Did You Know? Disney’s Ursula Has Deep Ties to Shreveport

Disney stories can be very powerful to fans. Its better to say "stories" and not "movies", because so much of the Disney universe tales have expanded beyond movies.

But the movies do have a places as the "nexus" for much of the Disney fandoms out there. Whether we first saw these movies in theatres, or in the classic "clamshell" plastic VHS cases from the 90s, or even on streaming services in modern day, many of us first fall in love with Disney stories in movie format. Over the years, that has expanded into books, televisions shows, comic books, and especially video games. Toys, shirts, posters, artwork...when we fall in love with a Disney story, you have a lot of ways to share it.

One of the amazing things about Disney tales is that its not just the heroes people fall in love with. Disney has always done an amazing job with their villains. Which has lead to many of these villains having iconic status among fans.

What if we told you one of those iconic Disney villains has Shreveport roots? In fact, they were born in Shreveport.

Pat Carroll's story began on May 5th, 1927, in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was born just days before a tornado would carve a path of destruction through the the city.

For five years, Carroll's family called Shreveport home. Then, the Carroll family packed their belongings and headed west to Los Angeles. Almost as soon as she arrived, young Pat was drawn to the bright lights of show business, finding her place in local productions, a foreshadowing of the remarkable career to come. Even a stint in the US Army after high school wouldn't stop her eventual path the stage and screen.

In 1947, Hollywood opened its doors with her role as Lorelei in "Hometown Girl," but it was television that truly showcased her comedic brilliance. From "The Red Buttons Show" to "The Carol Burnett Show," she became a familiar and beloved face, a testament to her versatility and talent. Her dedication didn't go unnoticed. She earned a Primetime Emmy for her work on "Caesar's Hour," a Grammy for her spoken word album, and a Drama Desk Award for her stage performance, proof of her wide-ranging artistic prowess.

Her love for the stage was just as profound. A Tony nomination for her Broadway debut in "Catch a Star!" in 1955 was just the beginning. She graced the boards in classic plays like "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Merry Wives of Windsor," captivating audiences for nearly six decades.

But it was in 1989 that Pat Carroll's voice achieved legendary status. She breathed life into Ursula, the sea witch in Disney's "The Little Mermaid". This would become the role that would forever define her.

The character's popularity was immediate, with critics like Roger Ebert praising Ursula as Disney's most compelling villainess in decades. Carroll's performance was the magic that made it so. For the next forty years, her voice echoed through countless films, TV shows, and video games, most notably in the "Kingdom Hearts" series, ensuring that Ursula's mischievous laugh and captivating presence would continue to enchant generations.

Sadly, Carroll passed away on July 30th, 2022. She was 95-years-old.

But Carroll will live forever, in the iconic role that she blessed us all with in Ursula. So next time you think about The Little Mermaid, remember there's a little "Shreveport" in that story.