Ed Gilbert
USABiography of Ed Gilbert
Ed Gilbert was an American film and television actor, best known for his extensive work in TV series and animated films, where he provided his voice to numerous characters. Born on June 29, 1931, his real name was Edmund F. Giesbert. He passed away on May 8, 1999, after a long and difficult battle with lung cancer. Gilbert was buried at Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary in Newhall, California.
Early Career
In 1963, at the age of 32, Gilbert received his first television role as Pvt. Forgetz in the series "The Gallant Men." In 1965, he made his big-screen debut as Captain Abbott in the war thriller "36 Hours." However, he later focused mainly on TV series and voice acting, rarely appearing in movies.
Television Work
Gilbert's television credits include popular series such as "Combat!," "Married with Children," "Mission: Impossible," "The F.B.I.," "The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries," and "Dallas," among many others.
Voice Acting
One of Gilbert's most famous voice acting roles was as Baloo, one of the main characters in the Disney animated series "TaleSpin." The show aired from 1990 to 1991, with a total of 65 episodes. Initially, the role of Baloo was intended for singer and actor Phil Harris, who voiced the character in the original 1967 film "The Jungle Book." However, at 86 years old, Harris' voice had aged and became harsh. The casting director then suggested Gilbert for the role. To ensure that Baloo's voice was a perfect match, Ed Gilbert listened to old recordings of Phil Harris and practiced for hours to mimic the original pronunciation.
Gilbert also provided his voice for other animated projects, including the character Daddy Starling in the full-length animated film "Tom and Jerry: The Movie" (1993), and various characters in "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," and "DuckTales."
