Toon Talk Special: Disney Live Action Actors
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Disney Live Action Actors
From the very first (Treasure Island, fifty-one years ago) to the most recent (The Princess Diaries, ten weeks ago), Disney live action films have not only provided audiences with quality family entertainment for many generations, but have also been showcases for some of the finest actors in their greatest roles.
In this special installment of Toon Talk, you will find a celebration of fifty of the greatest actors and actresses in Disney live action motion pictures. Some of them are award-winners and Disney Legends, but all are responsible for contributing to the continuing legacy of excellence in Disney films.
(Note: This list is not in any type of order and focuses on performances in motion pictures only. Television productions released as theatrical features and films combining animation with live action are included. Persons appearing in films as "themselves" were not considered.)
Toons Are People TooNot all Disney toon stars are actual cartoons.
The following actors recreated classic animated and comic book
characters in live action form.
Billy Campbell as The Rocketeer
(c) Disney
Billy Campbell's all-American charms made him the perfect choice for the all-American super-hero Cliff Secord, a.k.a. The Rocketeer , in the 1991 adventure flick based on Dave Stevens' acclaimed graphic novel.
Glenn Close in 102 Dalmatians
(c) Disney
Glenn Close's campy turn as Disney villain favorite Cruella de Vil in the 1996 live action remake of 101 Dalmatians earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress - Musical/Comedy. She returned to the role in the sequel, 102 Dalmatians.
Brendan Fraser in George of the Jungle
(c) Disney
Brendan Fraser first came to Disney to audition for another ape-man, as the voice of Tarzan. He didn't get that role, but was able to embody in the flesh the slightly less skilled vine-swinger George of the Jungle in the 1997 film based on the Jay Ward cartoon.
Christopher Lloyd was the genocidal Judge Doom in the groundbreaking Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He also starred as Al the boss angel in both Angles in the Outfield and it's television sequel Angles in the End Zone, and as Uncle Martin in the film version of My Favorite Martian.
Al Pacino's over-the-top performance as Dick Tracy's nemesis Big Boy Caprice earned him nominations for Best Supporting Actor from both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. Ironically, his role as another gangster in The Godfather Part III that same year garnered him no Oscar nomination.