Jodi Marie Benson (née Marzorati; born October 10, 1961)[1] is an American actress and singer. She is best known for providing the voice of Ariel in Disney's 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid and throughout other films, including its sequel, prequel, and television series spin-off, as well as many other Disney works. Benson also filled in for Paige O'Hara as the voice of Belle in House of Mouse and voiced the character Barbie in the second and third films of the Toy Story franchise (1999–2010), and in the Toy Story Toons short Hawaiian Vacation (2011). For her contributions to Disney, Benson was named a Disney Legend in 2011.[2]
Jodi Benson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Benson in 2023 | |
| Born | Jodi Marie Marzorati October 10, 1961[1] Rockford, Illinois, U.S.[1] |
| Alma mater | Millikin University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse | Ray Benson (m. 1984) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Disney Legend (2011) |
She also gave voice to the spirited "Weebo" in Disney's live action Flubber, starring Robin Williams. For Warner Bros., she did the voice of the title character in Thumbelina in 1994, a Don Bluth animated feature film with songs by Barry Manilow.[3] Her other projects include Secret of the Wings, Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure, 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure, Balto II: Wolf Quest, and Balto III: Wings of Change. She appeared as Patrick Dempsey's assistant Sam in Disney's live-action feature film Enchanted. While being a Disney Legend, she also voiced Jane Doe and Patsy Smiles in Cartoon Network's Camp Lazlo. She also voiced the character Tula in Hanna-Barbera's animated series The Pirates of Dark Water.
Personal life edit
Benson was born and raised in a Catholic family,[4] graduating from Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford, Illinois,[5] and Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.[6]
She experienced a religious conversion while dating actor/singer Ray Benson (not to be confused with frontman Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel).[4] The two of them later married in 1984,[7] and eventually had two children, a son (born 1999) and a daughter (born 2001).[8] An article originally published in 2013 by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said the couple "live north of Atlanta, GA."[9]
Career edit
This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (January 2023) |
Benson made her debut in the 1983 Kenny Ortega-directed "Marilyn: An American Fable". Other Broadway credits include a starring role in the 1986 Broadway musical Smile, where she introduced a song called "Disneyland". In 1987, Howard Ashman, the lyricist of Smile, would go on to write the lyrics for The Little Mermaid. She describes the song "Disneyland" at the "Smile" Reunion concert held on September 22, 2014, "This is the first piece of the puzzle of my life, the first step of the journey, so to speak". [citation needed] Benson also sings "Disneyland" on a compilation CD called Unsung Musicals. In 1989, Benson appeared in the Broadway musical, Welcome to the Club, alongside Samuel E. Wright, who performed the voice for Sebastian the Crab in The Little Mermaid.
In 1992, Benson received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Polly Baker in Crazy For You. She played the narrator in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1998.
In 2004–06, Benson contributed as the host and narrator of the children's Christian home video series called "Baby Faith", created by Integrity Publishers & FamilyTreeMedia.
In 2007, she played the secretary Sam in Disney's live-action/animated film, Enchanted.[10] Benson also played the Queen in a one-night concert version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in May 2010.[11]
She was at the 2012 SYTA conference singing her signature song "Part of Your World" on August 27, 2012.
She joined the "2013 Spring Pops" on May 14–15, 2013 as a guest soloist with the Boston Pops. Benson has been a frequent celebrity narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World, appearing most recently in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021.[12]
Benson can be heard on over a dozen recordings. Her animated TV series include the Emmy Award-winning Camp Lazlo for Cartoon Network, The Little Mermaid, Batman Beyond, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, The Wild Thornberrys, Barbie, Hercules: Zero to Hero, P. J. Sparkles, and the series Sofia the First for Disney.
On the concert stage, Benson has performed as a concert soloist with symphonies all over the world, including The Boston Pops, The Philly Pops (conductor: Peter Nero), The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (conductor: John Mauceri), The National Symphony (conductor: Marvin Hamlisch), Cleveland, Dallas, Tokyo, and the San Francisco and Chicago Symphonies. She starred in the Kennedy Center Honors for Ginger Rogers, and in Disney's Premiere in Central Park with Pocahontas, The Walt Disney World 25th Anniversary Spectacular and Disney's 100 Years of Magic. Benson is the resident guest soloist for the Walt Disney Company/Disney Cruise Line and ambassador for feature animation.
On June 6, 2016, Benson performed the role of Ariel at the Hollywood Bowl's concert performance of The Little Mermaid.[13] She also made a special appearance in ABC's 2019 live musical spectacular The Little Mermaid Live![14] Benson was originally going to reprise her role as Sam in the 2022 film Disenchanted, but her scene was cut from the movie.[15] She recently lent her voice to Ariel in the 2022 video game Disney Dreamlight Valley as well as singing as Ariel on various Disney Princess albums of the 2000s. From 1992 to 2011 she was the official voice of Barbie for Mattel and Pixar for projects such as Toy Story and Dance! Workout with Barbie, until the role was taken over by Kate Higgins starting with the series Life in the Dreamhouse.
The Little Mermaid edit
In late 1986, Benson first heard of the audition for The Little Mermaid through lyricist and playwright Howard Ashman. The two had just worked together in the Broadway show Smile until its run ended early. He knew she would be the perfect fit for the role and that she would be a great replica of Ariel.[16][17] After hearing the demo for "Part of Your World", she sang a small part of it on tape where it was later sent to Disney executives. Before her audition for The Little Mermaid, she was primarily a stage actress. It was Ashman's first Disney project. In early 1988, Benson won the role of Ariel and has been voicing her ever since.[16][18] She also made a cameo in the 2023 live-action adaptation of the film, directed by Rob Marshall, as a market vendor who hands Ariel (Halle Bailey) a fork during her tour of the kingdom.[19][20]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Little Mermaid | Ariel (voice) | |
| Vanessa (voice) | Vanessa is the Human alter-ego of Ursula. | ||
| 1992 | Dance! Workout with Barbie | Barbie (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| 1994 | Thumbelina | Thumbelina (voice) | |
| 1995 | Mickey's Fun Songs: Beach Party at Walt Disney World | Ariel (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| Guideposts Junction | Herself | A six-part Christian video series for children | |
| 1997 | Flubber | Weebo (voice) | |
| A Christmas Carol | Belle (voice) | ||
| 1998 | The Mighty Kong | Ann Darrow (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| 1999 | Toy Story 2 | Barbie (voice) | |
| 2000 | The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea | Ariel (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| Joseph: King of Dreams | Asenath (voice) | ||
| 2001 | Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure | Lady (voice) | |
| 2002 | Balto: Wolf Quest | Jenna (voice) | |
| Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe In Santa | Lenee (voice) | Television film | |
| 2003 | 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure | Anita (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| K10C: Kids' Ten Commandments | Leila (voice) | ||
| Martha (voice) | |||
| 2004 | Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind | Lastelle's Mother (voice) | English dub |
| Balto III: Wings of Change | Jenna (voice) | Direct-to-video | |
| 2004-2006 | Baby Faith: God Made Me (video series) | herself (narrator) | Integrity Publishing |
| 2007 | Enchanted | Sam | |
| 2008 | The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning | Ariel (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| 2010 | Toy Story 3 | Barbie (voice) | |
| 2011 | The Little Engine That Could | Jillian (voice) | |
| 2012 | Secret of the Wings | Healing-Talent Fairy (voice) | |
| 2018 | Ralph Breaks the Internet | Ariel (voice) | |
| 2023 | The Little Mermaid | Market Vendor | Cameo[19] |
| Once Upon a Studio | Ariel (voice) | Short film[21] |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Hunter | Police officer | Episode: "Cries of Silence" |
| 1991–1993 | The Pirates of Dark Water | Tula (voice) | 21 episodes |
| 1992 | P. J. Sparkles | P.J. (voice) | Television special |
| 1992–1994 | The Little Mermaid | Princess Ariel (voice) | 31 episodes |
| 1995–1996 | Guideposts Junction | Herself | TV Mini Series |
| 1997 | Caroline in the City | Mother | Episode: "Caroline and the Egg" |
| 1998 | Pepper Ann | Amber O'Malley (voice) | Episode: "Green Eyed Monster" |
| 1998–1999 | Hercules | Helen of Troy (voice) | 10 episodes |
| 2000 | The Wild Thornberrys | Mother Cheetah (voice) | Episode: "Cheetahs Never Prosper" |
| Batman Beyond | Aquagirl (voice) | Episode: "The Call" Parts 1 & 2 | |
| 2001–2003 | House of Mouse | Ariel, Belle (voices) | 3 episodes |
| 2003 | The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire | Choir Soloist | Episode: "Sleeping Lions" |
| 2004–2006 | The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | The Blue Fairy, Additional voices | 3 episodes |
| 2005–2008 | Camp Lazlo | Patsy Smiles, Ms. Jane Doe, Almondine (voices) | 21 episodes |
| 2011 | Toy Story Toons | Barbie (voice) | Episode: "Hawaiian Vacation" |
| 2013–2018 | Sofia the First | Princess Ariel, Queen Emmaline (voices) | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Singing Teacher (voice) | Episode: "St. Olga's Reform School for Wayward Princesses" |
| 2016 | Clarence | Diana (voice) | Episode: "The Tails of Mardrynia" |
| 2019 | The Little Mermaid Live! | Herself | TV special |
| 2022–present | The Wingfeather Saga | Nia Igiby/Wingfeather (voice) | Main Role |
| 2022 | The Loud House | Tammy Gobblesworth (voice) | Episode: “Flip This Flip” |
| 2023 | Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest | Princess Ariel (voice) | TV special |
Video games edit
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Ariel's Story Studio | Princess Ariel | |
| 1998 | A Bug's Life | Atta | Replacing Julia Louis-Dreyfus |
| 1999 | Disney's Arcade Frenzy | Princess Ariel | |
| 2000 | Grandia II | Millenia, Reena | [22] |
| Disney's Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge | Nasira | ||
| 2002 | Kingdom Hearts | Princess Ariel | English dub |
| 2004 | Onimusha 3: Demon Siege | Voice of Mother | [23] |
| 2005 | Kingdom Hearts II | Princess Ariel | English dub |
| 2007 | Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey | ||
| 2011 | Kinect Disneyland Adventures | ||
| 2012 | Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure | ||
| 2022 | Disney Dreamlight Valley | ||
| 2024 | Disney Speedstorm |
Theme parks edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Mickey's PhilharMagic | Princess Ariel | Voice role |
| 2011 | The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure |
Stage edit
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | Ensemble[24] | |
| 1983 | Marilyn: An American Fable | Factory Girl, Ensemble[24] | Broadway debut |
| 1984 | Sophisticated Ladies | Performer[24] | |
| 1986 | Smile | Doria Hudson[24] | |
| 1988 | Dangerous Music | Performer[25] | |
| 1989 | Welcome to the Club | Betty Bursteter[24] | |
| 1990 | Chess | Florence[26] | |
| 1992 | Crazy for You | Polly Baker[24] | |
| 1998 | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | Narrator[27] |
Discography edit
| Year | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Little Mermaid: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
| 1990 | Sebastian from The Little Mermaid | |
| 1991 | Precious Moments: Timmy's Gift | Performed the song Starlight Theme |
| Jodi Benson Sings Songs From the Beginner's Bible I | ||
| 1992 | Jodi Benson Sings Songs From the Beginner's Bible II | |
| The Little Mermaid: Songs from the Sea | ||
| Crazy for You Cast Recording | ||
| 1993 | The Little Mermaid: Splash Hits | |
| 1994 | Unsung Musicals | |
| Thumbelina: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | ||
| 1995 | Songs of Guideposts Junction | |
| 1996 | Hollywood Christmas | Various artists |
| 2000 | Songs from The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea & More! | |
| 2004 | Disney Princess: The Ultimate Song Collection | |
| Disney Princess Music Hits | ||
| 2005 | Disney's Princess Christmas Album | |
| Disney Princess Tea Party | ||
| 2006 | Ultimate Disney Princess |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Tony Award | Best Actress in a Musical | Crazy For You | Nominated |
| 2001 | Annie Awards | Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Female Performer in an Animated Feature Production | Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure | Nominated |
| 2011 | Disney Legend Award | Animation – Voice | The Little Mermaid | Won |
| 2011 | EDA Female Focus Awards | Best Animated Female | Toy Story 3 | Nominated |
References edit
- ^ a b c "Jodi Benson". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ "Video: Disney Princess voices, Regis Philbin, Hensons accept their Disney Legends awards at the 2011 D23 Expo". Inside the Magic. August 26, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ "GETTING ALONG SWIMMINGLY". January 10, 1992. Retrieved June 17, 2019 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
- ^ a b Gaither, Gloria (August 1, 2011). "Part Of Her World: Jodi Benson". Homecoming Magazine. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
I was born and raised in a Catholic environment, she has a sister. I would say it was a little more cultural than spiritual — a little bit more religious than relational. And I was drawing toward the Lord in middle school, but I didn't quite know how to have that personal relationship at the time. When I started dating my husband at 18, he introduced me to Christ, and asked, "Do you have a relationship with Jesus?" And I said, "I love Him, and I know He's the Son of God, but I don't think I have a relationship with Him — like I can talk to Him by myself without going through the priest and stuff." And so, I had a really big conversion when I was 19, and Ray is responsible for opening that relationship for me.
- ^ Braun, Georgette. "Little Mermaid star at Boylan fundraiser April 17". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- ^ Cain, Tim. "100 reason: Original Ariel voice launched from Millikin". Decatur Herald & Review. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ Breslauer, Jan (December 10, 1995). "Just Like a Fish to Water : Jodi Benson made a splash as the voice of Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid,' but she's really hitting her stride in musicals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Truitt, Brian (October 2, 2013). "'Little Mermaid' star Jodi Benson loves life as Ariel". USA Today. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Jothen, Tiffany (November 17, 2014). "Little Mermaid, Big Faith". Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- ^ Susman, Gary (November 20, 2017). "17 Things You Never Knew About Disney's 'Enchanted'". Movie Fone. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ Ellis, Jeffrey. "Headley, Mauzey, Benson Lead Starry Lineup for CINDERELLA, 5/14". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
- ^ DisneyParksBlog Candlelight Narrators Revealedaccessed 08-18-2023
- ^ JODI BENSON TO REPRISE HER ROLE AS ARIEL IN ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE OF THE LITTLE MERMAID: LIVE IN CONCERT Oh My Disney, Retrieved June 8, 2016
- ^ Coffey, Kelly (November 2, 2019). "Jodi Benson, original voice of Ariel, to appear in ABC's "The Little Mermaid Live!"". Inside the Magic. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
- ^ Anthony D'Alessandro (November 16, 2022). "'Disenchanted' Producer Barry Josephson On Why 'Enchanted' Sequel Went Straight To Disney+ – Crew Call Podcast". Crew Call with Anthony D'Alessandro (Podcast). Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ a b "An Interview with Jodi Benson, Voice of Ariel". blogs.disney.com. Disney Insider. 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
- ^ Truitt, Brian (October 2, 2013). "'Little Mermaid' star Jodi Benson loves life as Ariel". USA Today. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
- ^ "Jodi Benson: 25 Years Of Voicing Ariel". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
- ^ a b Sharf, Zack (May 12, 2023). "When Ariel Met Ariel: Halle Bailey Got Jodi Benson's 'Stamp of Approval' on 'Little Mermaid' Set and Was Told to 'Just Go for It'". Variety. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ Kickham, Dylan (June 5, 2023). "THE ORIGINAL ARIEL HAD A CAMEO IN THE NEW LITTLE MERMAID & IT'S A PERF EASTER EGG". Elite Daily. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ @Attractions (September 10, 2023). "We just saw a new animated short at #DestinationD23 called Once Upon a Studio featuring tons of characters from past Disney Animated films. It was so good, the creators got a one minute standing ovation when it ended" (Tweet). Retrieved September 15, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Jodi Benson (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 30, 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ^ Capcom (April 27, 2004). Onimusha 3: Demon Siege. Scene: Closing credits, 0:45 in, cast.
- ^ a b c d e f "Jodi Benson – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Ken Mandelbaum's MUSICALS ON DISC: Henry Krieger and Side Show". Playbill. December 14, 1997. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "STAGE REVIEW : Checkered 'Chess' Is No Grandmaster but It Has Flash". Los Angeles Times. October 11, 1990. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Osmond Second Generation Joseph Tour to End Sept. 27". Playbill. September 27, 1998. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
External links edit
- Jodi Benson at IMDb
- Jodi Benson at the TCM Movie Database
- Jodi Benson at the Internet Broadway Database
- Jodi Benson at the Disney Legends Website
- Performance Working in the Theatre seminar video at American Theatre Wing.org, April 1992
