Bob Welbaum: A Personal Tribute to Wayne Allwine
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An essential part of Disney voice artistry, and one of its real challenges, is the live press interview while portraying the character. Anything could happen, and it usually did, whether it was a member of the public calling in or a talk-show host who felt a compulsion to embarrass his guests. The artist had to anticipate and be ready for any possible question, all the while being consistent with both the character and the character’s cartoony world. Wayne was a master of this and always made sure Mickey’s aura remained intact.
“I was doing an all-night talk show out of, I think it was Salt Lake City, and you never know … people call in, and one old lady calls and asks ‘Are you and Minnie living in sin?’ So what did I say? [In Mickey’s voice] ‘Oh, why no. We live in Duckburg.’ ”
-- 1990 NFFC Convention
Wayne & Russi always understood the power of the animated character. At the 1992 NFFC Convention they related some of their favorite memories of entertaining children (which was the subject of my February 15, 2007 column, “About Mickey and Magic”). Mickey and Minnie might be called upon at any time if a child was terminally ill. They were always active in Famous Fone Friends (www.FamousFoneFriends.org), a charitable organization founded in 1986 to connect seriously ill children with entertainers and athletes. The stories Wayne & Russi could tell were both heart-wrenching and uplifting at the same time.
“And I think the best use … of the character is to put a smile on a kid’s face.”
-- 1992 NFFC Convention
At one of the Disneyana Conventions, I happened to see Wayne & Russi in the back of the room after one of the seminars. I said hello, and then, more to make conversation with someone I was glad to see than anything else, shared a frustration: “They’re onto me, they wouldn’t let me videotape that last seminar.” It was a mild and only half-serious complaint – those things happen, especially with Disney – but Wayne actually listened intently, then apologized to me on behalf of the company! I was so surprised I felt guilty about bringing it up in the first place. Its ironic how someone who made his living with his voice could leave me so speechless with his thoughtfulness.
“I really think you become more than what you are because of what you do. And that’s because of the characters. I mean, for goodness sake, I had a neighbor who used to drive me crazy, but the older I’d get the more I think it might be true. This guy used to come down and say ‘Why, you’re part of American history!!!’ OH! As if life isn’t tough enough, I’m trying to cut a hedge.
“But what’s happened, honestly is because of what we do, we’ve become holders of an American icon. And it brings you up to a plane that you wouldn’t ordinarily be in because of this. I mean we’re very, very protective of our characters. My job as far as I’m concerned is to keep Mickey until Mickey IV comes along. I want to hand him over as pure and pristine as he was when I got him. I don’t want to hurt the character or do anything to cause some trouble.”
--1990 NFFC Convention
One of my favorite memories of Wayne was after an NFFC Convention banquet. Wayne & Russi were frequent guests, as they were at this one. We usually had Mickey Mouse come over from Disneyland to make a quick appearance, and it was always fun to hear Wayne greet Mickey in Mickey’s voice. Somehow at the end of the evening I was standing beside them. I don’t remember why (probably to simply thank them for being there) or what I said. But I sure remember what Wayne said. He started walking toward the door when he suddenly stopped, faced me, and said in Mickey’s unmistakable falsetto, “Bye, Bob, haha. Say hi to everyone in Dayton for me.”
“Remember, without you guys, we’d just be voices. Thank you.”
-- 2007 NFFC Convention
God, am I going to miss Wayne Allwine.
Discuss It -- Bob Welbaum Bob Welbaum is a longtime Disneyana fan and NFFC member from the Dayton, Ohio area. -- May 27, 2009