Behind the Voices: Mickey Mouse and Friends

While watching a movie I can’t just watch the movie. I have to get on my phone and check out imdb.com to see what other films the actors have been in. The same applies when I’m watching Disney Junior with my daughter.

I listen closely to see if I can recognize where else I’ve heard these famous voices before double checking on the internet. Utilizing my weird hobby, I thought it would be fun to feature a few of these Disney voice actors so we all could finally match the face to the voice!*

*I’ve only highlighted actors who voiced the character at least five years.

Mickey Mouse

Walt Disney (1928-1947; 1955-1959): You read that right! The man who started it all voiced the Big Cheese until his schedule became too full. It’s also been speculated that his voice got too hoarse from his smoking habit to voice the mouse. 

Jimmy MacDonald (1947-1977): In addition to voicing Mickey, Jimmy was head of the Disney sound effects department and created sounds for films such as Dumbo, Peter Pan, and Sleeping Beauty. He was also the original voice of Chip (as in Chip and Dale).

Wayne Allwine (1977-2009): Wayne surpassed his predecessors as he voiced the Mouse for 32 years! He started with the Walt Disney Company in the mail room before working under Jimmy MacDonald in the sound department.

Bret Iwan (2009-present): Bret previously worked as an illustrator at Hallmark before becoming a voice actor. His only filmography to date is voicing Mickey Mouse.

Minnie Mouse

Walt Disney (1928-1929): Yes, Minnie too!

Marcellite Garner (1930-1939): She auditioned for the voice of Minnie six months after starting in the ink and paint department at the Walt Disney Company.

Ruth Clifford (1944-1952): Ruth was an American silent film actress and also voiced Daisy Duck.

Russi Taylor (1986-present): Russi voiced Minnie longer than any of her predecessors. In addition to Minnie, so has also voiced Huey, Dewey and Louie as well as various characters on The Simpsons and Sofia the First. Guess what else? Wayne Allwine (Mickey) and Russi were married in real life!

Donald Duck

Clarence Nash (1934-1985) He voiced Donald for over 50 years and his last Donald film credit was in 1983’s Mickey’s Christmas Carol. In addition to Donald, he was the original voice of Tom in Tom and Jerry and even Jiminy Cricket for a short time.

Tony Anselmo (1985-present): Tony was trained personally under Clarence Nash. He shares the roles of Huey, Dewey and Louie with Russi Taylor.

Daisy Duck

Clarence Nash (1940)

Gloria Blondell (1945-1950): Her voice (as Daisy) was featured in six Donald shorts.

Kath Soucie (1986-1998): Kath has made a very successful career for herself as a voice actor. Among many other notable characters, you’ve heard her as Lola Bunny in Space Jam and Phil and Lil in Rugrats. 

Tress MacNeille (1999-present): Tress is not only the current voice of Daisy Duck, but also Wilma Flintstone. She has done voice work for several shows including The Simpsons, Futurama and several Warner Bros. characters. Extra fun fact: She was in a Weird Al Yankovic music video!

Goofy

Pinto Colvig (1932-1965): Pinto earned some serious voice-over street cred in his lifetime. He voiced Grumpy and Sleepy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz and was the original Bozo the Clown.

Bill Farmer (1986-present):Bill’s very first voice over audition was for Goofy and he also eventually became the voice for Pluto! He has provided additional voices for several Disney films over the years including Hercules, Beauty and the Beast and Cars.

Clarabelle Cow

Marcellite Garner (1930-1935): She is only credited in a 1930 Disney short.

Elvia Allman (1935-1990): In the 70’s and 80’s, Elvia was a real estate agent. She even found a house for Mary Tyler Moore! In addition to voice work, she appeared in several television shows and films including I Love Lucy and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

April Winchell (1990-present): You’ve heard April as Terk in the Tarzan films (she took over for Rosie O’Donnell) and 101 Dalmatians: The Series as Cruelle De Vil. Besides doing voice work, April has hosted a radio talk show program and is also a comedienne.

Pete

Billy Bletcher (1932-1954): Notable credits include voicing the Munchkin Mayor and member of the Lollipop Guild in the Wizard of Oz as well as the Big Bad Wolf in Three Little Pigs.

Jim Cummings (1992-present): Jim has a very impressive roster of voice-over credits to his name. His lengthy character list includes Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, the Tasmanian Devil, Scar from the Lion King (singing voice) and Ray from The Princess and the Frog. Amazing!

Pluto

Pinto Colvig (1931-1961)

Bill Farmer (1990-present)

Have you recognized these voices anywhere else? Would you like a part two to this post? Let me know in the comments!