Jodi Benson - wikipedia Jodi Benson Jodi Benson Benson at the World of Color Premiere Disney California Adventure Jodi Marie Marzorati ( 1961 - 10 - 10 ) October 10, 1961 ( age 56 ) Rockford, Illinois, U.S. Nationality American Occupation Actress, voice actress, singer Years active 1987 -- present Notable work Voice of Princess Ariel in Disney 's The Little Mermaid franchise Voice of Thumbelina in Thumbelina ( 1994 ) Voice of Barbie in Disney / Pixar 's Toy Story franchise Spouse ( s ) Ray Benson ( m. 1984 ) Children Awards Disney Legend ( 2011 ) Jodi Marie Marzorati Benson ( born October 10, 1961 ) is an American actress, voice actress and soprano singer. She is best known for providing both the speaking and the singing voice of Disney 's Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid and its sequel, prequel, and television series spinoff. Benson voiced the character Barbie in the 1999 movie Toy Story 2 and its 2010 Academy Award - winning sequel Toy Story 3. She also voiced Barbie in the Toy Story cartoon Hawaiian Vacation. For her contributions to the Disney company, Benson was named a Disney Legend in 2011. Benson was the original voice of Ariel in the Academy Award - winning Walt Disney Pictures animated feature film The Little Mermaid and continues to perform Ariel and the bubbly voice of `` Barbie '' in Disney / Pixar 's Best Picture Golden Globe winner Toy Story 2 and Academy Award winner Toy Story 3. She also gave voice to the spirited `` Weebo '' in Disney 's live action Flubber, starring Robin Williams. For Warner Bros., she created the voice of Thumbelina in 1994, a Don Bluth animated feature film with songs by Barry Manilow. Her other projects include Tinkerbell : Secret of the Wings, The Little Mermaid : Ariel 's Beginning, The Little Mermaid II : Return to the Sea, Lady and the Tramp II : Scamp 's Adventure, 101 Dalmatians II : Patch 's London Adventure, Balto II : Wolf Quest, and Balto III : Wings of Change. She appeared as Patrick Dempsey 's assistant Sam, in Disney 's live - action feature film Enchanted. While being a Disney Legend, she also voiced Jane Doe and Patsy Smiles in Cartoon Network 's Camp Lazlo. She also voiced the character Tula in Fox 's animated series The Pirates of Dark Water. Contents 1 Career 2 The Little Mermaid 3 Personal life 4 Filmography 4.1 Live - action 4.2 Animation 4.3 Direct - to - video 4.4 Video games 4.5 Theme park attractions 5 Discography 6 References 7 External links Career Benson made her debut in the 1975 Kenny Ortega - directed `` Marilyn : An American Fable ''. Other Broadway credits include a starring role in the Broadway musical Smile, where she introduced a song called `` Disneyland ''. In 1983, Howard Ashman, the lyricist of Smile, would go on to write the lyrics for The Little Mermaid. She describes the song `` Disneyland '' at the `` Smile '' Reunion concert held on Sept. 22, 2014, `` This is the first piece of the puzzle of my life, the first step of the journey, so to speak ''. Benson also sings `` Disneyland '' on a compilation CD called Unsung Musicals. In 1989, Benson appeared in the Broadway musical, Welcome to the Club, alongside Samuel E. Wright, who performed the voice for Sebastian the Crab in The Little Mermaid. In 1992, Benson received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Polly Baker in Crazy For You. She played the narrator in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1998. Benson also played the Queen in a one - night concert version of Rodgers & Hammerstein 's Cinderella at the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in May 2010. She was at the 2012 SYTA conference singing her signature song `` Part of Your World '' on August 27, 2012. Benson has been the guest artist for the Candlelight Processional for five years at Walt Disney World including December 10 -- 13, 2012. She joined the `` 2013 Spring Pops '' on May 14 -- 15, 2013 as a guest soloist with the Boston Pops. Benson can be heard on over a dozen recordings and has a six - part DVD series entitled Baby Faith from the creators of Baby Einstein. Her animated TV series include the Emmy Award - winning Camp Lazlo for the Cartoon Network, The Little Mermaid, Batman Beyond, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, The Wild Thornberrys, Barbie, Hercules : Zero to Hero, P.J. Sparkles, and the series Sofia the First for Disney. On the concert stage, Benson has performed as a concert soloist with symphonies all over the world, including The Boston Pops, The Philly Pops ( conductor : Peter Nero ), The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra ( conductor : John Mauceri ), The National Symphony ( conductor : Marvin Hamlisch ), Cleveland, Dallas, Tokyo, and the San Francisco and Chicago Symphonies. She starred in the Kennedy Center Honors for Ginger Rogers, and in Disney 's Premiere in Central Park with Pocahontas, The Walt Disney World 25th Anniversary Spectacular and Disney 's 100 Years of Magic. Benson is the resident guest soloist for the Walt Disney Company / Disney Cruise Line and ambassador for feature animation. On June 6, 2016, Benson performed the role of Ariel at the Hollywood Bowl 's concert performance of The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid In late 1986, Benson first heard of the audition for The Little Mermaid through lyricist and playwright Howard Ashman. The two had just worked together in the Broadway show Smile until its run ended early. He knew she would be the perfect fit for the role. After hearing the demo for `` Part of Your World '', she sang a small part of it on tape where it was later sent to Disney executives. Before her audition for The Little Mermaid, she was primarily a stage actress. It was Ashman 's first Disney project. In early 1988, Benson won the role of Ariel. Personal life Benson was born and raised in a Catholic environment, graduating from Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford, Illinois. She married actor / singer Ray Benson in 1984. They have two children, McKinley and Delaney. Filmography Live - action Year Title Role Notes 1991 Hunter Police officer TV series 1997 Caroline in the City Mother TV series 2003 The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire Choir Soloist TV series 2007 Enchanted Sam Animation Year Title Role Notes 1984 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Lastelle 's Mother ( 2004 Disney Dub ) Voice role The Little Mermaid Princess Ariel / Vanessa Voice role 1991 Pirates of Dark Water Tula TV series ( voice ) 1992 Dance ! Workout with Barbie Barbie Video ( voice ) P.J. Sparkles P.J. ( 1988 Mattel ) Voice 1992 -- 1994 The Little Mermaid Princess Ariel TV series ( voice ) 1994 Thumbelina Thumbelina Voice role 1997 Flubber Weebo Voice role A Christmas Carol Belle Voice role 1998 The Mighty Kong Ann Darrow Voice role An American Tail : The Treasure of Manhattan Island Additional Voices Voice role Hercules Helen of Troy TV series ( voice ) 1999 Hercules : Zero to Hero Helen of Troy Voice role Toy Story 2 Barbie Voice role 2000 The Little Mermaid II : Return to the Sea Queen Ariel Voice role Joseph : King of Dreams Asenath Voice role Lady and the Tramp II : Scamp 's Adventure Lady ( replacing Barbara Luddy ) Nominated - Annie Award for Voice Acting by a Female Performer in an Animated Feature Production Mickey 's Magical Christmas : Snowed in at the House of Mouse Princess Ariel Voice role House of Mouse Princess Ariel, Princess Belle TV series ( voice ) The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy The Blue Fairy Additional Voices 2002 Balto II : Wolf Quest Jenna ( replacing Bridget Fonda in the rest of the franchise ) Voice role Rapsittie Street Kids : Believe in Santa Lenee Voice role 2003 101 Dalmatians II : Patch 's London Adventure Anita ( replacing Lisa Davis ) Voice role K10C : Kids ' Ten Commandments Leila and Martha Voice role 2005 Balto III : Wings of Change Jenna Voice role 2005 -- 2007 Camp Lazlo Patsy Smiles, Ms. Jane Doe, Almondine Voice role 2008 The Little Mermaid : Ariel 's Beginning Princess Ariel Voice role Toy Story 3 Barbie Voice role 2011 The Little Engine That Could Jillian Voice role Hawaiian Vacation Barbie Voice role 2012 Secret of the Wings Healing - Talent Fairy Voice role 2013 Sofia the First Princess Ariel and Queen Emmaline Voice role, computer animated series 2015 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Singing Teacher Voice 2016 Clarence Diana Voice 2018 Ralph Breaks the Internet Princess Ariel Voice role in production 2019 Toy Story 4 Barbie Voice role in production Direct - to - video Year Title Role Notes 1990 Why Christmas Trees Are n't Perfect Princess Arabella Voice 1993 Disney Sing Along Songs : Friend Like Me Princess Ariel Voice, archive footage 1994 Disney Sing Along Songs : Circle of Life Princess Ariel Voice, archive footage 1995 Mickey 's Fun Songs : Beach Party at Walt Disney World ( voice, live action ) Princess Ariel Voice, live action Guideposts Junction Herself A six - part Christian video series for children 1998 Blablaland Lola Pesto Video games Year Title Voice role Notes 1998 A Bug 's Life Atta 1999 Disney 's Arcade Frenzy Princess Ariel 2000 Batman Beyond Aquagirl The Call Parts 1 and 2 2000 Grandia II Millenia 2000 Disney 's Aladdin in Nasira 's Revenge Nasira 2002 Kingdom Hearts Princess Ariel English version Onimusha 3 : Demon Siege Voice of Mother 2005 Kingdom Hearts II Princess Ariel English version 2007 Disney Princess : Enchanted Journey Princess Ariel 2011 Kinect Disneyland Adventures Princess Ariel 2012 Disney Princess : My Fairytale Adventure Princess Ariel 2012 Epic Mickey : Power of Illusion Princess Ariel 2016 Disney Magical World 2 Princess Ariel Theme park attractions Year Title Role Notes 2003 Mickey 's PhilharMagic Princess Ariel Voice role Discography Year Album Notes 1990 The Little Mermaid Soundtrack The voice of Ariel 1991 Precious Moments Timmy 's Gift Performed the song, Starlight Theme 1991 Jodi Benson Sings Songs From the Beginner 's Bible I 1992 Jodi Benson Sings Songs From the Beginner 's Bible II 1992 The Little Mermaid : Splash Hits 1992 Crazy for You Cast Recording 1993 The Little Mermaid : Songs from the Sea 1994 Unsung Musicals 1994 Thumbelina Soundtrack 1995 Songs of Guideposts Junction Hollywood Christmas Various artists 2000 The Little Mermaid II ( soundtrack ) Disney Princess : The Ultimate Song Collection Disney Princess Music Hits 2005 Disneys Princess Christmas Album 2005 Disney Princess Tea Party 2006 Ultimate Disney Princess References Jump up ^ `` Jodi Benson ''. Hollywood.com. Retrieved June 1, 2016. Jump up ^ Video : Disney Princess voices, Regis Philbin, Hensons accept their Disney Legends awards at the 2011 D23 Expo Retrieved November 24, 2013 Jump up ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/01/10/getting-along-swimmingly/e681cfbb-b303-4ded-a5e6-6c88f1404b10/ Jump up ^ Headley, Mauzey, Benson Lead Starry Lineup for CINDERELLA, 5 / 14 Jump up ^ Jodi Benson Candlelight 2012 at Walt Disney World Jump up ^ JODI BENSON TO REPRISE HER ROLE AS ARIEL IN ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE OF THE LITTLE MERMAID : LIVE IN CONCERT Oh My Disney, Retrieved June 8, 2016 ^ Jump up to : `` An Interview with Jodi Benson, Voice of Ariel ''. blogs.disney.com. Disney Insider. 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2015. Jump up ^ Truitt, Brian ( Oct 2, 2013 ). `` ' Little Mermaid ' star Jodi Benson loves life as Ariel ''. USA Today. Retrieved June 28, 2015. Jump up ^ http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/news/Jodi-Benson-25-Years-Of-Voicing-Ariel/ Jump up ^ Gaither, Gloria ( August 1, 2011 ). `` Part Of Her World : Jodi Benson ''. Homecoming Magazine. Retrieved December 3, 2016. Jump up ^ Braun, Georgette. `` Little Mermaid star at Boylan fundraiser April 17 ''. Rockford Register Star. Retrieved 2018 - 02 - 07. Jump up ^ Breslauer, Jan ( December 10, 1995 ). `` Just Like a Fish to Water : Jodi Benson made a splash as the voice of Ariel in ' The Little Mermaid, ' but she 's really hitting her stride in musicals ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 1, 2016. Jump up ^ Truitt, Brian ( October 2, 2013 ). `` ' Little Mermaid ' star Jodi Benson loves life as Ariel ''. USA Today. Retrieved June 1, 2016. Jump up ^ Capcom ( 2004 - 04 - 27 ). Onimusha 3 : Demon Siege. Scene : Closing credits, 0 : 45 in, cast. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jodi Benson. Wikiquote has quotations related to : Jodi Benson Jodi Benson on IMDb Jodi Benson at the TCM Movie Database 88677 Jodi Benson at the Internet Broadway Database Jodi Benson at the Disney Legends Website Performance Working in the Theatre seminar video at American Theatre Wing.org, April 1992 BNF : cb14154924c ( data ) GND : 134884361 ISNI : 0000 0001 1933 3145 MusicBrainz : 62d54f86 - 3b76 - 4934 - 9ed1 - 7d34c3a381de SNAC : w6qn9k44 VIAF : 29741418 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jodi_Benson&oldid=849977098 '' Categories : 1961 births Actresses from Illinois Musicians from Rockford, Illinois American voice actresses American film actresses American sopranos American video game actresses American Roman Catholics Walt Disney Animation Studios people Living people Actors from Rockford, Illinois 20th - century American actresses 21st - century American actresses 20th - century American singers 21st - century American singers Traditional pop music singers 20th - century women singers Hidden categories : Articles with hCards All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from February 2016 Turner Classic Movies person ID same as Wikidata Articles with IBDb links Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers Wikipedia articles with SNAC - ID identifiers Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikiquote Asturianu تۆرکجه Български Cebuano Dansk Deutsch Español فارسی Français 한국어 Italiano עברית 日本 語 Português Русский Shqip Suomi Svenska Tagalog Українська 中文 12 more Edit links This page was last edited on 12 July 2018, at 18 : 24 ( UTC ). 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Question: who was the singing voice of ariel in the little mermaid
Answer: Jodi Marie Marzorati Benson