Jodi Benson (née Marzorati; born October 10, 1961) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for providing the voice of Ariel in

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...

's ''

The Little Mermaid "The Little Mermaid" (), sometimes translated in English as "The Little Sea Maid", is a fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Originally published in 1837 as part of a collection of fairy tales for children, the story foll ...

'' (1989), as well as in its

sequel A sequel is a work of literature, film, theatre, television, music, or video game that continues the story of, or expands upon, some earlier work. In the common context of a narrative work of fiction, a sequel portrays events set in the same ...

prequel A prequel is a literary, dramatic or cinematic work whose story precedes that of a previous work, by focusing on events that occur before the original narrative. A prequel is a work that forms part of a backstory to the preceding work. The term ...

, and

television series A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, and cable, or distributed digitally on streaming plat ...

spin-off, along with many other Disney works. She is also known for her portrayal of

Barbie Barbie is a fashion doll created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler, manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel and introduced on March 9, 1959. The toy was based on the German Bild Lilli doll, Bild Lilli doll which Hand ...

in the

second The second (symbol: s) is a unit of time derived from the division of the day first into 24 hours, then to 60 minutes, and finally to 60 seconds each (24 × 60 × 60 = 86400). The current and formal definition in the International System of U ...

and

third films Third or 3rd may refer to: Numbers * 3rd, the ordinal form of the cardinal number 3 * , a fraction of one third * 1⁄60 of a ''second'', i.e., the third in a series of fractional parts in a sexagesimal number system Places * 3rd Street (dis ...

of the ''Toy Story'' franchise (1999–2010), and in the ''

Toy Story Toons ''Toy Story Toons'' is an American animated short film series based on the ''Toy Story'' franchise. It follows Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their friends in comedic adventures at Bonnie's house after Andy donated them to her at the end of ''Toy Sto ...

'' short '' Hawaiian Vacation'' (2011). Her other notable voice roles in Disney projects include Weebo in '' Flubber'' (1997), Belle (taking over for Paige O'Hara) in ''

House of Mouse ''Disney's House of Mouse'' (or simply ''House of Mouse'') is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation that originally aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC and Toon Disney from January 13, 2001 ...

'' (2001–03), Lady (who was originally voiced by

Barbara Luddy Barbara Luddy (May 25, 1908 – April 1, 1979) was an American actress best known for her voiceover work for Walt Disney Studios in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Early life Born in Great Falls, Montana on May 25, 1908, Luddy was the daughter of ...

) in '' Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure'' (2001) and Anita Radcliffe (originally voiced by Lisa Davis) in '' 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure'' (2003); she also appeared as Sam in the live-action Disney film '' Enchanted'' (2007). Outside of Disney, Benson's film credits include

Don Bluth Donald Virgil Bluth ( ; born September 13, 1937) is an American filmmaker, animator, video game designer and author. He came to prominence working for Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Productions before creating his own film studio in ...

's ''

Thumbelina Thumbelina (; ) is a literary fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. It was first published by C. A. Reitzel on 16 December 1835 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with "The Naughty Boy" and "The Travelling Companion" in the se ...

'' (1994), '' Balto II: Wolf Quest'' (2002), and '' Balto III: Wings of Change'' (2004); on television, she voiced the character of Tula in

Hanna-Barbera Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. ( ; formerly known as H-B Enterprises, Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. and H-B Production Co.), simply and commonly known as Hanna-Barbera, was an American animation studio and production company, which was acti ...

's ''

The Pirates of Dark Water ''The Pirates of Dark Water'' is an American fantasy animated television series created by David Kirschner and produced by Hanna-Barbera. The series premiered as a five-part miniseries on Fox Kids early 1991, simply entitled ''Dark Water''. The ...

'' (1991–93), and Jane Doe and Patsy Smiles in

Cartoon Network Cartoon Network (CN) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the Cartoon Network, Inc., a sub-division of the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks division of Warner Bros. Discovery. It launched on ...

's ''

Camp Lazlo ''Camp Lazlo'' is an American animated television series created by Joe Murray for Cartoon Network. The series follows Lazlo, an anthropomorphic spider monkey who goes to a camp called "Camp Kidney", a Boy Scout–like summer camp in the Pim ...

'' (2005–08). In video games, she provided the voice of EVA in the ''

Metal Gear is a Media franchise, franchise of stealth games created by Hideo Kojima. Developed and published by Konami, the first game, ''Metal Gear (video game), Metal Gear'', was released in 1987 for MSX, MSX home computers. The player often takes con ...

'' series (2004–10). For her contributions to Disney, Benson was named a Disney Legend in 2011.

Personal life

Benson was born and raised in a Catholic family, graduating from Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford, Illinois, and

Millikin University Millikin University is a private university in Decatur, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1901 by prominent Decatur businessman James Millikin and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). History Millikin was initially esta ...

Decatur, Illinois Decatur ( ) is the largest city in Macon County, Illinois, United States, and its county seat. The city was founded in 1829 and is situated along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 ...

. She experienced a

religious conversion Religious conversion is the adoption of a set of beliefs identified with one particular religious denomination to the exclusion of others. Thus "religious conversion" would describe the abandoning of adherence to one denomination and affiliatin ...

while dating actor/singer Ray Benson (not to be confused with frontman

Ray Benson Ray Benson Seifert (born March 16, 1951) is an American musician, actor, and voice actor who is the frontman of the Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel. Biography Benson was raised Jewish. In 1970, Benson, a native of Philadelphia, formed ...

Asleep at the Wheel Asleep at the Wheel is an American country music, Western swing music group that was formed in Paw Paw, West Virginia, in 1970, and is based in Austin, Texas. The band has won nine Grammy Awards, released over 20 albums, and has charted more t ...

). The two of them later married in 1984, and eventually had two children, a son (born 1999) and a daughter (born 2001). An article originally published in 2013 by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said the couple "live north of Atlanta, GA." In May 2024, Benson revealed to 11 Alive News in connection with her upcoming appearance at MomoCon in Atlanta that she lives in the Lake Lanier area.

Career

Benson made her debut in the 1983

Kenny Ortega Kenneth John Ortega (born April 18, 1950) is an American director, producer, choreographer, and concert creator. He is best known for his work with Disney Channel, notably the '' High School Musical'' film trilogy, cult classics such as '' Newsi ...

-directed '' Marilyn: An American Fable''. Other Broadway credits include a starring role in the 1986 Broadway musical ''

Smile A smile is a facial expression formed primarily by flexing the muscles at the sides of the mouth. Some smiles include a contraction of the muscles at the corner of the eyes, an action known as a Duchenne smile. Among humans, a smile expresses d ...

'', where she introduced a song called "Disneyland". In 1987,

Howard Ashman Howard Elliott Ashman (May 17, 1950 – March 14, 1991) was an American playwright, lyricist and stage director. He is most widely known for his work on feature films for Walt Disney Animation Studios, for which Ashman wrote the lyrics and Alan M ...

, 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 September 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 The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...

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 ''Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'' is a sung-through musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, based on the character of Joseph from the Bible's Book of Genesis. This was the first Lloyd Webber and Rice ...

'' in 1998. In 2004, Benson voiced the character of EVA in the video game '' Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater''. Due to her association with children-oriented projects, she was advised by voice director Kris Zimmerman to adopt a

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true meaning ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individual's o ...

for the game; her credited name, "Suzetta Miñet", was coined by Zimmerman based on the name of Benson's pet dog during her childhood, Suzette Monet. For two decades after the game's release, Miñet's true identity was the subject of scrutiny and speculation among fans until Benson officially revealed her involvement during the promotion of the game's remake, '' Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater'', in November 2024. In 2004–06, Benson contributed as the host and narrator of the children's Christian home video series called "Baby Faith", created by Integrity Publishers & FamilyTreeMedia. In 2007, she played the secretary Sam in Disney's live-action/animated film, '' Enchanted''. Benson also played the Queen in a one-night concert version of Rodgers & Hammersteins ''

Cinderella "Cinderella", or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a Folklore, folk tale with thousands of variants that are told throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsin Press, 1988. The protagonist is a you ...

'' 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. She joined the "2013 Spring Pops" on May 14–15, 2013 as a guest soloist with the

Boston Pops The Boston Pops is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in light classical and popular music. The orchestra's current music director is Keith Lockhart. Founded in 1885 as an offshoot of the Boston Symphony Orc ...

. Benson has been a frequent celebrity narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World, appearing most recently in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021. Benson can be heard on over a dozen recordings. Her animated TV series include the Emmy Award-winning ''

'' for

, ''

'', ''

Batman Beyond ''Batman Beyond'' (also known as ''Batman of the Future'' in Europe) is an American superhero animated television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, and serving as the sequel to both '' Batman: The Animated Series'' and '' The New Ba ...

'', '' The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy'', ''

The Wild Thornberrys ''The Wild Thornberrys'' is an American animated series, animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, Steve Pepoon, David Silverman, and Stephen Sustarsic for Nickelodeon. The series portrays the zany hijinks of a family o ...

'', ''Barbie'', '' Hercules: Zero to Hero'', '' P. J. Sparkles'', and the series ''

Sofia the First ''Sofia the First'' is an American animated fantasy children's television series created and developed by Craig Gerber (creator), Craig Gerber for Disney Television Animation and Disney Jr. The series follows a young peasant girl named Sofia, ...

'' 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 The Hollywood Bowl is an amphitheatre and Urban park, public park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, California. It was named one of the 10 best live music venues in the United States by ''Rolling Stone'' magazine in 2018 and was listed on ...

's concert performance of ''The Little Mermaid''. She also made a special appearance in ABC's 2019 live musical spectacular '' The Little Mermaid Live!'' Benson was originally going to reprise her role as Sam in the 2022 film '' Disenchanted'', but her scene was cut from the movie. She recently lent her voice to Ariel in the 2022 video game '' Disney Dreamlight Valley'' as well as singing as Ariel on various Disney Princess albums of the 2000s. From 1992 to 2011 she was the official voice of Barbie for Mattel and Pixar for projects such as ''Toy Story'' and ''Dance! Workout with Barbie'', until the role was taken over by Kate Higgins starting with the series ''Life in the Dreamhouse''. In June 2023, Benson starred as Mama Rose in a concert production of ''

Gypsy {{Infobox ethnic group , group = Romani people , image = , image_caption = , flag = Roma flag.svg , flag_caption = Romani flag created in 1933 and accepted at the 1971 World Romani Congress , po ...

'' alongside her daughter Delany at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in

Fort Myers, Florida Fort Myers (or Ft. Myers) is a city in and the county seat of Lee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 86,395; it was estimated to have grown to 95,949 in 2022, making it the List o ...

. The two of them reprised their roles in a 2025 production at the OFC Creations Theatre Center in

Rochester, New York Rochester is a city in and the county seat, seat of government of Monroe County, New York, United States. It is the List of municipalities in New York, fourth-most populous city and 10th most-populated municipality in New York, with a populati ...

. Benson portrayed Dolly Gallagher Levi in a concert production of '' Hello, Dolly!'' at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in

Orlando, Florida Orlando ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States. The city proper had a population of 307,573 at the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Florida behind Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville ...

from June 21-22, 2024.

''The Little Mermaid''

In late 1986, Benson first heard of the audition for ''The Little Mermaid'' through lyricist and playwright

. The two had just worked together in the Broadway show ''

'' until its run ended early. He knew she would be the perfect fit for the role and that she would be a great replica of Ariel. 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 and has been voicing her ever since. She also made a cameo in the 2023 live-action adaptation of the film, directed by

Rob Marshall Robert Doyle Marshall Jr.http://www.alumni.cmu.edu/s/1410/images/editor_documents/alumnirelations/getinvolved/alumniawards/all_honorees_2018june1.pdf (born October 17, 1960) is an American film and theater director, producer, and choreographer. ...

, as a market vendor who hands Ariel ( Halle Bailey) a fork during her tour of the kingdom.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Theme parks

Stage

Discography

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

* * *
Jodi Benson at the Disney Legends Website

Performance
''Working in the Theatre'' seminar video at

American Theatre Wing The American Theatre Wing (the Wing for short) is a New York City–based non-profit organization "dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre", according to its mission statement. Originally known as the Stage Women's War Relief ...

.org, April 1992 {{DEFAULTSORT:Benson, Jodi 1961 births Living people Actresses from Rockford, Illinois American evangelicals American film actresses American musical theatre actresses American sopranos American video game actresses American voice actresses Audiobook narrators Disney Legends Former Roman Catholics Musicians from Rockford, Illinois Traditional pop music singers 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American actresses 20th-century American singers 20th-century American women singers 21st-century American women singers 20th-century evangelicals 21st-century evangelicals