ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 21, 1997 TAG: 9701210103
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
Adriana Caselotti, who as a convent-educated teen-ager in 1934 won the role as the voice of sweet, innocent Snow White in Walt Disney's first feature-length cartoon, has died at age 80.
Caselotti, who introduced the world to the movie's song ``Some Day My Prince Will Come,'' died Sunday of cancer.
``This is certainly the end of an era for all of us at the studio and for Disney animation lovers the world over,'' Roy Disney, vice chairman of the Walt Disney Co., said.
Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, also said in a telephone interview that Caselotti was a ``wonderful, cheery little lady'' who embodied the spirit of Snow White.
He said Caselotti's home had a wishing well in the front yard just like Snow White's and that her telephone answering machine carried her recording of ``I'm Wishing.''
Inside her home, in a modest neighborhood on the fringe of Hollywood, she proudly displayed ceramic statues of Snow White and the dwarves, and an autographed photo of Walt Disney.
Caselotti was born into an operatic family in Bridgeport, Conn., on May 6, 1916. Her father, Guido, immigrated from Italy and taught music in New York for 40 years. Her mother, Maria, from Naples, sang at the Royal Opera, and her sister, Louise, was a famous opera singer and teacher who trained Maria Callas, a statement from Disney said.
Caselotti was 18 when Walt Disney hired her in 1934 for ``Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.'' According to studio history, Disney had been searching for a voice that was ``ageless, friendly, natural and innocent.''
Caselotti was recommended for the role when a Disney casting scout asked her father if any of his students might have a voice beguiling enough for the role.
More than 150 hopefuls already had auditioned.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB