Samuel E. Wright, Sebastian's Voice Actor from The Little Mermaid, Dies at 74
Samuel E. Wright, famously known as the voice of Sebastian in the Little Mermaid franchise dies at the age of 74. The voice actor's death was announced by his hometown, the Town of Montgomery, on its Facebook Page.
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The Little Mermaid Sebastian Voice Actor Dies at 74
Wright's daughter Dee confirmed with The Hollywood Reporter that the Tony Award nominee lost his life on Monday night at his home in Walden, New York. Wright's daughter furthered that Sebastian's voice actor lost his three-year battle with prostate cancer. Wright was described by his daughter as the "brightest light."
"Today, the Town of Montgomery mourns the loss of Sam Wright," said the town in a statement, adding that Samuel E. Wright and his family were an inspiration for their whole town. The statement continued that the voice actor and his family inspired the youth of Hudson Valley "to reach higher and dig deeper to become the best version of themselves. People reported that the Town of Montgomery is where the voice actor and his family resided.
The Town of Montgomery also labeled Sebastian's voice as a pillar to their community as they seek help in celebrating the life of Samuel E. Wright.
Samuel E. Wright as Voice Actor
People reported that Wright sang the famous song "Under The Sea" in the Little Mermaid Franchise as Sebastian. The outlet furthered that the song won Best Original Song and Best Original Score in the Academy Awards. The Hollywood Reporter noted that the song "Kiss the Girl", also sang by Wright, was also nominated for the same category.
Samuel E. Wright then recorded reggae-infused albums for Walt Disney Records as Sebastian. He also voiced the same character in Disney's House of Mouse and Mickeypalooza. Wright also voiced the said character in a two-direct-to-video sequel of The Little Mermaid.
Samuel E. Wright in Broadway
Samuel E. Wright started his career in Broadway when he debuted in1971 for Jesus Christ Superstar. Wright earned his first Tony nomination in 1984 when he portrayed a stern father in the musical "The Tap Dance Kid."
Apart from Sebastian, Samuel E. Wright also played the role of Disney's Mufasa, and one of the original Broadway cast of The Lion King. Being Mufasa in the Broadway production earned him a second Tony nomination in 1998.
You may remember his beautiful voice as #Sebastian in #TheLittleMermaid,
But He was our #Mufasa in @TheLionKing,
and what a #king he was.
And will always be.
He Lives in Us...always!#SamWright #broadway pic.twitter.com/vYUkzU4yEm— Heather Headley (@heatherheadley) May 25, 2021
His co-star for The Lion King Heather Headley on Twitter said that Wright will remain a king. Headley played the role of Nala in the Lion King Broadway alongside Wright.
"Maybe not every actor would say this, but if I didn't want to be immortal I wouldn't be acting," said Wright in his interview with L.A. Times in 1991.
Apart from the mentioned Broadway production, Samuel E. Wright also became a cast of "Pippin" in 1972 as well as "The Wiz" which was the 1995 revival of Appollo Theater. Samuel E. Wright also left the Hudson valley Conservatory, a performing arts school that offers classes in music, acting, and dance, as his legacy apart from being Sebastian in The Little Mermaid.
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WATCH: Samuel E. Wright, known as voice of Sebastian the crab in 'Little Mermaid,' dies at 74 - from ABC7
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