Verna Felton American actress Date of Birth: 20.07.1890 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Career
2. Radio and Television
3. "December Bride" and Emmy Nominations
4. Voice Acting in Disney Films
5. Marriage and Later Years

Early Life and Career

Verna Felton was born in Salinas, California on July 20, 1890. Her father was a doctor who passed away when she was seven years old. Despite his successful medical practice in San Jose, Verna's mother discovered after his death that there were no patient records or money in his office.

Shortly before her father's death, Felton performed in a local charity play to raise funds for victims of the Galveston flood. Her singing and dancing caught the attention of a manager for a traveling roadshow company based in San Jose. The manager approached Verna's mother about having her join the show. With the family facing financial hardship, Felton quickly agreed and began her introduction to theater life.

Radio and Television

Felton became actively involved in radio, playing the mother of Judy and Jimmy in "The Cinnamon Bear," the grandmother of Junior the Mean Widdle Kid in Red Skelton's radio shows, Hattie Hirsch in "Point Sublime," and Dennis Day's mother in "The Jack Benny Program." She also made regular appearances on "The Abbott and Costello Show" and "The Great Gildersleeve."

"December Bride" and Emmy Nominations

Felton played the recurring role of Ruth Farley's mother, portrayed by Gloria Winters, in the sitcom/variety show "Where's Raymond?", which was later renamed "The Ray Bolger Show." Some sitcom enthusiasts speculate that Felton's appearance on "I Love Lucy" led to her being cast as Hilda Crocker in "December Bride." However, she had actually played the role of Hilda in the radio version of "December Bride" two years earlier. In the television show, Felton worked alongside Spring Byington, Dean Miller, Frances Rafferty, and Harry Morgan.

Felton went on to reprise her role as Hilda Crocker in the "December Bride" spin-off "Pete and Gladys," with Harry Morgan and Cara Williams. She was nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1958 and 1959 for her portrayal of the character.

Voice Acting in Disney Films

Verna Felton became a well-known voice actress for Walt Disney Pictures, providing her voice for numerous female characters in animated films. She voiced Mrs. Jumbo, Dumbo's mother, in "Dumbo" (1941), the Fairy Godmother in "Cinderella" (1950), and the Queen of Hearts in "Alice in Wonderland" (1951). She also voiced Aunt Sarah in "Lady and the Tramp" (1955), Queen Flora and the Queen of Leah in "Sleeping Beauty" (1959), Eloise in the short film "Goliath II" (1960), Mrs. Pomeroy in "The Man from Button Willow" (1965), and Winifred in "The Jungle Book" (1967).

Marriage and Later Years

Felton was married to radio actor Lee Millar, who was also known for providing the voice of Pluto the dog for Disney. Their son, Lee Carson Millar, Jr., had roles in several television series between 1952 and 1967.

Verna Felton passed away from a heart attack on the evening of December 14, 1966, one day before the death of Walt Disney and the release of "The Jungle Book." She was laid to rest at Grand View Memorial Park in Glendale, California.