Phil Harris

Wonga Phillip "Phil" Harris was an American actor, voice actor, comedian, singer-songwriter, and jazz musician. For Disney, he notably provided the voices of Baloo in The Jungle Book, Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats, and Little John in Robin Hood. He also appeared in NBC Salutes the 25th Anniversary of the Wonderful World of Disney.
Harris was born in Linton, Indiana, but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and began his music career as a drummer in San Francisco. He would record for labels, such as Victor, Columbia, Decca, and Vocalion. It would not be until 1950 when Harris recorded a hit novelty song entitled "" that he would score a #1 hit on the charts, though his signature song was "".
During the 1930s, Harris began a radio career usually ranging from acting roles to music director, sometimes partnering with . He and his wife, , began co-hosting , a comedy-variety program that would evolve into . In 1933, he made a short film for called , which won an . This would lead to other roles in various movies, such as , , , , and . His television credits included , , , , , , , and .
Harris returned to Disney to reprise his role of Baloo when the television series TaleSpin was being produced and recorded five episodes. However, executives felt that Harris had too big a voice difference from his portrayal of Baloo in the '60s. The role was then given to Ed Gilbert, and the episodes featuring Harris were recorded over. However, Harris did reprise the voice of Baloo for Walt Disney's World on Ice: Mickey's Magical Tales, which began touring around the same time.
Outside of Disney, Harris also voiced Patou in Don Bluth's 1991 animated film , his last acting role before his retirement.
Harris died of a heart attack at age 91 in his Rancho Mirage home in the night of August 11, 1995.
==Roles==
Diamond baloo.png|Baloo(The Jungle Book)
Thomasdisney.jpeg|Thomas O'Malley(The Aristocats)
Little John.jpg|Little John(Robin Hood)
==Gallery==
Phil harris discussing baloo.JPG|Phi Harris discussing Baloo.
==Trivia==
*He was originally set to voice Singing Bullfrog in The Rescuers. 
*He was originally set to voice Orville in The Rescuers; however, the role went to instead.
==External links==
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fr:Phil Harris
pt-br:Phil Harris
Category:The Jungle Book
Category:The Aristocats
Category:Robin Hood
Category:Deceased
Category:Voice actors
Category:Males
Category:American people
Category:1990s deaths
Category:1900s births
Category:People from Indiana
Category:TaleSpin
Category:Songwriters
Category:Comedians
Category:Musicians
Category:Singers
Category:Singer-songwriters
Category:Actors
Category:Radio actors
Category:Performance models
Category:Disney Channel Actors and Actresses