Disney Voice Actors Discussions- Jodi Benson

[UmbrellaFish]

<center>Jodi Benson (October 10, 1960- present)

</center>

Biography-
Made famous for playing the world’s favorite little mermaid, Jodi Benson was born Jodi Marie Mazorati in Rockford, Illinois on October 10th, 1960. During Christmas break in her Sophomore year at Millikin University, she auditioned for a role in a Broadway play and got it. From that point on she was on her way to success. In 1984 she married fellow performer, Ray Benson, both born-again Christians. Then, in 1989, she won out on the role that would make her legendary- Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

As Benson continued her career, she made guest spots on television series, Broadway shows, and films, and went on to voice Ariel many times in various sequels, spin-offs, and CD collections. She gave birth to her first child, McKinley Benson in 1999, and her daughter, Delaney Benson in 2001. When asked about her role as Ariel, she replies, “It was a God thing, you know. The Lord just plopped this miracle in my lap and it has been my passion and my ministry ever since.”

Filmography-
Lastelle’s Mother in Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, 1984
Ariel/Vanessa in The Little Mermaid, 1989
Thumbelina in Thumbelina, 1994
Belle in A Christmas Carol, 1997
Weebo in Flubber, 1997
Ann Darrow in The Mighty Kong, 1998
Barbie in Toy Story 2, 1999
Ariel in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, 2000
Asenath in Joseph: King of Dreams, 2000
Lady in Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure, 2001
Ariel in Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed it at the House of Mouse, 2001
Jenna in Balto: Wolf Quest, 2002
Anita in 101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure, 2003
Jenna in Balto III: Wings of Change, 2004
Sam in Enchanted, 2007
Ariel in The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning, 2008
Barbie in Toy Story 3, 2010

<center>
Benson voiced her best known role as Ariel in 1989.


Benson voiced Barbie in Toy Story 2 and is returning to the role for Toy Story 3 this year. </center>

TV-
Police Officer in “Hunter”, Cries of Silence, 1991
P.J. Sparkles in “P.J. Sparkles”, 1992
Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”, 1992-1994
Tula in “The Pirates of Dark Water”, 1991-1993
Performer in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame Festival of Fun Musical Spectacular”, 1996
Herself in “Guideposts Junction”, 1996
Luella Day in “The American Experience”, 1997
Mother in “Caroline in the City”, Caroline and the Egg, 1997
Amber O’Malley in “Pepper Ann”, Cocoon Gables/Green-Eyed Monster, 1998
Helen of Troy in “Hercules”, 1998-1999
Mother Cheetah in “The Wild Thornberries”, Cheetahs Never Prosper, 2000
Aquagirl in “Batman Beyond”, 2000
Joshua in “The Christmas Lamb”, 2000
Ariel in “The House of Mouse”, 2001-2002
Lenee in “Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe in Santa Claus”, 2002
Leila/Martha in “Kids’ 10 Commandments”, 2003
Choir Soloist in “The Brotherhood Of Poland, New Hampshire”, Sleeping Lions, 2003
Captain Torelli in “Duck Dodgers”, 2003-2004
Blue Fairy in “The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy”, 2004-2006
Patsy Smiles in “Camp Lazlo”, 2005-2007
Cloe in "The Save-Ums!", 2007

Video Games-
Atta in A Bug’s Life, 1998
Milliena/Reena in Grandia II, 2000
Ariel in Kingdom Hearts, 2002
Mother in Onimusha 3: Demon Siege, 2004
Ariel in Kingdom Hearts II, 2005
Ariel in Kingdom Hearts Final Mix+, 2007

<center>
Benson reprised her role as Ariel in the Kingdom Hearts videogames. </center>

Also Featured in-
Ariel in Mickey’s PhilharMagic in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Discography-
The Little Mermaid Soundtrack , 1990
Jodi Benson Sings Songs From the Beginner's Bible I, 1991
Jodi Benson Sings Songs From the Beginner's Bible II, 1992
The Little Mermaid: Splash Hits, 1992
Crazy for You Cast Recording, 1992
The Little Mermaid: Songs from the Sea, 1993
Unsung Musicals, 1994
Thumbelina Soundtrack, 1994
Songs of Guideposts Junction, 1995
Hollywood Christmas, 1996
The Little Mermaid II, 2000
Window on the World, 2003
Disney Princess Music Hits, 2004
Disney Princess Christmas Of Enchantment, 2005
Disney Princess Tea Party, 2005

<center>
Benson as Polly with Harry Groener in Crazy For You. </center>

Theatre-
Virginia in Marilyn: An American Fable, 1983, Broadway
Dora Hudson in Smile, 1986, Broadway
Tania in Dangerous Music, 1988, Jupiter, Florida
Betty Bursteter in Welcome to the Club, 1989, Broadway
Performer in Hooray! Hooray! Hollywood, 1991, Broadway
Flora in Flora, the Red Menace, 1990, Pasadena, California
Florence Vassey in Chess, Long Beach, California
Polly Baker in Crazy for You, 1992, Broadway
Performer in Broadway Canteen 7th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition, 1993, Broadway
Ado Annie in Oklahoma!, 1995, Los Angeles, California
Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, 1995, Glendale, California
Narrator in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, 1998, Broadway
Ensign Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, 1999, Dallas, Texas
Queen Constantina in Cinderella, 2010, Nashvillle, Tennessee
Anita in West Side Story, ???, Venice, Italy
Miss Edythe Herbert in My One and Only, ???, Europe

Tours-
??? in Sophisticated Ladies, ???, US Tour
Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, ???, US Tour
??? in Once Upon a Mattress, ???, International Tour

<center>
Benson at the 2008 Broadway opening of The Little Mermaid. </center>

Videos-
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvVS_564Wwk">
“In Harmony” from The Little Mermaid, 1992</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTUpudFM ... re=related">
“Daring to Dance” from The Little Mermaid, 1993</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f_rrsaj ... re=related">
“Let Me Be Your Wings Reprise” from Thumbelina, 1994</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y8df05E ... re=related">
“God Sees Inside Me” from Guidepost Junction, 1995 </a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl5F46wx ... re=related">
“Part of Your World”, 1998 music video</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDRYLV1e3dg&feature=fvw">
DVDizzy Jodi Benson Interview at The Little Mermaid III: Ariel’s Beginning Premiere, 2008</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2AJJbICEJs">
“Part of Your World” from NFFC Banquet, 2009 </a>


Sources-
<a href="http://www.filmreference.com/film/6/Jodi-Benson.html">
Jodi Benson- Film Reference.com</a>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodi_Benson">
Jodi Benson- Wikipedia</a>
<a href="http://www.artistopia.com/jodi-benson">
Jodi Benson- Artistopia</a>
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0072533/">
Jodi Benson- IMDb</a>

<center>Find Other Disney Voice Actors Discussions Here!

Wave One:
<a href="http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic. ... iscussions">
Wayne Allwine</a>
<a href="http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic. ... iscussions">
Eleanor Audley</a>
<a href="http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 915#509915">
Keith David</a>
<a href=“http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic. ... iscussions">
Paige O'Hara</a>
</center>

[UmbrellaFish]

This is part one of a series of discussions about Disney voice actors and their careers. I’ve been compiling these list for awhile now, and while it’s been fun, there are missing links and information that I couldn’t find out myself. If you know something else to add, or possibly see something that needs to be corrected, please tell me.

Also, part two should feature:
Barbara Luddy
Sterling Holloway
Verna Felton
Adriana Caselotti
Russi Taylor

So, with no further ado, let’s discuss Jodi Benson!

[estefan]

Fantastic as Ariel, really one of the winning combinations (along with Glen Keane and Sherri Stoner) in helping to bring her to life, though it was kind of strange hearing her play a teenager in Ariel's Beginning. She was hilarious as Barbie in the two Toy Stories.

[Super Aurora]

I met her. got an autograph from her on my platinum edition Little Mermaid dvd

[jpanimation]

One way to describe her voice...cute

[Disney Duster]

I heard she had a show called "The Benson Show".

[Poody]

Can I even tell you how much I love this woman? NO! Outside of all her Disney work also. I've had to search hard and low to find all of her albums. There's one you didn't list in the "Discography" (which I'm guessing is from wiki). I don't remember the title, but she sings with an African Children's choir. I had to order it from Europe!

She's doing two concerts in San Diego (my city!) this August!!!! Two nights. I'm going both. I'm hoping to meet her after and have her sign a bunch of crap. Yes.... I'm excited!!!!!!!

[slave2moonlight]

I'm very jealous, Poody! When I think of the things I truly, TRULY love, Jodi Benson's voice is HIGH on the list. I was obsessed with the Little Mermaid back when it came out. Ariel was/is the girl of my dreams (I tie her with Tink, of course, but Ariel's got that voice!). I was after all Jodi's albums back then too, but at the time there weren't so many and I have hardly bought CDs in years (no, I don't download music, I just have always been more focused on movies and have limited funds). In fact, back then I was still on cassettes, so I need to upgrade what I did get in addition to catching up with the rest of her discography. I did have her first Beginner's Bible album, the Crazy for You Soundtrack, and of course all her Disney stuff at the time. Her voice is just the ultimate for me, particularly in Ariel mode. I have an autograph of hers too, but sadly, I didn't get it in person. I saved up to buy it at Disney World during one of the handful of trips we made there when I was a teen. It hangs on my bedroom wall still, as does a Little Mermaid reproduction cel. In neither case did I get the exact artwork I wanted, but I'm still very happy to have both. I really adore this woman and I'm totally in love with her voice so much. I definitely am searching for a girl with a voice like that, ha.

[DisneyJedi]

Even if Ariel is a fictional character, it's because of Jodi Benson's amazing voice that I did and still do have a crush on that gorgeous mermaid.

And btw, I also love how angelic Jodi's voice is, too.

[UmbrellaFish]

I heard she had a show called "The Benson Show".

Hmm... I googled it, Duster, but nothing popped up. Was it a Broadway show or a television show (perhaps just a pilot?)?

Can I even tell you how much I love this woman? NO! Outside of all her Disney work also. I've had to search hard and low to find all of her albums. There's one you didn't list in the "Discography" (which I'm guessing is from wiki). I don't remember the title, but she sings with an African Children's choir. I had to order it from Europe!

She's doing two concerts in San Diego (my city!) this August!!!! Two nights. I'm going both. I'm hoping to meet her after and have her sign a bunch of crap. Yes.... I'm excited!!!!!!!

Now, how'd you know I got the discography off of Wikipedia? But if you can remember the title of that CD I'll add it onto the list.

And count me in as jealous! Have fun, though! Be sure to tell us about the concert!

Now, my own personal feelings about Jodi...

I have to say her voice is only second to Julie for me, that's how lovely it is. And when I read she was in "My Fair Lady", I freaked out! I tried to find some YouTube clips or something, but alas, I didn't find anything...

I found out, too late, that she was in a production of R&H's Cinderella in Nashville this May as the Queen. I would have gone and seen it if I had heard about it in time (in fact, I'll have to add that to the list...). I'd say that right now she's busy raising her family, but I hope she'll revitalize her Broadway career someday.

I've been thinking about writing her a fan letter. I gave somebody on here her fan mail adress a few years ago but I don't know if they ever sent her anything, or if they got a response.

[Poody]

Now, how'd you know I got the discography off of Wikipedia? But if you can remember the title of that CD I'll add it onto the list.

And count me in as jealous! Have fun, though! Be sure to tell us about the concert!

I knew that list was Wikipedia because I've "read over it" a few times to make sure I had all of those

Oh, the album is called "Window on the World"

and her concert is going to be called "Jodi Benson Sings Animated Movie Classics!" So she'll be singing lots of Disney stuff, plus others.

[UmbrellaFish]

I knew that list was Wikipedia because I've "read over it" a few times to make sure I had all of those

Oh, the album is called "Window on the World"

and her concert is going to be called "Jodi Benson Sings Animated Movie Classics!" So she'll be singing lots of Disney stuff, plus others.

Thanks again! It's been added!

And if you don't mind, I'd love it if you could post the concert songs once you've seen it. Surely she'll do stuff from TLM and Thumbelina!

[Poody]

^Will do!

[Luke]

Here is a picture from "The Benson Show":

<img src="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/images/a-c/benson1-02.jpg">

And on a more serious note, I was glad to see Ms. Benson have one of the leading roles of <i>Toy Story 3</i>, a part she clearly had fun semi-reprising. It's nice that her movie career hasn't just ended with Ariel.

[Atlantica]

There isnt a day that goes by when I dont hear this womans voice in some sort of capacity; she is, along with Ariel, my most beloved thing about Disney. It's so wonderful that she loves the character so much to play every single time Disney needs her. And you can tell from her interviews how much she loves Ariel, and that is so vital to the life of a character.

I brought this thread back up as I was changing round photographs in my room, and I found the responce to the letter I wrote her a few years ago. You see, I have a medical condition that sometimes makes me quite poorly, and have to go to hospital. One of those times, I was feeling pretty low, so I decided to write to her. I forgot about it for a few weeks, then suddenly, I got this letter back from her ! I'll never forget opening it; the package contained my letter, a photo signed by Jodi, and a note written on Disney paper saying how much she appreciated me writing to her, and how proud she was that she was able to help me through a tough time. She said whenever I put on any of her records, be it Ariel or whatever, she'll be there with me, helping me through it. I cried and cried when I got it, and have treasured it ever since. It now has pride of place on my wall, in my new flat Just thought I'd share !

[UmbrellaFish]

There isnt a day that goes by when I dont hear this womans voice in some sort of capacity; she is, along with Ariel, my most beloved thing about Disney. It's so wonderful that she loves the character so much to play every single time Disney needs her. And you can tell from her interviews how much she loves Ariel, and that is so vital to the life of a character.

I brought this thread back up as I was changing round photographs in my room, and I found the responce to the letter I wrote her a few years ago. You see, I have a medical condition that sometimes makes me quite poorly, and have to go to hospital. One of those times, I was feeling pretty low, so I decided to write to her. I forgot about it for a few weeks, then suddenly, I got this letter back from her ! I'll never forget opening it; the package contained my letter, a photo signed by Jodi, and a note written on Disney paper saying how much she appreciated me writing to her, and how proud she was that she was able to help me through a tough time. She said whenever I put on any of her records, be it Ariel or whatever, she'll be there with me, helping me through it. I cried and cried when I got it, and have treasured it ever since. It now has pride of place on my wall, in my new flat Just thought I'd share !

That's really lovely, atlantica. Thanks for sharing that.

[blackcauldron85]

That's awesome, atlantica!!! She seems like such a genuinely nice lady. And I love how she loves Disney- she's done so much work with them!

[Atlantica]

Not a problem It's always nice to hear personal stories about people you love like that. Well, I enjoy them anyway !

I do wonder now how involved some of these voice actors will be with Disney now; I mean, no sequels, no spin offs ... what is left for them to do ? I mean, with the Princesses, Jodi will presumably voice Ariel in the ride .... then is that it ? It seems as if they have almost given up on the new Princess website, everything is still 'coming soon' save for the first game that appeared months ago.

[UmbrellaFish]

I do wonder now how involved some of these voice actors will be with Disney now; I mean, no sequels, no spin offs ... what is left for them to do ? I mean, with the Princesses, Jodi will presumably voice Ariel in the ride .... then is that it ? It seems as if they have almost given up on the new Princess website, everything is still 'coming soon' save for the first game that appeared months ago.

I think Jodi is one of Disney's most dedicated voice actors (besides the voices behind Mickey and the gang), and I think Disney appreciates and understands that. Or at least I hope they do.

Even if most of her work as Ariel has been done and finished, I'd also like to see her further her career outside of Disney. I really hope she goes back to Broadway, someday.

[Poody]

well I went to both of the concerts she was featured in last weekend! They changed the theme of the show to simply "Movies with the Symphony" with Jodi as a guest. Ugh.

Here was her setlist:

Over The Rainbow
The Trolley Song
A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes)
Colors of the Wind
Part of Your World
Till There was You

Colors of the Wind was oddly enough the highlight for me!!!


aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I got to meet her after the show!!!! It was a dream come true! weeeee!!!