Sky High’s Clouds
Sky High (2005) was released on July 29th, 2005, and was a commercial, critical, and public success. The film starred Kurt Russell as Steve Stronghold/The Commander, father of Will Stronghold, the film’s main protagonist, and Danielle Panabaker as Layla Williams, Will’s best friend turned girlfriend in the film. The film also starred Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald of The Kids in the Hall (1989-1995). Foley portrayed Jonathan Boy/All-American Boy who was the Hero Support Teacher at Sky High, but who was also the Commander’s former sidekick. McDonald played the role of Professor Medulla, Sky High’s mad scientist professor. The film also featured a cameo by Tom Kenny and his real-life spouse, Jill Talley, who play a husband and wife who almost get killed when the evil “Royal Pain” attempts to send Sky High down to the normal world. It’s possible, however, that each of these actors are better known to you for lending their acting and voice talents to other Disney movies.
Kurt Russell began his career as a Disney child star making his feature film debut in Follow Me, Boys! (1966), opposite fellow Disney veteran Fred MacMurray. Next came The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968), which would be his first film with future companion, Goldie Hawn. His other Disney films include The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1968), The Barefoot Executive (1971), and Superdad (1973). He portrayed the character of Dexter Riley in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) and its two sequels Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972) and The Strongest Man in the World (1975). He also acted in seven episodes of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (1954-1992), lent his voice to the character of Adult Copper in The Fox and the Hound (1981), and prior to “High,” played U.S. Hockey Coach Herb Brooks in Disney’s Miracle (2004). He will next be seen in Disney/Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2017).
Danielle Panabaker acted in 2 Disney Channel Original Movies, Stuck in the Suburbs (2004) and Read It and Weep (2006). In “Weep,” she acted alongside her real-life sister, Kay Panabaker, who has also appeared in Disney Channel television shows and films.
Dave Foley made his Disney debut voicing the character of Flik the Ant in A Bug’s Life (1998). He reprised the role for A Bug’s Life: The Video Game (1998), the It’s Tough to Be a Bug (1998) attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Toy Story 2 (1999) outtakes, and he voiced the “Flik” car in the Cars (2006) outtakes. He also voiced Terry in Monsters University (2013) and reprised that role for the short, Party Central (2014). In addition to all of his film roles, Foley has also portrayed Brick’s therapist/friend, Dr. Fulton in Disney/ABC’s The Middle (2009-) and voiced Wayne the Elf in Prep & Landing (2009) and it’s two sequels, Prep & Landing Stocking Stuffer: Operation: Secret Santa (2010), and Prep and Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (2011). Foley also lent his voice to an episode of the Disney Channel Television Show, Lilo and Stitch: The Series (2003-2006).
Kevin McDonald, who is best friends with Dave Foley in real life, provided the voice of Pleakley in Lilo and Stitch (2002). He reprised the character for the series as well as the three direct-to-video sequels, Stitch: The Movie (2003), Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005), and Leroy & Stitch (2006). McDonald also lent his voice to an episode of the Disney Channel Show, Phineas and Ferb (2007-2015).
Tom Kenny, who played Mr. Timmerman in “Sky High,” is best known throughout the world for doing the voice of Spongebob Squarepants (1999-). In addition to that role, Kenny also voiced Mr. Willerstein in Disney’s Meet the Robinsons (2007), Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh (2011), and the New Holland Townsfolk in Frankenweenie (2012). Kenny has also done numerous voices in Disney Channel Shows, including Kim Possible (2003-2007) “Phineas and Ferb,” and Miles from Tomorrowland (2015-). Kenny’s wife, Jill Talley, who played Mrs. Timmerman, does the voice of Plankton’s computer wife, Karen on “Spongebob.” Talley also portrayed a Dance Competition Official in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Gotta Kick It Up! (2002).
Each of these people played significant roles in helping make “Sky High,” the hit that it became. It has now been 11 years since the film’s release, and each of these actors are still busy. It is unlikely that there will be a sequel to the film, but considering sequels are rarely better or even as good as the original, by itself, “Sky High,” will be an asset in continuing the Disney legacy of family entertainment.
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