- Born
- Died
- Birth nameWonga Philip Harris
- Nickname
- Curly
- Height6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
- A bandleader of the 1940s and a radio, film, and TV actor who always seemed to imply allegiance to the former Confederate States of America. Was a principal of long standing among the comedian Jack Benny's radio retinue, parlaying his popularity into his own radio series, in which his wife, Alice Faye, co-starred.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Bill Takacs <kinephile@aol.com>
- SpousesAlice Faye(May 12, 1941 - August 11, 1995) (his death, 2 children)Marcia Ralston(1932 - 1941) (divorced)
- ChildrenJake HarrisJosh Harris
- ParentsHarry HarrisDolly Harris
- RelativesMildred Harris(Cousin)
- Dixieland style
- Distinctive deep voice
- Best known for his role as Baloo the Bear in The Jungle Book (1967)
- Originally was cast to reprise his role as the voice of Baloo in the 1990 animated TV series TaleSpin (1990). However, after one recording session, it was found that Harris, who was by then 85 years old, had aged to the point where he could no longer do the voice successfully and the role went to veteran voice actor Ed Gilbert instead.
- Twice voiced bears for Walt Disney: Baloo in The Jungle Book (1967) and Little John in Robin Hood (1973). He also voiced the cat Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats (1970).
- Was an avid golfer and won many amateur golf tournaments. Took over managing the Bing Crosby Golf Tournament after Crosby's death.
- Interred at Forest Lawn Mausoleum, Cathedral City (near Palm Springs), CA, with his wife, Alice Faye. His unusual urn is in the shape of a blue ocean wave with three gold dolphins leaping over the top.
- During World War II, he was a member of the Merchant Marines from December 1942 to March 1943.
- I can't die until the government finds a safe place to bury my liver.
- [on Bing Crosby] He was a tough guy. Make one wrong move, and he'd never speak to you again.
- [on The Jungle Book (1967)] At first I didn't want to do it. They kept calling and saying, "You know, Phil, [Walt Disney] really wants you for this movie.". I'm not really sure what made me say it but I said to the guys there, "Do you mind if I do it the way I would do it?". They said to give it a shot and I said, "You know you kept messing around in here and you'll get your roof knocked in. I mean, that monkey'll eat you!"
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