Disney Legend Russi Taylor, best known as the voice of Minnie Mouse, died Friday at her home in Glendale, California. She was 75.
The Walt Disney Company confirmed Taylor's death Saturday, along with a statement from its CEO and chairman Bob Iger.
"Minnie Mouse lost her voice with the passing of Russi Taylor," he said. "For more than 30 years, Minnie and Russi worked together to entertain millions around the world—a partnership that made Minnie a global icon and Russi a Disney Legend beloved by fans everywhere. We’re so grateful for Russi’s talent as well as the tremendous spirit and great joy she brought to everything she did. It was a privilege to have known her and an honor to have worked with her, and we take comfort in the knowledge that her work will continue to entertain and inspire for generations to come. Russi will be sorely missed and our hearts go out to her family and friends, along with our deepest condolences."
Born in 1944 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Taylor took on the role of Minnie Mouse in 1987 and continued to voice the iconic character as recently as 2019. About four years after taking on Minnie Mouse, Taylor married Wayne Allwine, who had voiced Mickey Mouse from 1977 up until his death in 2009. Although Allwine had four children from previous marriages, the couple did not have any kids together.
Throughout her nearly four-decade career, the Emmy-nominated voice actress had contributed to many films, TV shows, and animated shorts, including The Simpsons (as Martin Prince), Fantasia 2000, The Smurfs, Muppet Babies, My Little Pony, DuckTales, The Wild Thornberrys, and Kim Possible.
The Simpsons' executive producer Al Jean expressed his condolences.
"You have to bring yourself to a character," Taylor once said about her Minnie Mouse work. "But because of this particular character, she actually enhances who I am, she really does. In a sense Minnie makes me better than I was before 'cause there's a lot to live up to [...] I never wanted to be famous. The characters I do are famous, and that's fine for me."
Fans, friends, and colleagues have taken to social media to honor the life and career of Taylor. You can read some of the messages below.
