Jodi Benson

Jodi Marie Benson (née Marzorati; born October 10, 1961)[1] is an American actress, voice actress and singer. She is best known for providing both the speaking and the singing voice of Disney's Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid and its sequel, prequel, and television series spinoff. Benson voiced the character Barbie in the 1999 Golden Globe-winning movie Toy Story 2 and its 2010 Academy Award-winning sequel Toy Story 3. She also voiced Barbie in the Toy Story cartoon Hawaiian Vacation. For her contributions to the Disney company, Benson was named a Disney Legend in 2011.[2]

Jodi Benson
Benson at the World of Color Premiere Disney California Adventure
Born
Jodi Marie Marzorati

(1961-10-10) October 10, 1961
Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActress, voice actress, singer
Years active1975–present
Spouse(s)
Ray Benson
(
m. 1984)
Children2
AwardsDisney Legend (2011)

She also gave voice to the spirited "Weebo" in Disney's live action Flubber, starring Robin Williams. For Warner Bros., she created the voice of Thumbelina in 1994, a Don Bluth animated feature film with songs by Barry Manilow.[3] Her other projects include Tinkerbell: Secret of the Wings, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure, 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure, Balto II: Wolf Quest, and Balto III: Wings of Change. She appeared as Patrick Dempsey’s assistant Sam, in Disney’s live-action feature film Enchanted. While being a Disney Legend, she also voiced Jane Doe and Patsy Smiles in Cartoon Network's Camp Lazlo. She also voiced the character Tula in Fox's animated series The Pirates of Dark Water.

Personal life

Benson was born and raised in a Catholic environment,[4] graduating from Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford, Illinois,[5] and Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.[6] She experienced a religious conversion while dating actor/singer Ray Benson (not to be confused with frontman Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel).[4] The two of them later married in 1984.[7] They have two children, McKinley and Delaney.[8] An article originally published in 2013 by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said the couple "live north of Atlanta, Ga."[9]

Career

Benson made her debut in the 1975 Kenny Ortega-directed "Marilyn: An American Fable". Other Broadway credits include a starring role in the 1986 Broadway musical Smile, where she introduced a song called "Disneyland". In 1987, Howard Ashman, the lyricist of Smile, would go on to write the lyrics for The Little Mermaid. She describes the song "Disneyland" at the "Smile" Reunion concert held on Sept. 22, 2014, "This is the first piece of the puzzle of my life, the first step of the journey, so to speak". Benson also sings "Disneyland" on a compilation CD called Unsung Musicals. In 1989, Benson appeared in the Broadway musical, Welcome to the Club, alongside Samuel E. Wright, who performed the voice for Sebastian the Crab in The Little Mermaid.

In 1992, Benson received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Polly Baker in Crazy For You. She played the narrator in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1998.

Benson also played the Queen in a one-night concert version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in May 2010.[10]

She was at the 2012 SYTA conference singing her signature song “Part of Your World” on August 27, 2012.

Benson has been the guest artist for the Candlelight Processional for five years at Walt Disney World including December 10–13, 2012.[11]

She joined the "2013 Spring Pops" on May 14–15, 2013 as a guest soloist with the Boston Pops.

Benson can be heard on over a dozen recordings and has a six-part DVD series entitled Baby Faith from the creators of Baby Einstein. Her animated TV series include the Emmy Award-winning Camp Lazlo for the Cartoon Network, The Little Mermaid, Batman Beyond, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, The Wild Thornberrys, Barbie, Hercules: Zero to Hero, P. J. Sparkles, and the series Sofia the First for Disney.

On the concert stage, Benson has performed as a concert soloist with symphonies all over the world, including The Boston Pops, The Philly Pops (conductor: Peter Nero), The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (conductor: John Mauceri), The National Symphony (conductor: Marvin Hamlisch), Cleveland, Dallas, Tokyo, and the San Francisco and Chicago Symphonies. She starred in the Kennedy Center Honors for Ginger Rogers, and in Disney's Premiere in Central Park with Pocahontas, The Walt Disney World 25th Anniversary Spectacular and Disney's 100 Years of Magic. Benson is the resident guest soloist for the Walt Disney Company/Disney Cruise Line and ambassador for feature animation.

On June 6, 2016, Benson performed the role of Ariel at the Hollywood Bowl's concert performance of The Little Mermaid.[12] She also made a special appearance in ABC's 2019 live musical spectacular The Little Mermaid Live![13]

The Little Mermaid

In late 1986, Benson first heard of the audition for The Little Mermaid through lyricist and playwright Howard Ashman. The two had just worked together in the Broadway show Smile until its run ended early. He knew she would be the perfect fit for the role and that she would be a great replica of Ariel.[14][15] After hearing the demo for "Part of Your World", she sang a small part of it on tape where it was later sent to Disney executives. Before her audition for The Little Mermaid, she was primarily a stage actress. It was Ashman's first Disney project. In early 1988, Benson won the role of Ariel.[14][16]

Filmography

Live-action
Year Title Role Notes
1991HunterPolice officerTV series
1997Caroline in the CityMotherTV series
2003The Brotherhood of Poland, New HampshireChoir SoloistTV series
2007EnchantedSam
2019The Little Mermaid Live!HerselfSpecial

Animation
Year Title Role Notes
1984Nausicaä of the Valley of the WindLastelle's Mother2004 Disney Dub
1989The Little MermaidPrincess Ariel/VanessaVoice role
1991Pirates of Dark WaterTulaTV series (voice)
1992Dance! Workout with BarbieBarbieVideo (voice)
P. J. SparklesP.J. (1988 Mattel)Voice
1992–1994The Little MermaidPrincess ArielTV series (voice)
1994ThumbelinaThumbelinaVoice role
1997FlubberWeeboVoice role
A Christmas CarolBelleVoice role
1998The Mighty KongAnn DarrowVoice role
An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan IslandAdditional VoicesDirect-to-video
HerculesHelen of TroyTV series (voice)
1999Toy Story 2BarbieVoice role
2000The Wild ThornberrysMother CheetahEpisode: "Cheetahs Never Prosper"
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the SeaPrincess ArielDirect-to-video
Joseph: King of DreamsAsenathDirect-to-video
Batman BeyondAquagirlEpisode: "The Call" Parts 1 & 2
2001Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's AdventureLady (replacing Barbara Luddy)Direct-to-video
Nominated - Annie Award for Voice Acting by a Female Performer in an Animated Feature Production
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of MousePrincess ArielDirect-to-video
House of MousePrincess ArielTV series (voice)
The Grim Adventures of Billy & MandyThe Blue FairyAdditional Voices
2002Balto II: Wolf QuestJenna (replacing Bridget Fonda in the rest of the franchise)Direct-to-video
Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe In SantaLeneeVoice role
2003101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London AdventureAnita (replacing Lisa Davis)Direct-to-video
K10C: Kids' Ten CommandmentsLeila and MarthaVoice role
2005Balto III: Wings of ChangeJennaDirect-to-video
2005–2007Camp LazloPatsy Smiles, Ms. Jane Doe, AlmondineVoice role
2008The Little Mermaid: Ariel's BeginningPrincess ArielDirect-to-video
2010Toy Story 3BarbieVoice role
2011The Little Engine That CouldJillianVoice role
Hawaiian VacationBarbieShort
2012Secret of the WingsHealing-Talent FairyVoice role
2013–2018Sofia the FirstPrincess Ariel and Queen Emmaline2 Episodes
2015Star vs. the Forces of EvilSinging TeacherEpisode: "St. Olga's Reform School for Wayward Princesses"
2016ClarenceDianaEpisode: "The Tails of Mardrynia"
2018Ralph Breaks the InternetPrincess ArielVoice role

Direct-to-video
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect Princess Arabella Voice
1992 Disney Sing Along Songs: Friend Like Me Princess Ariel Voice, archive footage
1994 Disney Sing Along Songs: Circle of Life Princess Ariel Voice, archive footage
1995 Mickey's Fun Songs: Beach Party at Walt Disney World Princess Ariel Voice, live action
1995 Guideposts Junction Herself A six-part Christian video series for children
1998 Blablaland Lola Pesto

Video games
Year Title Voice role Notes
1997 Ariel's Story Studio Princess Ariel
1998 A Bug's Life Atta
1999 Disney's Arcade Frenzy Princess Ariel
2000 Grandia II Millenia
2000 Disney's Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge Nasira
2002 Kingdom Hearts Princess Ariel English dub
2004 Onimusha 3: Demon Siege Voice of Mother [17]
2005 Kingdom Hearts II Princess Ariel English dub
2007 Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey Princess Ariel
2011 Kinect Disneyland Adventures Princess Ariel
2012 Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure Princess Ariel
2012 Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion Princess Ariel
2016 Disney Magical World 2 Princess Ariel

Theme park attractions
Year Title Role Notes
2003Mickey's PhilharMagicPrincess ArielVoice role

Discography
Year Album Notes
1990 The Little Mermaid Soundtrack
1991 Precious Moments Timmy's Gift Performed the song, Starlight Theme
1991 Jodi Benson Sings Songs From the Beginner's Bible I
1992 Jodi Benson Sings Songs From the Beginner's Bible II
1992 The Little Mermaid: Splash Hits
1992 Crazy for You Cast Recording
1993 The Little Mermaid: Songs from the Sea
1994 Unsung Musicals
1994 Thumbelina Soundtrack
1995 Songs of Guideposts Junction
1996 Hollywood Christmas Various artists
2000 The Little Mermaid II (soundtrack)
2004 Disney Princess: The Ultimate Song Collection
2004 Disney Princess Music Hits
2005 Disneys Princess Christmas Album
2005 Disney Princess Tea Party
2006 Ultimate Disney Princess

Awards and nominations
Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title Result
1992 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical Crazy For You Nominated
2001 Annie Awards Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Female Performer in an Animated Feature Production Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure Nominated
2011 Disney Legend Award Animation - Voice The Little Mermaid Won
2011 EDA Female Focus Awards Best Animated Female Toy Story 3 Nominated

References
  1. "Jodi Benson". Hollywood.com. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  2. "Video: Disney Princess voices, Regis Philbin, Hensons accept their Disney Legends awards at the 2011 D23 Expo". Inside the Magic. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  3. "GETTING ALONG SWIMMINGLY". Jan 10, 1992. Retrieved Jun 17, 2019 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  4. Gaither, Gloria (August 1, 2011). "Part Of Her World: Jodi Benson". Homecoming Magazine. Retrieved December 3, 2016. I was born and raised in a Catholic environment. I would say it was a little more cultural than spiritual — a little bit more religious than relational. And I was drawing toward the Lord in middle school, but I didn’t quite know how to have that personal relationship at the time. When I started dating my husband at 18, he introduced me to Christ, and asked, “Do you have a relationship with Jesus?” And I said, “I love Him, and I know He’s the Son of God, but I don’t think I have a relationship with Him — like I can talk to Him by myself without going through the priest and stuff.” And so, I had a really big conversion when I was 19, and Ray is responsible for opening that relationship for me.
  5. Braun, Georgette. "Little Mermaid star at Boylan fundraiser April 17". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved 2018-02-07.
  6. Cain, Tim. "100 reason: Original Ariel voice launched from Millikin". Decatur Herald & Review. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  7. Breslauer, Jan (December 10, 1995). "Just Like a Fish to Water : Jodi Benson made a splash as the voice of Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid,' but she's really hitting her stride in musicals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  8. Truitt, Brian (October 2, 2013). "'Little Mermaid' star Jodi Benson loves life as Ariel". USA Today. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  9. Jothen, Tiffany (November 17, 2014). "Little Mermaid, Big Faith". Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  10. Ellis, Jeffrey. "Headley, Mauzey, Benson Lead Starry Lineup for CINDERELLA, 5/14". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved Jun 17, 2019.
  11. "'Candlelight Choir' Sneak Peek: Neil Patrick Harris Returns". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved Jun 17, 2019.
  12. JODI BENSON TO REPRISE HER ROLE AS ARIEL IN ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE OF THE LITTLE MERMAID: LIVE IN CONCERT Oh My Disney, Retrieved June 8, 2016
  13. Coffey, Kelly (November 2, 2019). "Jodi Benson, original voice of Ariel, to appear in ABC's "The Little Mermaid Live!"". Inside the Magic. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  14. "An Interview with Jodi Benson, Voice of Ariel". blogs.disney.com. Disney Insider. 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  15. Truitt, Brian (Oct 2, 2013). "'Little Mermaid' star Jodi Benson loves life as Ariel". USA Today. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  16. "Jodi Benson: 25 Years Of Voicing Ariel". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved Jun 17, 2019.
  17. Capcom (2004-04-27). Onimusha 3: Demon Siege. Scene: Closing credits, 0:45 in, cast.
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