Legendary Disney movie trailer narration artist Mark Elliott dies at 81

The legendary voice actor behind some of Disney’s most famous animated films, Mark Elliott, died at the age of 81.

Rest in peace: the legendary voice actor behind some of Disney's most famous animated films, Mark Elliott, died at the age of 81

Rest in peace: the legendary voice actor behind some of Disney’s most famous animated films, Mark Elliott, died at age 81

Elliott died in a Los Angeles hospital after two heart attacks on Saturday, according to a friend who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter.

Perhaps not recognizable by his face or name, Disney fans will immediately know the voice of Elliott, who he lent to trailers and promotions for some of Disney’s most popular films in the 80s, 90s and early years.

‘He was unique … and kind is a great word to describe him,’ friend and fellow voice artist Charlie Van Dyke told THR.

At the time of his death, Elliott was battling lung cancer, EW reported.

Another colleague, Joe Cipriano, who had a small role with Elliott in the voice on the Lake Bell comedy, In A World, shared a touching tribute on Facebook.

Cipriano shared the story of how he started in the business by watching Elliott record prime time comedy promos for CBS at the studio in Television City.

Elliot passed away in a Los Angeles hospital after two heart attacks on Saturday, according to a friend who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter.

Elliot passed away in a Los Angeles hospital after two heart attacks on Saturday, according to a friend who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter.

“We talked between his promotional sessions and he told me two things about promotions – never take a vacation and never buy a house based on the voiceover recipe,” he wrote.

‘Mark was a real gentleman – sharing all of our scenes in Lake Bell’s’ In a World’ was the icing on the cake. I’m very sad about Mark’s death, ”said Cipriano.

Mark first worked on the radio and then transitioned to dubbing. He was hired by Disney to dub the trailer for the 1977 Cinderella theatrical release.

He was the voice of Disney during the heyday of the studio’s animated feature, with films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Hercules and Aladdin.

‘He was unique … and kind is a great word to describe him,’ friend and fellow voice artist Charlie Van Dyke told THR.

He worked as a voice actor for Mouse House from 1983 to 2008 and also voiced throughout his career for commercials, films and networks such as CBS and FOX.

‘Do you think about the decisions that were made and the paths that were chosen and all that kind of thing, and [working for Disney] for me it is the turning point in my life, not only in my career, but in my life. Because it gave me that identity that … continues today, ‘he said once, according to THR.

‘[Being the voice of Disney] it’s a wonderful touchstone for my career. If this is the identity that I carry with me for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t do it any other way ‘, he added at the time.

Iconic voice: Elliott was the voice of Disney during the height of the studio's animated feature, with films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Hercules and Aladdin;  he worked with the studio from the 1980s until 2008

Iconic voice: Elliott was the voice of Disney during the height of the studio’s animated feature, with films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Hercules and Aladdin; he worked with the studio from the 1980s until 2008

Mark was born John Harrison Frick Jr in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1939. He legally changed his name for professional reasons.

During an interview with VO Buzz Weekly, Mark shared the story of how network executives wanted to change his name to Johnny Barron, but he declined because he didn’t like the sound.

After pondering ‘silly’ names like Vic Vanilla and Charlie Chocolate, the team narrowed it down to Mark Anthony and Clark Elliott. Ultimately he landed on Mark Elliott and made the move official.

His story: Mark was born as John Harrison Frick Jr in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1939. He legally changed his name for professional reasons and worked on the radio for decades before switching to voice overs

His story: Mark was born as John Harrison Frick Jr in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1939. He legally changed his name for professional reasons and worked on the radio for decades before switching to voice overs

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