Pat Carroll Voice of Ursula in The Little Mermaid and Comedy Star Dies Aged 95

Fans of animation and classic TV comedy are in mourning as it has been confirmed Pat Carroll has died aged 95. Her daughter and fellow actress Tara Karsian who also appeared with her mother in the film BFFs which she co-wrote. 

Carroll early in her career appeared in classic TV comedy, appearing in nearly every variety show including The Steve Allen show, The Red Buttons Show, The Danny Kaye Show, The Red Skelton Show, and The Carol Burnett Show. She won a Grammay Award for Best Spoken, Word, Documentary or Drama for her one woman show on Gertrude Stein. She also was the recipitent of an Emmy and a Drama Desk Award and was a Tony Nominee. 

She also appeared in the 1965 Rodger's and Hammerstein production of Cinderella as the villainous stepsister Prunella. She also appeared in Laverne and Shirley, the 2007 film adaptation of Nancy Drew and many more.

But it's perhaps her voiceover work that many will best know her from. She appeared in shows like A Pup Named Scooby-Doo and film My Neighbour Totoro. She also appeared in the 1988 Superman cartoon and Legends of the Superheroes making a small impact on the comicbook world. 

She'll also be best remembered as Jon's fun loving Grandma Arbuckle across the various Garfield Animated Specials.

But her iconic voice and memorable laugh is perhaps best remembered and forever immortalised as the villainous Sea-Witch Ursula in The Little Mermaid. She gained the role after the likes of Bea Arthur was offered but never was able to talk to the filmmakers and actress Elaine Stritch vacated the role after disagreeing on how to perform the classic villain song Poor Unfortunate Souls.

Carroll returned to the role many times including in the TV series, the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise, House Of Mouse and as recently as 2 years ago in 2020 in The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse. Aged 93 at the time she still had the ability to terrify young audiences, forever with that memorable villainous laugh. She also appeared in the direct-to-video sequel as her sister Morgana.

Our condolences to Ms. Carroll's family, friends and those she touched. RIP. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgsIOfHvBkK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading