The legendary voice artist behind some of Disney’s most famous animated films, Mark Elliott, has died at the age of 81.
Rest in peace: The legendary voice artist behind some of Disney’s most famous animated films, Mark Elliott, has died at the age of 81
According to a friend who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, Elliott died Saturday in a Los Angeles hospital after two heart attacks.
Perhaps not recognizable by his face or name, Disney fans will immediately know Elliott’s voice he lent to the movie trailers and promotions for some of Disney’s most popular movies in the ’80s,’ 90s, and early days.
“He was one of a kind … and kind is a wonderful word to describe him,” friend and fellow voice artist Charlie Van Dyke told THR.
At the time of his death, Elliott was battling lung cancer, reports EW.
Another colleague, Joe Cipriano, who played a bit with Elliott in the Lake Bell voice over comedy In a World, shared a moving tribute on Facebook.
Cipriano told the story of how he got started in the business by watching Elliott record comedy promotions for CBS for the first time in the studio area at Television City.
Elliot died in a Los Angeles hospital after two heart attacks on Saturday, according to a friend who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter (pictured with a friend and co-voice over artist Joe Cipriano)
“We talked between his promotions and he told me two things about promotions: never take a vacation and never buy a house based on voting income,” he writes.
‘Mark was a real gentle MAN – sharing all our scenes in’ In a World ‘by Lake Bell was icing on the cake. I’m so sad about Mark’s passing, ‘said Cipriano.
Mark first worked in radio and then made the transition to voice-over-work. He was hired by Disney to voice the trailer for the 1977 release of Cinderella.
He was the voice of Disney during the animated function of the studio, with films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Hercules and Aladdin.
“He was one of a kind … and kind is a wonderful word to describe him,” friend and fellow voice artist Charlie Van Dyke told THR.
He worked as the voice of the Mouse House from 1983-2008 and also did voice work during his career for commercials, movies and networks such as CBS and FOX.
‘You think of decisions made and chosen paths and all that, and [working for Disney] for me, the decisive moment in my life is not only my career but also in my life. Because it did me, gives me this identity that … continues to this day, ‘he was quoted once according to THR.
‘[Being the voice of Disney] is an amazing touchstone for my career. If it was the identity I carry with me for the rest of my life, I would not have had it any other way, ‘he added at the time.
Iconic voice: Elliott was the voice of Disney during the animated function of the studio, with films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Hercules and Aladdin; he worked with the studio from the 1980s to 2008
Mark was born in 1939 as John Harrison Frick Jr. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He legally changed his name for professional reasons.
During an interview with VO Buzz Weekly, Mark told the story of how network executives wanted to change his name to Johnny Barron, but he refused because he did not like the sound.
After spelling out ‘silly’ names like Vic Vanilla and Charlie Chocolate, the team limited it to Mark Anthony and Clark Elliott. Eventually he lands on Mark Elliott and makes the change official.
His story: Mark was born in 1939 as John Harrison Frick Jr. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He legally changed his name for professional reasons and worked in radio for decades before switching to voice overs