Disney Mourns the Loss of the Voice of Mickey Mouse (video)

Last week, Disney lost a classic part of their team when Wayne Allwine passed away. Though his name may not sound familiar to you, his voice most certainly will. For the past 32 years, Wayne has been the voice of Mickey Mouse. He began in 1977, with The New Mickey Mouse Club and more recently voiced the Kingdom Hearts series and the Disney Channel’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Starting his Disney career in the mailroom in 1966, Allwine worked his way up to the sound department and was one of only three people to voice Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney was the first, followed by Wayne's mentor, Jimmy McDonald. In 1986, he won an Emmy for his work on the series Amazing Stories; and in 2008, received a Disney Legends award.

His wife, Russi Taylor, was the voice of Minnie Mouse and they became a real-life Mickey and Minnie Mouse love story.

Allwine passed away from complications related to diabetes at the age of 62. He was survived by his wife and five children.

**This is an excellent interview with Wayne and Russi, from the Walt Disney Treasures box set "Mickey Mouse in Living Color: Volume Two."