Russi Taylor, Voice Of Minnie Mouse Dies At 75
Russi Taylor's passing leaves the world of Disney speechless.
Getty Minnie Mouse is a legend in the Wonderful World of Disney. She and Mickey are two of the first characters made famous by Walt Disney. Their iconic silhouettes are almost as famed as their squeaky little voices. The most recognizable voice of Minnie Mouse is the voice of Russi Taylor. Starting in 1986, she was the voice of Minnie Mouse for over 30 years and for nearly 100 different projects. On Friday, July 26, 2019, Russi Taylor died in Glendale California. She lived a life full of whimsy, love and Disney magic, yet after her death, all we remember is her voice. Let’s celebrate the woman who voiced our childhoods. Let’s ask ourselves, who was Russi Taylor?
1. The Disney Community is devastated by her passing.
Disney fans, and fans of the lady mouse alike are mourning the loss of the angelic voice of Minnie Mouse. But the people who worked closely with her are hurting deeply due to the loss of their friend. The man who was the voice of Goofy, Bill Farmer, said after the news of her passing: “Russi was as close as family; as wonderful, funny, and sweet as Minnie Mouse, and as talented yet humble as you would expect. I will deeply and dearly miss her.” Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive officer of The Walt Disney Company said: “Minnie Mouse lost her voice with the passing of Russi Taylor. For more than 30 years, Minnie and Russi worked together to entertain millions around the world — a partnership that made Minnie a global icon and Russi a Disney Legend beloved by fans everywhere”.
2. Walt Disney was the first voice of Mickey Mouse
When Walt Disney decided to write Mickey Mouse a love interest, Minnie Mouse was who he created. In the original adaptations of the cartoon, Walt Disney gave Minnie her voice. After Walt, Marjorie Ralston was given the role. After just one film she decided not to continue with the company. Following Ralston, Marcellite Garner took the role and voiced Miss. Mouse for nine years. After that, Thelma Boardman took over, then Ruth Clifford and Janet Waldo. These appearances were sporadic and only lasted until 1974. Whenever no one was there to voice Minnie Mouse, she would appear on screen without any dialog. This includes the 12-year gap between 1974 and 1986 when finally, the lovely and universally adored Russi Taylor would take over the role until her death this year.
3. She was married to Mickey Mouse
As the torches were passed from voice actor to voice actor, Mickey to Mickey, Minnie to Minnie, Russi Taylor and Wayne Allwine took over and voiced the two mice for many years alongside one another. It seems they got caught up in their roles because just like the iconic duo, Alliwne and Russi fell in love. They wed in 1991 and stayed married for 18 years until Allwine passed away at 62 from complications of diabetes. After his death, Russi said: “Wayne was my hero,” Taylor told the New York Times, “He really loved doing Mickey Mouse and was very proud that he did it 32 years.”
4. She voiced other characters in the Disney Universe
Not only was she the voice of our forever loved Minnie Mouse, she also leant her voice to some other characters in the Disney-verse. She voiced not one, not two, but all three of Donald Duck’s nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louis! What a talented lady! She also voiced the pups Nanny and Lucky in 101 Dalmatians the Animated Story Book. Whenever Disney needs a voice, Taylor was always their to lend her own!
5. And she worked outside of Disney too!
She also did a lot of Voice acting outside of the Wonderful World of Disney. She got her start voicing Strawberry Shortcake in 1980 for the TV movie The World of Strawberry Shortcake and the TV series, Strawberry Shortcake. She was also the voice of Pebbles in The Flintstones Comedy Show. Taylor also worked on animated shows that weren’t made for children. She appeared on the TV series The Simpsons and The Simpsons Movie as Martin Prince. She has 196 IMDB credits but I think we can all say that our favorite of her voices is that sweet, squeaky little mouse.
6. She always knew what she wanted to do.
Taylor famously told the story of when she first met Walt Disney saying: “When I was a little girl, I was with my mom and my brother, and it was late at night at Disneyland. We had just come off the Mark Twain Riverboat and were getting some popcorn. I looked over and saw Walt sitting on a bench, so we introduced ourselves and shared our popcorn with him. At one point during our chat, he asked me what I wanted to do when I grow up, and I said, ‘I want to work for you!’ So he said, ‘Okay!’—and now I do!” In the true spirit of Minnie Mouse and the whole Disney clan, Ms. Taylor proves to us that you can truly make your dreams come true.