Russi Taylor (1944-2019)

The animation community got some very sad news last weekend, as it was announced that legendary voice actor Russi Taylor had passed away at 75. Taylor is described most often as "the voice of Minnie Mouse," and while she did play that role for more than 30 years, it was just part of her stellar career. 

Her first credited role was the title role in Strawberry Shortcake in 1980, but she didn't voice Minnie for the first time until 1987 TV Movie Doggone Valentine. She appeared in roles of dozens of series such as Dungeons and Dragons, Teen Titans, The Smurfs, Kim Possible and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,  and films like Babe, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and My Neighbour Totoro. She also reprised the role of Minnie in several video games including The Kingdom Hearts series, Castle Of Illusion and Disney Infinity.

Outside of Minnie, several of her roles were no less iconic. She was the voice of Huey, Dewey and Louie in the original DuckTales, the voice of Gonzo in Muppet Babies and Martin Prince and twins Sherri and Terri in The Simpsons.

Most recently, she voiced Minnie in the new Mickey Mouse Shorts and in Mickey and The Roadster Racers, as well as voicing a young Donald Duck in the rebooted DuckTales. She voiced Minnie in the most recent Mickey Short Carried Away, which wonderfully shows off her talents.

She's had a simply phenomenal career in animation, featuring some of the most memorable voice performances in the medium's history. It's no exaggeration to say that anyone who has grown up at any time from the 80s on will have been touched in some way by her work.

Rest in peace, Russi. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and loved ones at this sad time.