, Dolly!, The Pirates of Penzance, Prince of Central Park, Annie, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Wicked.

Personal Life: Married to actor Roger Perry from 1975 to their divorce in 2000. An avid animal lover, Worley has been involved with the organization Actors and Others for Animals for more than 40 years, which was founded in 1971 to fund spay-and-neuter programs as well as provide veterinary assistance for pet owners in Southern California. She served on a voluntary basis on the board of directors for several years before becoming vice president. Has served as president of the organization since 2007.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

168. Mary Kay Bergman

Dates: 1961-1999

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles, California. Mother was an animation cel painter for Max Fleischer on Popeye cartoons in New York City. Her parents performed as a singing duo in Los Angeles as well as Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada. Only settling in Los Angeles when her mom became pregnant. Yet, it was her mother’s interest in animation that piqued Bergman which led to a shared interest in watching Saturday morning cartoons together. Even at an early age, Bergman wanted to be a film star with her early passion influenced by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which she watched in theaters when she was around 6 or 7. She also grew up around the corner from Adrianna Caselotti’s home, whom she idolized. Attended Joseph Le Conte Middle School and Hollywood High School where she graduated with top academic honors in 1978. At 16, she received her first acting job for a TV movie starring Elizabeth Taylor but she was left disappointed because her scene was cut. She later joined the Screen Actors Guild. After graduation, she enrolled at UCLA and studied theater arts from 1978 to 1981, mainly because she was a big Carol Burnett fan. However, after 3 years at UCLA, Bergman received a role in a play outside of school and dropped out to start her professional life. Joined a small agency in the valley of Los Angeles that started 6 months before she came in. Auditioned for an exercise program scheduled to appear on cable. Yet, a week after Bergman won the part, the agency closed and reopened as a candy store. Described the experience as “the worst agency story in the business.” She then a receptionist for the Boy Scouts of America, which she enjoyed and was pleased working with the organization’s people. Also worked as a receptionist for an insurance company, where she managed to move up the ranks to become assistant underwriter that she found “extremely boring.” Although she thought about becoming a DJ, she couldn’t find any information on where to take classes. Bergman caught the attention of voice-over teacher Kay Lehrman after she did her Ethel Merman impression to a karaoke machine. Bergman then studied voice acting and took all of Lehrman’s classes. After her final class, she recorded a demo tape for the voice-acting agency Abrams, Rubaloff, and Lawrence before quitting her receptionist job after realizing that “squeezing auditions into her regular work schedule was not working.” First voice acting role was a frightened woman in a local radio commercial for a home security company. After doing radio voice-overs, Bergman was soon selected by Disney to take over for Caselotti as the voice of Snow White.

Movies and Cartoons: Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Hercules (1997), Mulan (1998), and Toy Story 2 (1999) as well as a variety of series, radio appearances, and video games.

Characters: Claudette, Laurette, Quasimodo’s Mother, Djali, Earthquake Lady, Nymphs, Teenage Girls, Athena, Third Ancestor, and Jessie (yodeling).

Also Known For: Voice actress and voice-over teacher who was the original lead female voice actress in South Park from its beginning in 1997 until her death. Performed voice work for every aspect of media including over 400 television commercials. Known for her distinctive voice acting on her “sweet, little cute characters” but her range would later expand as she got older. Film appearances include Annabelle’s Wish, Kikki’s Delivery Service, Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, Rusty: A Dog’s Tale, The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars, South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut, and The Iron Giant. TV appearances include Alvin and the Chipmunks, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Family Dog, The Bears Who Saved Christmas, Fantastic Four, Space Strikers, The Tick, The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat, The Fantastic Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor, What a Cartoon!, Roar, USA High, Extreme Ghostbusters, The New Adventures of Zorro, Spider-Man, Adventures from the Book of Virtues, Oh Yeah! Cartoons, The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs, Men in Black: The Series, Family Guy, and Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot. Video game appearances include Leisure Suit Larry 6: Suit Up or Slip Out!, Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers, Leisure Suit Larry: Love for Sail!, I Can Be a Dinosaur Finder, I Can Be an Animal Doctor, South Park, Leisure Suit Larry’s Casino, King’s Quest: Mask of Eternity, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Scooby-Doo! Mystery of the Fun Park Phantom, South Park Rally, Alundra 2, and Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins.

Personal Life: Married to fellow voice actor Dino Andrade from 1990 until her death. However, although Bergman achieved great success as a voice actress, there was a very dark side to it. At the height of her popularity, Bergman began to physically suffer from insomnia, myalgia, and nausea. Her doctor would later diagnose her with generalized anxiety disorder caused by severe stress. She kept this a secret from everyone including her husband, family, and friends. However, Andrade soon found out which led to Bergman admitting that she was afraid of losing her abilities and that her condition would end her career. Unfortunately, she would’ve almost certainly been much better off if she took time off and sought help. Even if she had to make sacrifices in her career as a voice actress, which she really needed to do in my opinion. Yet, tragically, she ended up choosing her career over her own mental well-being and at a very steep price.

Later Life: Started teaching voice-acting at Burbank’s Kalmenson & Kalmenson Studios. In November 1999, Bergman contributed to a radio program celebrating Disneyland’s 45^th anniversary, performing as Snow White in the commercial. Later that evening, Andrade returned to their home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Venice to find that Bergman had fatally shot herself in the head, with 2 suicide notes: one for him and one for John Bell stating that she couldn’t “handle her fear anymore.” She was only 38. Attorney Robert Harrison stated that Bergman showed no signs of depression. However, we must understand that suicide and depression are listed among complications regarding generalized anxiety disorder. The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office reported as a self-inflicted gunshot wound as her cause of death. Buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park since one of her biggest thrills was attending private screenings of Beauty and the Beast in the Walt Disney Company’s original screening room that’s located near her grave. News of her sudden death triggered an outpouring of grief from her fans and friends. While a lot of websites publishing the devastating news also included a memorial page and message board of Bergman that also received popularity. To honor Bergman and encourage others to seek help, Andrade established the Mary Kay Bergman Memorial Fund at the Suicide Prevention Center of Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center, which has raised thousands of dollars toward the cause. Her official website has been converted to mkbmemorial.com in order to support a mental health program for those diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.

Trivia: Classmate and friend of Nancy Cartwright. Was a member of an improve troupe called the Groundlings. Frank Welker was one of her mentors. Gave Trey Parker and Matt Stone many ideas for South Park that the creators originally didn’t have while she performed in the show under the name Shannen Cassidy in order to keep Disney from finding out and dropping her as the voice of Snow White. Nominated for an Annie for her performance as Sheila Blofovski in the South Park film.

169. Kath Soucie

Dates: 1953-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Cleveland, Ohio. Studied acting under drama teacher Manu Tupou. After attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Soucie began a successful career on the New York stage. Appeared in several TV movies but soon experienced disappointment with the physical restrictions of on-camera acting. Had her first voice acting job in 1986.

Movies and Cartoons: Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Tigger Movie (2000), Recess: School’s Out (2001), Return to Never Land (2002), Lilo & Stitch (2002), Piglet’s Big Movie (2003), Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005), Wreck-It-Ralph (2012), and Zootopia (2016) as well as a variety of direct-to-video installments, series, TV movies, and video games.

Characters: Bimbettes, Kanga, Counselor, Wendy Darling, Hawaiian Woman, and Young Nick Wilde

Also Known For: Voice actress best known as the voice of Lola Bunny, Phil, Lil, and Betty DeVille, Fifi Le Fume, Lil Sneezer, Maddie Fenton, Linka, Dexter’s Mom, Princess Sally Acorn, Bubbles, and Tuffy Mouse. Film appearances include Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby, Space Jam, Kiki’s Delivery Service, The Rugrats Movie, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, The Trumpet of the Swan, Hey Arnold!: The Movie, The Santa Clause 2, Rugrats Go Wild, The Animatrix, Clifford’s Really Big Movie, My Neighbor Totoro, Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild, Curious George, Back to the Sea, and Wonder Park. TV appearances include The Tale of Tillie’s Dragon, Annabelle’s Wish, Dexter’s Laboratory: Ego Trip, Hellboy: Blood and Iron, Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie, Home Improvement, The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel, Imagination Movers, My Little Pony, The Smurfs, Pound Puppies, The Real Ghostbusters, The New Yogi Bear Show, The Adventures of Raggedy Ann and Andy, X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, Timeless Tales from Hallmark, Tiny Toon Adventures, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Toxic Crusaders, Little Dracula, James Bond Jr. Space Cats, Rugrats, Raw Toonage, The Plucky Duck Show, Animaniacs, Mighty Max, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Pink Panther, Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?, Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad, The Critic, Savage Dragon, The Hot Rod Dogs and Cool Car Cats, Quack Pack, The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper, Adventures from the Book of Virtues, Dexter’s Laboratory, Hey Arnold!, Johnny Bravo, CatDog, I Am Weasel, The Magician, Oh Yeah! Cartoons, The Powderpuff Girls, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Futurama, Baby Blues, Clifford the Big Red Dog, As Told by Ginger, Time Squad, Samurai Jack, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, Duck Dodgers, My Life as a Teenage Robot, Static Shock, Justice League Unlimited, The Batman, W.I.T.C.H, Ben 10, Curious George, The Replacements, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Winx Club, Mad, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Transformers: Rescue Bots, DocMcStuffins, The Tom and Jerry Show, New Looney Toons, The Loud House, and Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Video game appearances include Full Throttle, Stonekeep, Space Jam, Fallout, Outlaws, Detective Barbie in the Mystery of the Carnival Caper!, Rugrats: Search for Reptar, Rugrats Adventure Game, Rugrats Studio Tour, Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn, Looney Tunes Racing, Looney Tunes: Space Race, Warriors of Might and Magic, Dexter’s Laboratory: Science Ain’t Fair, Rugrats: Totally Angelica, Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal, Jump Start Advanced 1^st Grade, Jump Start Advanced 2^nd Grade, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Final Fantasy X, Icewind Dale II, Jurassic Park: Dinosaur Battles, Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, The Cat in the Hat, World of Warcraft, Gun, Robots, Star Wars: Empire at War, Tomb Raider: Legend, Cartoon Network Racing, Thrillville, Thrillville: Off the Rails, Mass Effect, Lost Odyssey, Tomb Raider: Underworld, Brutal Legend, Dragon Age: Origins, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Syndicate, StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, The Elder Scrolls Online, World of Final Fantasy, Heroes of the Storm, Fallout 76, and Ninjala.

Personal Life: I couldn’t find anything about her personal life.

Later Life: Still working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

170. Brian Cummings

Dates: 1948-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Began pursuit of his chosen career at local radio station KDSN in Aberdeen, South Dakota during his senior year in high school. Said he set his sights high and has continued to “talk” a lot.

Movies and Cartoons: Beauty and the Beast (1991) as well as the series Duck Tales and along with Mark Elliot, has been one of the long-time voices of Walt Disney Home Entertainment trailers and promotions.

Characters: Stove

Also Known For: Voice actor known for his work in commercials, film promos, cartoons and as an announcer The All-New Let’s Make a Deal from 1984-1985. Also has done extensive work for Paramount Home Entertainment. Film appearances include The Jetsons: The Movie, California Suite, Where the Buffalo Roam, Good Burger, and Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest. TV appearances include Spider-Man, The Little Rascals, Snorks, The Berenstein Bears, G. I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Animaniacs, Les Dalton, ALF, Fun House, Most Shocking, Most Daring, and We Wish You a Merry Walrus. Video game appearances include Tron: Solar Sailor, The Mark of Kri, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Personal Life: Married to Carla McNally and has 8 children.

Later Life: Still working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.