Voice Coaches would like to pay tribute to one of the most talented and well-known voice artists in the world, Wayne Allwine, who passed away due to complications from diabetes on May 18, 2009.
Mr. Allwine is best known for playing the voice of Mickey Mouse for over 30 years. After Walt Disney retired from the role in the 1940s, the voice of Mickey was taken over by Jimmy MacDonald, who eventually trained Allwine in the 1970s, making Allwine only the third person to portray Mickey Mouse on a regular basis. He is survived by his wife, also a prominent voice actor, Russi Taylor, who has portrayed Minnie Mouse since 1986. The couple was well known for not only voicing Mickey and Minnie Mouse, but also embodying all the best characteristics of the pair. They were both awarded a Disney Legend award in 2008, and it’s well known among the voice acting community that Wayne Allwine was an extremely kind, warm, and very well-liked gentleman who was delighted to take time out to be interviewed about his craft.
An acclaimed sound effects editor, Mr. Allwine inherited the job as the voice of Mickey in 1977. In his role as Mickey Mouse, you’ve heard Mr. Allwine in Disney movies and TV shows such as The New Mickey Mouse Club (1977-1978), Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983), The Prince and the Pauper (1990), A Goofy Movie (1995), the Kingdom Hearts video game (2002), Mickey, Donald, and Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004), and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006-2008), among other things. He also continued his sound effects work well into the 1980s.
It’s been a tough couple of years for the voice acting industry. It was just September 1st of last year that we lost Don LaFontaine, the voice behind thousands of movie trailers and probably the single most well-known voice actor around. Now, with the passing of Wayne Allwine, another voice acting legend is has stepped away from the mic. Fortunately, Mr. Allwine’s passion for his work will live on for generations to come in the form of the numerous Disney cartoons, movies, and television shows that he provided Mickey’s voice for.
Wayne was a real talent. I watch him every morning on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with my two-year-old twins. They love the show, and they both love Mickey Mouse because of Mr. Allwine’s contributions. His passing is a real loss to the the VO industry, Disney, and children’s television the world over.
Thanks for the memories, Mr. Allwine!
What a fantastic talent and career. He will be missed, even by those who never actually knew who he was. Things will just seem not quite right when they listen to Mickey and they won’t know why. We should all hope to have as impactful and interesting a career!
A sad time indeed. He will be missed.
One of the most famous animated characters with a most distinctive voice.
My daughter also loves the Clubhouse show.
Sad news. Thanks for letting me know.
Don and now Wayne.
What a great loss. Wayne brought such joy to children of all ages with his portrayal of Mickey. My heart goes out to his family for their loss.
This is very sad news. As one of only three regular voices for Mickey, he was in some pretty elite company. Whoever the next person is to voice Mickey on a regular basis will have to MIGHTY big shoes to fill.
By thy side,
John “Figaro” Norris
It is pretty amazing to think about a cartoon character who is a mouse enduring 8 decades of cultural icon status, loved my millions because of what he represents in all of us.
Wow…I’ve always loved Mickey (and his sweet voice), and never really thought about the man behind the Mouse.
Wayne Allwine definitely took an iconic character beloved by many and made him his own.
I am truly sad to hear of this great voice-over artist’s passing….
but take comfort in the fact that his talent and work will live on for many to enjoy in years to come.
It’s always sad when a voice is stilled, and an iconic voice such as that of Mickey Mouse makes it sadder still. We can all take solace in the thought that Wayne’s work made us smile, a lot, and will live on due to the magic of the medium. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”