Ilene Woods

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Jacqueline Ruth Ilene Woods (born May 5, 1929 in Portsmouth , New Hampshire , † July 1, 2010 in Canoga Park , Los Angeles , California ) was an American singer and voice actress .

Life

Woods originally wanted to be a teacher , but was systematically introduced to show business by her mother . At the age of eleven she first appeared on her own radio show on a local radio station in her hometown. In 1944, at the age of 15, she received her own weekly radio show, The Ilene Woods Show , on ABC Network in New York .

During World War II , she toured with Paul Whiteman and the United States Air Force Orchestra , and performed with other stars at promotional events for the subscription of war bonds . As part of the troop support , she sang in front of soldiers at various military bases and in hospitals. Because of her appearances, including for the United Service Organizations charity , she was invited by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sing at his private Christmas party in his Hyde Park estate . She also sang in the White House for US President Harry S. Truman .

In 1948, at the suggestion of the two songwriters Mack David and Jerry Livingston , she recorded several songs as test recordings for a planned Walt Disney film , including the songs Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo , A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes and So This is love . Chosen from almost 400 female competitors, Woods received the title role in the Walt Disney cartoon Cinderella in 1950 . She took over both the speaking voice and the singing role of Cinderella.

After her success in Cinderella , Woods turned to television and appeared on the Steve Allen Show , the Garry Moore Show , the Perry Como Show and the Arthur Godfrey and His Friends show , among others . In 2001 Woods appeared again on the 50th anniversary of the film at a Cinderella ball in Disneyland . In 2002 she appeared in Knoxville together with Mary Costa , the voice of the title role of the legendary Walt Disney animation film Sleeping Beauty , at a Cinderella anniversary ball for the benefit of the American charity Childhelp.

In 2003 she received the Disney Legends Award for her role in Cinderella .

From 1985 Woods also worked as a portrait painter , especially of children's portraits . Woods married twice. A daughter comes from their brief first marriage. In 1963 she married Ed Shaughnessy , the drummer for the Tonight Show , to whom she was married until her death. From this marriage two sons were born. Woods died in a nursing home in Canoga Park of complications from her Alzheimer's disease .

Filmography

Web links