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.

As the last Disney animated film approved by Walt himself, The Aristocats dates its development to as early as 1961 when Disney suggested that Harry Tytle and Tom McGowan find some animal stories to adapt as a 2-part live action episode for the Wonderful World of Color TV show. By New Year’s 1962, McGowan found several stories including a children’s book about a mother cat and her kittens set in New York City. Yet, Tytle suggested setting the cats in Paris. Later that year, McGowan brought Tytle a version of the story written by Tom Rowe, an American writer living in Paris. Although Disney originally rejected the idea, Tytle and McGowan heard that Disney was at the Connaught in London where they slipped the treatment for Disney to read at the hotel desk. Disney contacted McGowan, stating that he liked the treatment and would meet with Tytle in Lisbon, Portugal. During a flight back to London, Disney told Tytle to buy the story for a live action theatrical film as well as recommended further revisions. After the project was temporarily shelved, Tytle suggested that The Aristocats should be reworked into an animated feature and Disney agreed and recommended that he approach Wolfgang Reiterman. Reiterman agreed but only after he finished directing The Jungle Book. Of course, Walt only got to see the preliminary work developed by Ken Anderson and it would be the last animated film project he approved before he succumbed to lung cancer that December 1966. So it would be up to his ever-underrated older brother Roy who wanted to keep Walt’s legacy alive even though he’d prefer to retire. As the first post-Walt Disney movie, The Aristocats opened to positive reviews and good box office numbers, with $10.1 million in the United States and Canada. Yet, it currently holds a 64% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with most critics saying that it’s sufficiently enjoyable but not good enough to be truly memorable. As critic Leonard Maltin noted, “[t]he worst that one could say of The Aristocats is that it is unmemorable. It’s smoothly executed, of course, and enjoyable, but neither its superficial story nor its characters have any resonance.” In this post, you’ll meet voice actors Patt Buttram, George Lindsey, and Paul Winchell, as well as the voices behind Duchess, Scat Cat, Peppo, Frou-Frou, Madame Adelaide Bonfamille, Georges Hautecourt, and one of the Gabble sisters.

91. Eva Gabor

Dates: 1919-1995

Early Life and Career: Born in Budapest, Hungary to a Jewish family. Father was a soldier. Mother was jeweler and socialite Jolie Gabor. Was the first of her sisters to move to the United States shortly after her first marriage when she was just 18. Made her first movie for Paramount Pictures in 1941.

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970), The Rescuers (1977), and The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

Characters: Duchess and Miss Bianca

Also Known For: Hungarian American actress and socialite. Appeared on film, Broadway, and on television as well as a businesswoman who marketed wigs, clothing, and beauty products. Best known role was as Lisa Douglas in Green Acres. Film appearances include The Last Time I Saw Paris, Artists and Models, Gigi, It Started with a Kiss, A New Kind of Love, Nutcracker Fantasy, and The Princess Academy. Had her own talk show during the 1950s called The Eva Gabor Show. TV appearances include Tales of Tomorrow, What’s My Line?, Five Fingers, Harrigan and Son, Wake Me When the War Is Over, Match Game, Ellery Queen, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Hart to Hart, The Edge of Night, Petticoat Junction, The Beverly Hillbillies, and This Is Your Life.

Personal Life: Younger sister of Zsa Zsa and Magda Gabor and aunt of Francesca Hilton. Married 5 times. First husband was Swedish psychologist and osteopath Dr. Eric Valdemar Drimmer whom she wed in London in 1937. They divorced in 1942 with her claiming cruelty, saying, “I wanted to have babies and lead a simple family life but my husband objected to me having children.” Second husband was American investment broker named Charles Isaacs from 1943 to their divorce in 1949. Third husband was a plastic surgeon named Dr. John Elbert Williams from 1956 to their divorce in 1957. Fourth husband was a textile manufacturer turned writer and director Richard Brown whom she wed at the Las Vegas Flamingo Hotel in 1959. They divorced in 1973. Fifth husband was aerospace executive and former vice president of Rockwell International, Fred Gard Jameson Sr. They wed at the Vivian Webb Chapel of the Webb Schools in Claremont, California in 1973. She became stepmother of Jameson’s four children. They divorced in 1983. Also had an on-again and off-again affair with actor Glen Ford while in between marriages from 1957 to the 1970s. After her last marriage, Gabor was involved in a relationship with TV producer Merv Griffin until her death. Reuters reported this was a platonic relationship to hide Griffin’s suspected homosexuality.

Later Life: In 1972, Gabor launched her eponymous fashion collection with Cuban-born American fashion designer Luis Estevez. Retired in 1994. Died in Los Angeles in 1995 from respiratory failure and pneumonia, following a fall in a bathtub during her vacation in Mexico. Funeral was held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park and Cemetery. She was 76. Survived by her mother and sisters.

Trivia: Toured post-communist Hungary after a 40-year absence on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous in 1990.

92. Scatman Crothers

Dates: 1910-1986

Early Life and Career: Born Benjamin Sherman Crothers in Terre Haute, Indiana. Began his music career as a teenager where he educated himself on guitar and drums. Was in a band that played in Terre Haute speakeasies. During the 1930s, he formed a band, spending 8 years living in Akron, Ohio, and performing 5 days a week on a Dayton, Ohio radio show. When the station manager thought Crothers needed a catchier name, he suggested “Scat Man” for his scat singing. Moved to California in the 1940s.   bPerformed in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and at the Apollo in Harlem, New York City. Went on USO tours with Bob Hope and performed with bandleader Sam Gaillard. Began recording music in 1947. Made his first film in 1953.

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970)

Characters: Scat Cat

Also Known For: Actor, singer, composer, songwriter, and musician best known as Lou the Garbage Man from Chico and the Man and Dick Hallorann from The Shining. Film appearances include Porgy and Bess, The King of Marvin Gardens, The Fortune, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Coonskin, Silver Streak, The Shootist, Hello Dolly!, The Great White Hope, The Cheap Detective, Bronco Billy, and Two of a Kind. TV appearances include Roots, The Adventures of Jim Bowie, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bonanza, The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, Dragnet, Harlem Globetrotters, Bewitched, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, Kojak, Hong Kong Phooey, Mannix, The Odd Couple, McMillan & Wife, Sanford and Son, Kolchack: The Night Stalker, Ironside, The Transformers, Starsky and Hutch, Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, Laverne & Shirley, Benson, Taxi, and The Paper Chase. Hit singles include “I’d Rather Be a Hummingbird”, “Blue-Eyed Sally”, “Television Blues,” “The Gal Looks Good”, “Nobody Knows Why”, “I Was There”, “A Man’s Gotta Eat”, and “When, Oh When.”

Personal Life: Married Helen Sullivan in 1937. Marriage produced a daughter named Donna and lasted until his death.

Later Life: Joined ASCAP in 1959. In 1985, Crothers was diagnosed with an inoperable malignant tumor in his lung that metastasized to his esophagus. Was bedridden for weeks and slipped into a coma. Died at his Van Nuys home in 1986 at 76 after struggling with lung cancer. Buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Trivia: Has a Best Supporting Actor Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an NAACP Image Award. Was inducted in the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1987. Was a regular guest on The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show.

93. Paul Winchell

Dates: 1922-2005

Early Life and Career: Born Paul Wilchinsky in New York City. Father was a tailor. Grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Congress Poland and Austria-Hungary. At 6, his legs atrophied after contracting polio. At 12 or 13, Winchell came across a magazine offering a ten-cent ventriloquism kit. At school, he asked his art teacher Jero Magon if he could receive class credit for creating a ventriloquist’s dummy. Magon agreed. Winchell thanked him for naming his creation Jerry Mahoney. He then returned to the magazines to gather jokes and put together a comedy routine, which he then took to The Major Bowes Amateur Hour, winning first prize. Part of that prize was a touring offer to play in various theaters with the Major Bowes Review. Bandleader Ted Weems saw the young Winchell while on tour, visited the boy, and offered him a job. Winchell accepted and became a professional at the age of 14. First show was on the radio with Jerry Mahoney in 1943 but the program was short-lived due to being overshadowed by Edgar Bergen. In 1948, Winchell was featured on Floor Show on NBC. Recorded on kinescope and replayed on WNBQ-TV in Chicago, the 8:30-9:00pm Central Time show was the station’s first midweekly program.

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), The Fox and the Hound (1981), and Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore (1983) as well as other projects such direct-to-video Winnie the Pooh cartoons, My Interactive Pooh video game, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh TV series, as well as The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction at Walt Disney World. He’d go on to host children and adult programs with his figures for NBC Television and for syndication.

Characters: Shun Gon, Tigger, and Boomer the Woodpecker as well as Zummi Gummi from Disney’s Adventures of the Gummy Bears.

Also Known For: Was a ventriloquist, actor, comedian, humanitarian, author, and inventor whose career flourished during the 1950s and 1960s. Hosted The Paul Winchell Show from 1950 to 1961 and the children’s programs Circus Time from 1956-1957 and Winchell-Mahoney Time from 1965-1968. Best known dummy characters were Jerry Mahoney, Knucklehead Smiff, and Ozwald. Outside Disney, he was the original voice of Dick Dastardly, Gargamel, Scrubbing Bubbles, Sam-I-Am, Clyde, Softy, Fleegle, Bubi Bear, Goober the Dog, Burger Chef, Mr. Owl, and Fearless Freddy the Shark Hunter. TV appearances include Your First Impression, Perry Mason, The Dick Van Dyke Show, McMillan & Wife, The Brady Bunch, The Beverly Hillbillies, What’s My Line?, 77 Sunset Strip, Frankenstein Jr. and the Impossibles, The Lucy Show, The Dean Martin Show, The Virginian, Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, Storybook Squares, Wacky Races, The Banana Splits, The Flying Nun, The Perils of Penelope Pitstop, Here’s Lucy, Nanny and the Professor, The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show, Curiosity Shop, Help!…It’s the Hair Bear Bunch!, The ABC Saturday Superstar Movies, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, Runaround, Dr. Seuss on the Loose, Yogi’s Gang, Hong Kong Phooey, These Are the Days, Wheelie and Chopper Bunch, Adams of Eagle Lake, The Pink Panther Show, CB Bears, Casper and the Angels, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, Heathcliff, Trollkins, Spider-Man, Meatballs & Spaghetti, The Jetsons, Yogi’s Treasure Hunt, and Droopy, Master Detective. With the assistance of Dr. Henry Heimlich, he became one of the first people to patent a mechanical artificial heart, implantable in the chest cavity which he later donated to the University of Utah School of Medicine who developed a similar apparatus. While there is some debate on how much of Winchell’s design Robert Jarvik used in creating the Jarvik-7. Heimlich has stated, “I saw the heart, I saw the patent, and I saw the letters. The basic principle used in Winchell’s heart and Jarvik’s heart is exactly the same.” Jarvik has vehemently denied that he used any of Winchell’s design elements into his device. Owned more than 30 patents in his lifetime that included a disposable razor, a blood plasma defroster, a flameless cigarette lighter, a garter belt with no outwardly visible lines, the freezer interrupt indicator (which allowed people to see if their food had gone bad when their electricity was interrupted), a fountain pen with a retractable tip, a battery lighted key case, a sectional garment for hypothermia, a piezo-electric diaphragm, an aluminum electrical generator, novelty phonograph records, novelty upside down mask and mirror, a reversible alphabet that could be seen normally when shown in a mirror, rubber sand that allowed for the sturdy attachment of pictures to frames, illuminated pen- ballpoint (behind cartridge), and battery-heated gloves.

Personal Life: Married three times. First wife was Dorothy “Dottie” Movitz in 1944 with whom he had a son named Stacy Paul and a daughter named Stephanie. They divorced in 1960. Second wife was actress and Winchell-Mahoney writer Nina Russel with whom he had a daughter named April who became an actress, writer, and radio host as well as serves as the current voice for Clarabelle the Cow. They divorced in 1972. Third wife was a Brit named Jean Freeman from 1974 until his death. They adopted two sons named Larry and Keith. She was credited with the catchphrase, “Ta-Ta For Now.” He also had 3 grandchildren around the time of his death as well. Anyway, Winchell’s autobiography Winch (2004) revealed many dark details about Winchell’s life that he previously kept private, including early stories of an abusive childhood, a long history of depression, and at least one mental breakdown which resulted in a short stint at a mental institution. The book revealed the bad treatment Winchell received from his mother for a considerable period, and the mental impact that continued to negatively affect him for decades after his mother’s death in 1953 at just 58. The autobiography caused a major estrangement between Winchell and his children because he portrayed their moms negatively in the book. In fact, April publicly defended her mother. He also wrote a couple books on religion and let’s just say he was a deist who didn’t have a lot of nice things to say about it.

Later Life: In 1970, Winchell and Metromedia were in negotiations to syndicate 305 segments of the show but nothing came of it. Winchell offered to purchase the tapes outright for $100,000. Metromedia responded with an ultimatum: “Agree on a syndication plan or the tapes will be destroyed.” Winchell didn’t agree. So Metromedia carried out with its threat and the tapes were erased and destroyed. Winchell sued Metromedia and in 1986, a jury awarded him $3.8 million for the tapes’ value and $14 million in punitive damages Metromedia. Metromedia appealed the award all the way to the US Supreme Court but they ultimately lost. In the 1980s, Winchell’s concern about starvation in Africa led him to develop a method to cultivate tilapia in tribal villages and small communities. Since the fish thrives in brackish waters, it was particularly well-suited for sub-Saharan Africa. With several other celebrities including Ed Asner and Richard Dreyfuss, Winchell appeared before a congressional committee. Unfortunately, the committee declined to finance the pilot program for the tilapia project because it required digging wells into non-potable water. Retired in 1999. Died in 2005 of natural causes in his sleep at his home in Moorpark, California at 82. His remains were cremated and his ashes scattered over his home property. Since Winchell was estranged from his kids, they weren’t immediately informed of his death. Upon learning about it, April posted an entry on her website: “I got a phone call a few minutes ago, telling me that my father passed away yesterday. A source close to my dad, or at least, closer than I was, decided to tell me himself, instead of letting me find out on the news, which I appreciate. Apparently a decision had been made not to tell me, or my father’s other children. My father was a very troubled and unhappy man. If there is another place after this one, it is my hope that he now has the peace that eluded him on earth.”

Trivia: Won a Grammy Award for his Performance in Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too (1974). Received a Winsor McCay Award in 1997. Has been honored at the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in television. Doll copies of Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff are housed in the Smithsonian Institution. Once auditioned to play the Pillsbury Doughboy but lost out to Paul Frees. Was a pre-med student at Columbia University. Graduated from the Acupuncture School of Los Angeles in 1974 and became an acupuncturist. Also worked as a medical hypnotist at the Gibbs Institute in Hollywood. Worked on projects for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Red Cross. Honored by The National Christian University with an honorary doctorate in science. Featured in the documentary I’m No Dummy. Wrote several books on a variety of subjects as well as painted. Died one day before his co-star John Fielder. Created and maintained a personal website until 2004.

94. Vito Scotti

Dates: 1918-1996

Early Life and Career: Born Vito Giusto Scozzari in San Francisco. Father was an impresario. Mother was an opera diva. Family spent the early 1920s in Naples and returned to the United States in 1924 where they briefly lived in Philadelphia before moving to New York City. Worked the night club circuit as a stand-up magician and mime artist following the Commedia dell’arte style. Debuted on Broadway in small role on Pinocchio. After serving in World War II, Scotti entered movies and television during the late 1940s. Made film debut in 1949. In 1955, Scotti was reportedly injured with an elephant named Emma who was reportedly spooked by the faux floral decorations on the set. Emma shook Scotti and fellow actor Nino Marcel from her back. Scotti suffered a concussion and a broken arm.

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970) as well as some episodes of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color during the late 1970s and the early 1980s.

Characters: Peppo

Also Known For: Character actor who was known as a man of a thousand faces for his ability to assume so many divergent roles in more than 200 screen appearances and in a career spanning 50 years for his resourceful portrayals of various ethnic types. Played both dramatic and comedic roles on Broadway, films, and later on television from the late 1930s to the mid-1990s. Of Italian heritages, he played everything from a Mexican bandit, a Russian doctor, a Japanese sailor, and an Indian travel guide. Basically he could play anyone who wasn’t a woman or black (for reasons that have more to do his looks and mid-twentieth century sensibilities than his talent). And if he was alive today, he probably would’ve been able to play a Russian doctor out of those 4 examples. Big at playing unsympathetic types such as snobs, loudmouths, and bullies. Film appearances include East Side, West Side, The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima, The Capture, Deported, The Light Touch, Shield for Murder, The Fabulous Senorita, Sabaka, The Broken Star, The Black Orchid, The Facts of Life, Gold of the Seven Saints, Pocketful of Miracles, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Captain Newman M.D., Honeymoon Hotel, Rio Conchos, Von Ryan’s Express, Made in Paris, The Pleasure Seekers, The Caper of the Golden Bulls, The Perils of Pauline (1967), The Secret War of Harry Figg, Head, Cactus Flower, The Godfather, Napoleon and Samantha, When the Legends Die, How to Seduce a Woman, Herbie Rides Again, One Man Jury, The Big Bus, Herbie Goes Bananas, Stewardess School, and Get Shorty. TV appearances include Andy’s Gang, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Lucy – Desi Comedy Hour, Rescue 8, Perry Mason, State Trooper, Playhouse 90, Peter Gunn, Wagon Train, Tales of Wells Fargo, Cheyenne, Zorro, The Real McCoys, The Investigators, Rawhide, The Twilight Zone, Lassie, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Rifleman, My Favorite Martian, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, The Donna Reed Show, Dr. Kildare, The Jack Benny Program, Bewitched, Laredo, The Virginian, The Addams Family, The Andy Griffith Show, The Lucy Show, The Munsters, Gilligan’s Island, Batman, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., The Monkees, The Wild Wild West, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Daniel Boone, The Flying Nun, Hogan’s Heroes, Ironside, Get Smart, Gunsmoke, The Odd Couple, The Brady Bunch, The Six Million Dollar Man, McMillan & Wife, Adam-12, The Bionic Woman, Monster Squad, Baretta, Happy Days, Charlie’s Angels, Hawaii Five-O, Hart to Hart, Madame’s Place, Fantasy Island, CHiPs, Trapper John M.D., Charles in Charge, The Golden Girls, Columbo, Northern Exposure, and Mad About You.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was former Flamenco dancer Irene Aida Lopez from 1949 to her death in 1979 at 54. Had 2 children with her including a daughter named Carmen Antoinette born in 1953 and a son named Ricardo Antonio born in 1956. Second wife was a woman named Beverly Cohen whom he married sometime during the 1980s and remained with her until his death.

Later Life: Retired from acting in 1995. Died in 1996 of lung cancer at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. Interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery with his first wife Irene in the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum.

Trivia: Was also a highly regarded cook who loved Italian cuisine, especially his mother and grandmother’s recipes. It’s said that 2 generations of Hollywood’s top names always left his dinner parties raving about the food and wine. In addition, he enjoyed painting in his spare time. Was a dedicated fundraiser for the “Carmen Fund” set up by the Joaquin Miller High School Parents’ Guild, to assist the school’s special-needs students. Fund was named  after the Scottis’ daughter, one of the first patients to undergo pioneer spinal implant surgery.

95. Nancy Kulp

Dates: 1921-1991

Early Life and Career: Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Father was a traveling salesman. Mother was a school teacher and later principal. Family later moved from Mifflintown to Miami, Florida sometime before 1935. Graduated with a journalism degree from what is now Florida Sate University in 1943. Continued her studies for a master’s degree in English and French at the University of Miami where she was a member of the sorority Pi Beta Phi. Also worked as a feature writer for the Miami Beach Tropics, writing profiles of celebrities such as Clark Gable as well as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. In 1944 during World War II, Kulp left the University of Miami to join the US Naval Reserve where she attained the rank of lieutenant, junior grade and received several decorations while in service including the American Campaign Medal. Was honorably discharge in 1946. In 1951, Kulp moved to Hollywood to work in MGM’s publicity department. But once at the studio, director George Cukor convinced her that she should be an actress. So the same year she began her MGM publicity job, Kulp made her film debut.

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970)

Characters: Frou-Frou

Also Known For: Character actor, writer, and comedian best known as Miss Jane Hathaway on The Beverly Hillbillies. Films include The Model and the Marriage Broker, Shane, Sabrina (1954), A Star Is Born (1954), Not as a Stranger, Steel Town, The Marrying Kind, The Caddy, The Strike, Anything Goes, The Three Faces of Eve, The Parent Trap (1961), The Last Time I Saw Archie, Who’s Minding the Store?, The Patsy, Strange Bedfellows, and The Night of the Grizzly. TV appearances include Lux Radio Theatre, Topper, December Bride, The Bob Cummings Show, It’s a Great Life, The Life of Riley, Schlitz Playhouse, TV Reader’s Digest, General Electric Theater, I Love Lucy, Cheyenne, Our Miss Brooks, The 20^th Century Fox Hour, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, Colgate Theater, The Real McCoys, 77 Sunset Strip, Playhouse 90, Maverick, Sunday Showcase, Mister Ed, Pete and Gladys, The Jack Benny Program, Outlaws, The Twilight Zone, My Three Sons, The Lucy Show, Password, Petticoat Junction, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, Stanford and Son, The Love Boat, CHiPs, Fantasy Island, Simon & Simon, Quantum Leap, and ABC Afterschool Special.

Personal Life: Married Charles Malcom Dacus in 1951 in Dade County, Florida. They divorced in 1961. Despite being referred to as the “homeliest girl on television,” it’s said that Kulp was quite popular in the show-biz dating scene and never lacked any amorous companionship. Kulp later gave an interview to author and LGBTQ activist Boze Hadleigh for his book Hollywood Lesbians in which she said: “As long as you reproduce my reply word for word, and the question, you may use it … I’d appreciate it if you’d let me phrase the question. There is more than one way. Here’s how I would ask it: “Do you think that opposites attract?” My own reply would be that I’m the other sort—I find that birds of a feather flock together. That answers your question.” By the way, she was 67 when she admitted to being a lesbian.

Later Life: Served on the board of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). In 1984, after working with the Democratic State Committee in her own state of Pennsylvania “on a variety of projects” over period of years, Kulp ran as the Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania’s 9^th congressional district. To her dismay, her Beverly Hillbillies co-star and staunch Republican Buddy Ebsen contacted her Republican opponent Bud Schuster’s campaign and volunteered to make a radio campaign ad in which he called Kulp “too liberal.” Later, Kulp said of Ebsen, “He’s not the kindly old Jed Clampett that you saw on the show … It’s none of his business and he should have stayed out of it.” She said Ebsen and she “didn’t get along because I found him difficult to work with. But I never would have done something like this to him.” In the end, she lost by a landslide, garnering only 33.6% of the vote. After this, according to close friends and family, Kulp regarded Ebsen as a persona non grata and she made clear to people not to bring him up in conversation around her except in interviews related to her time in The Beverly Hillbillies. In later years, Ebsen privately expressed remorse for doing the ad and they only reconciled shortly before Kulp’s death. After her defeat, Kulp worked at Juniata College, first as an artist in residence. Later as an acting teacher. Retired from acting and teaching in 1989. After briefly living at a Connecticut farm, she moved to Palm Springs, California, where she became involved in several charity organizations including the Humane Society of the Desert, the Desert Theatre League, and United Cerebral Palsy. A lifelong smoker, Kulp was diagnosed with cancer in 1990 and received chemotherapy. By 1991, the cancer had spread and she died in Palm Desert, California at 69. Her remains were interred at Westminster Presbyterian Cemetery in Mifflintown, Pennsyvania.

Trivia: Received an Emmy Award for her role as Miss Jane Hathaway from The Beverly Hillbillies. Was Arsenio Hall’s first guest on his talk show. She sat in with the house band.

96. Pat Buttram

Dates: 1915-1994

Early Life and Career: Born Maxwell Emmett Buttram in Addison, Alabama. Was the youngest of six children to a Methodist minister father. Had been called “Pat” since infancy. When Buttram was a year old, his father was transferred to Nauvoo Alabama where Buttram graduated from Mortimer Jordan High School before entering Birmingham – Southern College to study for the Methodist ministry. While there, Buttram performed in college plays and on a local radio station. He then became a regular on the National Barn Dance broadcast on WLS in Chicago. Also had his own program on CBS. Went to Hollywood during the 1940s and became sidekick to Roy Rogers. But since Rogers already had 2 regulars, Buttram was dropped. He was then picked up by Gene Autry, recently returned from his service in the US Army Air Corps. Made their first film The Strawberry Roan in 1948. Also joined Autry on his Melody Ranch radio show and later on television with The Gene Autry Show.

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970), Robin Hood (1973), The Rescuers (1977), The Fox and the Hound (1981), and A Goofy Movie (1995) as well as the Susie and the Little Blue Coupe (1951) short

Characters: Napoleon, Sheriff of Nottingham, Luke the Muskrat, Chief, and Possum Park Emcee

Also Known For: Character actor best known for playing Gene Autry’s sidekick and as Mr. Haney in Green Acres. Also had a distinctive voice that, in his own words, “never quite made it through puberty.” Co-starred with Autry in more than 40 films and over 100 episodes of television. Aside from Disney cartoons, he was a toon bullet in Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Cactus Jake in Garfield and Friends. Film appearances include Riders in the Sky, Mule Train, Beyond the Purple Hills, The Blazing Sun, Valley of Fire, The Old West, Night Stage in Galveston, Barbed Wire, Wagon Team, Wild in the Country, Twilight of Honor, Roustabout, Sergeant Deadhead, The Gatling Gun, Angels Brigade, and Back to the Future: Part III. TV appearances include The Real McCoys, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tycoon, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Munsters, Petticoats ‘n’ Pistols, Petticoat Junction, The Hollywood Squares, The Merv Griffin Show, Alias Smith and Jones, Adam-12, Emergency!, Chico and the Man, The Dukes of Hazzard, Simon and Simon, The Love Boat, Family Feud, Knight Rider, Gravedale High, Who’s the Boss, Tiny Toon Adventures, and Rugrats.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Dorothy McFadden whom he married in 1936 and with whom he’d adopt a daughter named Gayle. They divorced in 1946. Second wife was actress Shelia Ryan whom he married in 1952. They had a daughter named Kathrine (nicknamed “Kerry”) who was born in 1954. The couple would remain together until Ryan’s death in 1975.

Later Life: Semi-retired from acting in 1980. In 1987, Buttram returned to television with Gene Autry on Melody Ranch Theater on The Nashville Network. It featured Gene Autry’s classic western movies, cut down for television, with original opening and closing segments of America’s first singing cowboy and his comedic sidekick, reminiscing about the making of the movies and the events in the industry at the time. Died of kidney failure in 1994 at 78 at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Was interred at the Maxwell Chapel United Methodist Church in the Pebble Community near Haleyville, Alabama.

Trivia: Was a writer on Hee Haw. Was a staunch Republican who helped Ronald Reagan spice up his speeches. Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and one on the “Alabama Stars Hall of Fame” in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1982, he founded the Golden Boot Awards to honor actors, directors, stunt people and other industry professionals who’ve made significant contributions to the western film genre. Proceeds from the annual event are donated to the Motion Picture Health and Welfare Fund.

97. George Lindsey

Dates: 1928-2012

Early Life and Career: Born in Fairfield, Alabama. Father was a butcher. Raised by his grandparents in the small town of Jasper, where he graduated from Walker County High School in 1946. Attended Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri and what is now the University of North Alabama where he majored in physical education and biology. Was also a quarterback on the football team and acted in college plays. Received a Bachelor of Science in 1952. After graduating from college, Lindsey enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. After his discharge, Lindsey taught for a year at Hazel Green High School in Hazel Green, Alabama while waiting to be accepted by the American Theater Wing in New York City in 1956. In 1960, Lindsey appeared in To Tell the Truth, posing as a Florida fisherman and ultimately revealing himself as a “nightclub comic.” After graduating from the Wing and performing in 2 Broadway plays, Lindsey moved to Los Angeles.

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970), Robin Hood (1973), and The Rescuers (1977)

Characters: Lafayette, Trigger the Vulture, and Deadeye the Rabbit

Also Known For: Actor and stand-up comedian best known for his role as Goober Pyle in The Andy Griffith Show, Mayberry R.F.D., Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., Hee Haw, and Return to Mayberry. Film appearances include Ensign Pulver, Snowball Express, Charley and the Angel, Treasure of Metecumbe, and Take This Job and Shove It. TV appearances include The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Death Valley Days, M*A*S*H, Daniel Boone, The Twilight Zone, CHiPs, and NewsRadio.

Personal Life: Married to Joyanne Herbert from 1955 to their divorce in 1991. Had 2 children together include a son named George Jr. and a daughter named Camden Jo. Had 2 grandsons at the time of his death. Had a long-term relationship with Nashville businesswoman Anne Wilson that lasted from the late 1990s until his death.

Later Life: Retired in 2006. Died in 2012 of heart failure at 83. Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in his hometown of Jasper, Alabama.

Trivia: Was said to be Gene Roddenberry’s first choice to play Spock in the original Star Trek. But based on how Leonard Nimoy commented about it during a TV Land interview for the show’s 40^th Anniversary Marathon in 2006, it’s been suggested that he was joking. Raised over $1 million for the Alabama Special Olympics through 17 years of the George Lindsey Celebrity Weekend and Golf Tournament and another $50,000 for the Alabama Associated of Retarded Citizens (it was a different time), and participated as a Head Coach-Winter Games in the Minneapolis Special Olympics National Competition. Inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 for Youth Benefactor. Established and perpetuated the George Lindsey Academic Scholarships at University of North Alabama. Also established the George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival that takes place at the University of North Alabama, usually in the spring. Received an honorary doctorate from the university in 1992. Was a 1995 recipient of the Governor’s Achievement Award – Alabama Music Hall of Fame. The State of Alabama named “The George Lindsey Highway” in Jasper after him. Was a 1997 recipient of the Minnie Pearl Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2007 recipient of the first ICON Award by the Nashville Associations of Talent Directors. Was close friends with Ernest Borgnine and Andy Griffith.

98. Hermione Baddeley

Dates: 1906-1986

Early Life and Career: Born Hermione Youlanda Ruby Clinton-Baddeley in Broseley, Shropshire, England. Mother was French. Appeared on the West End as early as 1923. Made first film in 1927. Had numerous stage credits with her milleu in revue in which she played from the 1930s to the 1950s, often co-starring with Hermione Gingold. Had a long professional relationship with playwright Noel Coward and appeared in many of his plays in 1940s and 1950s.

Movies and Cartoons: Mary Poppins (1964) and The Aristocats (1970)

Characters: Ellen the Maid and Madame Adelaide Bonfamille

Also Known For: British actress in theatre, film, and television who typically played brash, vulgar characters, often referred to as “brassy” and “blowsy.” Film appearances include The Guns of Loos, Caste, Royal Cavalcade, It Always Rains on Sunday, Brighton Rock, No Room at the Inn, Quartet (1948), Passport to Pimlico, The Woman in Question, Scrooge, The Pickwick Papers (1952), Song of Paris, The Belles of St. Trinian’s, Room at the Top, Midnight Lace, Rag Doll, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Harlow, The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin, The Happiest Millionaire, The Black Windmill, South Riding, and The Secret of NIMH. TV appearances include Bewitched, Camp Runamuck, Batman, Wonder Woman, Little House on the Prairie, and Maude.

Personal Life: Younger sister of actress Angela Baddeley. Half-brother William was an Anglican clergyman who was Dean of Brisbane and Rural Dean of Westminster. Married twice. First husband was David Pax Tennant, third son of Edward Tennant, 1^st Baron Glencomer. Arrived an hour late for their wedding in 1928, having misremembered the time they booked the ceremony. They rented Teffont Evias Manor, which became known for their boisterous parties (including mixed skinny dipping in the goldfish pond). Had a son named David Wyndam and a daughter named Pauline Laetitia who became an actress and poet. They divorced in 1937. Second husband was Major John Henry “Dozey” Willis of the 12^th Lancers, son of Major General Edward Willis, Lieutenant Governor of Jersey. They wed in 1940 and divorced in 1946. Later had a relatively brief relationship with Laurence Harvey. Although he proposed marriage to her. But she declined due to him being 22 years her junior.

Later Life: Continued acting in both film and television until shortly before her death. Died in 1986 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles following a series of strokes at 79.

Trivia: Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1959 for her role in Room at the Top and a Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play in 1963 for The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore. Won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series in 1975 for Maude. Descendant of British General Sir Henry Clinton from the American Revolutionary War. Was devoted to animals and dedicated her autobiography The Unsinkable Hermione Baddeley to her dog. Despite her frequent collaborations with Hermione Gingold, it’s widely reported that the two actresses were clearly not friends and often delivered disparaging remarks about each other.

99. Charles Lane

Dates: 1905-2007

Early Life and Career: Born Charles Gerstle Levison in San Francisco, California to Jewish parents. Father was an executive at the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company that was instrumental in rebuilding the city after the 1906 earthquake. Spent a short time as an insurance salesman before joining the Pasadena Playhouse. Was said to have gotten into acting in as early as 1929. Made his film debut in 1930.

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970)

Characters: Georges Hautecourt

Also Known For: Character actor whose career spanned 76 years. Was a prolific actor who played hundreds of roles on film and TV, often portraying sour, scowling, and disagreeable clerks, doctors, judges, and middle-management authority figures. Best known role was the ever-scheming Homer Bedloe in Petticoat Junction. The New York Times once reported that Lane’s persona was so familiar to the public “that people would come up to him in the street and greet him, because they thought they knew him from their hometowns.” Appeared in 250 films including Smart Money, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Arsenic and Old Lace, It’s a Wonderful Life, Riding High, The Road to Singapore, Blonde Crazy, 42^nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1933, Blessed Event, Mr. Skitch, Twentieth Century, A Wicked Woman, The Band Plays On, Princess O’Hara, Ginger, The Crime of Dr. Forbes, Lady Luck, Three Men on a Horse, Born Reckless, Trapped by G-Men, In Old Chicago, Nothing Sacred, Joy of Living, Rose of Washington Square, Fifth Avenue Girl, The Cat and the Canary, Primrose Path, The Doctor Takes a Wife, Buck Benny Rides Again, Queen of the Mob, City for Conquest, Texas Rangers Ride Again, The Invisible Woman, Back Street, Barnacle Bill, Ball of Fire, Look Who’s Laughing, Ride Em’ Cowboy, The Great Man’s Lady, The Adventures of Martin Eden, The Mad Martindales, Lady in a Jam, Friendly Enemies, Mission to Moscow, Just Before Dawn, The Farmer’s Daughter, It Happened on Fifth Avenue, Louisiana, Call Northside 777, State of the Union, Smart Woman, The Gentleman from Nowhere, Moonrise, The Boy with Green Hair, Mighty Joe Young (1949), The House Across the Street, Borderline (1950), The Du Pont Story, The Affairs of Dobie Gillis, Kiss Me Deadly, The Mating Game, The Music Man, Looking for Love, Billie, The Gnome-Mobile, Sybil, Sunset Limousine, and Date with an Angel. TV appearances include I Love Lucy, Dear Phoebe, Willy, The People’s Choice, The Real McCoys, Perry Mason, Dennis the Menace, Pete and Gladys, The Lucy Show, Mister Ed, The Beverly Hillbillies, Bewitched, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., The Carpetbaggers, Get Smart, The Donna Reed Show, The Munsters, F Troop, The Wild Wild West, Green Acres, Nanny and Professor, The Odd Couple, Soap, Little House on the Prairie, The Winds of War, St. Elsewhere, War and Remembrance, and Dark Shadows.

Personal Life: Married Ruth Covell in 1931 and they remained together for 70 years until her death in 2002. They had 2 children: a son named Charles Jr. and a daughter named Alice. Lived in the Brentwood home he and his wife bought until his death.

Later Life: Made his last TV appearance at 90. Performed his final acting role at 101. Died in 2007 at 102. Charles Jr. said he was talking to his dad at 9 p.m. on that July 9 evening, “He was lying in bed with his eyes real wide open. Then he closed his eyes and stopped breathing.”

Trivia: Recalling his many roles in 1981, Lane said, “They were all good parts, but they were jerks. If you have a type established, though, and you’re any good, it can mean considerable work for you.” Was a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in 1933. Was also a founding member of the television academy and was honored by the Emmy Awards on his 100^th birthday for being its oldest member. Was good friends with Lucille Ball. Was paid tribute by the TV Land Awards at his 100^th birthday and he received is award from Haley Joel Osment before saying, “If you’re interested, I’m still available [for work]!” Said he sometimes played more than one role on some of his busiest days, getting into costume and filming his two or three lines, then hurrying off to another set or studio for a different costume and a different role. Said to have appeared in 67 roles within the span of 1940 to 1942. Made 23 films in 1933 alone. Once described being typecast, “… a pain in the ass. You did something that was pretty good, and the picture was pretty good. But that pedigreed you into that type of part, which I thought was stupid and unfair, too. It didn’t give me a chance, but it made the casting easier for the studio.” Was one of the last survivors of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

100. Monica Evans

Dates: 1940-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Camberwell, London, England. Trained at the Central School of Speech & Drama in the 1950s and was a stand-in for Jo Plowright in Rhinoceros before taking over the part once Plowright’s relationship with Sir Laurence Olivier became public.  

Movies and Cartoons: The Aristocats (1970) and Robin Hood (1973)

Characters: Abigail Gabble and Maid Marian

Also Known For: Best known as Cecily Pidgeon in The Odd Couple in all its original iterations. Film appearances include Make Mine Mink and Be My Guest. TV appearances include The Escape from R.D.7, Compact, No Hiding Place, and Here Come the Brides.

Personal Life: Married twice. First husband was actor Leo McGuire from 1962 until their divorce. Second husband was BBC Radio 1 DJ Dave Cash from 1973 until their divorce in 2010. Has 2 children from Cash according to Imdb.

Later Life: Retired from acting in 1973.

Trivia: Was maid of honor at Carole Shelley’s wedding in 1967 and most recently reunited with her at the 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival.

              Unfortunately, the barking success of One Hundred and One Dalmatians did nothing to revive Walt Disney’s interest in animation. Even though it was the studio’s most successful animated film to date and achieved almost everything Walt wanted to achieve with Sleeping Beauty at a box office and critical standpoint. Hell, even the original novel’s author Dodie Smith loved it.  And yet despite all this, Walt seemed more focused on his theme parks such as Disneyland and producing live-action films and television. Sure, they got 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Old Yeller, and Mary Poppins. While Pollyanna and 20,000 Leagues have been shown on TCM. But a lot of them aren’t exactly as memorable, with some being fodder for prime remake territory in later years like The Parent Trap and The Absent-Minded Professor. Anyway, although Walt Disney first considered making an animated version of Rudyard Kipling’s stories from The Jungle Book, work didn’t go underway until the 1960s when Bill Peet proposed the idea. Yet, when Peet delivered his version of the story, Walt Disney decided to get more involved in the story development than he had in the past 2 years. Upon reviewing Peet’s storyboards, Disney decided that his approach was too dark and depressing, insisting on making the story lighter and more aimed at families. Peet refused and he got into a long argument with Disney since the guy had been working on the project for over a year. In early 1964, Peet left the studio after another fight with Disney over the preliminary voice recording of Bagheera as well as Disney insulting him, claiming that he should see Mary Poppins for “real entertainment.” Disney then assigned the story to Larry Clemons who kept many of the characters’ personalities but discarded much of Peet’s work as well as did much of what Walt wanted. Still, The Jungle Book would be the last Disney film to have Walt’s personal touches before his death in 1966. Walt also wanted a more celebrity cast which was a rarity in past works, too. While the Sherman Brothers composed most of the songs save Terry Gilkyson’s “Bare Necessities.” Unfortunately, Walt Disney would die before the movie’s completion. Yet, when it was released a year later, it grossed $23.8 million being Disney’s highest earning movie by that point. And it would remain so for the next 2 decades. Not to mention, become the top grossing movie in Germany in 1967. It also opened to glowing reviews that then president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Gregory Peck lobbied for the film to be nominated for Best Picture but was unsuccessful. Today, it’s been widely acclaimed by the animation industry. In this post, we’ll meet the songwriting and composing Sherman Brothers as well as the voices behind Baloo, Louie, Mowgli, Hathi Jr. Shere Khan, and 3 of the buzzards.

81. Richard M. Sherman

Dates: 1928-2024

Early Life and Career: Born in New York City to Russian Jewish immigrant parents. Father was popular songwriter Al Sherman. Following 7 years of cross-country moves, the Sherman family settled down in Beverly Hills, California in 1937. Attended Beverly Hills High School where he studied, piano, flute, and piccolo. Was drafted into the US Army in 1953 where he was assigned to the Army Band and glee club, serving as conductor for both groups until his honorable discharge in 1955 and was solely stationed in the US during his service. Later majored in music at Bard College where he composed numerous sonatas and “art songs.” Within 2 years of graduation Sherman joined his older brother and they began writing songs together on their challenge their father. In 1958, the brothers had their first Top Ten hit with “Tall Paul” that was sung by Annette Funicello. Their success attracted Walt Disney’s attention who eventually hired them as Staff Songwriters for Walt Disney Studios.

Movies and Cartoons: Mary Poppins (1964)

Characters: Penguin Waiter and Male Pearly

Also Known For: With his brother Robert, was part of a prolific songwriting team for several live action and animated films. Most recognized song is “It’s a Small World (After All) for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Apart from Mary Poppins, they also wrote songs for Disney movies such as The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), and The Tigger Movie (2000) as well as songs for various Disneyland and Disney World attractions. Non-Disney films include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, both versions of The Parent Trap, Charlotte’s Web (1973), The Slipper and the Rose, Snoopy Come Home, Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, The Magic of Lassie, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. As far as projects without Robert, Sherman collaborated with Disney on 3 live action Disney films consisting of rewriting “I Wanna Be Like You” for the live action remake of The Jungle Book (2016), writing 3 original songs for Christopher Robin (2018), and acting as musical consultant for Mary Poppins Returns (2018).

Personal Life: Younger brother of Robert B. Sherman. Married twice. First during the 1940s to his college sweetheart Corrine Newman which produced a daughter Lynda and ended in divorce. Second in 1957 to Ursula Elizabeth Gluck which produced a son named Gregory Vincent and a daughter named Victoria Lynn. Had 6 grandchildren as well. Marriage lasted a whopping 67 years until his death and the couple lived in Beverly Hills. Although Robert later relocated to London, the two brothers still collaborated musically Robert’s death in 2012. They often achieved this through frequent travels between Los Angels, New York, and London to work together on various plays as well as use long-distance technology such as fax, e-mail, and a low-cost international telephone service. However, outside their music collaboration, they often had major disputes and their families hardly knew each other. While attending public premieres, they and their families would often sit on opposite sides of the theater and when their father died, they held 2 separate shivas.

Later Life: Remained at Walt Disney Studios until Disney’s death in 1966 then started freelancing for other studios and beyond.

Trivia: Went to high school with Andre Previn and played a duet with him upon their graduation. Won 2 Academy Awards for Mary Poppins. He and his brother would later earn 9 Academy Award nominations, 2 Grammy wins, 4 Grammy nominations, and 23 gold and platinum albums. Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame with his brother Robert in 1976. Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame with his brother Robert in 1976. Inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame with his brother Robert in 2005. Received National Medal of Arts at the White House by President George W. Bush in 2008 alongside his brother Robert. Received an honorary doctorate from Bard College alongside his brother Robert in 2011. In 2010, he and his brother Robert were presented with a Window on Mainstreet Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Was awarded the Diane Disney Miller Award by the Disney Family Museum in 2015. Was subject alongside his brother Robert and father Al in A Spoonful of Sherman concert written, produced, and hosted by nephew Robert J. Sherman in 2014. In 2018, Disney’s Soundstage A was renamed the Sherman Brothers Stage. Named Disney Legend in 1990. Collaborated with his brother Robert on their joint autobiography Walt’s Time: From Before and Beyond in 1998.

82. Robert B. Sherman

Dates:1925-2012

Early Life and Career: Born in New York City to Russian Jewish immigrant parents. Father was popular songwriter Al Sherman. Father was said to pay for his son’s delivery costs with a royalty check for “Save Your Sorrow.” In his youth, he excelled in violin, piano, painting, and poetry. Following 7 years of cross-country moves, the Sherman family settled down in Beverly Hills, California in 1937. Attended Beverly Hills High School where he wrote and produced radio and stage programs for which he won much acclaim. At 16, Sherman wrote Armistice and Dedication Day, a stage play showing how American life changed after Pearl Harbor. Play helped raise thousands in war bounds and earned him a special citation from the War Department. Joined the US Army at 17 and was awarded a Purple Heart after being shot in the knee in 1945, which forced him to walk with a cane for the rest of his life. Later that year, Sherman was one of the first soldiers who entered the Dachau concentration camp. While recovering from his knee injury in England, Sherman became familiar with the UK and its culture. When he returned to the United States, Sherman attended Bard College where he majored in English literature and painting. Served as editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, The Bardian as well as completed his first 2 novels before his 1949 graduation. Began writing songs with his brother Richard on a challenge from their father Al. In 1958, Sherman founded music publishing company, Music World Corporation. That same year, the brothers had their first Top Ten hit with “Tall Paul” that was sung by Annette Funicello. Their success attracted Walt Disney’s attention who eventually hired them as Staff Songwriters for Walt Disney Studios.

Movies and Cartoons: Mary Poppins (1964)

Characters: Pearly Banjo Player

Also Known For: Along with his brother Richard, was part a prolific songwriting team for several live action and animated films. Most recognized song is “It’s a Small World (After All) for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Apart from Mary Poppins, they also wrote songs for Disney movies such as The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), and The Tigger Movie (2000)as well as songs for various Disneyland and Disney World attractions.Non-Disney films include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, both versions of The Parent Trap, Charlotte’s Web (1973), The Slipper and the Rose, Snoopy Come Home, Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, The Magic of Lassie, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Personal Life: Older brother of Richard M. Sherman. Married twice. First to Louise Hayes in 1948 which was annulled in 1950. Second to Joyce Ruth Sasner in 1953 which produced 4 children consisting of Laurie, Jeffrey, Andrea, and Robert. Marriage ended in Joyce’s death in 2001. Although he later relocated to London, the two brothers still collaborated musically his death in 2012. They often achieved this through frequent travels between Los Angels, New York, and London to work together on various plays as well as use long-distance technology such as fax, e-mail, and a low-cost international telephone service. However, outside their music collaboration, they often had major disputes and their families hardly knew each other. While attending public premieres, they and their families would often sit on opposite sides of the theater and when their father died, they held 2 separate shivas.

Later Life: Remained at Walt Disney Studios until Disney’s death in 1966 then started freelancing for other studios and beyond. Moved to London in 2002 where he continued to write and paint. Established the Robert B. Sherman Scholarship program through the BMI Foundation in 2005. Had his autobiography published in 2013 which is called Moose: Chapters of My Life. Died in London in 2012 at 86. A public memorial service and funeral was held in Hillside Park and Mortuary in Culver City.

Trivia: Won 2 Academy Awards for Mary Poppins. He and his brother would later earn 9 Academy Award nominations, 2 Grammy wins, 4 Grammy nominations, and 23 gold and platinum albums. Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame with his brother Richard in 1976. Inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame with his brother Richard in 2005. Received National Medal of Arts at the White House by President George W. Bush in 2008 alongside his brother Richard. Received honorary doctorates from both his alma mater Bard College alongside his brother Richard in 2011 and Lincoln College in 1990. In 2010, he and his brother Richard were presented with a Window on Mainstreet Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Was subject alongside his brother Richard and father Al in A Spoonful of Sherman concert written, produced, and hosted by son Robert J. Sherman in 2014. In 2018, Disney’s Soundstage A was renamed the Sherman Brothers Stage. Named Disney Legend in 1990. Was an avid painter who held his own exhibition in London in 2002. Collaborated with his brother Richard on their joint autobiography Walt’s Time: From Before and Beyond in 1998.

83. Phil Harris

Dates: 1904-1995

Early Life and Career: Born Wonga Philip Harris in Linton, Indiana but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and identified himself as a Southerner. Parents were circus performers. Dad was a tent bandleader who gave him his first job as a drummer with his circus band. Officially began his career as a drummer in San Francisco during the mid-1920s, playing in the Henry Halstead Big Band Orchestra. Formed his own orchestra with Carol Lofner in the late 1920s and started a long engagement at the St. Francis Hotel. Recorded songs as early as 1931. In the 1930s, Lofner-Harris recorded swing music for Decca, Columbia, Victor, and Vocalion. Their relationship ended in 1932 and Harris led a band in Los Angeles for which he was bandleader and singer. In 1933, he made a short film So This Is Harris! which won an Academy Award for best live action short. In 1936, Harris became musical director of The Jell-O Program Starring Jack Benny, where he sang and led the band with Mahlon Merrick writing much of the show’s music. During this time, Harris exhibited a knack for snappy one-liners when he joined the cast, portraying himself as a hip, hard-drinking Southerner whose good nature superseded his ego. Also gave jive-talk nicknames to others on the show. In 1942, Harris and his band joined the US Merchant Marine and served for 16 weeks. In 1946, Harris and his second wife, Alice Faye began co-hosting a comic variety show called The Fitch Bandwagon which later evolved into The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show where he played a vain, stumbling husband and she his sarcastic and loving wife which aired on radio until 1954. While Harris continued to appear on The Jack Benny Program from 1948 to 1952.

Movies and Cartoons: The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), and Robin Hood (1973)

Characters: Baloo the Bear, Thomas O’Malley, and Little John

Also Known For: Was an actor, comedian, bandleader, entertainer, and singer. Was an orchestra leader as well as a pioneer in radio situation comedy, first with The Jack Benny Program and then with the Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show that he co-starred with his wife. Sang in a deep baritone voice. Films include Why Be Good, Man About Town, Dreaming Out Loud, I Love a Bandleader, Wabash Avenue, Here Comes the Groom, The Wild Blue Yonder, Starlift, The High and Mighty, Anything Goes, The Patsy, The Cool Ones, The Gatling Gun, and Rock-a-Doodle. TV appearances include Ben Casey, The Milton Berle Show, The Steve Allen Show, The Hollywood Palace, Kraft Music Hall, The Dean Martin Show, F Troop, The Lucy Show, The Johnny Cash Show, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and This Is Your Life. Best known songs aside from “Bare Necessities” are “The Thing” and “That’s What I Like About the South.”

Personal Life: Cousin to Charlie Chaplin’s first wife, Mildred Harris. Married twice. First was actress Marcia Ralston in 1927 in Melbourne, Australia where his band had a long engagement. They adopted a son Phil Harris Jr. during the mid-1930s but divorced in 1940. Second was to actress Alice Faye which produced daughters Alice and Phyllis as well as lasted until Harris’ death 54 years later.

Later Life: Resided in Palm Springs during his later years where he became a benefactor and was active in many civic organizations. Retired in 1991. Died of a heart attack at his Rancho Mirage home in 1995 at 91. Interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cathedral City, California.

Trivia: Was friends with Bing Crosby even taking over his golf tournament hosting duties after Crosby died. Had a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars dedicated to him in 1994. Spent time during the late 1970s and 1980s leading a band that often appeared in Las Vegas. Was a benefactor of his birthplace of Linton, Indiana where he established scholarships in his honor for promising high school students, performed at the local high school, and hosted a celebrity golf tournament in his honor every year. Harris and Faye also donated most of their show business memorabilia and papers to Linton’s public library. Was inducted into the Indiana Hall of Fame. Was an avid golfer. Has 2 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

84. Louis Prima

Dates: 1910-1978

Early Life and Career: Born Louis Leo Prima to an Italian American family in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mother was an immigrant. Father was an son of Sicilian immigrants. Had a sister who died at only 3 years old. Mother was a music lover and wanted all her children to learn an instrument. Prima started out on the violin that he played at St. Ann’s Parish. Yet, he became interested in jazz when he heard black musicians around the Italian American bars and clubs where blacks were always welcome. Prima paid attention to these clubs and watched his brother Leon play the trumpet. When Leon left the house to spend a summer in Texas, Prima practiced continuously on this well-worn trumpet. In 1924, he formed a band with his friends that included Candy Candido. Attended Jesuit High School before transferring to the all-boys Warren Easton High School where he played in the school band in 1926. In 1927, Prima partnered with fellow musician Frank Frederico and the pair played at a worn-down French Quarter nightclub called “The Whip.” By the spring of 1928, Prima decided that he’d become a professional musician. After graduating high school, Prima had a few unsuccessful gigs. Later joined Joseph Cherniavsky’s Orchestra in 1929 at Jefferson Parish and got a temporary job playing on a steamship, Capital that docked on Canal Street where he met his first wife. First break was at the Saenger. Went to New York City during the Great Depression where he met Guy Lombardo during a Shim Sham Club performance in 1934. Lombardo would become one of Prima’s mentors and friends. Began recording that same year with his New Orleans Gang whose first performance was at the Famous Door Club. Also teamed up with comedian Martha Raye which led to them becoming featured at a club that granted Prima his national debut on The Fleischman Hour. After a time in California trying to reinvent his band, Prima and his band returned to performing at the Famous Door Club and others in the late 1930s where he earned a quarter of a million dollars. Booked by the William Morris Agency in 1938. Performed in front of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1939 and was invited to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s birthday celebration, ultimately boosting his publicity. Lucked out of military service during World War II due to a knee injury. By the mid-1940s, Prima had developed his own big band style and began to experience great success.

Movies and Cartoons: The Jungle Book (1967) as well as some Disney albums.

Characters: King Louie

Also Known For: Called “The King of Swing,” Prima was a trumpeter, singer, entertainer, and bandleader. Specialized in jazz, swing music, and jump blues. From the 1940s to the 1960s, his music further encompassed early R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, boogie-woogie, and Italian folk music. Made prominent use of Italian music and language in his songs, blending elements of his Italian and Sicilian identity with jazz and swing music. At a time when ethnic musicians were openly discouraged from openly stressing their ethnicity, Prima’s conspicuous embrace of his Sicilian identity opened the doors for other Italian and ethnic American musicians to display their ethnic roots. Films include Rhythm on the Range, You Can’t Have Everything, Manhattan Merry-Go-Round, Start Cheering, Rose of Washington Square, Senior Prom, The Continental Twist, and Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins. TV appearances include The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Dean Martin Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The David Frost Show, Art Linkletter’s House Party, and The Easter Seals Telethon. Songs include “Sing Sing Sing,” “Just a Giggolo,” “I’ll Walk Alone,” “Angelina,” “Star Dust,” “Chinatown, My Chinatown,” “Gypsy Tea Room,” “Chasing Shadows,” “The Lady in Red,” “Old Black Magic,” “Valencia,” “Civilization,” “Tutti Tutti Pizzicato,” “My Flame Went Out Last Night,” “Che La Luna,” “Thousand Islands,” “Chili Sauce,” “Chop Suey, Chow Mein,” “Ooh-Dahdily-Dah,” “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” and “Pennies from Heaven.”

Personal Life: Married 5 times. First wife was Louise Polizzi whom he met on the Capital steamship during a gig in 1929 and had a daughter with her. Couple divorced in 1936 following infidelities dating back to the French Quarter in 1933. Second wife was actress Alma Ross whom he married not long after his first divorce and pushed into signing a contract with Paramount. Yet, the couple had problems with Louis denying much about his past. In fact, he never told her he had a daughter, which she found out about from a tax return. They divorced in 1945 when Ross discovered that Prima had been cheating on her with another actress. As part of a settlement, Alma was supposed to receive an alimony of $15,000 a year or 7.5% of his earnings. Prima ignored the payments until they piled up to $60,000, which forced him to write a settlement check of $45,000 plus $250 a week. Third wife was his secretary Tracelene Barrett that same year and with whom he had a daughter in 1948. Purchased a boat for Barrett for their honeymoon on the Hudson River. Fourth wife was jazz and pop singer Keely Smith whom Prima had discovered when she was a twenty-year-old woman in Virginia Beach who was decked in a bathing suit and wasn’t allowed to audition until she redressed into more proper attire. Soon she was traveling with Prima’s band. Less than a month after divorcing Barret in 1952, he married Smith whom he wanted to make a star. The couple would have 2 daughters, one of whom Toni would also become a singer and actress. Although Prima succeeded in making Smith a star, constant performing and his infidelities became too much for her. To make matters worse, Smith had an affair with Frank Sinatra. After finishing their contract at the Desert Inn, Smith filed for divorce and embarked on a solo career. After Smith was out of his life, Prima tried to prove that he didn’t need her. When The New York Post suggested he did, Prima said, I have no desire whatsoever to have any dealings with Keely Smith under any conditions…There is nothing in the world or no one that could ever make me accept this woman in our act.” Instead, he replaced her with a 21-year-old waitress named Gia Maione but she wasn’t nearly as good as Smith. They married in 1963 and had a daughter named Lena and a son named Louis Jr., both of whom became jazz singers. The couple remained together until Prima’s death. Although fans saw Prima as a genial and patient celebrity, he could be uncompromising in seeking maximum compensation for his work when it came to record companies and big corporations. He also had expensive tastes. He shopped at expensive clothing stores and always wore top-brand suits. He spent great sums on horse racing and on his own stable of horses. Although he said gambling relaxing, he especially enjoyed riding since he knew each one of his horses well and read about training. He also liked boating. As for his children, Lena Prima is based in New Orleans and performs throughout the nation. Louis Prima Jr. leads his own band.

Later Life: In 1973, Prima suffered a heart attack. 2 years later following headaches and episodes of memory loss, he sought medical attention and was diagnosed with a brain stem tumor. After surgery, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and fell into a coma. He died in 1978 at 67 having moved back to New Orleans. Buried in Metairie Cemetery in a gray marble crypt topped by a figure of Gabriel, the trumpeter angel, sculpted by Russian-born sculptor Alexei Kazantsev. Inscription on the crypt doors reads a lyric from one of his songs: “When the end comes, I know, they’ll all say ‘just a gigolo’ as life goes on without me…”.

Trivia: Was childhood friends with Candy Candido. Pee Wee Russell was once a clarinetist in his band. Performed at John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Gala with his fourth wife Keely Smith. Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010. Inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1993.

85. George Sanders

Dates: 1906-1972

Early Life and Career: Born in Saint Petersburg in the Russian Empire. Father was a rope manufacturer and mother was a horticulturalist. Family moved to Britain when he was 11

due to the Russian Revolution. Attended Bedales School and Brighton College before going to Manchester Technical College after which he worked in textile research. Traveled to South America to manage a tobacco plantation before the Great Depression sent him back to Great Britain. Sanders then worked at an advertising agency where its secretary and then aspiring actress, Greer Garson suggested he take up a career in acting. Began his career on the British stage. Moved to New York to star on Broadway in Noel Coward’s Conversation Piece in 1934. Made first film that same year. Sanders’ smooth, upper-class English accent, sleek manner, and his suave, superior, and somewhat threatening air made him in demand for American films for years to come.

Movies and Cartoons: The Jungle Book (1967)

Characters: Shere Khan

Also Known For: British actor and singer whose career spanned 40 years. Films include Rebecca, Foreign Correspondent, Samson and Delilah, All About Eve, Ivanhoe, King Richard and the Crusaders, Lloyd’s of London, The Moon and Sixpence, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Moonfleet, Journey to Italy, Death of a Scoundrel, Solomon and Sheba, A Shot in the Dark, Cairo, The Golden Head, Good Times, The House of the Seven Gables, Confessions of a Nazi Spy, The Black Swan, The Land is Mine, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Forever Amber, The Scarlet Coat, Village of the Damned, The Girl from Rio, The Candy Man, The Kremlin Letter, and Endless Night. Was The Saint in 5 out of the 8 films and The Falcon in the first 4 out of 16. Played Mr. Freeze on Batman although his demeanor in All About Eve inspired the Penguin. TV appearances include The George Sanders Mystery Theater, Four Star Jubilee, What’s My Line?, The Rogues, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Daniel Boone, and Mission: Impossible.

Personal Life: Younger brother of Tom Conway whom he later cut off contact with because of Conway’s escalating drinking problem. Married 4 times. First wife was Susan Larson (born Elsie Poole) from 1940 to their divorce in 1949. Second wife was actress Zsa Zsa Gabor until their divorce in 1954. Only to star together in Death of a Scoundrel 2 years later. Third wife was actress Benita Hume, Ronald Colman’s widow from 1959 until her death in 1967. Fourth wife was actress and former sister-in-law Magda Gabor in 1970 which was annulled after 32 days. Last relationship was with on-again and off-again girlfriend named Lorraine Chanel that lasted from 1968 until his death.

Later Life: Wrote his autobiography Memoirs of a Professional Cad that was published in 1960. By the late 1960s, Sanders had become increasingly reclusive and suffered from depression due to a string of personal tragedies, including the deaths of his third wife, his mother, and his brother Tom all within the span of a year. Followed by a bad investment in which he lost millions of dollars, his short-lived fourth marriage, and a minor stroke. Sanders couldn’t bear the prospect of losing his health or needing help to carry out everyday tasks, and became severely depressed. After discovering that he couldn’t play his grand piano, he dragged it outside and smashed it with an axe. His last girlfriends persuaded him to sell his house in Majorca, which he later regretted and sank further. In 1972, Sanders checked into a hotel in Castelldefels, a town near Barcelona in Spain. 2 days after swallowing 5 bottles of barbiturates, he died from cardiac arrest, leaving behind 2 suicide notes. One which read: “Dear World, I am leaving because I am bored. I feel I have lived long enough. I am leaving you with your worries in this sweet cesspool. Good luck.” He was 65.

Trivia: Won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1950 for All About Eve. Has 2 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Was friends with David Niven. Was an accomplished singer and possessed a baritone singing voice that he raised at parties and even recorded an album. Had 2 ghostwritten crime novels published under his name to cash in on his roles as The Saint and The Falcon. Biography A Dreadful Man was written by friend Brian Ahern under a title Sanders had suggested himself. Never gave interviews and never signed autographs as well as enjoyed a reputation as a “rude and disagreeable person.”

86. Bruce Reitherman

Dates: 1955-present

Early Life and Career: Son of Disney animator Wolfgang Reitherman, one of Disney’s Nine Old Men. Mainly landed the part of Mowgli because his dad directed the film.

Movies and Cartoons: The Jungle Book (1967), Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966), and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977).

Characters: Mowgli and Christopher Robin (singing voice)

Also Known For: Has worked on natural history productions in exotic locations from Alaska to Australia. Starting out as a freelance cameraman in 1983, Reitherman has gone to produce documentaries with PBS, National Geographic Television, The Discovery Channel, The BBC, and Canal Plus. He’s served as cameraman, producer, writer, and director in the 1990s in shows like In the Wild, Nature, and Big Bear Week.

Personal Life: Brother of Richard and Robert Reitherman. Currently lives in Santa Barbara with artist wife Erika Hill since 1986. Has a daughter to her.

Later Life: Graduated from UC Berkely in 1977 on a major in natural resources and a minor in Spanish. Hat stints as a river guide, field biologist, naturalist, expedition leader, and biological consultant. Embarked on a second career in producing nature documentaries starting from the 1980s and into the 2000s.

Trivia: Was part of a Members Only Preview for the behind-the-scenes exhibition titled Walt Disney’s The Jungle Book: Making a Masterpiece during a special talk alongside Andreas Deja, Darlene Carr, and Floyd Norman in 2022 at the Walt Disney Family Museum.

87. Clint Howard

Dates: 1959-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Burbank to actor Rance Howard and actress Jeane Speegle. Began his career at the age to 2 on The Andy Griffith Show. Other early roles include in shows like The Streets of San Francisco, The Virginian, Breaking Point, The Fugitive, Gentle Ben, Night Gallery, and The Red Pony. Made film debut in 1963 with The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.

Movies and Cartoons: The Jungle Book (1967), Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966), Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968), and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

Characters: Hathi Jr. and Roo

Also Known For: Actor who’s got over 200 acting credits including films and television. TV appearances include The Andy Griffith Show, The Streets of San Francisco, The Virginian, Breaking Point, The Fugitive, Gentle Ben, Night Gallery, The Red Pony, Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Fringe, Arrested Development, Seinfeld, Married…with Children, Heroes, The Bold and the Beautiful, From Earth to the Moon, and My Name Is Earl. Films include The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Grand Theft Auto, Cocoon, Gung Ho, Backdraft, Parenthood, Far and Away, Apollo 13, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Cinderella Man, The Missing, Frost/Nixon, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, Get Crazy, The Waterboy, Heart of America, Tango & Cash, That Sing You Do!, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Austin Powers in Gold Member, The Cat in the Hat, Twilight, and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Personal Life: Younger brother of Ron Howard and uncle of Bryce Dallas and Paige Howard. Married 3 times. First wife was Ann Marie Lynch from 1988 to their divorce in 1989. Second wife was Melanie Sorich from 1995 until 2018. Although they separated in 2015. Third wife is Kat C. Cruz at a private Las Vegas ceremony in 2020. Has a daughter named Rafa’ella Erlinda. Was an avid golfer who played 150 rounds a year from 1990 until hip replacements forced him to quit.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: In 1981, he formed the Kempsters, a new wave comprising of him and his friends and who played regularly at Madame Wong’s West until 1983. In 2015, Howard began creating one-of-a-kind snow globes that are occasionally featured on entertainment programs.

88. Chad Stuart

Dates: 1941-2020

Early Life and Career: Born David Stuart Chadwick in Windermere, Westmoreland, England. Father was a lumber company foreman. Mother was a nurse. Family moved to Hartepool at 5 in Northeast England when his father’s job was transferred. Was recognized for his musical talent at 10 and earned a scholarship to attend the Durham Cathedral Chorister School. After graduation, Stuart briefly attended art school before switching to drama. Later won a scholarship to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. There, he met fellow student Jeremy Clyde. Began working with Clyde as the British musical duo Chad & Jeremy in 1962. Legally changed his name to Chad Stuart in 1964.

Movies and Cartoons: The Jungle Book (1967)

Characters: Flaps

Also Known For: British musician and songwriter best known as one half of the duo Chad & Jeremy. Hits include “Yesterday’s Gone,” “You and She,” “A Summer Song,” “Willow Weep for Me,” and “What Do You Want With Me.”

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First wife was model Jill Gibson whom he met while at the Central School of Speech and Drama. They married in 1964 but later divorced. Second wife was Valerie Romero whom he also divorced. Third wife was Judy Shelly in 2010. Marriage lasted until his death. Has several children and step-children including film, television, and voice actor James Patrick Stuart. Later settled in the state of Idaho.  

Later Life: Chad & Jeremy disbanded in 1968 due to commercial failures and divergent personal ambitions. Following the breakup, Stuart worked as a staff producer at A&M Records and musical director for the Smothers Brothers. Reunite with Clyde during the 1980s to record a new album, perform concerts, and go on a multi-band British nostalgia invasion tour. They officially reunited in 2003 and had a semi-regular tour schedule until Stuart’s retirement in 2016. Died in 2020 in Hailey, Idaho from pneumonia following a fall.

Trivia: Has supported and donated to Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society, and other benefits. All profits from his album Chad Stuart & the KGB went to stopping the slaughtering of wild horses.

89. Lord Tim Hudson

Dates: 1940-2019

Early Life and Career: Born George Timothy Brumwell in Prestbury, Cheshire, England. Was educated in Cumberland and at the Strathallan School in Perthshire. Father served in Bomber Command during World War II and was killed during a raid over Belgium in 1944. In 1948, his mother married a cotton business owner named Henry Hudson. Moved to London in 1961 before spending some time in France. Returned to London in 1963 to work as a trainee executive for Prestige pressure cooker manufacturers but resolved to work in the music industry. On a visit to Birmingham, Hudson allegedly offered to manage The Moody Blues and introduced the band to Decca Records but his role is disputed. Hudson then moved to Montreal where, as “Lord Tim of Liverpool,” he became a DJ on CKGM. When the Beatles embarked on their 1965 North American tour, San Diego’s KCBQ hired him. Of course, Hudson bullshitted his way into this position by describing himself as a record producer who claimed to know the Beatles personally and to have helped discover the Moody Blues. Hudson made broadcasts publicizing the band’s appearances in the San Diego area. Using his English contacts, he managed to get permission to travel with the group and to file reports exclusively on KCBQ. However, according to The Journal of San Diego History, it’s been said of him that: “He used his suave British accent to promote himself and became particularly popular among women. His problems surfaced, despite his claims to the contrary, when he could not do the simplest of tasks such as working the controls, playing records, or punching in ads. Having never before been on the radio, all he could do was sit in the studio and talk on the microphone. His brief stint at KCBQ, in terms of radio work, was one of the station’s worst staffing disasters.” Later landed a high-profile evening slot on KFWB Los Angeles that lasted approximately a year and a half. In 1966, Hudson presented Nancy Sinatra a gold disc to mark her million seller “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” However, since the gold record failed to arrive, he had to present Sinatra with a similarly earned disc of Dean Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody.” In 1967, Hudson managed the Seeds and later The Lollipop Shoppe. Left the music industry disillusioned in 1969.

Movies and Cartoons: The Jungle Book (1967) and The Aristocats (1970)

Characters: Dizzy and Hit Cat

Also Known For: British DJ who worked for San Diego KCBQ and Los Angeles KFWB during the mid-1960s and was manager for The Seeds and The Lollipop Shoppe. Was also an artist, voice actor, and sports manager. Had a radio show during the 1970s called Hudson’s Theater of the Mind on non-commercial KXLU.

Personal Life: Was once engaged to Dean Martin’s daughter. Married 4 times and divorced 3. Fourth wife was Maxi Gordon Silver whom he wed in the 1970s, which lasted until his death. Had a daughter from his second marriage.

Later Life: During the 1970s, Hudson invested in Hollywood property and set up what he claimed to be its first organic food restaurant. In 1984, he returned to England where he bought Birtles Old Hall near Macclesfield in Cheshire with an attached cricket ground. Later managed English cricketer Ian Botham who later fired him after Hudson tried to promote him as a potential movie star in Hollywood. Also hosted celebrity cricket matches on his ground during the 1980s. Moved to Palm Springs during the 1990s where he had paintings exhibited and continued working as a DJ. Latest edition of autobiography From Beatles to Botham was published in 2014. Died after heart surgery in Chelsea, London in 2019 at 79.

Trivia: Obituary in The Times called him a “colorful chancer.”

90. Digby Wolfe

Dates: 1929-2012

Early Life and Career: Born James Digby Wolfe in London, England. Father was an international banker. Mother was an artist for Vogue magazine. At 4, his father died after being hit in the head with a golf ball. Brought up by his mother in Felixstowe. Made film debut in 1948. Began writing and performing a comedy series in England during the 1950s as well as had his own TV show before moving to Sydney, Australia in 1959. After a brief return to the UK, he moved to the United States in 1964.

Movies and Cartoons: The Jungle Book (1967)

Characters: Ziggy

Also Known For: British actor and writer who had a successful career in the UK, Australia, and the US. Film appearances include The Weaker Sex, The Guinea Pig, Landfall, Stage Fright, The Dark Man, Little Big Shot, Father Goose, and The Big Money. TV appearances include Wolfe at the Door, That Was the Week That Was, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, The Munsters, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, This Is Your Life, and The Monkees. Wrote for John Denver, Shirley MacLaine, Cher, and Jackie Mason.

Personal Life: Married Patricia Mannion, which lasted until his death.

Later Life: Later taught dramatic writing at the University of New Mexico first as a visiting professor and then as the char of the Robert Hartung Dramatic Writing Program in the Theatr and Dance Department. Was awarded “Teacher of the Year,” at that university in 2001. Retired in 2002. Died after a short battle in Albaquerque, New Mexico in 2012 at 82.

Trivia: Won an Emmy for Laugh-In. Also taught screenwriting at USC Master of Professional Writing program. Was friends with Goldie Hawn and Shirley MacLaine.

As the 1960s dawned, Disney’s animation department was in trouble after the failure of Sleeping Beauty resulted in many layoffs. That Roy Disney attempted to persuade Walt to shut down the company’s feature animation division since there were enough films remained for successful re-releases. Yet, Walt refused but because of his plans to build another theme park in the United States, he’d approve of only one animated film per every 4 years. Since One Hundred and One Dalmatians and The Sword in the Stone were already in development since at least the mid-1950s (although the development of The Sword in the Stone was much longer). Both of these movies were based on British novels and screenplays written by Bill Peet. Both of them employed inexpensive animation techniques such as xerography during the process of inking and painting traditional animation cels to keep production costs down. Which resulted in a transformed art style for the studio’s animated films.  And both would be the last 2 animated Disney feature films completed during Walt Disney’s lifetime. However, as with Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan, both of these films would go in different directions upon release. And unlike the other 2 films, their reputations wouldn’t really change very much over the decades. One Hundred and One Dalmatians’ 1961 release won the film critical acclaim and became the first Disney movie to gross over $10 million at the box office, grossing $14 million in the US and Canada. It also became the most popular film in France that year with over 14.7 million admissions. More importantly, it saved the studio’s animation department from a financial slump caused by Sleeping Beauty’s underperformance 2 years prior. And decades later during the 1990s, it would become the first Disney movie to have its own live action remake which starred Glen Close as Cruella De Vil. Today, the movie holds iconic status with Cruella De Vil as one of Disney’s most memorable villains with a truly unforgettable song that will never leave your head. By contrast, The Sword in the Stone’s 1963 release only garnered $4.75 million at the box office and mixed reviews. Although it would acquire classic status while Merlin and Madam Mim would become memorable characters, it has often become overshadowed by giants that many people still don’t know that this film exists. Especially since Mary Poppins would come out the next year and we all know how much that film has impacted pop culture. In fact, it holds a 68% Rotten Tomatoes rating which is okay but pretty poor by Disney standards. But at least it’s not Song of the South. In this post, you’ll meet actors Paul Frees and Mary Wickes as well as the voices behind characters like Old Towser, The Labrador, Sir Ector (and Bagheera), Sir Pelinore, Merlin, Archimedes (and Rabbit), Sir Kay, and Girl Squirrel.

71. Tudor Owen

Dates: 1898-1979

Early Life and Career: Born Roy Tudor Owen in Penarth, Glamorgan, Wales. Began his career in a 1926 silent film and would never make another movie until the 1940s. Worked in radio during the 1940s and 1950s.

Movies and Cartoons: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) and The Sword in the Stone (1963)

Characters: Old Towser, Truck Driver, Knights, and Nobles in Crowd.

Also Known For: Welsh character actor who appeared in film, radio, and television for over 40 years. Often played rustics, sea captains, sheriffs, priests, and police officers. Radio appearances include Alias John Doe, Escape, Suspense, Family Theater, Lux Radio Theatre, Crime Classics, and The Lone Ranger. Films include Montana, Black Castle, Back to God’s Country, Perils of the Jungle, Brigadoon, The Oklahoma Woman, Congo, Jack the Giant Killer, Challenge to Lassie, Lorna Doone (1951), Angels in the Outfield (1951), Deadline – U.S.A., The World in His Arms, Les Miserables (1952), My Cousin Rachel, Houdini, How to Marry a Millionaire, Prince Valiant, The Court Jester, North to Alaska, and How the West Was Won. TV appearances include Perry Mason, The Lone Ranger, and Mayor of the Town.

Personal Life: Married Gladys Virginia Bennett Paterno in 1953. Marriage lasted until his death.

Later Life: Died in Los Angeles in 1979 at 81.

Trivia: None.

72. Ramsay Hill

Dates: 1889-1976

Early Life and Career: Born Cyril Seys Ramsay-Hill in Georgetown Guyana. Obtained a chemistry degree from the Brighton Technical School in 1909. Served with the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars during World War I. Made first film in 1928.

Movies and Cartoons: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

Characters: The Labrador and Television Announcer

Also Known For: British actor in film, radio, and television whose military experience and multilingual proficiency made him a much in-demand technical advisor and dialogue coach in Hollywood. Radio appearances include Lux Radio Theatre, Suspense, Cavalcade of America, Favorite Story, Escape, Let George Do It, NBC University Theatre, Dangerous Assignment, Screen Guild Players, Screen Director’s Playhouse, NBC Presents: Short Story, and Space Patrol. Films include Dishonored, Mad Love, The Crusades, The Last Outpost, The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo, A Tale of Two Cities, Espionage, Old Louisiana, The Emperor’s Candlesticks, Conquest, Lord Jeff, Marie Antoinette, The Exile, Forever Amber, The Fighting O’Flynn, The Iron Mistress, The Black Shield of Falworth, East of Eden, The Ten Commandments, Midnight Lace, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. TV appearances include Oboler Comedy Theater, The Unexpected, Space Patrol, The Whistler, Damon Runyon Theater, Screen Director’s Playhouse, I Love Lucy, Telephone Time, and The Adventures of Jim Bowie. Served as technical advisor on Suez, Swiss Family Robinson, Madame Curie, The White Cliffs of Dover, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, King of the Khyber Pass, and Back from Eternity.

Personal Life: Married at least 4 times. Second was to Edith Mary Agnes Hughes (nee Maude) from 1924 until their divorce in 1928. Third was to Patsey Morris whom he remained married to until at least 1949 when it was reported that they resided on Foothill Boulevard in Pasadena. Had a son named John who had a brief career as a child actor until committing suicide at 19 allegedly due to a love affair but Hill and Morris had already divorced by then. Last wife was a woman named Polly with whom he remained with until his death.

Later Life: Became a US citizen in 1952 at 62. Retired from acting in 1961. Died in 1976 of undisclosed causes at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, California at 86. Interred in Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood.

Trivia: None.

73. Paul Frees

Dates: 1920-1986

Early Life and Career: Born Solomon Hersh Frees in Chicago, Illinois to a Jewish family. Grew up in the city’s Albany neighborhood and attended Von Steuben Junior High School. Appeared on vaudeville as an impressionist during the 1930s under the name Buddy Green. Began his career in radio in 1942 and would remain active for over 40 years. Early radio career was cut short due to being drafted into the US Army during World War II. Fought in Normandy, France on D-Day. Was wounded in action and returned the United States for a year of recuperation. Attended the Chouinard Art Institute under the GI Bill. But eventually dropped out and returned to radio once his first wife’s health failed.

Movies and Cartoons: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) and Mary Poppins (1964) as well as various shorts, records, series, and theme park attractions such as Adventure Thru Inner Space, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Haunted Mansion.

Characters: Dirty Dawson and Barnyard Horse. Also voiced Professor Von Drake in The Wonderful World of Disney as well as Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.

Also Known For: Known as “The Man of a Thousand Voices,” Frees was an actor, comedian, impressionist, and vaudevillian. In addition to Disney, he did voice work for other studios such as Warner Bros., MGM, Hanna-Barbera, UPA, Rankin/Bass, Walter Lantz Productions, Filmation, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, Jay Ward Productions, and Ruby-Spears. Involved in more than 250 films, cartoons, and TV appearances. Best known role was Boris Badenov from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. In advertising he voiced Pillsbury Doughboy, Fresh-Up Freddie, Toucan Sam, Boo-Berry, and The Farmer who helps the Little Green Sprout. Radio appearances include Escape, Suspense, Gunsmoke, Crime Classics, The Great Lama, Bradbury 13, The Lux Radio Theatre, The Alan Young Show, Ellery Queen, The First Nighter Program, The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, Four Star Playhouse, Mr. President, Fibber McGee and Molly, CBS Radio Workshop, and The Player. Did voice dubbing for other actors in Midway, Some Like It Hot, Spartacus, The Harder They Fall, and The Ugly Dachsund. Film appearances include Mars and Beyond, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Monkey’s Uncle, The Manchurian Candidate (1962), Night of the Eagle, Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Patton, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, The Cyclops, Robin and the 7 Hoods, Breakheart Pass, Suddenly, The Thing from Another World, A Place in the Sun, Big Sky, Jet Pilot, Beginning of the End, The War of the Worlds (1953), Snow White and the Three Stooges, The Magic Sword, In Cold Blood, The Snow Queen, A Man Called Flintstone, The Flight of Dragons, Twice Upon a Time, The Last Unicorn, and The World’s Greatest Sinner. TV appearances include The Jack Benny Program, The Millionaire, The Adventures of Jim Bowie, Rescue 8, The Alvin Show, Fractured Flickers, Get Smart, Hawaii Five-O, Wonder Woman, Knight Rider, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Woody Woodpecker Show, Steve Canyon, Mr. Magoo, The Flintstones, The Dick Tracy Show, Krazy Kat, Hoppity Hopper, The New Three Stooges, I Dream of Jeannie, The Beatles (cartoon series), George of the Jungle, Laurel and Hardy, The Super 6, The Fantastic Four, The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, The Pink Panther Show, The Mouse on the Mayflower, The Little Drummer Boy, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, The Dudley Do-Right Show, The Osmonds, and The Wind in the Willows. Once wrote on The Donald O’Connor Show and served as director, screenwriter, and executive producer for The Beatniks. Also wrote some popular songs as well.

Personal Life: Married 5 times. First was to Anelle McCloud from 1943 to her death in 1945. Second was to Kleda June Hansen from 1947 to their 1950 divorce. Third was to actress Joyce Schultz in 1951 which produced a son named Frederic and a daughter Sabrina but ended in divorce. Fourth was to Jeri J. Cole from 1967 to their 1969 divorce. Last to Beverly T. Marlow in 1971. Although they remained married until his death, they were estranged by then. In fact, Marlow was living in Mesa, Arizona at the time.

Later Life: Joined ASCAP in 1956. Suffered from multiple ailments including arthritis, diabetes, and vision loss as well as been in constant pain. Died at his Tiburon, California home in 1986 at 66 via a self-administered overdose of pain medication. Although his death was ruled as a suicide, Frees’ agent issued a press release that he died of heart failure instead. Body was cremated and ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean.

Trivia: Named a Disney Legend in 2006.

74. Mary Wickes

Dates:1910-1995

Early Life and Career: Born Mary Isabella Wickenhauser in University City, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis County. Parents were theater buffs who took her to place from the time she could stay awake through a matinee. An excellent student, she skipped 2 grades and graduated from Beaumont High School at just 16. Attended Washington University in St. Louis where she joined the debate team and the Phi Mu sorority. Was initiated into Mortar Board in 1929 and graduated in 1930 with a double major in English literature and political science. Although she initially planned to become a lawyer, a favorite professor encouraged Wickes to try drama instead. Made her first appearance in 1934 in Farmer Takes a Wife with Henry Fonda. Started acting in films during the late 1930s and joined Orson Welles’ troupe on his radio drama The Mercury Theatre on the Air.

Movies and Cartoons: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Characters: Freckles and Laverne

Also Known For: Actress known for playing supporting roles as prim, professional women such as secretaries, nurses, nuns, therapists, teachers, and housekeepers who made sarcastic quips when leading characters fell short of their high standards. Film appearances include The Man Who Came to Dinner, Now, Voyager, Private Buckaroo, The Mayor of 44^th Street, How’s About It, Rhythm on the Islands, Happy Land, June Bride, Anna Lucasta, On Moonlight Bay, I’ll See You in My Dreams, The Petty Girl, The Story of Will Rogers, Bloodhounds of Broadway, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, The Actress, White Christmas, Destry, Good Morning Miss Dove, Don’t Go Near the Water, Cimarron (1960), The Sins of Rachel Cade, The Music Man, Fate Is the Hunter, Dear Heart, How to Murder Your Wife, The Trouble with Angels, Napoleon and Samantha, Touched by Love, The Canterville Ghost (1985), Postcards from the Edge, Sister Act, and Little Women (1994). TV appearances include Actors Studio, Ford Theatre, The Philco Television Playhouse, Studio One in Hollywood, The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre, Four Star Revue, I Love Lucy, The Alcoa Hour, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Playhouse 90, Zorro, Dennis the Menace, Ford Startime, Bonanza, The Lucy Show, Here’s Lucy, Columbo, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Sanford and Son, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, M*A*S*H, Match Game, Tabitha, The Waltons, Trapper John M. D., Punky Brewster, ABC Afterschool Special, Murder, She Wrote, Father Dowling Mysteries, Highway to Heaven, and Life with Louie.

Personal Life: Was 5’10.” Never married.

Later Life: Suffered from numerous ailments in the last years of her life that cumulatively resulted in her hospitalization after falling and breaking her hip. Died of complications following hip surgery in 1995 at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. She was 85. Jane Withers filled in to finish recording her lines for the role of Laverne in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Left a large estate made a $2 million bequest in memory of her parents, establishing the Isabella and Frank Wickenhauser Memorial Library Fund for Television, Film and Theater Arts at Washington University in St. Louis.

Trivia: Inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 2004. Nominated for an Emmy in 1962. Was a neighbor and good friend to Lucille Ball. Served as the live action reference model for Cruella DeVil.

75. Sebastian Cabot

Dates: 1918-1977

Early Life and Career: Born in London, England. Left school at 14 to work at a garage where he served as a chauffer and valet for British actor Frank Pettingell. Became interested in theater and later joined a repertory company. Initially lied about his acting credits and used an agency to find acting employment. Had no formal acting training whatsoever. Made first film in 1935. Moved to the United States in 1956.

Movies and Cartoons: The Sword in the Stone (1963), The Jungle Book (1967), and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

Characters: Sir Ector and Bagheera.

Also Known For: Best known for playing butler Giles French on the show Family Affair. Specialized in elegant upper-class educated roles. Film appearances include Secret Agent, Love on the Dole, Pimpernel Smith, They Made Me a Fugitive, Third Time Lucky, Spider on the Fly, Ivanhoe, The Love Lottery, Babes in Bagdad, Romeo and Juliet (1952), Westward Ho, the Wagons!, Johnny Tremain, The Time Machine, Kismet, Knights of the Queen, Omar Khayyam, Terror in a Texas Town, The Angry Hills, Twice-Told Tales, and The Family Jewels. TV appearances include The Beachcomber, Gunsmoke, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Meet McGraw, Bonanza, Pony Express, The Twilight Zone, Checkmate, Stump the Stars, The Islanders, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Ghost Story. TV movies include The Spy Killer, Foreign Exchange, and Miracle on 34^th Street (1973).

Personal Life: Married Katherine Rose Humphries in 1940. Marriage produced 3 children and lasted until his death. Children Annette and Christopher Cabot also became actors.

Later Life: Survived his first stroke in 1974, compelling him to retire from acting. Died due to complications from another stroke in Victoria, British Columbia at 59. Buried in Westwood Village Memoria Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Trivia: Once narrated a 13-part radio drama on the Lewis and Clark Expedition called Horizons West in the 1950s. Released an album on his spoken recitations of Bob Dylan songs called Sebastian Cabot, actor/Bob Dylan, poet in 1967. Nominated for an Emmy in 1968. Said to have a collection of photos depicting nude tribal women.

76. Karl Swenson

Dates: 1908-1978

Early Life and Career: Born in Brooklyn, New York City of Swedish parentage. Enrolled in Marietta College with aspirations to become a doctor and undertook premed studies. But left to pursue an acting career. Appeared on Broadway during the 1930s and 1940s. Appeared on radio from the 1930s to the 1950s.

Movies and Cartoons: The Sword in the Stone (1963)

Characters: Merlin

Also Known For: American theatre, radio, film and television actor whose career spanned from the 1930s to the 1970s. Radio appearances include Cavalcade of America, Inner Sanctum Mysteries, Joe Palooka, X Minus One, Lorenzo Jones, The March of Time, The Mercury Theatre on the Air, Our Gal Sunday, Portia Faces Life, This Is Your FBI, The Adventures of Father Brown, and Mr. Chameleon. Films include No Name on the Bullet, The Birds, The Prize, Major Dundee, The Sons of Kate Elder, The Cincinnati Kid, Hour of the Gun, Brighty of the Grand Canyon, North to Alaska, One Foot in Hell, Flaming Star, Judgement at Nuremberg, Lonely Are the Brave, The Wild Country, Vanishing Point, How the West Was Won, and Ulzana’s Raid. Television appearances include The Edge of Night, Tales of Wells Fargo, Gunsmoke, Leave It to Beaver, Bachelor Father, Have Gun – Will Travel, Maverick, Riverboat, The Man from Blackhawk, Klondike, Johnny Ringo, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., Laramie, Steve Canyon, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Eleventh Hour, The Virginian, Lassie, Perry Mason, Bonanza, Hogan’s Heroes, and Little House on the Prairie.

Personal Life: Married twice. First to Virginia Hanscom from 1934 to their 1950 divorce. Had 4 sons with her. Second was to actress Joan Tompkins from 1951 to his death.

Later Life: Died in 1978 of a heart attack at the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Connecticut at 70.

Trivia: Was credited as Peter Wayne earlier in his theater career when he acted alongside Henry Fonda, Margaret Sullavan, and James Stewart. Founded a summer stock company called University Players.

77. Alan Napier

Dates: 1903-1988

Early Life and Career: Born Alan William Napier-Clavering in King’s Norton, Birmingham, England. Educated at Packwood High School, Clifton College, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where he graduated in 1925. Engaged in the Oxford Players where he worked alongside Robert Morely and Sir John Gielgud. Although being 6’6” nearly cost him a position there but performed on the West End stage from 1929 to 1939. Made his American stage debut in Lady in Waiting. Yet, he had little success in film until he joined the British expatriate community in Hollywood in 1941.

Movies and Cartoons: The Sword in the Stone (1963) and Mary Poppins (1964)

Characters: Sir Pelinore, Huntsman, Reporter #3, and Hound

Also Known For: Best remembered as Alfred Pennyworth in the live-action 1960s Batman series. Yet also had a long career in both the UK and in Hollywood. Film appearances include Random Harvest, Cat People, The Uninvited, The Song of Bernardette, Joan of Arc, Macbeth (1948), Julius Caesar (1953), Marnie, The House of the Seven Gables, Eagle Squadron, Lassie Come Home, Madame Curie, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, Mademoiselle Fifi, Hangover Square, Sinbad the Sailor, Fiesta, Ivy, Forever Amber, Johnny Belinda, The Great Caruso, Tripoli, The Blue Veil, Young Bess, The Court Jester, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Tender Is the Night, The Premature Burial, and My Fair Lady. TV appearances include Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Your Show Time, Tales of Wells Fargo, Don’t Call Me Charlie!, The Twilight Zone, The Beverly Hillbillies, Daniel Boone, Family Affair, Ironside, QB VII, The Bastard, and Centennial.

Personal Life: Married twice. First was to Nancy Bevill Pethybridge from 1930 to their 1944 divorce. Second was to Aileen Dickens Hawksley from 1944 until his death.

Later Life: Retired from acting in 1981. Appeared on The Late Show as part of the Batman reunion in 1988 despite being in a wheelchair. Suffered a stroke in 1987, was hospitalized in mid-1988, and was gravelly ill for several days before his death of natural causes in the Berkeley East Convalescent Hospital in Santa Monica at 85.

Trivia: Was a first cousin once-removed of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. Second wife was great-granddaughter of author Charles Dickens and her grandson appeared on The Partridge Family. Wrote a 3-volume autobiography in the 1970s that wasn’t published at the time because, according to him, “I haven’t committed a major crime and I’m not known to have slept with any famous actresses.” Autobiography was finally published in 2015 under Not Just Batman’s Butler, with annotations by a guy named John Bigwood. First to be cast in the Batman 1960s TV series.

78. Junius Matthews

Dates: 1890-1978

Early Life and Career: Born in Chicago, Illinois. Began his acting career on Broadway in 1914. Made his first film in 1917. Briefly stopped performing to serve as a private during World War I. Played the Tin Woodsman in the radio version of The Wizard of Oz. During the 1920s, Matthews alternated between stage and radio productions.

Movies and Cartoons: The Sword in the Stone (1963) and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

Characters: Archimedes the Owl and Rabbit

Also Known For: Actor in theater, film, radio and television. Was often cast in westerns as an old codger, miner, or cook wagon master. Films appearances include Without Reservations, Black Angel, The Shocking Miss Pilgrim, Half Angel, and A Summer Place. Appeared in over 50 radio specials.

Personal Life: Never married.

Later Life: Suffered a stroke in 1977. Died in 1978 in Los Angeles at 87. Buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Trivia: Was the radio voice for Winnie the Pooh before the movies came out. Often worked with Sterling Holloway, Martha Wentworth, and Karl Swenson.

79. Norman Alden

Dates: 1924-2012

Early Life and Career: Born Norman Adelberg to Jewish parents in Fort Worth, Texas. Served in the US Army during World War II and returned to Fort Worth to attend Texas Christian University under the GI Bill of Rights and where he participated in campus theater. And it was doing campus theater where he was discovered. Also served as a disc jockey in his hometown.

Movies and Cartoons: The Sword in the Sword (1963)

Characters: Sir Kay

Also Known For: Noted character actor whose career spanned nearly 50 years in both film and television. Was AC Delco’s Lou the Mechanic in several of their advertisements. Film appearances include The Power of the Resurrection, Operation Bottleneck, Portrait of a Mobster, The Nutty Professor, Bedtime Story, The Patsy, Andy, Red Line 7000, The Wild Angels, First to Fight, Good Times, Fever Heat, Killers Three, Tora! Tora! Tora!, Ben, The Great Bank Robbery, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, The Hindenburg, Borderline, Victor/Victoria, Back to the Future, Ed Wood, and Patch Adams. TV appearances include The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Not for Hire, Hennessy, The Lawless Years, Bronco, Pete and Gladys, Batman, My Three Sons, Hogan’s Heroes, Rango, The Silent Force, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Barnaby Jones, Hawaii Five-O, The Andy Griffith Show, Dallas, Super Friends, The Dukes of Hazzard, and Small Wonder.

Personal Life: Cousin of screenwriter Jack Gross. Married to Sharon Hayden from 1966 to their 1978 divorce. Had 2 children to her named Brent and Ashley. Lived with girlfriend Linda Theiben for over 30 years whose children were referred to as his stepchildren.

Later Life: Retired from acting in 2006. Died in Los Angeles from natural causes in 2012 at 87. Buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Trivia: When he arrived to the taping of Small Wonder he didn’t realize that his cousin Jack Gross had co-written the episode. By the end of his career, Alden was said to have around 2,000 film and TV credits.

80. Ginny Tyler

Dates: 1925-2012

Early Life and Career: Born Merrie Virginia Erlandson in Berkeley, California. Family later moved to Seattle where her brother Donald was born. Parents later divorced and mother remarried to a man who adopted her and changed her name to Eggers. Tyler grew up in Seattle within a family who had a rich legacy in storytelling and imitation of animal sounds. Attended the University of Washington. First performed in front of a microphone sometime during the 1930s and co-hosted a radio show called Make Believe Island on KOL station. Show was later moved to TV and renamed Magic Island by the early 1950s.

Movies and Cartoons: The Sword in the Stone (1963), Mary Poppins (1964), and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) as well as on Disney records and attractions.

Characters: Little Girl Squirrel, Lambs, and Bees as well as Pele and Tangaroa-Ru during the outside pre-show For Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.

Also Known For: Performed in dozens of dozens of animated cartoons and films from 1957 to 1993. Most famous role was of Sue Richards in Fantastic Four. Films include Son of Flubber and Doctor Doolittle (1967). TV appearances include The Gumby Show, The Huckleberry Hound Show, The Flintstones, Davey and Goliath, The Jack Benny Program, The Lucy Show, The New Casper Cartoon Show, Mister Ed, Space Ghost and Dino Boy, Jeannie, Devlin, The Jeffersons, Sesame Street, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, and Wildfire.

Personal Life: Married twice. First was to Lowell Studley Fenton in 1946 which produced a child and ended before 1980. Second was to Albert W. Jacobsen in 1980 which lasted until his death in 1995.

Later Life: Retired from acting in 1993 and moved back to Seattle where she became involved in local productions. Died in 2012 at 86 while in a Washington nursing home.

Trivia: Named Disney Legend in 2006.

              Although half the voice actors on this post will be from One Hundred and One Dalmatians, I decided to devote the next one to the film with The Sword in the Stone because the latter isn’t as well remembered. Even though The Sword in the Stone is good, it’s often one that gets lost in the shuffle given that it’s between One Hundred and One Dalmatians and Mary Poppins. While Sleeping Beauty is a far more significant film in its own right that more worthy of discussing in depth. While I don’t have many of its voice cast listed because I already covered several of the voice actors in previous posts since they appeared in previous films. Anyway, although Walt Disney had expressed intention to adapt the story of Sleeping Beauty since 1938, official development didn’t really begin until 1950. Disney had envisioned Sleeping Beauty as the pinnacle of the studio’s animation achievements and he was willing to pull all resources to achieve that. However, he didn’t want it to be too similar to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or Cinderella. Taking nearly a decade and costing $6 million to produce, Sleeping Beauty proved to be Disney’s most expensive animated feature film at the time. With its heavily stylized animation inspired by pre-Renaissance European tapestry, score from Tchaikovsky’s 1889 ballet, and a captivating supporting cast that includes the 3 Good Fairies, Samson the Horse, the alcoholic minstrel, and Maleficent. Oh, and the studio also had a TV promotion and a the castle from the film built at Disneyland to market the movie. Surely, one would expect a movie like this to be a smash. Except that Sleeping Beauty was a box office bomb only grossing $5.3 million at the box office in its original 1959 release. Not bad but falling $900,000 short. While initial reviews were mixed among critics. Still, despite it being received better than Alice in Wonderland had9 years earlier, its underperformance resulted in much dire consequences. Especially since the 1959-1960 release slate also underperformed as well, leading to many layoffs and many layoffs within the animation department. While the Walt Disney Company would never do another fairy tale-based princess movie until the 1980s. However, re-releases would prove more successful and it has gone to become one of the most acclaimed animated films ever produced and one of the most influential Disney features by the animation industry. For instance, Philip’s expressive horse Samson has inspired the creation of later Disney horses such as Philippe, Achilles, Pegasus, Khan, Maximus, and Sven. Okay, I know Sven is a reindeer but he still counts since his role isn’t much different than his equine counterparts. In this post, you’ll meet actor Dallas McKennon, the voices behind King Stefan, Princess Aurora, Prince Philip, and Fauna along with 5 actors from One Hundred and One Dalmatians which I’ll discuss in the next post.

61. Dallas McKennon

Dates: 1919-2009

Early Life and Career: Born near Le Grande, Oregon. Mother died when he was a child. Lived on a farm with his aunt and uncle where he became fascinated with nature. Served in the Army Signals Corps in Alaska during World War II.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955), Sleeping Beauty (1959), One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), Mary Poppins (1964), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) as well as a variety of shorts. Also did voice work on Disney records, TV shows, theme park attractions, and video games.

Characters: Toughy, Pedro, Professor, Laughing Hyena, Owl, Barking Dogs, Fox, Penguin Waiter #2, Hunting Horse, Merry-Go-Round Operator, Bear, and Bees

Also Known For: Had a career lasting 50 years. Best known roles are Gumby, Archie Andrews, Cornelius Rooster, Ripper Roo, and Buzz Buzzard from the Woody Woodpecker cartoons. Also played Max in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Films include Tom Thumb, The Tingler, The Birds, Twilight of Honor, The Misadventures of Merlin Jones, A Tiger Walks, The Glory Guys, The Cat from Outer Space, Treasure Island (1973), Oliver Twist (1974), The Adventures of Mark Twain, and Elf. TV appearances include Q.T. Hush, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, Ben Casey, My Favorite Martian, Daniel Boone, Bonanza, The Andy Griffith Show, Space Academy, Woody Woodpecker, Herge’s Adventures of Tintin, The Gumby Show, The Woody Woodpecker Show, Bucky and Pepito, Inspector Willoughby Series, Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1969-1970), The Hardy Boys, and The US of Archie. Video games include Crash Bandicoot, Crash Team Racing, M.U.G.E.N., Crash Bash, Grabbed by the Ghoulies, and LocoRoco. Did various voices for the Wee Sing series of albums.

Personal Life: Married his childhood sweetheart Betty Warner in 1942 in Portland, Oregon. Had six daughters and two sons. Remained together until his death. Was also survived by 21 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Later Life: Lived in California until 1968 before moving to Cannon Beach, Oregon, where McKennon would commute for voice and voiceover roles. Died of natural causes in 2009 at Willapa Harbor Care Center in Raymond, Washington at 89.

Trivia: Was an avid Oregon Trail historian. Visited schools around the Northwest lecturing kids about Oregon and worked at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center giving instructional speeches, and put together plays, skits, songs, stories, and informational documents leading up to the Oregon Trail’s sesquicentennial (150^th anniversary). Also worked with Oregon Public Broadcasting creating The Pappenheimers an instructional video to help kids speak German. His character lived in a Volkswagen Type 2 and would tell stories about his German relatives.

62. Taylor Holmes

Dates: 1878-1959

Early Life and Career: Born in Newark, New Jersey. Made his Broadway debut in 1900 in the controversial play Sapho that was briefly closed for indecency. Made his first film in 1917 and had his first starring role in 1918.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955) and Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Characters: Jim’s Friend #2, Doctor, and King Stefan

Also Known For: Actor who appeared in over 100 Broadway plays over a 5-decade career. Films include Ruggles of Red Gap, A Pair of Sixes, The Crimson Runner, The Verdict (1925), Boomerang, Kiss of Death, Nightmare Alley, Joan of Arc, A Christmas Carol (1949), Quicksand, Caged, Father of the Bride (1950), Beware, My Lovely, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Outcast, and The Maverick Queen. Sleeping Beauty was his last film.

Personal Life: Married actress Edna Philips and had 3 children including Philips Holmes, Madeleine Taylor Holmes, and Ralph Holmes. All children became actors. Philips became a noted actor in the Golden Age of Hollywood before dying in a midair collision while a member in the Canadian Royal Air Force during WWII. While his son Ralph was found dead from mysterious causes in his apartment in 1945 and Holmes had to identify the young man’s body. Marriage with Edna lasted until her death in 1952.

Later Life: Died in Los Angeles in 1959 at 81. Buried in Culver City’s Holy Cross Cemetery.

Trivia: Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His 1915 chilling recording of Rudyard Kipling’s “Boots” which was used for its psychological effect in US Military SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) schools.

63. Mary Costa

Dates: 1930-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Knoxville, Tennessee where she spent much of her childhood. Of Italian descent but raised in a Baptist household. Sang in Sunday school solos at six and in chorus at Knoxville High School. Although she won’t be the long because while in her early teens, Costa’s family moved to Los Angeles where she attended high school and won a Music Sorority Award as the outstanding voice among Southern California high school seniors. After graduation, Costa entered the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music to study with famed maestro Gaston Usigli. Appeared with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy on Bergen’s radio show between 1948 and 1951. Also sang with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in concerts at UCLA and made numerous commercials for Lux Radio Theatre. While at a 1952 party with her future husband Frank Tashlin, she auditioned for Princess Aurora. Walt Disney called her personally within hours to inform her that the part was hers.

Movies and Cartoons: Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Characters: Princess Aurora/Briar Rose

Also Known For: Spent much of her career as an actress and opera singer. Performed in 44 operatic roles on stages throughout the world. Performances include The Bartered Bride, Manon, La Traviata, Candide, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Blood Moon, The Rake’s Progress, and did a record of La Boheme. Made many TV appearances on shows like Bing Crosby’s Christmas Show, The Hollywood Palace, Frank Sinatra’s Woman of the Year, and NBC Follies. Other films include The Great Waltz, The Big Caper, and Marry Me Again.

Personal Life: Married to screenwriter and director Frank Tashlin in 1953. Remained married until their 1966 divorce.

Later Life: When Disney began releasing their animated films on video cassette, Costa was one of 3 actresses to sue over royalties for their performances. Retired from acting in 2014. Costa has dedicated her later years to inspiring children and teenagers, giving motivational talks at schools and colleges. She’s a celebrity endorser for child abuse prevention. Continues to do promotional appearances for Disney. On her 86^th birthday, Costa wrote an open letter thanking fans for their support. Also announced that she’d no longer reply to fan-mail, but she’s continue to sign autographs and meet fans at events while also focusing on her efforts on working with young children. During the 2020 Covid 19 pandemic, Costa once again thanked her fans but said she won’t reply to any fan-mail due to the overwhelming amount she received on her 90^th birthday. Currently lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Trivia: Sang at John F. Kennedy’s memorial service from the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1963, upon Jaqueline Kennedy’s request. Sang for the inaugural concert of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1971. Named Disney Legend in 1999. Received National Medal of Arts in 2020. Last surviving voice actress of the 3 original Disney princesses created in Walt Disney’s lifetime. Accolades include Lifetime Achievement Award of the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation in 1989, Tennessee Woman of Distinction by the American Lung Association in 2000, and Metropolitan Opera Guild for Distinguished Verdi Performances of the 20th Century in 2001. Received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Council of the Arts, where she served until 2007. Inducted to the Knoxville Hall of Fame in 2007. Received a Honorary Doctorate of Humane and Musical Letters from the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2012. Was named one of the YWCA Knoxville’s Tribute to Women Honorees during the 30^th anniversary celebration in 2014. Received the Tennessee Governor’s Award in 2015. Awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2021.

64. Bill Shirley

Dates: 1921-1989

Early Life and Career: Born William Jesse Shirley in Indianapolis, Indiana. Father was a funeral director. Mother was an accomplished concert pianist. According to the Indianapolis Star, Shirley’s mother first discovered his talent when he sang along with what she played on the piano when he was 5. She directed him to the Ogden Chorale’s founder who was taken with this boy’s vocal ability, expressive eyes, and “unusual” personality for his age. From then on, Shirley was known as a boy soprano as well as a singing/acting prodigy. Sang at funerals and became a popular soloist in the Ogden Chorale, which sang on Christmas and Easter on Indianaoplis’ Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Also was an active member of the Children’s Civic Theater and the Irvington Playhouse. At 11, he traveled with his family to California where he became known as “the boy with the golden voice” and appeared on films at 20^th Century Fox, Columbia, and Paramount. Attended George W. Julian Elementary School and Shortridge High School where he graduated in 1939. At 19, Shirley and his mother moved to Hollywood where he studied voice and music at the Herbert Wall School of Music. In early 1941, he signed a 7-year contract with Republic Studios where he mostly appeared in small and supporting roles in mostly wartime B-movies. In 1942, Shirley enlisted in the US Army where he served in recruitment and induction as well as the Signal Corps Training Film Division in Los Angeles, Quartermaster Corps, and radio branch of the Special Service division in Ft. Warren, Wyoming. While in the Army, Shirley appeared in Behymer Artists’ Bureau’s presentation of Rigoletto and was hailed by critics as “a potential find for the Metropolitan.” After the war, Shirley worked in radio, Broadway, the stage, summer stock, film, and television. Also appeared in nightclubs such as the Copacabanda, the Latin Quarter, the Mocambo, and the Tropicana.

Movies and Cartoons: Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Characters: Prince Philip

Also Known For: He was a tenor/lyric baritone singer who later became a Broadway theatre producer. Also known for dubbing Jeremy Brett’s singing voice in My Fair Lady. Film appearances include The Phantom President, As the Devil Commands, Rookies on Parade, Sailors on Leave, Flying Tigers, Oh, You Beautiful Doll, Dancing in the Dark, Come to the Stable, Nancy Goes to Rio, With a Song in My Heart, I Dream of Jeanie, Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd, and Sweethearts on Parade. Stage appearances include Die Fledermaus, Rigoletto, South Pacific, The Great Waltz, Paint Your Wagon, and Anything Goes. Was a prominent figure in industrial musicals during the 1950s and 1960s for companies like Ford Motor Company, Coca Cola, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, RCA, National Cash Register Company, and General Electric.

Personal Life: Never married.

Later Life: Although it’s said the Shirley retired from acting in 1963, he was a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and continued to perform as late as 1975. Worked at Litton Industries in the real estate or the electronics department for the last 10 years of his life in Beverly Hills and retired from there in 1989. Died 3 months later of lung cancer at 68 and at the Guardian Convalescent Home in Los Angeles. Interred in Indianapolis’ Crown Cemetery.

Trivia: Was often teased by his female cast members of Sleeping Beauty (save for Audley). Years later Costa recalled, “we all had our crushes on him” and “he was so shy and we all had just genuine crushes on that Prince. He was really cute.” In another interview, Costa said, “We loved to tease him. Verna Felton who played Flora would always creep up behind him with a pencil and act like it was a baton [wand]. She’d do some fairy work on him and say he was going to be the greatest, handsomest, and all of this.” Sat on student council with Madlyn Pugh and Kurt Vonnegut Jr. while attending Shortridge High School. Family owned a Boston terrier named Buddy during his childhood whom Shirley would write letters requesting news about him.

65. Barbara Jo Allen

Dates: 1906-1974

Early Life and Career: Born Marian Barbara Henshall in Manhattan, New York City. Mother died when she was 9, which prompted her to live with her aunt and uncle in Los Angels. Educated at Los Angeles High School, UCLA, Stanford University, and the Sorbonne. Acting ability first surfaced in school plays. Was proficient in French, Spanish, German, and Italian. Made her debut in 1933 on a radio soap opera in NBC called One Man’s Family. Became a regular with Bob Hope after being introduced on NBC Matinee in 1939. Made her first film that same year. Appeared in more than a dozen 2-reel shorts from 1943-1952. Hosted her own TV game show on CBS called Follow the Leader in 1953.

Movies and Cartoons: Sleeping Beauty (1959), Goliath II (1960), and Sword in the Stone (1963)

Characters: Fauna, Goliath II’s Mother, and Scullery Maid. Was also the original Madame Leota at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion before Audley replaced her.

Also Known For: Best known for her character Vera Vague, a character she created and portrayed in radio, television, and films during the 1940s and 1950s. Popularized the catchphrase, “You Dear Boy!” Appeared in over 50 films. Films include Broadway Melody of 1940, Melody and Moonlight, Kiss the Boys Goodbye, Larceny, Inc., The Palm Beach Story, Moon Over Las Vegas, Rosie the Riveter, Lake Placid Serenade, Snafu, Mohawk, and Born to Be Loved.

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First was to actor Barton Yarbough in 1931 which resulted in her daughter, Joan but ended in divorce. Although they later starred in a 2-reel short together in 1946. Second was to lumberman Charles Crosby that same year which also ended in divorce in 1932. Third was to producer Norman Morrell which resulted in another daughter and lasted until her death.

Later Life: Eventually retired in the 1960s. Died in 1974 in Santa Barbara at 68. Cremated at Santa Barbara Cemetery and her ashes were scattered in the Pacific.

Trivia: Has 2 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that were dedicated in 1960. Was honorary Mayor of Woodland Hills, California in 1953. Wrote and published a children’s book called The Animal Convention, in which she voiced ecological and environmental concerns.

66. Rod Taylor

Dates: 1930-2015

Early Life and Career: Born in Lidcombe, Sydney, Australia. Father was a steel construction contractor and commercial artist. Mother was a writer of more than a hundred short stories and children’s books. Attended Parramatta High School and studied art at East Sydney Technical and Fine Arts College. Although he worked as a commercial artist at a department store, he decided to pursue acting after seeing Sir Laurence Olivier in an Old Vic production of Richard III. Acquired extensive stage and radio experience in Australia. In 1951, Taylor took part in a re-enactment of Charles Sturt’s voyage Murrumbidgee and Murray Rivers, playing Sturt’s offsider, George Macleay. Made his feature film debut in 1954. Moved to Hollywood not long after.

Movies and Cartoons: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

Characters: Pongo

Also Known For: Appeared in more than 50 films. Most famous role is Mitch Brenner from The Birds. Last role was of Winston Churchill in Inglourious Basterds. Other films include King of the Coral Sea, Long Jon Silver, Hell on Frisco Bay, Giant, Raintree County, Separate Tables, The Time Machine, The V.I.P.s, Young Cassidy, Dark of the Sun, Darker Than Amber, Blondie, Gulliver’s Travels (1977), The Treasure Seekers, Mask of Murder, and Point of Betrayal. TV appearances include Powderkeg, Bearcats!, Family Fight, A Matter of Wife….and Death, The Oregon Trail, Cry of the Innocent, Jaqueline Bouvier Kennedy, Charles & Diana: A Royal Love Story (1982), Grass Roots, Kaw, Hong Kong, Studio 57, Masquerade, Outlaws, Lux Radio Theatre, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Playhouse 90, The Twilight Zone, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, Falcon Crest, and Murder, She Wrote. Often played virile and adventurous characters as well as solid and macho heroes in war movies and westerns. Had a fluent American accent.

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First was to model Peggy Williams from 1951 to their 1954 divorce on alleged grounds of domestic violence. But Taylor claimed that they split because they felt too young to have a healthy marriage. Dated and was engaged to model Anita Ekberg as well as dated model Pat Sheehan. Second was to model Mary Hilem from 1963 to their divorce in 1969. Their daughter Felicia became a financial reporter for CNN. Third was actress he briefly dated in the 1960s named Carol Kikumura in 1980 after being reunited with her since 1971. Marriage lasted until his death. Bought a home in Palm Springs in 1967.

Later Life: Became a US citizen in 1982. Semiretired from the late 1990s and retired from 2009 on. Fell down in his Beverly Hills home at the end of 2014 before dying of a heart attack while surrounded by his family in January 2015 at 84.

Trivia: Great-great-grand uncle was a 19^th century British explorer of the Australian Outback. Was 1954 Rola Show Australian Radio Actor. Was said to save the Australian Opera with a $250,000 donation. Was considered for the astronaut role in Planet of the Apes.

67. Betty Lou Gerson

Dates: 1914-1999

Early Life and Career: Born to a Jewish family in Chattanooga, Tennessee but grew up in Birmingham, Alabama where her father was a steel company executive. Was educated at private schools in Birmingham and Miami, Florida. Moved with her family to Chicago at 16 where she performed in the radio show, The First Nighter Program. Later moved to New York City. Began acting in radio drama and became a soap opera mainstay as well as a resident romantic lead on romantic anthologies. Moved to Los Angeles in the 1940s.

Movies and Cartoons: Cinderella (1950), One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), and Mary Poppins (1964)

Characters: Cruella de Vil, Miss Birdwell, and Old Crone

Also Known For: Actress who was predominant in radio but also in film, TV, as well as in voice work. Radio work includes The First Nighter Program, Arnold Grimm’s Daughter, Lonely Women, The Guiding Light, Curtain Time, The Whistler, Mr. President, Crime Classics, Escape, and Lux Radio Theater. Film appearances include An Annapolis Story, The Green-Eyed Blonde, The Fly, and The Miracle of the Hills. TV appearances include Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Wanted Dead or Alive, and The Rifleman.

Personal Life: Married twice. First radio director Joseph T. Ainley in 1936 at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. Remained together until his death in 1965. Second to telephone service head Louis R. “Lou” Lauria in 1966 to his death in 1994.

Later Life: Retired from acting in 1966 in order to work at her second husband’s telephone answering service. Died of a stroke in Los Angeles in 1999 at 84.

Trivia: Named a Disney Legend in 1996.

68. Martha Wentworth

Dates: 1889-1974

Early Life and Career: Born Verna Martha Wentworth in New York City. After graduating from public school, she attended the National School of Expression as one of Minnie Maddern Fiske’s proteges. Appeared in several stage productions from time she was 17.

Movies and Cartoons: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) and The Sword in the Stone (1963) as well as some shorts. Began her career in radio during the 1920s.

Characters: Nanny, Lucy, Queenie, and Madam Mim

Also Known For: Called “Actress of 100 Voices” due to her vocal variety. Performed in a lot of MGM and Warner Bros. cartoons. Radio work includes The Cinnamon Bear, Crime Classics, Broadway Is My Beat, On Stage, The Witch’s Tale, The Baby Snooks Show, The Abbott and Costello Show, and The Captain and the Kids. Film appearances include Waterloo Bridge, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941), The Adventures of Martin Eden, Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Fallen Angel, The Stranger, Stagecoach to Denver, Oregon Trail Scouts, Santa Fe Uprising, Love Nest, O. Henry’s Full House, Blackboard Jungle, Artists and Models, The Man with the Golden Arm, Rock Around the Clock, and The Desperadoes Are in Town.

Personal Life: Married Albert Stuart Otto Sr. in 1914 with whom she had 2 children: Albert Stuart Otto Jr. and Jeanne Juliet Otto. Divorced in 1926.

Later Life: Retired from acting after 1964. Died in Sherman Oaks, California in 1974 at 84.

Trivia: None.

69. Frederick Worlock

Dates: 1886-1973

Early Life and Career: Born in London, England. Made his debut in 1906 in a Bristol production of Henry V. Acted in 4 London productions before moving to the United States in the 1920s where he appeared on Broadway between 1923 and 1954.

Movies and Cartoons: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

Characters: Horace Badun and Inspector Craven

Also Known For: Actor known for his work in a variety of films from the 1940s and 1950s. Often played “professional roles, some benign, some villainous.” Usually men like lords, landowners, governors, inspectors, judges and senior officers. These include Man Hunt, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941), How Green Was My Valley, The Imperfect Lady, Singapore, The Lone Wolf in London, Love from a Stranger, Joan of Arc, Spartacus, The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Northwest Passage, The Sea Hawk, Random Harvest, Sahara, Jane Eyre (1943), The Lodger (1944), National Velvet, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dressed to Kill, The Macomber Affair, Captain Kidd, Forever Amber, The Woman in White, Johnny Belinda, Strange Bedfellows, and Spinout. Also acted in a lot of the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies including one turn as Inspector Lestrade. Appeared in various episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Personal Life: Married twice. First was to actress Olive Noble in 1911 which ended in divorce. Second was onetime Broadway co-star, actress Elsie Ferguson in 1924. They divorced in 1930.

Later Life: Retired from acting in 1970. Died in Woodland Hills, California from cerebral ischemia in 1973 at 86. Buried at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery.

Trivia: Was good friends with Basil Rathbone.

70. Ben Wright

Dates: 1915-1989

Early Life and Career: Born Benjamin Huntington Wright in London, England to an American father and an English mother. Entered the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at 16. Acted in several West End productions upon graduation. Enlisted in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps upon the outbreak of World War II. Came to the United States in 1946 in order to attend a cousin’s wedding and settled in Hollywood.

Movies and Cartoons: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), The Jungle Book (1967), and The Little Mermaid (1989)

Characters: Roger Radcliffe, Rama the Wolf, and Grimsby

Also Known For: Best known for playing Herr Zeller in The Sound of Music. Other films include Judgement at Nuremberg, My Fair Lady, The Fortune Cookie, Sahara, The Exile, Prince Valiant, A Man Called Peter, Hell and High Water, Moonfleet, Desert Sands, Witness for the Prosecution, The Wreck of the Mary Deare, Mutiny on the Bounty (1962), Cleopatra, The Sand Pebbles, Topaz, and The Diary of Anne Frank. Radio work includes The Green Lama, Have Gun – Will Travel, Escape, The Voyages of Sinbad, Gunsmoke, Crime Classics, and Suspense. TV appearances include My Three Sons, Hogan’s Heroes, McHale’s Navy, Get Smart, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Wild Wild West, The Twilight Zone, Mission: Impossible, The Addams Family, The Rockford Files, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Outer Limits, The Monkees, Dragnet, and The Virginian.

Personal Life: Married twice. First was Joan Kemp-Welch in 1936 which ended in their 1950 divorce. Second was Muriel Louise Roberts from 1951 until his death. Had a son and a daughter with her.

Later Life: Died in 1989 at Burbank’s Saint Joseph Medical Center after undergoing heart surgery at 74.

Trivia: Was a classmate of Ida Lupino. When he voiced Grimsby in The Little Mermaid, no one knew that he also voiced Roger Radcliffe from One Hundred and One Dalmatians until he told them.

              By the mid-1950s, practically every Disney film with the exception of Fantasia was an adaptation of an existing story whether it be a long-standing fairytale or a previously published work. While the story basis for Lady and the Tramp is much different. Although it’s said to be based on a short story called “Happy Dan, the Cynical Dog” by Ward Greene, that story was published in Cosmopolitan magazine in 1945. While the original idea for Lady and the Tramp came from Disney storyboard artist Joe Grant back in 1937, inspired by the antics of his English springer spaniel Lady and how she got “shoved aside” by his new baby. He approached Walt Disney with sketches of Lady that his boss enjoyed and commissioned Grant to start a story development on a new feature called Lady. Through the late 1930s and early 1940s, Grant and other artists worked on the story, taking a variety of approaches. But Walt wasn’t too pleased thinking Lady as too sweet and lack of action. However, after reading the Ward Greene story, Disney thought Grant’s story would be improved if she fell in love with a cynical dog like the one in the short story who’d ultimately be named “Tramp.” Of course, the finished film is slightly different from the original plan. With one notable change being Lady’s owners going from Jim and Elizabeth Brown to “Jim Dear” and “Darling” and their faces rarely shown in order to maintain the dog’s perspective. While the opening scene where Darling finds Lady in a hat box at Christmas was inspired by an incident where Walt presented his wife Lillian with a Chow puppy as a gift in a hat box to make up for having previously forgotten a dinner date with her.

Unfortunately, Joe Grant wasn’t part of Lady and the Tramp’s later production since he left Disney in 1949. Yet, Disney story men continually pulled Grant’s drawings and story of the shelf to retool. Based on Grant’s storyboards and Ward Greene’s short story, a solid story began taking shape in 1953. Grant later wrote a novelization to the film at Walt Disney’s insistence for audiences to familiarize with the story. While Grant wouldn’t receive any credit for the film until the platinum DVD release decades later. Nonetheless, as they had done with deer in Bambi, the animators studied many dogs of different breeds to capture their movement and personalities. Although the spaghetti sequence is one of the most iconic in the film, Walt Disney almost tried to cut it, thinking such a scene would look silly than romantic. But animator Frank Thomas was against Walt’s decision and animated the entire scene himself with no lay-outs, convincing Disney otherwise. It was also the first film to be animated in the widescreen CinemaScope. Originally released in 1955, Lady and the Tramp became the highest Disney feature film since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Yet, it opened to mixed reviews from critics with Time writing, “Walt Disney has for so long parlayed gooey sentiment and stark horror into profitable cartoons that most moviegoers are apt to be more surprised than disappointed to discover that the combination somehow does not work this time.” Still, while Lady and the Tramp may have its flaws (like the racist Asian stereotyping with Aunt Sarah’s Siamese cats among others), it’s nonetheless been regarded as a classic with the spaghetti “Bella Notte” sequence being one of the most iconic scenes in American film history. And when it comes to Disney movies made in the 1950s, it doesn’t get any better. In this post, we’ll meet actors Candy Candido and Tom Conway, future producer and writer John Wilder, Tinkerbell live-action reference Margaret Kerry, singer-songwriter Peggy Lee, as well as the voices behind Lady, Tramp, Beaver, and Tony.

51. Candy Candido

Dates: 1913-1999

Early Life and Career: Born Jonathan Candido in New Orleans, Louisiana. Was a bassist and vocalist for Ted Fio Rito’s big band as well as became part of Louis Prima’s band in 1924. Had a distinctive 4-octave speaking voice that became familiar with radio listeners and moviegoers. Could start a monologue in a normal tenor before adopting a high squeaky soprano before suddenly plunging into a gruff bass.

Movies and Cartoons: Peter Pan (1953), Sleeping Beauty (1959), Robin Hood (1973), and The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Characters: Indian Chief, Diablo, Goon, Captain of the Guards, and Fidget

Also Known For: Famous radio performer and voice actor best remembered for his famous line, “I’m feeling mighty low” as well as many animal vocalizations. Recorded “I’m Popeye the Sailor Man” and other children’s songs for Capitol Records. Was the belligerent Apple Tree in The Wizard of Oz. Voiced the bear in TV’s Gentle Ben. Other film appearances include Only Angels Have Wings, Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion, Heart of the Rio Grande, King Creole, Babes in Toyland, and The Phantom Tollbooth. Briefly teamed with Bud Abbott in the 1960s after Lou Costello’s death.

Personal Life: Married Anita Bivona in 1933. Marriage produced 4 children named Nino, John, Flora, and Teresa and lasted until his death. In addition to his wife and kids, he was survived by 8 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Later Life: Retired in 1995. Died in his sleep of natural causes at his Burbank home in 1999. Interred in San Fernando Mission Cemetery.

Trivia: Childhood friend of Louis Prima.

52. John Wilder

Dates: 1936-present

Early Life and Career: Born John Keith McGovern in Tacoma, Washington. Began his career by performing as tap dancer at 4. Family moved to Los Angeles in 1943 where he became a child actor. Played Little Beaver in the Red Ryder radio series and performed Watch on the Rhine at the Geller Theatre Workshop.

Movies and Cartoons: Peter Pan (1953)

Characters: Raccoon Twins

Also Known For: Grew up to become an Emmy-winning television producer, director, and writer. Other film appearances include Singin’ in the Rain, Tumbleweed Trail, The Pride of St. Louis, Hold Back the Night, Room for One More, and Five Guns to Tombstone. TV appearances as an actor include Big Town, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Loretta Young Show, Studio 57, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The West Point Story, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, The Adventures of Jim Bowie, Broken Arrow, The Millionaire, Wagon Train, The Real McCoys, and Petticoat Junction. He produced and wrote episodes for The Rifleman, Peyton Place, Marcus Welby, M.D., The Partridge Family, The Streets of San Francisco, Centennial, The Yellow Rose, and Return to Lonesome Dove.

Personal Life: Married Carolyn Cunningham in 1967 which ended in their 1982 divorce. Has 3 children with her.

Later Life: Tried to abandon acting in the mid-1950s to pursue a baseball scholarship at the University of Southern California but ultimately decided to continue his acting career until the 1960s. Decided to change his name to “John Wilder” that he legally adopted 1958. Abandoned acting in the early 1960s to attend Santa Monica City College and later the University of California, Los Angeles. A friend Chuck Connors later got him enlisted as a scriptwriter for The Rifleman and he would go on to have a career as a writer and produce for the bulk of his life. Has worked as a professor at Westmont College since 2019

Trivia: None.

53. Margaret Kerry

Dates: 1929-present

Early Life and Career: Born Peggy Lynch. Was adopted and moved to Los Angeles at 3. Made first film in 1935 as a fairy in Max Reinhardt’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Also was in a couple of Our Gang shorts. Was Elizabeth Taylor’s camera double in National Velvet. Soon she attracted the attention of Eddie Cantor who cast her in a role of his teenage daughter in If You Knew Susie. Yet, thought the girl needed a more theatrical-sounding name to become more noticeable as an actress. Thus, she adopted the name Margaret Kerry.

Movies and Cartoons: Peter Pan (1953)

Characters: Mermaid. However, she served as inspiration and pantomimed the role of Tinkerbell for which she’s much better known.

Also Known For: Has been a screen actress, dancer voice artist, camera double, radio producer, director, and host and media personality. Had skills in 21 different dialects and 48 character voices which she used on 600 different shows. Appeared in films such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935), If You Only Knew Susie, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Sickle or the Cross. TV appearances include The Ruggles, The Andy Griffith Show, The Lone Ranger, Clutch Cargo, Space Angel, and The New Three Stooges. Later became a producer, writer, and host of What’s Up Weekly – Ministry Loves Company from 1992-2004 for Los Angeles Christian radio station KKLA-FM where she also served as its community services director, heading an outreach program connected to more than 200 non-profit service agencies.

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First was to Dick Brown from 1951 to their divorce in 1984. Marriage produced 3 children. Second to John Wilcox from 1987 to his death in 1999. In more recent years, she reconnected with her ex-boyfriend, World War II veteran Robert Boeke. They married on Valentine’s Day in 2020 in a ceremony at the Little Brown Church in the Valley in Studio City, California.

Later Life: Graduated from high school with honors and late cum laude at Los Angeles City College. Has been a supporter and contributor to the animation community, Kerry served on the ASIFA-Hollywood board for a number of years. In 2016, she published her autobiography, Tinker Bell Talks: Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life with stories and anecdotes from her life and career, and featuring 180 photos and pieces of art. In 2019, she self-published a booklet called They All Look Alike To Me with short stories detailing her having prosopagnosia, also known as “face blindness.” As of 2025, Kerry continues to meet fans and attends many conventions, seminars, and events throughout the United States.

Trivia: Received the Disneyana Fan Club President’s Award in 2012 and the Disneyana Fan Club Legends Award in 2020. That same year, she received the Ward Kimball award by the board of Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn. At her 90^th birthday in 2019, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti honored Kerry with certificates on behalf of the City of Los Angeles; the Los Angeles City Council; and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors via 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Also received a card from First Lady Melania Trump. Is a certified seminar leader by the American Seminar Leaders Association and co-author and facilitator of the FUNdamentals of Speaking Seminars. Her website’s Tinkerbell Talks.

54. Tom Conway

Dates: 1904-1967

Early Life and Career: Born Thomas Charles Sanders in Saint Petersburg in the Russian Empire. Father was a rope manufacturer and mother was a horticulturalist. Educated at Bedales School and Brighton College before moving to Africa to find work. Only to return to England to become a glass salesman when he became interested in acting. He began his show business career by appearing in amateur theatre before joining a repertory company for a year and a half. After this, he appeared in some touring productions of plays as well as on radio. Until his younger brother George suggested Conway join him in Hollywood where he signed an MGM contract.

Movies and Cartoons: Peter Pan (1953) and One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

Characters: Quiz Master and Collie.

Also Known For: Best known for playing the suave adventurer, The Falcon in a series of 1940s films (a role he assumed after his brother George), psychiatrist Dr. Louis Judd in Cat People, and The Seventh Victim. Played Sherlock Holmes and The Saint on radio as well as Bulldog Drummond onscreen a couple of times. Other films include The Falcon’s Brother, I Walked with a Zombie, Waterloo Bridge, The Trial of Mary Dugan, The People vs. Dr. Kildare, Lady Be Good, Tarzan’s Secret Treasure, Mr. and Mrs. North, Rio Rita, Mrs. Miniver, Whistle Stop, One Touch of Venus, Prince Valiant, Voodoo Woman, Death of a Scoundrel, and What a Way to Go! Television appearances include Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bachelor’s Heaven,Inspector Mark Saber – Homicide Detective, and Perry Mason.

Personal Life: Older brother of George Sanders and was best man at his wedding to Zsa Zsa Gabor, coming in the plane with a shotgun over just in case George got cold feet. Married twice. First to model Lillian Eggers in 1941 to their divorce in 1953. Second to actress Queenie Leonard from 1958 to 1963 when she divorced him due to his alcoholism. Alcoholism would also cost Conway his relationship with his brother George who eventually broke all contact with him.

Later Life: Conway’s life was plagued with weakened eyesight and alcoholism and his health began to fail from the mid-1950s. In 1960, he was arrested for crashing his vehicle into a parked car while under the influence. Underwent cataract surgery for both eyes in 1964-1965 and a swollen left ankle affected his mobility. By 1965, he was living at a small Los Angeles hotel owned by a former vaudevillian Agnes Lavaty. His friend Mary Robinson notified the press about Conway’s troubles. Phone calls came pouring in from fans but only Lew Ayres was among the showbusiness colleagues to reach out. While gifts, contributions, and offers of aid poured in for a time. But most of the offers never came to fruition and he subsisted on federal aid. In 1966, he lapsed into a coma due to a liver ailment that lasted from April to July. Former sister-in-law visited Conway and gave him $200. Conway was later transferred into a convalescent sanitarium for 3 months. Although Gabor recalled that he went to a girlfriend’s house with the $200 and died in her bed. When he left, he lived in a modest Los Angeles apartment and gave up drinking. Died of liver damage at Washington Hospital in Culver City, California at 62. Funeral was held in London. Ashes interred within a private vault at Chapel of the Pines Crematory.

Trivia: Actor Tim Conway changed his name from Tom Conway because of him. Hobbies include airplane design, swimming, skiing and tennis. Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1617 Vine Street.

55. Peggy Lee

Dates: 1920-2002

Early Life and Career: Born Norma Deloris Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota. Was one of 8 kids to a Swedish station agent for the Midland Continental Railroad. Mother was Norwegian and died when Lee was 4. Father remarried and family lived along several towns at the railroad he worked at. Graduated from Wimbledon High School in 1937. One of her first gigs was as a female singer in a 6-piece college dance band with whom she traveled on Fridays after school and on the weekends. First sang professionally on KOVC radio in Valley City in 1936 and later had her own 15-minute Saturday show sponsored by a restaurant that paid her in food. Not long after her high school graduation, radio personality Ken Kennedy of WDAY Fargo auditioned Lee and put her on the air that day but not before he changed her name to “Peggy Lee.” In 1938, Lee left home for Hollywood, California at only 17. Her first jobs were seasonal positions at Newport Beach where she worked as a short-order cook, waitress, and carnival barker. Returned to Hollywood to audition for the MC at the Jade but her time there was cut short due to overwork and an inadequate diet that she returned to North Dakota to have her tonsils removed. She then remained there to regularly at Fargo’s Powers Hotel, toured with the Sev Olson and Will Osbourne Orchestras, and returned broadcasting at WDAY radio. When she returned to California, Lee developed her trademark sultry purr while singing at the Doll House in Palm Springs. There, she met Ambassador East and West in Chicago owner Frank Bering who offered her a gig at the Buttery Room where Benny Goodman noticed her. She joined his band in 1941 and stayed with him for 2 years. First published song was in 1941 with “Little Fool.” Had her first top ten hit in 1942 with “Somebody Else Is Taking My Place.” 1943 hit with “Why Don’t You Do Right?” was her first to sell a million copies and made her famous.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Characters: Darling, Peg, and Si and Am. Also co-wrote all the original songs for the film with Sonny Burke.

Also Known For: Was a jazz and popular singer, songwriter, and actress whose career spanned 7 decades. Called “Queen of American Pop Music,” she recorded more than 1,100 masters and co-wrote over 270 songs. Was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Pete Kelly’s Blues in 1955. Also appeared on several TV movies and specials. Songwriting collaborators included David Barbour, Laurindo Almeida, Harold Arlen, Sonny Burke, Cy Coleman, Duke Ellington, Dave Grusin, Quincy Jones, Francis Lai, Jack Marshall, Johnny Mandel, Marian McPartland, Willard Robison, Lalo Schifrin, and Victor Young. Many of her compositions have become standards performed by singers such as Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Diana Krall, Queen Latifah, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Janelle Monae, Nina Simone, Regina Spektor, Sarah Vaughan and others. Was a mainstay at Capitol Records when rock and roll came onto the American scene and became one of the first of the “old guard” to recognize the genre recording music by the Beatles, Randy Newman, Carole King, James Taylor, and other up and coming songwriters. From 1957 to 1972, Lee produced a steady stream of 2-3 albums a year that usually included standards (usually arranged differently than the original versions), her own compositions, and material from young artists. Said to be a musical influence for Paul McCartney, Madonna, Beyoncé, k.d. lang, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall,[69] Dusty Springfield, Rita Coolidge, Rita Moreno, and Billie Eilish.

Personal Life: Married 4 times. First marriage was to guitarist and composer David Barbour from 1943 to their 1951 divorce, which produced her daughter Nicki Lee Foster. Second was to actor Brad Dexter in 1953 which ended in divorce. Third was to actor Dewey Martin from 1956 to their 1958 divorce. Fourt to percussionist Jack del Rio in 1964 which ended in divorce.

Later Life: Was one of 3 actresses to sue Disney over royalties during the video cassette revolution in the 1980s and won her case. Continued to perform in the 1990s, sometimes using a wheelchair. After years of poor health, Lee died of complications from diabetes and a heart attack in 2002 at 82 in Los Angeles. She was cremated and her ashes were buried in a bench-style monument in Los Angeles’ Westwood Village Memorial Park.

Trivia: Was nominated for 13 Grammys. Won a Grammy in 1969 for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for “Is That All There Is?” Received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. Received the Rough Rider Award from the state of North Dakota in 1975. Received the Pied Piper Award from American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers in 1990. Received the Ella Award from the Society of Singers in 1994. Received the President’s Award from the Songwriters Guild of America in 1999. Was inducted into the Big Band Jazz Hall of Fame in 1992, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Songbook Hall of Fame from the Great American Songbook Foundation in 2020. Received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960 on 6319 Hollywood Boulevard. Baseball’s Tug McGraw named one of his pitches after her. Often cited as the inspiration for the Magarita cocktail but I have my doubts on this one. Sang the Lord’s Prayer at Louis Armstrong’s funeral in 1971. Was the inspiration for Miss Piggy. Received honorary doctorates in music from North Dakota State University and Jamestown University. Had a pink tea rose named after her in 1983. The Wimbledon depot building where she and her family worked became the Midland Continental Depot Transportation Museum and featured The Peggy Lee Exhibit in 2012 which exhibits that traced her career as well as her regional and state connection. In 2020, ASCAP established the Peggy Lee Songwriter Award. On her 100^th birthday in 2020, the Grammy Museum hosted an online panel discussion that included Billie Eilish, k.d. lang, Eric Burton (The Black Pumas), Lee’s granddaughter Holly Foster Wells, and Dr. Trish Oney, author of Peggy Lee: A Century of Song.

56. Barbara Luddy

Dates: c. 1907 or 1908-1979

Early Life and Career: Born in Great Falls, Montana. Sang in vaudeville and attended an Ursuline convent school in her hometown during her childhood. In 1929, she was part of a touring company that presented the play Lombardi Ltd. Had a successful career in radio during the 1930s. Film career began with silent movies.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955), Sleeping Beauty (1959), One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), Robin Hood (1973), and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

Characters: Lady, Merryweather, Rover, Mother Sexton, Mother Rabbit, and Kanga

Also Known For: Radio appearances include Chicago Theater of the Air, The First Nighter Program, Great Gunns, Lonely Women, The Road of Life, and Woman in White. Film appearances outside Disney include Dear Heart, Her Secret, Sealed Lips, and Born to Battle. TV appearances include Hazel, Dragnet, Adam-12, and Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

Personal Life: Married R. Ned Le Fevre in 1942. Marriage lasted until her death and produced a daughter named Barbara and a son named Chris who predeceased her.

Later Life: Retired from acting in 1977. Died in Los Angeles of lung cancer in 1979 at 70.

Trivia: None

57. Larry Roberts

Dates: 1926-1992

Early Life and Career: Born Lawrence Saltzman in Cleveland, Ohio. After his parents divorced, his father moved to Los Angeles. Served with Patton’s Third Army in France, Germany, and Austria during World War II. After his service, Roberts went to Los Angeles on vacation but stayed to help organize the Circle Theater. Performed with this group under the name of Larry Salters in 1947, appearing in 5 out of their first six productions. In 1949, Roberts went on to create and become part owner of the Players Ring, a prominent Hollywood theater group at the time. Was discovered for the role of Tramp when a Disney storyman saw him performing.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Characters: Tramp

Also Known For: Was a popular guest on many variety shows during the early days of television including Lights, Camera, Action!, Bandstand Revue, The All-Star Revue, and several of the Pinky Lee shows. Did a stint in Las Vegas as a stand-up comic. Recorded some songs with Neely Plumb and his Orchestra such as “April in Portugal”, “Big Mamou”, “Tell Me a Story”, and “Wild Horses.”

Personal Life: Never married. Based on what went on in his later life makes me wonder if Roberts was gay. I mean he was an up and coming actor who left showbiz during the 1950s to work in his uncle’s business under a different name that wasn’t his original name only to later die from AIDS during the early 1990s. Judging how Hollywood treated gay actors back in the 1950s (horribly), it’s probably no wonder that someone like Roberts would’ve left Hollywood for a more private existence. Of course, none of this proves whether Roberts was gay or not and my assumption about his sexuality should be taken with a tiny grain of salt. After all, many other gay actors like Raymond Burr, Jim Nabors, Paul Lynde, Rock Hudson, Tab Hunter, Montgomery Clift, and Charles Nelson Reilly managed to stick it out despite the risks. Nabors and Burr managed to keep long-term partners in the process. While author Isaac Asimov and tennis great Arthur Ashe died both died from AIDS due to tainted blood transfusions. But considering the times Roberts lived in, the decisions he made, and what happened to him, I think it makes a lot of sense.

Later Life: Retired from show business in the mid-to late 1950s. Re-assumed the last name of Salters and went into the ladies’ clothing business. First worked for Bobbie Brooks, Inc., a company his uncle founded. Later moved to New York City and was a designer for Russ Togs, another ladies’ clothing manufacturer. Died of AIDS-related causes in his New York City home in 1992 at 65.

Trivia: Was actively involved in entertaining the troops during the Korean War, frequently participating in USO Tours. Was awarded a “Certificate of Esteem” by then US Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson.

58. Stan Freberg

Dates: 1926-2015

Early Life and Career: Born Stanley Friberg in Pasadena, California. Father was a Baptist minister. Drafted in the US Army from 1945-1947 where he served in Special Services attached to the Medical Corps at Pasadena’s McCornack General Hospital. Began his career by doing impressions on Cliffe Stone’s radio show in 1943. Was employed as a voice actor in animation shortly after graduating from Alhambra High School. Said to have auditioned for Warner Bros. and was promptly hired for cartoon voice work.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955) as well as various shorts

Characters: Beaver

Also Known For: Was an actor, author, comedian, radio personality, puppeteer, and advertising creative director for 70 years. Voiced multiple characters in Looney Tunes including Pete Puma, Bertie, Tosh and others. Also did voice work for UPA as well. Did a series of satirical and parody recordings for Capitol Records during the 1950s and 1960s. A lot of these consisted of zany rock n’roll spoofs, anarchic novelty skits, and barbed political commentaries. Other films include Callaway Went Thataway, Geraldine, Stuart Little, and It’s a Mad, Mad Mad, Mad World. Starred in a radio sitcom 1954 and hosted his own radio show only to have it cancelled due to his general disregard for advertising and network interference. Was a puppeteer for Time for Beany, a children’s show with notable fans like Albert Einstein who once interrupted a high-level conference in order to watch it. Other TV appearances include The Ed Sullivan Show, The Monkees, Freakazoid!, Tiny Toons, Taz-Mania, The Garfield Show, The Weird Al Show, and Roseanne. Later founded a Los Angeles-based advertising agency that produced radio and TV commercials. Noted for introducing satire to the field of advertising and revolutionized the industry by influencing staid ad agencies to imitate his style into their previously dead-serious commercials. And he’s usually credited with humor into television advertising with his memorable campaigns as he felt that a truly funny commercial would make consumers buy their product. Much of the material produced in these campaigns are now considered classics. Produced several mock commercials in the 1950s that have been enshrined in the Museum of Radio and Television and the Smithsonian. Was a key inspiration for Weird Al and many modern comics.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was named Donna with whom he’d have a son named Donovan who’d follow in his father’s footsteps and a daughter Donna Jean. Marriage lasted from 1959 until Donna’s death in 2000. Second was to Betty Hunter that lasted from 2001 until his death. Grandfather of Rylee Jean Ebsen.

Later Life: Following his success in comedy and television, Freberg was often invited to appear as a featured guest at various events. Wrote his autobiography, It Only Hurts When I Laugh chronicling his encounters with legends and his struggles he endured to get his material on air. Died of pneumonia at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica at 88.

Trivia: Beaver from Lady and the Tramp served as an inspiration for the gopher in Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. Once auditioned for the role of C-3PO but lost out to Anthony Daniels. Refused to accept alcohol and tobacco companies as sponsors. Was supposed to be the Jabberwock in Alice in Wonderland but his part got cut in the final rendition. Has won 21 Clio Awards, 3 Emmys, a Grammy, an Inkpot Award, and Winsor McCay Award. Inducted to the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1995. Was also very popular in Australia, appearing there several times in the 1950s and did a commercial there. Was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6145 Hollywood Boulevard.

59. Alan Reed

Dates: 1907-1977

Early Life and Career: Born Herbert Theodore Bergman in New York City. Father was a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania. Mother was a daughter of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. Attended George Washington High School, majored in journalism at Columbia University, and studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Began his acting career and eventually worked on Broadway and radio. Toured the vaudeville circuit with his cousin Harold Green as well as operated a wholesale candy factory and working at the Copake Country Club as “social director, entertainment producer, and actor.” Able to act in 22 foreign dialects.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Characters: Boris

Also Known For: Was the original voice of Fred Flintstone and J.J. Keebler. Film appearances include Days of Glory, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Viva Zapata!, The Postman Always Rings Twice, I, the Jury, Geraldine, The Desperate Hours, and 1001 Arabian Nights. TV appearances include Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Make Room for Daddy, Have Gun-Will Travel, Peter Gunn, The Dick Van Dyke Show, My Favorite Martian, Hoppity Hopper, Johnny Quest, The Addams Family, The Beverly Hillbillies, Batman, Petticoat Junction, and Get Smart. Radio work includes Valiant Lady, Abie’s Irish Rose, Duffy’s Tavern, The Shadow, The Life of Riley, Life with Luigi, Johnny Dollar, and The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show.

Personal Life: Married Broadway and TV actress Finnette Walker whom he met working at a local TV station in 1932. Had 3 sons including Alan Reed Jr.

Later Life: Reed was a heavy smoker and was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 1967. Although his cancer was surgically treated, he later developed emphysema. Died in 1977 at the Saint Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles after having a heart attack at 69.

Trivia: None

60. George Givot

Dates: 1903-1984

Early Life and Career: Born George David Givot what is now Dnipro, Ukraine which was in the Russian Empire as Ekaterinoslav. Although he claimed he was adopted by a French family at 3 and had no idea of who his parents were, it’s safe to assume that this wasn’t the case. Since his father changed his name to Givot as well. Family immigrated to the US in 1906 and settled in Omaha, Nebraska before They later moved to Chicago, where Givot attended high school and college. His night school journalism teacher eventually got fed up with Givot’s class clown antics and sent him to see the man in charge of the midnight to 3 am broadcasts at a radio station, who hired him. Paul Ash heard Givot perform and gave him his start in vaudeville. From there, he worked in nightclubs, film, radio, and television from the 1920s on. Could perform a variety of dialects.

Movies and Cartoons: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Characters: Tony

Also Known For: Was know for speaking in a comedic fake Greek dialect and was styled as the “Greek Ambassador of Goodwill.” Said to be one earliest Greek dialect comedians. Broadway shows include Pardon My English, Mexican Hayride, and Do Re Mi. Film appearances include Thin Ice, Conquest, Hollywood Calvacade, Fiesta, Road to Morocco, DuBarry Was a Lady, Behind the Rising Sun, Ain’t Misbehavin,’ and The Benny Goodman Story. Had his own radio show at different times. Was the original host of Bonnie Maid Versa-Tile Varieties in 1949 but he only lasted 2 months since his “Greek Ambassador” routine didn’t age well.

Personal Life: Married twice. First to Maryon Curtis in 1937. According to his advance man, Givot planned to retire from showbiz and become a gentleman farmer on his estate in Tarzana, California. But apparently, he had to keep working due to marital problems draining his finances. They divorced in 1941. Second was Mexican Hayride co-star Dorothy Durkee in 1945. Imdb isn’t sure when or how that one happened. But it’s likely that union lasted until Givot’s death.

Later Life: Retired in 1961. Died of a heart attack in 1984 in Palm Springs, California at 81.

Trivia: Was reputedly said to be friends with notorious gangster Bugsy Siegel may have inadvertently saved his life by telling him to spend an extra day in Chicago. Well, the plane he was going to take crashed and claimed 17 lives.