Rest in peace, Mickey Mouse. No, the little animated Disney icon isn’t being killed off – but Wayne Allwine, the man who gave him his voice for the last 32 years, died Monday of complications from diabetes. He was 62.
He was only the third person to voice Mickey, the other two being Walt Disney himself and Jimmy McDonald, who was Allwine’s mentor and chose him to continue the tradition.
He can be heard on “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” daily on Disney Channel, along with his wife, Russi Taylor, who is the voice of Minnie. Yes, Mickey and Minnie were married in real life, for 20 years. Pretty much anything Mickey since 1977 had Allwine’s voice behind it, including the theme parks, movies, and TV shows.
According to the Associated Press, “Roy E. Disney, director emeritus for The Walt Disney Co., said Allwine did more than give Mickey a voice. He "gave him a heart and soul as well."
"He did an incredible job of bringing emotion, humor and appeal to the character, and superbly carried on the tradition originated by my Uncle Walt, and later by sound-effects wizard Jimmy Macdonald."
Allwine is also survived by five children from a previous marriage: Erin, Alison, Peter, Christopher and Joshua.
