RUSSI TAYLOR, Original Voice of Minnie Mouse, Dies at 75

Russi Taylor, original voice actor of Minnie Mouse. Photo by: Monsters and Critics

The acclaimed voice actress who voiced Disney icon Minnie Mouse for 30 years, Russi Taylor, has died at the age of 75.

According to Digital Spy, The Walt Disney Company confirmed that Taylor passed away on July 26 (Friday). Disney CEO Bob Iger paid tribute to “a Disney legend” through a statement saying “Minnie Mouse lost her voice with the passing of Russi Taylor,” Iger said. “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.”

“We’re so grateful for Russi’s talent as well as the tremendous spirit and great joy she brought to everything she did. It was a privilege to have known her and an honour to have worked with her, and we take comfort in the knowledge that her work will continue to entertain and inspire for generations to come.”

“Russi will be sorely missed and our hearts go out to her family and friends, along with our deepest condolences.”

Russi Taylor and Minnie. Photo by: PressFrom

In 1986, Taylor won the role of Minnie Mouse after auditioning against 200 other hopefuls. Since then, she has been the official voice of the iconic Disney character for over 30 years in hundreds of Disney projects which includes movies, TV shows and theme park experiences.

Taylor was also married the original actor who voiced Mickey Mouse, Wayne Allwine, who passed away in 2009.

“Russi Taylor embodied the character of Minnie Mouse,” Rick Dempsey, the Senior Vice President for Disney Character Voices added.

“Russi Taylor embodied the character of Minnie Mouse,” Disney Character Voices’ Senior Vice President Rick Dempsey added.

“She truly was one of the kindest, most gracious, upbeat, and loving people I have ever had the privilege to work with and to count as a friend. Anytime anyone met Russi, their day would always get just a little bit brighter.

“Not only was she amazingly talented and gifted, but she had a true desire to make the world a better place with the gifts she was blessed with. The world has a lost a real treasure. She will truly be missed, but her voice will live on.”

 

Aside from Minnie Mouse, Taylor also voiced other Disney characters such as the nephews of Donald Duck. Huey, Dewey and Louie, in the original Ducktales animated series. Also, she voiced Martin Prince and twins Sherri and Terri in The Simpsons.