Will Ryan

Will Ryan

Born

May 21, 1949

Died

November 19, 2021 (72 years old)

Known For

Acting

Place of Birth

Cleveland, Ohio, USA

William Frank Ryan (May 21, 1949 – November 19, 2021) was an American voice actor and producer–writer–composer, well-known for singing about the American West. In the late seventies he teamed up with Phil Baron as Willio and Phillio.  They had regular gigs on television, radio and comedy clubs and universities throughout the US. Ryan and Baron later paired up again voicing characters of best friends Teddy Ruxpin (Baron) and Grubby the Octopede (Ryan) in the Teddy Ruxpin book and tape series as well as the 1987 television show The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin.

The Willio and Phillio act brought Ryan back into music and after moving to California, he began to write and record songs for Disney. He provided the voice of Rabbit, Tigger, and Eeyore in the Disney Channel's long-running series Welcome to Pooh Corner and in many other Pooh cartoons. He also provided the voice of Barnaby the Dog on the popular series Dumbo's Circus.

Since 1987, Ryan has been a fixture of the radio drama Adventures in Odyssey, playing Eugene Meltsner, Harlow Doyle, David Harley, Patrick O'Ryan and hundreds of one-shot characters.

He also voiced Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore after the death of Junius Matthews.

Ryan also voiced the character Digit in the 1986 animated film An American Tail.

Ryan had also provided the original voice of Petrie in the 1988 animated film The Land Before Time.

He appears in the film The Wizard of Speed and Time as several different motion picture union representatives.

He is the current voice of Elmo Aardvark. He can be heard as the character, called Elmo Aardvark: Outer Space Detective and in several Elmo Aardvark CDs.

Ryan is the current voice of Willie the Giant. He started voicing the character from Mickey's Christmas Carol.

Ryan's youthful involvement in pop music has continued alongside his animation career. Will Ryan compositions have been recorded by artists such as Patti LaBelle, Diane Schuur, Victoria Jackson, The Pointer Sisters and Joanie Sommers (whom he also produced).

With Andrew J. Lederer and Michael Rosenberg (Jackie Diamond), Ryan performed in the '20s-style music and comedy trio, The Merry Metronomes. He and Lederer also appeared from time to time as a duo, usually under the name The Natty Nabobs.

His latest musical incarnation is as leader of Los Angeles-based Will Ryan and the Cactus County Cowboys, a cross between the Marx Brothers and The Sons of the Pioneers. His variety show, Will Ryan's Cactus County Round-Up, has been a staple in Southern California since 2008. It regularly plays at several venues, including the Steve Allen Theatre in Hollywood.

Ryan continues to do voice work. In 2009 he was working on the third season of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, the 21st season of Adventures in Odyssey, and the new radio series of Will Ryan's Cactus County Round-Up.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Will Ryan, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia .

Mickey Mouse Funhouse

Mickey Mouse Funhouse

Willie the Giant (voice) · (1 episode)

7.7

2021

The Little Mermaid Live!

The Little Mermaid Live!

Herald (voice)

7.0

2019

The Adventures of Biffle and Shooster

The Adventures of Biffle and Shooster

Sam Shooster

0.0

2015

I Know That Voice

I Know That Voice

Self

7.1

2014

Get a Horse!

Get a Horse!

Peg-Leg Pete (voice)

7.6

2013

The One and Only June Foray

The One and Only June Foray

Self

0.0

2013

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt

Willie the Giant (voice)

8.0

2007

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi

(4 episodes)

7.2

2004

Looney Tunes: Back in Action

Looney Tunes: Back in Action

Papa Bear (voice)

6.3

2003

Adventures in Odyssey: The Caves of Qumran

Adventures in Odyssey: The Caves of Qumran

Eugene Meltsner

0.0

2002

Adventures in Odyssey: Escape from the Forbidden Matrix

Adventures in Odyssey: Escape from the Forbidden Matrix

Eugene Meltsner

3.2

2001

Disney's House of Mouse

Disney's House of Mouse

Willie the Giant · (0 episode)

7.4

2001

Adventures in Odyssey: The Last Days of Eugene Meltsner

Adventures in Odyssey: The Last Days of Eugene Meltsner

Eugene Meltsner

6.0

2000

Little Dogs On The Prairie: Pride Prejudice And Fudge

Little Dogs On The Prairie: Pride Prejudice And Fudge

Scout

0.0

2000

Little Dogs On The Prairie: A Lotta Love And A Little Off The Top

Little Dogs On The Prairie: A Lotta Love And A Little Off The Top

Scout

10.0

2000

Courage the Cowardly Dog

Courage the Cowardly Dog

The Duck Brothers · (1 episode)

8.2

1999

Family Guy

Family Guy

Winnie the Pooh (voice) · (1 episode)

7.4

1999

Adventures in Odyssey: Baby Daze

Adventures in Odyssey: Baby Daze

Eugene Meltsner

5.0

1998

Adventures in Odyssey: A Stranger Among Us

Adventures in Odyssey: A Stranger Among Us

Eugene Meltsner

8.0

1998

Adventures in Odyssey: A Twist In Time

Adventures in Odyssey: A Twist In Time

Eugene Meltsner

5.5

1997

Adventures in Odyssey: In Harm's Way

Adventures in Odyssey: In Harm's Way

Eugene Meltsner

4.3

1997

Adventures in Odyssey: Go West Young Man!

Adventures in Odyssey: Go West Young Man!

Eugene Meltsner

6.0

1995

The Pebble and the Penguin

The Pebble and the Penguin

Royal / Tika (voice)

5.1

1995

A Troll in Central Park

A Troll in Central Park

Boss (voice)

5.0

1994

Adventures in Odyssey: Once Upon an Avalanche

Adventures in Odyssey: Once Upon an Avalanche

Eugene Meltsner

6.0

1994

Thumbelina

Thumbelina

Hero / Reverend Rat (voice)

6.4

1994

Adventures in Odyssey: Star Quest

Adventures in Odyssey: Star Quest

Eugene Meltsner

6.0

1993

Morris Has a Cold

Morris Has a Cold

Morris (voice)

7.5

1993

Mouse Soup

Mouse Soup

Weasel

6.0

1993

Rock-A-Doodle

Rock-A-Doodle

Stuey (voice)

6.2

1991

A Gnome Named Gnorm

A Gnome Named Gnorm

Gnorm

4.6

1991

Ralph S. Mouse

Ralph S. Mouse

Mouse (voice)

6.0

1991

Uncle Elephant

Uncle Elephant

Uncle (voice)

4.5

1991

Benny's Biggest Battle

Benny's Biggest Battle

Boogwart (voice)

0.0

1991

Bobby's World

Bobby's World

(1 episode)

6.9

1990

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk

Bean Seller (voice) (uncredited)

6.0

1990

The Clean Club

The Clean Club

0.0

1990

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

Seahorse (voice)

7.4

1989

The Wizard of Speed and Time

The Wizard of Speed and Time

All the Unions / Mr. President (voice) (as William Z. Ryan)

6.2

1989

Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers

Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers

Dale (singing voice) · (1 episode)

7.5

1989

Stanley and the Dinosaurs

Stanley and the Dinosaurs

Voice

5.7

1989

The Land Before Time

The Land Before Time

Petrie (voice)

7.1

1988

Cap'n O.G Readmore's Puss in Boots

Wordsy (voice)

10.0

1988

Totally Minnie

Totally Minnie

Goofy (voice)

5.4

1988

DuckTales

DuckTales

Sharkey (voice) · (1 episode)

7.6

1987

DuckTales

DuckTales

Roman Knight (voice) · (1 episode)

7.6

1987

DuckTales

DuckTales

Dogface Pete (voice) · (1 episode)

7.6

1987

DuckTales

DuckTales

Captain Blackheart (voice) · (1 episode)

7.6

1987

DuckTales

DuckTales

(1 episode)

7.6

1987

DuckTales

DuckTales

Captain Pietro (voice) · (1 episode)

7.6

1987

DuckTales

DuckTales

Weasels (voice) · (1 episode)

7.6

1987

DuckTales

DuckTales

The Micro Ducks (voice) · (1 episode)

7.6

1987

DuckTales

DuckTales

Dangerous Dan (voice) · (1 episode)

7.6

1987

The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin

The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin

(65 episodes)

6.4

1987

Frog and Toad Together

Frog and Toad Together

Frog (voice)

5.8

1987

Sport Goofy in Soccermania

Sport Goofy in Soccermania

Scrooge McDuck / The Beagle Boys / Gyro Gearloose (voice)

6.7

1987

Down and Out with Donald Duck

Down and Out with Donald Duck

Pete / Goofy (voice)

6.7

1987

Alice Through the Looking Glass

Alice Through the Looking Glass

The Paper Man (voice)

5.6

1987

An American Tail

An American Tail

Digit (voice)

6.7

1986

Pooh's Great School Bus Adventure

Pooh's Great School Bus Adventure

Rabbit (voice)

0.0

1986

Pooh's Great School Bus Adventure

Pooh's Great School Bus Adventure

Tigger (voice)

0.0

1986

Cap'n O.G. Readmore Meets Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Wordsy (voice)

10.0

1986

Teen Wolf

Teen Wolf

Chubs (voice) · (8 episodes)

7.4

1986

Gummi Bears: A New Beginning

Gummi Bears: A New Beginning

Unwin / Ogres (voice)

6.0

1986

Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation

Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation

Stars and Hearts (voice)

6.3

1986

Disney's DTV Valentine

Disney's DTV Valentine

Pongo / Goofy (voice)

8.0

1986

The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin

The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin

(voice)

7.0

1985

Cap'n O.G. Readmore's Jack and the Beanstalk

Wordsy (voice)

10.0

1985

Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears

Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears

Unwin / Ogres (voice) · (95 episodes)

7.4

1985

Too Smart for Strangers

Too Smart for Strangers

Rabbit / Tigger (voice)

3.5

1985

Frog and Toad Are Friends

Frog and Toad Are Friends

Frog (voice)

5.9

1985

The Making of Mickey's Christmas Carol

The Making of Mickey's Christmas Carol

Self

6.0

1984

Fitness and Me: Why Exercise?

Fitness and Me: Why Exercise?

Voice

6.0

1984

Mickey's Christmas Carol

Mickey's Christmas Carol

Collector for the Poor #2 / Ghost of Christmas Present (Willie the Giant) / Ghost of Christmas Future (Pete) / Santa Claus (Big Bad Wolf) / Weasel #2 (voice)

7.6

1983

Wizards

Wizards

Guards (uncredited)

6.1

1977

Little Dogs On The Prairie: Lyin' Cheatin' And A Hot Lollipop

Little Dogs On The Prairie: Lyin' Cheatin' And A Hot Lollipop

Scout

0.0

Swabbies

Swabbies

Pete / Beagle Boys

0.0

Dumbo's Circus

Dumbo's Circus

Barnaby (voice) · (99 episodes)

5.2

1985

The Bollo Caper

The Bollo Caper

(voice)

0.0

1985

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

(2 episodes)

7.7

1983

Welcome to Pooh Corner

Welcome to Pooh Corner

Rabbit / Tigger (voice) · (1 episode)

6.6

1983

Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore

Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore

Rabbit (voice)

6.7

1983