Originally Posted By LadyKluck I'm so sad to here this. Pixie Glitter said exactly what I was thinking, as well as JB. I met Wayne & Russi at the 2004 meet too & it did feel like I was talking with old friends! I will miss that friend! Hugs and condolences to his family!
Originally Posted By MouseBear Salutations and Sadness, This is very sad news. Mr. Allwine seemed like a great person and he and his wife were very cute in interviews. I will certainly miss his work. MouseBear
Originally Posted By DlandDug I was so sorry to hear this news. My sincerest condolences to Wayne's family. How wonderful that Wayne and Russi were honored as Disney Legends last November. <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-753.asp" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/L...-753.asp</a>
Originally Posted By mnmears Wayne and Russi were simply among the sweetest people on earth. They signed a number of items for our chapter's auctions and they were both big supporter of our Toys for Tots efforts. I remember Wayne telling me that he often donned a Santa Suit to work with children charity groups as well as visiting sick children or calling them as Mickey Mouse. I heard him tell the "just filling in for Walt" line at least twice and loved the story of his Holliday Inn days after just getting divorced and his eventual courtship of Russi. He loved her and showered her with well-deserved praise. I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours with them at least three times. My first meeting was the most magical, with Wayne pulling out his uke and serenading about 50 or 60 of us crammed into Stage 9 in Sacramento. I'll never forget him singing "When You Wish Upon a Star," and tearing up at just how sweet it all was. Russi, our hearts and prayers go out to you and to your immediate and extended family.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Very sad news. I wasn't able to attend the 2004 meet but I have a photo of my cardboard head on a stick with Wayne and Russi. I'm so sorry for his family.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror I met Wayne several years ago, with Russi, and did my own Mickey voice (it's pretty good) for them both. Their reaction was priceless. Very sweet people. Ironically I was talking about Wayne just the other day with a friend who works at Disney Character Voices and sees Wayne and Russi all the time. He mentioned that lately, Wayne had been coming in using a walker, and did not look good. When we met up for dinner tonight I mentioned Wayne had died - and was surprised to find he had not been told. I guess they just passed it initially through the feature and TV animation departments first. It really bummed my friend out, as he felt just awful for Russi.
Originally Posted By DAR Very sad indeed, but as they say the show must go on. Does Disney have a contingency plan to have someone new do Mickey's voice?
Originally Posted By brotherdave How very sad to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family. He and Russi both seemed to enjoy playing their 'alter egos' immensely. Just a thought, this is the first time that Mickey's voice was lost due to death. Both Walt and Jimmy MacDonald both 'retired' from their roles as their successors took over. It's sad to know that Mickey is currently 'voiceless' right now...
Originally Posted By ToonKirby Very sad news indeed. According to this link: <a href="http://voiceactors.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/wayne-allwine-voice-of-mickey-mouse/" target="_blank">http://voiceactors.wordpress.c...y-mouse/</a> "auditions for his successor as the voice of Mickey [had] been going on for several months,” and that Allwine had been “very active in the selection process.” Curiously, I did a Google news search and there was only one item on his death as of now. - kch
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes This makes me very sad. I saw him first at the 2004 meet and a couple of times after. A wonderful guy and a wonderful couple.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes I couldn't cut and paste the web address, but google Wayne Allwine and look for the Cartoon Brew page. There's a nine minute uTube clip where he's interviewed by Leonard Maltin. It's facinating. It has a lot to do with his sound effects work, something he doesn't get much credit for.
Originally Posted By Tiggirl Oh how sad! Meeting Wayne and Russi was certainly one of the highlights of my Disney Nerd side of life. such a sweet couple! My thoughts are with Russi now. ~Beth
Originally Posted By DlandJB Dug, thanks for sharing that video clip in #23. In light of the sad news, it has even more power.
Originally Posted By ni_teach This is sad. I got to meet him and his wife at one of the Laughing Place meetings. They were such a wonderful couple. They always had time to talk with us fans. My heart goes out to his family, friends and fans.
Originally Posted By RichKoster It is so sad to lose Wayne. I wrote a tribute to him here: <a href="http://disneyecho.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/remembering-wayne-allwine-who-gave-a-voice-to-mickey-mouse/" target="_blank">http://disneyecho.wordpress.co...y-mouse/</a>
Originally Posted By mnmears Here's a link to a nice remembrance piece by April Winchell about meeting and working with Wayne and Russi: <a href="http://www.aprilwinchell.com/2009/05/19/rip-wayne-allwine/" target="_blank">http://www.aprilwinchell.com/2...allwine/</a>
Originally Posted By The Duck The end of an era. Rest in peace Wayne and may the next Mickey bring us as much joy as you have. Also wondering... I hope that Tony Anselmo takes someone under his wing (sorry about the pun) as Clarence Nash took him under his. Tony is still young but when the day comes, Donald's voice will be more of a challenge to replace than Mickey's.
Originally Posted By basil fan In every interview, every personal appearance I've ever seen, he just came across as the nicest of the nice guys, kinda like a human Mickey Mouse. I bet it'll be hard on his wife playing Minnie with a new actor voicing Mickey.
Originally Posted By FiveBearRugs I can just see Walt placing his hand on Wayne's shoulder and saying, "You did good!"
