Pat Carroll (voice of Ursula the Sea Witch) | The Making of The Little Mermaid

The StoryTeller
The StoryTeller
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Published 2022-07-31
Pat Carroll, a comedic television mainstay for decades, and Emmy-winner for “Caesar’s Hour” would come to be known and loved by millions by her voice thanks to Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” which came out in 1989. She was not the first choice of directors Ron Clements and John Musker or the musical team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who reportedly wanted Joan Collins or Bea Arthur to voice the sea witch. Elaine Stritch was even cast originally before Carroll got to audition. And her throaty rendition of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” would make her one of Disney’s most memorable villains.

Carroll would often say that Ursula was one of her favorite roles. She said she saw her as an “Ex-Shakespearean actress who now sold cars.”

“She’s a mean old thing! I think people are fascinated by mean characters,” Carroll said in an interview. “There’s a fatal kind of distraction about the horrible mean characters of the world because we don’t meet too many of them in real life. So when we have a chance, theatrically, to see one and this one, she’s a biggie, it’s kind of fascinating for us.”

She got the chance to reprise the role in several “Little Mermaid” sequels, spinoffs and even theme park rides.”

Watch Poor Unfortunate Souls (Alternate Song Version):    • Deleted Scene: Poor Unfortunate Souls...  
All Comments (21)
  • @nicotorio8627
    I will say that Pat's performance as Ursula will go down in Disney history's finest along side James Woods' "Hades" and Robin Williams' "Genie" to name a couple.
  • @CaptPoco
    Even the woman's speaking voice sounds like a cello. Such flawless beauty, it's like the aural equivalent of the Hope Diamond.
  • @crystalbuhrow
    She's a part of most our pasts. Whether big, or little, it was enough to make it heartbreaking to hear of her passing. I'm thankful for the long life she lived and the fact that she really enjoyed what she did, especially with Ursula. Rest in peace, Pat Carroll.
  • @brendonharrison
    R.I.P. Pat Carroll the voice of Ursula & Morgana (May 5, 1927 - July 30, 2022)
  • @hannahskipper2764
    She did a fantastic job with Ursula! That villainess has always given me the creeps. RIP Pat.
  • @annien.1727
    RIP, Pat Carroll. We'll miss you terribly. Thank you for being a part of our childhoods!😭💐💔
  • @saphiquefemme
    She is iconic! Never to be forgotten by this 90s kid 😊
  • @MichaelCH2007
    One of the best Disney villains ever! She'll be missed by Disney fans everywhere.
  • @justinstewart4889
    What's awesome about this is her admitting just how much of a collaborative effort Ursula was. Ursula is iconic, and she didn't mince words in not taking all creative credit. Many wouldn't.
  • @bigfatmeanni
    I have been crying over Disney content all day and I couldn’t figure out why I was so emotional. Now I know why. She will be dearly missed by thousands of fans.
  • @undead890
    The Little Mermaid was the movie that signaled the start of the Disney Renaissance and Pat's performance was absolutely key to the success of the movie.
  • @gclever3322
    So amazing to think that sinister Ursula voice came from such a nice and sweet Lady. She was a LEGEND. Rest in Peace
  • @kirarasmom4274
    Back when acting was taken seriously. Talent was talent.
  • @Father_of_Death
    She'll always be Ursula. I love how she captures every essence of the character. Ursula is conniving, deceitful, dishonest and malicious. She ate this role up and I feel like no one can live up to her performance.
  • @SoWhatHo
    This is so sad to hear of her passing 😢🥺😭 I literally was just saying to someone that she played my favorite Disney villain 💔 R.I.P. Pat Carroll
  • @rorygoss6042
    I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to not like Pat Carrol.
  • @lauragrace101
    Ursula is an absolute queen and so is the voice actor behind the character.