Ilene Woods

Jacqueline Ruth "Ilene" Woods (May 5, 1929 – July 1, 2010) was an American singer and actress who voiced Cinderella in the 1950 Disney movie.[1]

Ilene Woods
Ilene Woods.png
Born
Jacqueline Ruth Woods

(1929-05-05)May 5, 1929
DiedJuly 1, 2010(2010-07-01) (aged 81)
Cause of deathAlzheimer's disease
OccupationActress, singer
Years active1944–2004
Spouse(s)Ed Shaughnessy (1963–2010; her death)
AwardsDisney Legend (2003)

Early life

Woods was born on May 5, 1929 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As a child Woods was led into singing by her mother.[2] By the age of 11, Woods had her own radio show. [1]

Career

In 1948, at the age of 18, Woods recorded several songs for friends Mack David and Jerry Livingston.[3] The songs ("Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo", "So This is Love", and "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes") were then played for Walt Disney. He chose Woods out of 300 other girls to play the part of Cinderella for the Disney movie Cinderella.[3] Recording the part took about 2 years, working off and on.[3]

Later years

Woods was first married to Stephen Steck Jr. They had one child, a daughter named Stephanie.[1] After a divorce, in 1963 she married Ed Shaughnessy. They had two sons, James and Daniel.[1][4] In 2003 she was recognized as a Disney Legend for her work in Cinderella.[4]

Death

Woods died on July 1, 2010 from causes related to Alzheimer's disease in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California.[1] She was 81.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Mclellan, Dennis. Ilene Woods dies at 81; voice of Disney's Cinderella. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/03/local/la-me-ilene-woods-20100703. Retrieved 2011-03-28. 
  2. Ilene Woods, Voice of Disney's Cinderella dead at 81. CNN. 2010-07-02. http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/02/cinderella.woods.obit/index.html?section=cnn_latest. Retrieved 2010-07-02. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Hicks, Chris. Landing coveted Disney role was Cinderella story for voice actress. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/615153965/Landing-coveted-Disney-role-was-Cinderella-story-for-voice-actress.html. Retrieved 2011-03-28. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Disney Legends bio". Disney. Retrieved 2011-03-28.