Disney’s Father Time
As with others I’ve discussed in this blog, David Ogden Stiers was another one of Disney’s most frequently used voice-over talents. In addition to receiving two Emmy Nominations for his role as Major Charles Winchester on M*A*S*H (1972-1983), and originating the roles of General Henry Waverly in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (2010) and Feldman in The Magic Show (1974) on Broadway, he voiced many of Disney’s most memorable characters. David Ogden Stiers could probably be referred to as the “father time” of Disney voice-overs because he lent his distinctively booming voice to a lot of “timely,” if you will Disney characters, including Cogsworth (the clock) in Beauty and the Beast (1991).
Stiers's Disney roles include Cogsworth and the Narrator of the opening sequence in Beauty and the Beast (1991), Governor Ratcliffe and Wiggins in Pocahontas (1995), the Archdeacon in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Mr. Harcourt in Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), and Dr. Jumba Jookiba in Lilo and Stitch (2002). In addition to these theatrical films for Disney, Stiers was the narrator for Disney’s direct-to-video films Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004) and Winnie the Pooh: 123s (2004), and for Disney Television he voiced Mr. Jolly/Congressman/Narrator in Teacher’s Pet (2000-2002) (he reprised the role of Mr. Jolly for Teacher’s Pet the movie in 2004), Gryzlikoff in Darkwing Duck (1991-1995), and recreated the role of Dr. Jumba Jookiba for Lilo and Stich: The Series (2003-2006). He voiced the King and the Prime Minister for a Disney short film called The Cat That Looked at a King (2004) based on a section of the book, Mary Poppins Opens the Door (1943), which is featured on the Special 40th Anniversary Edition DVD release of Mary Poppins (1964). He reprised each of his characters from the theatrical films for numerous Disney Video Games, including Kingdom Hearts 2 (2005), Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep (2010), as well as for direct-to-video sequels to the films, including Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997), Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World (1998), Stitch! the Movie (2003), and Leroy & Stitch (2006). Stiers also provided the opening narration for Beauty and the Beast on Broadway in 1993 and appeared in Disney’s live-action film Jungle 2 Jungle (1997).
Outside of Disney movies, Stiers received a 3rd Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Dr. William Milligan Sloane in the TV mini-series The First Olympics: Athens 1896 (1984). On Broadway, he played the roles of Kulygin in the play The Three Sisters (1973) and Peachum in the operetta The Beggar’s Opera (1973), and in movies he starred opposite Jim Carrey in The Majestic (2002). His M*A*S*H (1972-1983) co-star, Harry Morgan, who portrayed Colonel Sherman T. Potter, served as his acting mentor.
David Ogden Stiers role as Major Charles Winchester on M*A*S*H (1972-1983) and each of his Disney voice-overs have earned him potential to be remembered for generations. Whether he is acting on Broadway, Television, Film, or as a Disney Cartoon, his characteristic voice never ceases to captivate an audience.
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