In a bit of unfortunate news today, it was reported that actor Samuel Wright has died. He was 74 years old.
The announcement of Wright's passing was made on the Facebook page of Montgomery New York. In the post, Wright was hailed as "an inspiration to us all and along with his family established the Hudson Valley Conservatory."
"Sam and his family have impacted countless Hudson Valley youth always inspiring them to reach higher and dig deeper to become the best version of themselves. On top of his passion for the arts and his love for his family, Sam was most known for walking into a room and simply providing PURE JOY to those he interacted with. He loved to entertain, he loved to make people smile and laugh and he loved to love."
The 74-year-old Wright had numerous acting credits to his name, appearing in movies and television series mostly throughout the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. His acting career began in 1976 on the television series Ball Four where Wright played C.B. Travis.
But it was his role in the 1989 Disney animated film The Little Mermaid that he's probably best known from. Wright voiced Sebastian, King Triton's advistor who is regularly tasked with watching over Princess Ariel. He had also won an Oscar for Best Original Song for "Under the Sea."
In an article dating back to 1991, it was revealed that Wright learned his accent for Sebastian in college while rooming with two guys from Trinidad.
"I used to walk around with Ron and Ken and imitate the way they talked," Wright said at the time. "Everybody thought all three of us were from Trinidad."
Wright would continue to voice Sebastian in multiple follow-ups to The Little Mermaid spinoffs and projects, including multiple The Little Mermaid video games and The Little Mermaid television series that ran from 1992 through 1994. He also voiced Sebastian in numerous shorts featured in the House of Mouse collection.
Beyond the TV and film industry, Wright also worked in theater. He appeared in productions like Jesus Christ Superstar, and also originated the role of Mufasa in the Broadway adaptation of The Lion King.
"The greater Town of Montgomery Community mourns together today," the Town of Montgomery wrote. "As we say goodbye to a pillar in our community and ask everyone to share a memory and help us celebrate the life of this great man."