Russi Taylor
{{Short description|American voice actress (1944–2019)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Russi Taylor
| image = File:Russi Taylor (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Taylor in 2018
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1944|05|04}}
| birth_place = {{nowrap|Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|07|26|1944|05|04}}
| death_place = Glendale, California, U.S.
| resting_place = Forest Lawn Memorial Park
| occupation = Voice actress
| years_active = 1976–2019
| spouse = {{marriage|Wayne Allwine|1991|May 18, 2009|reason=died}}
}}
Russi Taylor (May 4, 1944 – July 26, 2019) was an American voice actress. She was best remembered for voicing the character of Minnie Mouse in English from 1986 to 2019, and was married to voice actor Wayne Allwine, the voice of Mickey Mouse, until his death on May 18, 2009. She was the longest-tenured voice actress to voice the character, having held the role for 33 years. She also provided the voices of several characters in The Simpsons.
Early life
Taylor was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 4, 1944.
Career
Taylor began her voice-over career in the mid-1970s. Her first voice-over role was the voice of Ted and Georgette's baby on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.{{cite news|author=Mark Olsen|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-07-28/russi-taylor-voice-of-minnie-mouse-dies-at-75.html|title=Russi Taylor, longtime voice of Minnie Mouse, dies at age 75. - LATimes.com|newspaper=latimes.com|date=July 28, 2019 |access-date=October 27, 2019}} Taylor became the voice of Minnie Mouse in 1986, and continued to voice the character for 33 years until her death in 2019.{{cite web |last1=Mizoguchi |first1=Karen |title=Russi Taylor, Voice of Minnie Mouse, Dies at 75: Actress 'Will Be Sorely Missed,' Says Bob Iger |url=https://people.com/movies/russi-taylor-voice-of-minnie-mouse-dies-at-75/|website=people.com |publisher=Meredith Corporation |access-date=August 23, 2019}} She also voiced Huey, Dewey, and Louie and Webby Vanderquack in the television series DuckTales and in other appearances. Taylor provided the voices of numerous characters in the animated series The Simpsons, including fourth-grade nerd Martin Prince, purple-haired twins Sherri and Terri and German exchange student Üter.{{cite news |title=Russi Taylor, longtime voice of Minnie Mouse, dies at 75 |agency=Associated Press|date=July 27, 2019 |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-et-disney-russi-taylor-minnie-mouse-voice-dies-20190728-myru6rsztjgm7ds2k7bf4oem7e-story.html%3foutputType=amp}} After her death, The Simpsons producers hired Grey DeLisle to succeed her.{{cite tweet|first=Al|last=Jean|user=aljean|author-link=Al Jean|number=1193548440690724864|title=.@TheSimpsons New episode tonight! Please welcome @GreyDeLisle as the new voice of Sherri, Terri and Martin Prince.|date=November 10, 2019}}
She voiced Pebbles Flintstone in The Flintstone Comedy Show for Hanna-Barbera in 1980.{{cite news |date=July 27, 2019 |title=Russi Taylor, the voice of Minnie Mouse, has died at 75 |work=CBS News|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/minnie-mouse-voice-disney-star-russi-taylor-dead-at-75-cause-not-released-2019-07-27/}} Taylor was also the original voice of Strawberry Shortcake and the voice of Baby Gonzo in Muppet Babies, Nova in Twinkle, the Dream Being, Pac-Baby in the television series Pac-Man, the high-pitched Nurses that were mice in The Rescuers Down Under, Melissa in the Pound Puppies episode Garbage Night: The Musical, Queen Rosedust in My Little Pony and Birdie the Early Bird in McDonaldland commercials. She was also the voice of Drizella and the Fairy Godmother in the Cinderella sequels, Cinderella II: Dreams Come True and Cinderella III: A Twist in Time.{{Cite web|url=http://www.emuck.com:3000/archive/allwine-taylor.html|title=Allwine/Taylor Invited Talk Transcript|website=Emuck.com|access-date=July 28, 2019}}
Personal life
Taylor was married to Wayne Allwine, the third voice of Mickey Mouse, from 1991 up until his death in 2009.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-wayne-allwine21-2009may21-story.html |title=Wayne Allwine, voice of Mickey Mouse, dies at 62 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=May 21, 2009 |last=McLellan |first=Dennis |access-date=July 28, 2019}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-05-21/voice-of-mickey-mouse-dies/1690046|title=Voice of Mickey Mouse dies |date=May 21, 2009 |work=ABC News |access-date=July 28, 2019 |author=((Reuters)) |author-link=Reuters |publisher=ABC Online |agency=ABC}}{{cite web |last1=Flores |first1=Terry |title=Longtime Voice Actress Russi Taylor on Playing Minnie Mouse and Falling for Mickey in Real Life |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/features/voice-actress-russi-taylor-minnie-mouse-mickey-1202005488/ |website=Daily Variety |date=March 9, 2017 |access-date=August 23, 2019}} In 2008, a year before Allwine's death, they were both named Disney Legends.{{Cite web |url=https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/russi-taylor/ |title=Russi Taylor |work=D23.com |access-date=July 28, 2019 |publisher=Disney}}
Death
Taylor died from colon cancer on July 26, 2019, at her home in Glendale, California, at the age of 75.{{cite news |url=https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-legend-russi-taylor-dies-at-75/|title=Disney Legend Russi Taylor Dies at 75 |work=The Walt Disney Company |date=July 27, 2019 |access-date=July 27, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/28/obituaries/russi-taylor-minnie-mouse-dead.html|department=Obituaries |title=Russi Taylor, the Voice of Minnie Mouse and 'Simpsons' Characters, Dies at 75 |first=Derrick Bryson|last=Taylor|work=The New York Times|date=July 28, 2019|access-date=July 28, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/7/28/8933600/russi-taylor-minnie-mouse-voice-dies-obituary-disney-mickey-mouse|title=Russi Taylor, voice of Minnie Mouse for three decades, dies at 75|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=July 28, 2019|access-date=July 28, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/russi-taylor-dies-voice-of-minnie-mouse-was-75-1202655753/|title=Russi Taylor Dies: Voice Of Minnie Mouse Was 75|last=Haring|first=Bruce|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 27, 2019|access-date=July 28, 2019}} She is now interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park next to Allwine's grave.
Filmography
=Film=
| class = "wikitable sortable"
|+ List of voice performances in feature films ! Year ! Title ! Role(s) ! Notes |
| 1980
| Doll |
| rowspan=2 | 1986
| Morning Glory, Rosedust, Skunk, Bushwoolie |
| The Adventures of the American Rabbit
| Mother, Lamb |
| 1987
| Huey, Dewey, Louie, Grandma Duck |Short film |
| 1988
| Minnie Mouse, Birds |
| rowspan=3 | 1990
| Fergie Furbelow |
| DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp
| Huey, Dewey, Louie, Webby |
| The Rescuers Down Under
| Nurse Mouse |
| rowspan=2 | 1995
| Babe | Duchess |
| Runaway Brain
| Minnie Mouse | Short film |
| 1998
| The Pink Poodle, Choir Cat |
| 1999
| Daisy Duck | Screaming only |
| 2005
| Pom Poko | Otama |
| 2007
| Martin Prince |
| 2013
| ''Get a Horse! | Minnie Mouse |
| class = "wikitable sortable"
|+ List of voice performances in direct-to-video and television films ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 1989
| The Adventures of Ronald McDonald: McTreasure Island | Birdie, Parrot | |
| 1990
| Disney Sing-Along Songs: Disneyland Fun | rowspan=2 | Minnie Mouse | |
| 1994–95
| Mickey's Fun Songs series | |
| 1995
| Pie Lady |
| rowspan=2 | 1998
| Minnie Mouse | |
| The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
| Robbie |
| 1999
| Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas | Minnie Mouse, Huey, Dewey, Louie |
| 2001
| Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse | Minnie Mouse | |
| rowspan=2 | 2002
| Cinderella II: Dreams Come True | Fairy Godmother, Mary, Beatrice, Daphne, Countess Le Grande, Drizella Tremaine |
| Mickey's House of Villains
| rowspan=2 | Minnie Mouse | |
| rowspan=3 | 2004 |
| Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas
| Minnie Mouse, Huey, Dewey, Louie | |
| Nine Dog Christmas
| Little Girl, Agnes Anne |
| 2006
| Widow Tweed | |
| rowspan=3 | 2007
| Cinderella III: A Twist in Time | Fairy Godmother, Drizella Tremaine |
| Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams
| Fauna |
| Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt
| Minnie Mouse |
| 2008
| Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King | The Owl Witch, Tiddlywink |
| rowspan=2 | 2009
| Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland | rowspan=3 | Minnie Mouse |
| Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo-Choo Express |
| 2010
| Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally |
| 2011
| Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure | Minnie Mouse, Quoodles |
| rowspan=2 | 2013
| Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's The Wizard of Dizz | Minnie Mouse |
| Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Super Adventure!
| Minnie Mouse/Wonder Minnie |
| 2014
| Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's Winter Bow Show | Minnie Mouse, Quoodles |
| rowspan=2 | 2015 |
| Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Monster Musical
| Minnie Mouse |
| rowspan=2 | 2016
| Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: A Goofy Fairy Tale | Minnie Mouse (as herself and as Gretel Mouse) |
=Television=
| class = "wikitable sortable"
|+ List of voice performances in television shows ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 1976
| Ted and Georgette's Baby | 1 episode |
| 1980
| The World of Strawberry Shortcake | Strawberry Shortcake | |
| rowspan=2 | 1980–81
| Pebbles Flintstone, Cavemouse | 19 episodes |
| Heathcliff
| Barbie Winslow | 13 episodes |
| 1981–89
| Smoogle | |
| 1981
| Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City | rowspan=2 | Strawberry Shortcake | |
| rowspan=3 | 1982
| Strawberry Shortcake: Pets on Parade | |
| The Little Rascals
| Dolly | |
| Christmas Comes to Pac-Land
| rowspan=2 | Pac-Baby | |
| 1982–83
| Pac-Man | 17 episodes |
| rowspan=2 | 1983
| Peter and the Magic Egg | Lollichop | |
| Strawberry Shortcake: Housewarming Surprise
| Strawberry Shortcake | |
| 1983–85
| Amber the Fairie Dragon | |
| 1984
| Strawberry Shortcake and the Baby Without a Name | Strawberry Shortcake | |
| 1984–91
| Gonzo, Camilla, Robin | 107 episodes |
| 1985, 1994
| Hasy, Leota | Episode: "The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin" |
| rowspan=3 | 1985
| Strawberry Shortcake Meets the Berrykins | Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberrykin | |
| Kissyfur
| Miss Emmy Lou, Beehonie, Toot, Cackle Sister, Donna | |
| Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears
| Madame Placebo | |
| rowspan=2 | 1986
| Rosedust, Cupcake, Morning Glory | |
| Glo Friends
| Glo Cappy | |
| rowspan=3 | 1987
| Huey, Dewey, Louie, Grandma Duck | Special |
| Blondie and Dagwood
| Cora Dithers, Mrs. Hannon |
| D-TV series
| Minnie Mouse, Dalmatian Puppies | |
| rowspan=2 | 1987–88
| Ralphie | 18 episodes |
| Yogi's Treasure Hunt
| Candy Girl | Episode: "The Greed Monster" |
| 1987–90
| Huey, Dewey, Louie, Webby | 92 episodes |
| rowspan=4 | 1988
| Minnie Mouse | |
| Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School
| Phantasma | Special |
| Superman
| Lana Lang (young) | |
| The Magical World of Disney
| Minnie Mouse | Episode: "Mickey's 60th Birthday" |
| 1989–90
| Squirt | |
| 1989
| Blondie & Dagwood: Second Wedding Workout | Cora Dithers |
| 1990–2019
| Sherri, Terri, Martin Prince, Wendell Borton, Uter Zorker, Lewis Clark, Martha Prince, Sydney Swift | 193 episodes |
| 1990–91
| Widget | |
| 1990
| Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue | Gonzo, Huey, Dewey, Louie | |
| 1990–96
| Esmeralda | |
| 1991–93
| Brattus, Dust Bullies | |
| rowspan=2 | 1992
| Mickey's Nutcracker | Minnie Mouse | Uncredited |
| Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
| Unaired pilot |
| 1992–94
| Pearl's Mom | |
| 1992–93
| Nova | |
| 1993–94
| Bonkers | Missing Toon Kid | |
| rowspan=3 | 1993
| Baby Pebbles Flintsone | Television film |
| The Magic Paintbrush
| Haley |
| Biker Mice from Mars
| Weathermeister | Episode: "Chill Zone" |
| 1994–95
| Penny Tompkins, Effeminate Kid | 10 episodes |
| rowspan=2 | 1994
| Aladdin | Woman | |
| A Flintstones Christmas Carol
| Pebbles Flintsone | Special |
| rowspan=2 | 1995
| Momma |
| Capitol Critters
| Bluebird | |
| 1995–99
| Fairy | |
| 1995–97
| Baby, Hard Luck Duck |
| 1995–96
| The Hot Rod Dogs and Cool Car Cats | Carbs, Jag | 7 episodes |
| 1996
| Helga Needlehofer | Episode: "Take My Duck, Please" |
| 1999
| Inga |
| 1999–2000
| Minnie Mouse, Clara Cluck | |
| 2000–01
| Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Becky, Old Lady |
| 2001–03
| Minnie Mouse, Clara Cluck, Fairy Godmother, Duchess, Fauna, Toothpaste Commercial Boy | 51 episodes |
| 2002
| Various characters | Vitello dub{{cite web|url=http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/crayon-shin-chan-1992/|title="Crayon Shin Chan" (1992) | first=Charles |last=Brubaker | date=February 18, 2015 | work=Cartoon Research | access-date=January 31, 2017}} |
| 2003
| Rocket Booster #2 | |
| 2003–04
| Mrs. Zablione, Tricsie |
| 2003–07
| Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks | Fernando "Ferny" Toro, Annie Winks, Mom | 46 episodes |
| 2005
| Melvin, Timmy |
| 2006–16
| Minnie Mouse, Quoodles | 121 episodes |
| rowspan=2 | 2011–16
| Minnie Mouse | 40 episodes |
| Jake and the Never Land Pirates
| Never Bird, Gilly, Hermit Crab | 16 episodes |
| 2012
| Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess | Fauna |
| rowspan=2 | 2013
| Fauna, Cedric's Mother, Mrs. Higgins |
| Wheel of Fortune
| Minnie Mouse | Episode: Making Disney Memories Week |
| 2013–19
| Minnie Mouse, Huey, Dewey, Louie |
| rowspan=2 | 2016
| Muhanga the Aardvark and Mbuni the Ostrich |
| Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special
| Minnie Mouse, Huey, Dewey, Louie |
| 2017
| The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular | Minnie Mouse, Huey, Dewey, Louie, The Witch |
| 2017–21
| Mickey and the Roadster Racers/Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures | Minnie Mouse, Clara Cluck, Mrs. McSnorter |
| rowspan=3 | 2018
| Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure | Florina, Lorb Guard |
| OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes
| Phantasma |
| DuckTales
| Young Donald Duck |
=Video games=
| class = "wikitable sortable"
|+ List of voice performances in video games ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 1990
| DuckTales: The Quest for Gold | Huey, Dewey, Louie, Webby | |
| 1992
| King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow | Celeste | |
| 1993
| Quest for Glory: Shadows of Darkness | Tanya Markarov | |
| 1996
| rowspan=2 | Martin Prince | |
| rowspan=2 | 1997
| The Simpsons: Virtual Springfield | |
| 101 Dalmatians Animated StoryBook
| Lucky, Nanny | |
| 1998
| Minnie Mouse | |
| 1999
| Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned | Simone |
| rowspan=5 | 2000
| Mickey Mouse Preschool | Minnie Mouse, Huey, Dewey, Louie |
| Mickey Mouse Kindergarten
| Minnie Mouse |
| Mickey Mouse Toddler
| Minnie Mouse, Gopher |
| The Flintstones: Bedrock Bowling
| Pebbles Flintstone |
| Donald Duck Goin' Quackers
| Huey, Dewey, Louie | |
| 2001
| Disney Learning: Phonics Quest | rowspan=4 | Minnie Mouse | |
| rowspan=8 | 2002
| Disney Learning Adventure: Search for the Secret Keys | |
| Kingdom Hearts
| |
| Disney Golf
| |
| Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows
| Huey, Dewey, Louie | |
| Disney Sports Soccer
| Minnie Mouse, Huey, Dewey, Louie | |
| Disney Sports Skateboarding
| Minnie Mouse | |
| Disney Sports Football
| rowspan=2 | Minnie Mouse, Huey, Dewey, Louie | |
| Disney Sports Basketball
| |
| rowspan=2 | 2003
| rowspan=2 | Minnie Mouse | |
| Disney's Hide and Sneak
| |
| 2006
| Minnie Mouse, Fauna | |
| rowspan=2 | 2007
| Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey | Fairy Godmother, Student Crab | |
| The Simpsons Game
| Martin Prince, Sherri, Terri, Uter Zorker | |
| rowspan=2 | 2008
| WALL-E | Axiom Passenger | |
| Disney Think Fast
| Minnie Mouse | |
| 2010
| Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep | Minnie Mouse, Drizella Tremaine, Fairy Godmother, Fauna, Huey, Dewey, Louie | |
| 2011
| Kinect Disneyland Adventures | rowspan=2 | Minnie Mouse | |
| 2012
| Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance | |
| rowspan=2 | 2013
| Huey, Dewey, Louie, Webby | |
| Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
| rowspan=3 | Minnie Mouse | |
| 2014
| |
| 2015
|{{Cite video game | title = Disney Infinity 3.0 | year = 2015 | scene=Closing credits, 5:39 in, Featuring the Voice Talents of| developer=Avalanche Software}} |
| 2019
| Huey, Dewey, and Louie | |
=Theme park attractions=
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of voice performances in theme parks ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 2003
| rowspan="2" | Minnie Mouse | Unseen |
| 2020
| Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway | Posthumous |
Awards and nominations
{{more citations needed|section|date=November 2020}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Awards and nominations ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Title ! Result !Refs |
| rowspan=2 | 2005
| DVDX Award | Best Animated Character Performance | Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas | {{nom}} | |
| Annie Awards
| Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production | rowspan=4 | Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks | {{nom}} | |
| 2006
| rowspan=2 | Daytime Emmy Award | rowspan=2 | Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program | {{nom}} | |
| rowspan=2 | 2007
| {{nom}} | |
| Annie Awards
| | Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production | {{nom}} | |
| 2008
| Animation - Voice | | {{won}} | |
| rowspan=2 | 2012
| Behind the Voice Actors Special/DVD Voice Acting Award | Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short | Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess | {{nom}} | |
| Behind the Voice Actors Video Game Voice Acting Award
| Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game | Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance | {{won}} |
| rowspan=3 | 2013
| Behind the Voice Actors Special/DVD Voice Acting Award | rowspan=2 | Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Children's/Educational | rowspan=2 | Mickey Mouse Clubhouse | {{nom}} | |
| rowspan=5 | Behind the Voice Actors Television Voice Acting Award
| {{won}} |
| Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role - Comedy/Musical
| {{nom}} | |
| rowspan=4 | 2014
| Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role - Comedy/Slapstick | {{nom}} | |
| Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series - Children's/Educational
| {{nom}} | |
| Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Children's/Educational
| Jake and the Neverland Pirates | {{nom}} | |
| NAVGTR Award
| Best Performance in a Comedy, Supporting | {{nom}} | |
| rowspan=2 | 2015
| rowspan=2 | Behind the Voice Actors Television Voice Acting Award | rowspan=2 | Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role - Children's/Educational | {{nom}} | |
| Minnie's Bow-Toons
| {{nom}} | |
| 2018
| Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance | The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular! | {{nom}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- {{IMDb name|id=0853122}}
- {{tcmdb name|id=189727%7C0|name=Russi Taylor}}
- {{Find a Grave|201576420}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before = Ruth Clifford
| title = Voice of Minnie Mouse
| years = 1986–2019
| after = Kaitlyn Robrock}}
{{s-end}}
{{Disney Legends Awards 2000s}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Russi}}
Category:Actresses from Cambridge, Massachusetts
Category:American radio actresses
Category:American video game actresses
Category:Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
Category:Deaths from colorectal cancer in California