One of the most comforting parts about some of Disney’s movies are the motherly figures that make our lead characters feel safe, feel confident, and restores faith in stories that tend to turn so dark. It is the warmth of the voice of a motherly character that draws audience members in and feel supported throughout the story. One of Disney’s greatest decisions was hiring late actress Verna Felton, and keeping her for multiple projects. Let’s take a look at the life and legacy of Verna Felton.

Verna Felton. Image from: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/verna-felton

early life

Verna Felton was born on July 20, 1890. Verna’s career started much before the standard working age, as she was on the road in a show by the age of 9. Verna had lost her father, which caused her mother and herself to struggle financially, and it was up to Verna to sing and dance to bring the money in. Despite the circumstances, she loved to perform, and began working with the Allen Stock Company as a child performer. She was such a phenomenon that she became the leading lady in the play called The Defiance of Doris by the age of 20. During her time in stage plays, she met her future husband Lee Millar.

Verna Felton and the Allen Players promo. Image from: https://www.cranbrooktownsman.com/community/it-happened-this-week-in-1914-12/

verna felton joins the walt disney studios

After Verna’s longtime run on the stage, she began working in film as well, dating as early as 1917 in The Chosen Prince, and the Friendship of David and Jonathan. She had several uncredited roles in the late 1930s and into the 1940s. Verna had never done voice acting before, but showed interest in it as her husband Lee had begun working for the Walt Disney Studios, providing various animals sounds for Mickey Mouse cartoons in 1937. Lee eventually took on the role of Pluto for a few shorts in the late 1930s.

Dumbo

Verna eventually went in for voice testing for the role of Mrs. Hare in Bambi, but didn’t end up landing it. However, she didn’t have to wait long for another Disney role, as she was then offered to play both the Elephant Matriarch and Mrs. Jumbo in Disney’s Dumbo (1941). The year 1941 was a catalyst to many things in Verna’s life, from the beginning of a long-lasting relationship with Disney, but also with the tragic passing of her husband Lee.

Cinderella

Verna was brought back again to play one of her most memorable roles of her lifetime, and one she would be identified with for the rest of her life. Her voice was lent to the Fairy Godmother of Cinderella (1950). Her gentle and warm tone made her the perfect choice for the role, and it would be one she would carry with her into other projects, playing the Fairy Godmother again in radios series Screen Directors Playhouse and Hallmark Playhouse.

alice in wonderland

During the production of Cinderella, Disney was also simultaneously working on their version of Alice in Wonderland, with the two films competing for completion by 1950. Despite Verna’s track record with playing motherly roles, it was also evident that she could take on the more villainous and stern roles as shown in her performance of the Elephant Matriarch. Verna was offered the role of the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland (1951), and delivered a stellar performance that brought the rage of that character forward. Both her time as Fairy Godmother and the Queen of Hearts show her range, her commitment to character, and have been solidified in the silver age of Disney forever.

lady and the tramp

Verna was brought back once again in 1955 to play yet another antagonist, this time in Lady and the Tramp (1955) as Aunt Sarah. Aunt Sarah and her two cats Si and Am wanted to be rid of Lady, and muzzled her after Si and Am blame Lady for a mess caused. Lady is able to escape, but Aunt Sarah is shown once again when the Tramp makes his way into the baby’s room to try to protect the baby from a rat, but Aunt Sarah once again blames the dogs. In the end, when it is revealed that Lady and the Tramp were only trying to protect the baby, Aunt Sarah sends them dog biscuits as an apology. This type of role was perfect for Felton, bringing back the deep villainous tone, but ending softly.

sleeping beauty

The 1950s were a fruitful decade for Disney and Felton’s relationship, as she was hired once again for Disney’s masterpiece Sleeping Beauty in 1959. She lent her voice to 2 roles in the films, Queen Leah, and Flora the fairy. Flora gives Aurora the gift of beauty, and is responsible for Aurora’s pink version of her dress.

the jungle book

The last Disney project Verna was associated with is The Jungle Book in 1966, as she provided the voice of Winifred the elephant. It is quite poetic that Verna’s journey with Disney began with an elephant and ended with one too. Verna would never be able to see the final product of The Jungle Book, much like Walt Disney, as they both passed away within one day of each other in December 1966.

Verna Felton working on Dumbo. Image from: https://www.ebay.com/itm/285275989547

verna felton’s fruitful career

Like many performers during the early-mid 1900s, Verna made her transition into radio and television alongside her work with films. On both radio and television, her roles were almost exclusively in the motherly-type role, as she played it so well. She starred in popular shows such as The Jack Benny Program, The Amos ‘n Andy Show, Where’s Raymond?, and guest starred on a few episodes of I Love Lucy. She is also well-known for providing the voice of Wilma’s mother Pearl Slaghoople in The Flintstones.

Verna’s voice lives on through these characters she had a significant impact on shaping, and her legacy within the Disney portfolio is inspiring.