Voice Actor Jim Cummings On His Favourite Roles & What It's Like Being A Part Of The Disney Family
Jim Cummings, voice of many fan-favourite Disney characters, recently admitted which of his roles is his favourite - other than Pooh and Tigger - as well as what it's like to be a part of Disney's family.
Jim Cummings recently starred in Christopher Robin, as both Pooh and Tigger, alongside such actors as Ewan McGregor (Star Wars series) and Hayley Atwell (Captain America series).
Though his most predominant role may be that of the honey-loving, yellow bear; Cummings' voice talents have featured and an imense amount of childhood classics - for example: The Lion King, Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog, Shrek, Gnomeo and Juliet, Pocahontas, the list goes on and on.
In a recent interview, with Collider whilst promoting Christopher Robin, Cummings was asked what his favourite role was - other than Pooh and Tigger of course - here's his response:
It’s amazing to just be a cog in a wheel for anything Star Wars. Hondo Ohnaka, from Star Wars: Clone Wars, is definitely one of my favorites. He was originally just supposed to be in a two or three episode storyline arc in Star Wars: Clone Wars, years ago. He came in and people responded nicely to it, so he got written into a few more episodes. And then, in the next season, he got written into a few more. They kept adding him, which was great. He’s one of my favorites.
And there’s Darkwing Duck, the terror that flaps in the night. And then, there’s Ray from Princess and the Frog. That had everything. New Orleans is my second home. My little girl, Gracie, was four years old, at the time, and in the beginning of that movie, Princess Tiana was about four years old. So, he is very near and dear to my heart. Being from New Orleans, I had that Cajun accent down.
Hondo Ohnaka quickly became a fan-favourite Star Wars character, following Clone Wars' cancellation, even widing up in Star Wars Rebels.
Something which connects each of the roles Cummings mentioned is that they're all under the Disney-banner. The talented voice actor went on to explain what it's like being part of such a rich and beloved legacy:
It’s pretty wonderful. I always think of Disney-ana and the Disney lore that’s woven right into the fabric of America. I still have my Davey Crockett hat. It’s an honor and a privilege. I just love it. It’s the greatest thing in the world, knowing that you’re part of this great giant tapestry of magic and happiness. It feels that way to me, for real, without even being corny. I love it. It’s a privilege.
What do you think of Cummings' comments? Which of his roles is your favourite? Check out a featurette for Christopher Robin below:
Christopher Robin arrives in theatres on August 17th.