Edmonton, Alberta-born voice actor and impersonator Eddie Carroll died yesterday, at age 76. Upon Cliff Edward's death in 1971, Carroll was given the role of Jiminy Cricket, voicing him in numerous productions from 1973 onward.
His voice can be heard in 1983 film Mickey's Christmas Carol, home videos like Jiminy Cricket's Christmas and Disney Sing-Along Songs, four occasions on The House of Mouse, and an array of video games, including all of the Kingdom Hearts titles.
His one-man show Jack Benny – Laughter in Bloom toured the United States in recent years, to critical applause. He was considered the world's top Jack Benny impersonator. In a New York production, Legends on Broadway, Carroll played Benny playing Felix Unger. Carroll appeared on a Jack Benny special, as well as productions hosted by Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Milton Berle.
The news of his death was originally published by the International Jack Benny Fan Club.
Growing up up here in Canada, Carroll moved to Hollywood in attempts to become an actor, thanks to an NBC scholarship. Drafted into the army, he wrote and produced programs for Armed Forces Radio and Television. His civilian TV career started in earnest, with appearances on The Lieutenant, Gomer Pyle, U. S. M. C., Fantasy Island, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Life with Lucy, and Frasier. He was a regular on 1970's The Don Knotts Show.
In 1998, he sang “Rainbows Follow the Rain” in Barney's Great Adventure, the theatrically-released feature film based on Barney & Friends.
Carroll lent his voice to over 100 TV and radio spots, and voiced hundred of commercials. He and actor Jamie Farr founded Carroll-Farr Productions, creating and developing pilots for ABC, CBS, Screen Gems/Columbia, and Hanna-Barbera. The company produced single season show Man to Man.
Carroll was also the uncle of actress Erika Eleniak, who played Elly May in the 1990s remake of The Beverley Hillbillies. He and wife Carolyn were married since 1963, with two children. His wife was recently working on the book “Touring the World with a Husband and Two Suitcases!”
The family asks donations in memory of the actor be made to his favourite charity, St Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Comments
I sure will miss him! He was such a kind and friendly Soul!
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