Eddie Carroll (September 5, 1933 – April 6, 2010) was a Canadian actor, who is best known as the third performer to provide the voice for Jiminy Cricket, a role he played for over 35 years.

Eddie Carroll
Born
Edward Eleniak

(1933-09-05)September 5, 1933
DiedApril 6, 2010(2010-04-06) (aged 76)
Other namesEddy Carroll
OccupationActor
Years active1956–2010
Spouse
Carolyn Springer
(m. 1963)
Children2

Career

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In Canada, Carroll studied at the Orion theater with fellow student Robert Goulet. After moving to Hollywood in 1956 to work for NBC as a writer and producer, living as a resident alien in the United States, he was drafted into the US Army. He performed with the Armed Forces Radio Service and the 6th Army Chorus. In 1959, he took the professional name Eddie Carroll. In 1960 Carroll released a comedy album, "On Fraternity Row." In 1962, he co-wrote the song "How Is Julie?" which was recorded by The Lettermen. Starting in the early 1960s, Carroll appeared in numerous television programs and commercials. In 1970, he and business partner Jamie Farr developed and syndicated a sports-talk program, "Man to Man", through MGM Television, and not long after a Saturday morning animated series for Hanna-Barbera, The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan.

Carroll took over the role of Jiminy Cricket for Walt Disney Productions in 1973[1] after the death of original voice actor Cliff Edwards in 1971, and a brief stint by Clarence Nash. From 1983 until his death in 2010, he traveled with two one-man shows portraying comedian Jack Benny: "A Small Eternity with Jack Benny" and "Jack Benny: Laughter in Bloom." From 1995 to 1996, Carroll toured with a production of The Odd Couple. In later years, he attended numerous conventions and gatherings for both Disney fans and devotees of old-time radio.

Eddie Carroll was sometimes billed as Eddy Carroll. He is not to be confused with British big band musician Eddie Carroll.

Personal life and death

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Carroll married his wife Carolyn Springer on April 7, 1963; together they had two children, Tina and Leland.[1]

On April 6, 2010, Carroll died from a brain tumor at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, at the age of 76, just one day before his 47th wedding anniversary.[1]

Filmography

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Film

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List of voice performances in direct-to-video and feature films
Year Title Role Notes
1979 Parts: The Clonus Horror Doctor
1983 Mickey's Christmas Carol Ghost of Christmas Past (Jiminy Cricket) (voice)
1986 Jiminy Cricket's Christmas Jiminy Cricket (voice) Uncredited
Jiminy Cricket: Storyteller
1987 Disney Sing-Along-Songs: The Bare Necessities
1988 Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Very Merry Christmas Songs
1992 Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Be Our Guest
1993 Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Friend Like Me
1994 Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Circle of Life
2001 Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse

Television

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List of performances in television shows
Year Title Role Notes
1963 The Lieutenant Martin Episode: "Alert!"
1963–67 The Hollywood Palace Himself Various episodes
1966 Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Sergeant Lubik 2 episodes
The Last of the Secret Agents Slate Boy Uncredited
Mission: Impossible Street Photographer Episode: "Memory"
1967 That Girl Sheldon Episode: "You Have to Know Someone to be Unknown"
The Andy Griffith Show Airport Clerk Episode: "A Trip to Mexico"
Judd for the Defense Art Riley Episode: "To Love and Stand Mute"
1970–71 The Don Knotts Show Himself 3 episodes
1972 Sanford and Son Bartender Episode: "Happy Birthday, Pop"
1973 The Mary Tyler Moore Show Emcee Episode: "Put on a Happy Face"
The Girl With Something Extra Second Dealer Episode: "How Green was Las Vegas"
1973–75 Maude Earl / Eddie / Harry 3 episodes
1977 The Wonderful World of Color Jiminy Cricket (voice) Episode: "From All of Us to All of You"
2000 Frasier Lee Zeplowitz Episode: "The Bad Son"
2001–02 Disney's House of Mouse Jiminy Cricket (voice) 3 episodes

Video games

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List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Disney's Villains' Revenge Jiminy Cricket (voice)
2000 Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour
2002 Kingdom Hearts
2006 Kingdom Hearts II
2008 Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories Final role
2013 Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix Archive recordings
2014 Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix

Theme parks

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List of voice performances in theme parks
Year Title Role Notes
1992 Fantasmic! Jiminy Cricket Voice

References

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  1. ^ a b c Nelson, Valerie J. (April 11, 2010). "Eddie Carroll dies at 76; voice of Jiminy Cricket and Jack Benny impersonator". Los Angeles Times. p. A37.
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