Pat Carroll was an Emmy Award-winning actress who provided the voice of villain Ursula in the Disney classic, “The Little Mermaid.”
Acting career
Carroll’s acting career began in the 1940s, with roles in movies and TV shows as well as on Broadway. She was also a stand-up comedian in the 1950s. In 1955, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her Broadway debut in “Catch a Star!” For many, Carroll’s best-known role was also one she said was among her favorites: Ursula the Sea Witch. Deepening her voice to portray the drag queen-inspired “Little Mermaid” baddie, Carroll sang the memorable “Poor Unfortunate Souls” for the movie. She reprised the role of Ursula in the movie’s direct-to-video sequel as well as in the animated TV series “The Little Mermaid” and “House of Mouse” and, in her final role, for the Disney+ series “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” in 2020.
Carroll’s other voice acting credits include “A Pup Named Scooby Doo,” “A Goofy Movie,” and “Pound Puppies,” as well as the 2005 re-release of “My Neighbor Totoro.” She had a memorable guest role on “Laverne & Shirley” as Shirley’s mother, as well as making appearances on TV shows including “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Trapper John, M.D.,” “Designing Women,” and “ER.” She played wicked stepsister Prunella in the popular 1965 TV adaptation of “Cinderella.” Carroll’s movies included “With Six You Get Eggroll,” “Racing with the Moon,” and “Nancy Drew.”
Notable quote
“She is physically bigger than life, but she’s bigger than life in her head, in her voice, in her laughter, and in her meanness. She’s a mean old thing! I think people are fascinated by mean characters. There’s a fatal kind of distraction about the horrible mean characters of the world because we don’t meet too many of them in real life. So when we have a chance, theatrically, to see one and this one, she’s a biggie, it’s kind of fascinating for us.” —from a 2014 interview for Disney Parks Blog
Tributes to Pat Carroll
Pat Carroll gave us the greatest voice acting performance of a Disney villain ever.
She was perfection as Ursula. RIP
pic.twitter.com/YoqcO8OlwB
— Chris Peterson – OnStage Blog ?️⚧️?️? (@OnstageBlog) July 31, 2022
Many will connect Pat Carroll with their childhoods due to her memorable work as Ursula in THE LITTLE MERMAID (1989) – but she was part of my childhood due to reruns of CINDERELLA (1965). She and Barbara Ruick (left) played the Wicked Stepsisters. pic.twitter.com/mCtMbfJXJo
— Laura G (@LaurasMiscMovie) July 31, 2022
I’m sad to hear that Pat Carroll passed away at the age of 95. A legend on stage, TV, and film, she’s done a lot of amazing work throughout the years including in animation voicing Ursula in The Little Mermaid and Granny in the English dub of My Neighbor Totoro. I’ll miss her. pic.twitter.com/II760hY9kH
— Animated Antic (@Animated_Antic) July 31, 2022
We all love Pat Carroll for her unforgettable performance as Ursula in The Little Mermaid, but she’s also done some other wonderful voiceover work like Grandma from the Garfield specials. This part especially is one of her best moments. pic.twitter.com/Gq6MJcHGC2
— Mat Brunet (AniMat) (@AniMat505) July 31, 2022
Aw man, how sad. What a memorable and distinct voice she had. For someone who seemed so nice, she sure could bring a villain to life. I love this picture of her with Jodi Benson at DCA. RIP Pat Carroll. pic.twitter.com/YngcHHl6nJ
— Sam Carter (@Cartarsauce) August 1, 2022
Pat Carroll played an LGBTQIA+ icon in Ursula. Ursula herself was inspired by LGBTQIA+ and camp icon Divine, and was dreamed up by an amazing LGBTQIA+ artist in Howard Ashman. And she played Ursula with unabashed gusto till the end. Rest in peace, queen. You deserve it. https://t.co/JaOrRwctLG
— ??️⚡ Drohan?Megaplex 2022??️⚡ (@Tio_Drohan) July 31, 2022
One of comedy’s perennial sidekicks, Pat Carroll was a second banana to Sid Caesar, Red Buttons, Danny Thomas, and Red Skelton.
She was one of the most prominent women comedians of the 1950s.
A great deal of my book The Comedians was based on the backstory she provided. pic.twitter.com/o86UfvuyLK
— Kliph Nesteroff (@ClassicShowbiz) August 1, 2022
It is such a shame to hear that Pat Carroll has passed away at the age of 95. One of her last roles she has done was actually in an episode of Wonderful World where she reprised her role as Ursula. God bless her soul and may she rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/5A2sfqJlI9
— OoC Paul Rudish Mickey Mouse (@MickeyRudishOoC) August 1, 2022
Pat Carroll . One of the most glorious, remarkably hilarious actors who could make you cry with laughter and weep with her depth and profundity . An amazing woman . Generous artist . Thank you . Your work your spirit will live on . RIP ??❤️? pic.twitter.com/k5QJqlEQfx
— Charlie Adler (@charlie_adler) August 1, 2022
Full obituary: The New York Times
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