Samuel Ernest Wright(November 20, 1946 – May 24, 2021)[1]was an American actor. He was best known as the voice ofSebastianinDisney'sThe Little Mermaid,for which he provided the lead vocals to "Under the Sea",[2]which won theAcademy Award for Best Original Song.He playedDizzy GillespieinBird,the biographical film aboutCharlie Parker.Wright also played the part ofMufasain the original cast ofThe Lion Kingon Broadway and voiced Kron theIguanodonin the 2000CGI/live-action filmDinosaur.
Samuel E. Wright | |
|---|---|
 Wright in 2008 | |
| Born | November 20, 1946 |
| Died | May 24, 2021(aged 74) Walden, New York,U.S. |
| Resting place | Wallkill Valley Cemetery, Walden, New York, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1968–2008 |
| Spouse |
Amanda Wright (m.1974) |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
editWright was born on November 20, 1946, inCamden, South Carolina.[1][3]He was a student atCamden High School,where he was involved withsportsandthe arts.[4]
Career
editIn 1968, Wright moved toNew York Cityto pursue his acting career full time.[3]Wright originated the part of "Sam" inOver Here!on Broadway[5](1974). In addition, on Broadway, Wright replacedBen Vereenas the Leading Player inPippin[1](1972).
Wright played Enos' partner Officer Turk Adams in the TV seriesEnos,theDukes of Hazzardspin-off in 1980–81.[6]Wright was nominated for aTony Awardin 1984 for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance inThe Tap Dance Kid.[3]He portrayed jazz trumpeter and composerDizzy Gillespiein the 1988Clint EastwoodfilmBird.[7]
He originated the role of Mayor Joe Clark inMule Bone(1991).[8]He was nominated for a Tony Award again in 1998 for Best Featured Actor in a Musical as the original lead actor for Mufasa inThe Lion King,theBroadwayversion of Disney'sanimated classic of the same name.[3]
He also played the part of Jericho on the short-livedFoxtelevision programJonny Zeroin 2005.[6]
Music and voice-over work
editWright narrated the 1988 documentary filmThelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser,produced by Clint Eastwood.[9]
Wright performed and recorded several songs for the Walt Disney Pictures animated filmThe Little Mermaid,as Sebastian the Crab,[10]and is widely known for the songs "Under the Sea",and"Kiss the Girl".He voiced Sebastian inThe Little Mermaid'ssequels and spin-offs, includingThe Little Mermaid 2: Return to the SeaandThe Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning(the latter being his final voice role), and recorded several albums in reggae style, among themSebastian from The Little MermaidandSebastian: Party Gras!.[11]Wright also voiced Kron, the leader of the Iguanadon herd, in another Disney animationDinosaur.[6]
He released a soul music single in 1973, "There's Something Funny Going On" backed with "Three Hundred Pounds of Hungry" on theParamount Recordslabel.[12]
Personal life and death
editWright met his wife Amanda Wright, a dance director, at a production ofWilliam Shakespeare'sThe Two Gentlemen of VeronainLondon's West End.[3]They married on June 14, 1974.[4]Together they had three children: Keely, Dee, and Sam Jr.[10][13]
Wright died fromprostate cancerat his home inWalden, New Yorkon May 24, 2021, aged 74. The cancer had been diagnosed three years earlier.[14]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Bird | Dizzy Gillespie | [15] | |
| Me and Him | Paramedic #1 | |||
| 1989 | The Little Mermaid | Sebastian(voice) | [6] | |
| 1993 | Strapped | Dave | [16] | |
| 2000 | Dinosaur | Kron (voice) | [15] | |
| The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea | Sebastian (voice) | Direct-to-video | [15] | |
| 2008 | The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning | Direct-to-video; Final role | [15] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Ball Four | C. B. Travis | 5 episodes | [1] |
| 1979 | Hollow Image | Scotty | Television film | [17] |
| 1980–1981 | Enos | Officer Turk Adams | 18 episodes | [6] |
| 1982 | The Neighborhood | Moving Man | Television film | [17] |
| 1985 | Brass | Captain Michael Shore | ||
| 1986 | The Gift of Amazing Grace | Morris | Episode: "The Gift of Amazing Grace" | |
| The Cosby Show | Dr. Dan Morgan | Episode: "Close to Home" | [1] | |
| 1991 | Separate but Equal | Artis Patterson | TV mini-series | [17] |
| Sebastian's Caribbean Jamboree | Sebastian (voice) | Television special | ||
| Sebastian's Party Gras! | [18][19] | |||
| 1992–1994 | The Little Mermaid | 31 episodes | [7][6] | |
| 1992 | Raw Toonage | Episode: "Draining Cats and Dogs/Mars vs. Man" | [20] | |
| 1993 | Alex Haley's Queen | Alfred | 2 episodes | [21] |
| Marsupilami | Sebastian (voice) | 8 episodes | [22] | |
| 1994–2000 | Law & Order | Jerome Osborn, Dubois, and Morris Stokely | 3 episodes | [16] |
| 1997 | New York Undercover | Gil Jefferson | Episode: "Fade Out" | [23] |
| 2001–2002 | House of Mouse | Sebastian (voice) | 6 episodes | [24] |
| 2003 | Mickeypalooza | Television special | [25] |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Ariel the Little Mermaid | Sebastian | [24] |
| 1997 | Ariel's Story Studio | [22] | |
| 1999 | Disney's Arcade Frenzy | ||
| 2000 | The Little Mermaid II: The Video Game |
Theatre
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Jesus Christ Superstar | Reporter, Leper, Apostle | Broadway | |
| 1971, 1973 | Two Gentlemen of Verona | Valentine, Performer | Broadway, West End | [26][8] |
| 1972 | Pippin | Leading player | Broadway | [25] |
| 1974 | Over Here! | Sam | [5][8] | |
| 1983 | The Tap Dance Kid | William Sheridan | [7][5] | |
| 1989 | Welcome to the Club | Bruce Aiken | [26] | |
| 1991 | Mule Bone | Mayor Joe Clark | [8] | |
| 1997 | Promises, Promises | Mr. Kirkeby | Off-Broadway | [26] |
| The Lion King | Mufasa | Broadway | [7] |
Discography
editReferences
edit- ^abcdeBarnes, Mike (May 25, 2021)."Samuel E. Wright, Voice of Sebastian the Crab in 'The Little Mermaid,' Dies at 74".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on June 10, 2021.RetrievedMay 26,2021.
- ^Victorian, Brande (October 10, 2013)."'What More Is You Looking For?' Meet Samuel E. Wright, The Voice Of Sebastian On 'The Little Mermaid'".Madame Noire.Archivedfrom the original on September 7, 2014.RetrievedJuly 30,2014.
- ^abcdeMorales, Christina (May 26, 2021)."Samuel E. Wright, the Voice of Sebastian in 'The Little Mermaid,' Dies at 72".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on June 9, 2021.RetrievedMay 29,2021.
- ^ab"Samuel Wright Obituary (1946 - 2021) - Walden, NY - Times Herald-Record".legacy.Archivedfrom the original on June 4, 2021.RetrievedJune 4,2021.
- ^abcMeyer, Dan (May 26, 2021)."Tony Nominee Samuel E. Wright Dies at 74".Playbill.Archivedfrom the original on June 15, 2021.RetrievedJune 1,2021.
- ^abcdefEvans, Greg (May 25, 2021)."Samuel E. Wright Dies: 'The Little Mermaid's Sebastian The Crab, Broadway's Mufasa Was 74".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on June 14, 2021.RetrievedMay 30,2021.
- ^abcd"Samuel E Wright: Tributes paid to actor who voiced crab in The Little Mermaid".BBC News.May 26, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on May 26, 2021.RetrievedJune 1,2021.
- ^abcd"Samuel E. Wright".Playbill.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2021.RetrievedJune 1,2021.
- ^See film credits onIMDB.
- ^abGranville, Kari (December 23, 1989)."Without Him, Sebastian Would Be Speechless".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on June 12, 2021.RetrievedOctober 25,2019.
- ^Lenker, Maureen Lee (May 25, 2021)."Samuel E. Wright, voice of Sebastian the Crab in 'The Little Mermaid,' dies at 74".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on May 31, 2021.RetrievedJune 1,2021.
- ^"Samuel E. Wright – There's Something Funny Going On (1973, Vinyl)".Discog.1973.Archivedfrom the original on June 2, 2021.RetrievedJune 1,2021.
- ^Heffley, Lynne (November 16, 1991)."As a Crab or 'Bird,' Wright Gives 100%".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on June 18, 2021.RetrievedOctober 25,2019.
- ^Sinha, Charu (May 25, 2021)."Samuel E. Wright, Voice of The Little Mermaid's Sebastian, Dead at 74".Vulture.Archivedfrom the original on May 31, 2021.RetrievedMay 25,2021.
- ^abcdHolmes, Adam (May 25, 2021)."Samuel Wright, Voice Of The Little Mermaid's Sebastian, Is Dead At 74".CinemaBlend.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2021.RetrievedJune 2,2021.
- ^abWelsh, Daniel (May 26, 2021)."Samuel E Wright, The Little Mermaid Star, Has Died Aged 74".HuffPost.Archivedfrom the original on June 2, 2021.RetrievedJune 2,2021.
- ^abc"Samuel E Wright".Turner Classic Movies.Archivedfrom the original on June 5, 2021.RetrievedJune 2,2021.
- ^"Discover More About the First Year of Life on Family Channel Documentary".The Los Angeles Times.November 17, 1991.Archivedfrom the original on June 19, 2023.RetrievedJune 19,2023.
- ^"As Crab or 'Bird,' Wright Gives 100%".The Los Angeles Times.November 16, 1991.Archivedfrom the original on June 18, 2021.RetrievedJune 20,2020.
- ^"Raw Toonage".TV.Archived fromthe originalon June 7, 2021.RetrievedJune 2,2021.
- ^"Alex Haley's Queen".TV.Archived fromthe originalon January 15, 2021.RetrievedJune 2,2021.
- ^ab"Sebastian Voices (Little Mermaid)".Behind the Voice Actors.Archivedfrom the original on June 12, 2021.RetrievedJune 2,2021.
- ^"FADE OUT NEW YORK UNDERCOVER SEASON 3".Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^abArmstrong, Vanessa."SAMUEL E. WRIGHT, VOICE OF SEBASTIAN IN THE LITTLE MERMAID, DIES AT 74".SyFy.Archivedfrom the original on June 12, 2021.RetrievedJune 2,2021.
- ^abGarner, Glenn."Samuel E. Wright, Known as the Voice of Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, Dead at 74".People.Archivedfrom the original on June 13, 2021.RetrievedMay 25,2021.
- ^abc"Nominees for Best Featured Actor in a Musical".Playbill.June 4, 1998.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2021.RetrievedJune 2,2021.
External links
edit
- Samuel E. WrightatIMDb
- Samuel E. WrightatAllMusic
- Samuel E. Wrightdiscography atDiscogs