Legendary Moms

Legendary Moms

In October 2025, two acting legends passed away, both of whom voiced mother figures for Disney. In tribute to them, let’s examine their Disney contributions, as well as their versatility and career trademarks. 

Diane Keaton provided the voice of Jenny, Dory’s mother in Disney/Pixar’s Finding Dory (2016). Keaton was close friends in real life with Dory’s voice, Ellen DeGeneres, frequently guest-starring on DeGeneres’s talk show, Ellen (2003-2023). One of Keaton’s special characteristics was creating the idea that women could dress like men in movies, which could easily be said of her performances in Woody Allen’s Play It Again, Sam (1972) and/or Annie Hall (1977), the latter of which won her the Best Actress Oscar. She was also a member of the Ensemble in the Original Broadway cast of Hair (1968). 

Furthermore, Keaton was known for wearing white, which she wore a lot of in Something’s Gotta Give (2003), which was directed by Nancy Meyers and earned Keaton her last Oscar nod. Keaton made eight films for Woody Allen and five films for Nancy Meyers, including Father of the Bride Trilogy (1991-2020), which was Touchstone produced. Not to mention her iconic role as Kay Adams Corleone in The Godfather Trilogy (1972-1990). Diane Keaton was definitely “one of a kind” in a male-dominated Hollywood with her sense of style and acting mastery. 

Samantha Eggar voiced Hera, Hercules’s mythological mother in Hercules (1997). Though it was Eggar’s only Disney contribution, she did star opposite Rex Harrison in the family-friendly musical, Doctor Dolittle (1967). She became a “Shakespearean” actor before foraying into movies, starring in the leading roles in productions of Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Royal Cort Theatre in the UK. Besides “Dolittle,” she made several films with “Doctor” in the title, including the British-produced Doctor Crippen (1962) and Doctor in Distress (1963). 

Samantha Eggar wasn’t known for any specific trademark, but she was held in high regard for her Oscar-nominated performance in William Wyler’s The Collector (1965). Although she lost the Oscar to Julie Christie for Darling (1965), she did take home the Golden Globe for Best Actress Drama. (Samantha Eggar is one of 31 actors to earn Oscar nominations for performances under William Wyler’s guidance, a record that remains unbroken today.) Eggar reprised the role of Hera for Disney’s short-lived Hercules (1998-1999) television series. 

Diane Keaton passed away due to pneumonia on October 11th, 2025 and Samantha Eggar passed on October 15, 2025 (causes are undisclosed). Both ladies had incredible careers in Hollywood, and any movie lover can tip their hats to both of them.