Pat Carroll, the actress who voiced Disney’s iconic villain Ursula in the original The Little Mermaid, sadly passes away at the age of 95.
Pat Carroll, the actress who voiced the villainous Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, has passed away at the age of 95. The American actress was born in 1927 in Louisiana, and gained her first credit in 1948’s Hometown Girl. Her early career saw her guest star on several television series and variety shows, including an Emmy-winning part on Caesar’s Hour. As a performer, Carroll also played larger-than-life characters in musicals, such as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1965 Cinderella adaptation.
By the 1980s, the experienced Carroll became a frequent voice actress in cartoons from A Pup Named Scooby-Doo and Garfield. She even lent her tones to the American re-dub of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro in 2005. Her most recognisable turn, however, was playing the sea witch Ursula in Disney’s 1989 classic The Little Mermaid. The role became a career-defining moment for the veteran performer, as she continued to reprise Ursula in all manners of spin-off media over the last three decades, including the Kingdom Hearts video game series and the direct-to-video Little Mermaid sequel films.
Sadly, THR reports that the 95-year-old actress has passed away this week. The generation-crossing performer died at her family home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, after suffering with pneumonia. The news was confirmed by her daughter, Kerry Karsian, yesterday on July 31. Carroll leaves behind an extensive and talented family, including her other two daughters with late former husband Lee Karsian: Tara, an actress, and Kerry, a casting director.
Fittingly, Carroll’s final performance was as the iconic Ursula one more time in a cameo appearance in The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse in 2020. Her final recurring role was as the voice of Old Lady Crowley in Disney’s Tangled The Series. Carroll’s last live-action appearance was as Joan in the 2014 comedy film BFFs. The actress’ beloved Disney character is set to return to screens in the studio’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, though this time Carroll’s original role will be played by Hollywood comedy star Melissa McCarthy.
The voice of one of Disney’s most recognisable villains, Pat Carroll leaves behind a huge legacy in film, television and the stage. Recognised by audiences of several generations the world over, the actress was as iconic for children of the 1950s for her variety shows as she is today for her animation and movie work. Her talented performance of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” in The Little Mermaid one of Disney’s fan-favorite villain ballads, will live on for years to come. May she rest in peace.
Source: THR
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