Bill Farmer
Bill Farmer | |
---|---|
Farmer at the 2014 Annie Awards | |
Born |
William Farmer November 14, 1952 Pratt, Kansas, U.S. |
Alma mater | University of Kansas |
Occupation | Voice actor, comedian |
Years active | 1986–present |
Agent | AVO Talent |
Known for | Voice of Goofy and Pluto[1] |
Spouse(s) |
Jennifer Farmer (m. 1985) [2] |
Children | 1[1][2] |
Awards |
Disney Legend Award (2009) Annie Award (2013) |
Website |
www |
William Farmer (born November 14, 1952) is an American voice actor and comedian. He has performed the voice of the Disney character Goofy since 1987, and is also the current voice of Pluto and Horace Horsecollar.
Early life
Farmer was born on November 14, 1952 in Pratt, Kansas, as the second child in his family.[2][3] His parents were of English and Welsh descent.[2]
Farmer's first job, at the age of 15, involved doing voices, especially those of Western stars like John Wayne or Walter Brennan. He and his friends would sometimes go through fast food drive-thrus and order foods in his character voices. Bill attended the University of Kansas, and is a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. In college, he found work in radio and TV and then moved on to stand-up comedy as an impressionist until he moved out to Hollywood, where he began voicing Goofy in January 1987. In 1982, while he was still doing stand-up comedy, Farmer worked at a comedy club called the Comedy Corner in Dallas, Texas. He continued to work there until his move to Hollywood in 1986.
His decision to move to California came from a Dallas commercial agent who suggested that, given his talent for voices, he should try his luck in California. He was recently married, but he and his wife talked it over and came to an arrangement. She stayed back in Dallas while he commuted for a year after he got an apartment. Then four months after his moving out to Hollywood, his agent asked him if he could do any Disney characters.
He asserts that voice acting is not about funny voices, but about acting. His mentor was the great voice actor Daws Butler, the man behind many of Hanna-Barbera's characters. He taught Farmer that when doing cartoon voices, you're not merely doing a funny voice, you're an actor and the acting is premier and you have to think like the character you're doing.[4]
Career
In 1987, he had a small part as reporter Justin Ballard-Watkins in the film RoboCop.[4]
Farmer's very first voice over audition was for Goofy. When he auditioned for the voice, he studied the way the original actor Pinto Colvig performed as Goofy in the classic cartoons. He studied the hilarious laugh and the distinctive "gawrsh". He inherited the voice of Goofy (and also Pluto) around the same time Tony Anselmo inherited Donald Duck and Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor did likewise for Mickey and Minnie Mouse, respectively.
He originated the voice of Horace Horsecollar in Disney's version of The Prince and the Pauper and has played him ever since as well.[4][5] Farmer also performed additional voices on The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse (1987) and Astro Boy (2004).
Other significant characters he has played include Yosemite Sam, Sylvester and Foghorn Leghorn in the movie Space Jam (1996). He has also done several guest voices, both on TV, including The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy and in video games, including the Destroy All Humans! series, Namco's Tales of Symphonia, where he voiced Governor-General Dorr, in Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts series reprising the role of Goofy, Detective Date in the SEGA game Yakuza, Captain Wedgewood and Frill Lizard in Ty the Tasmanian Tiger, many voices on EverQuest II, Cletus Samson, Floyd Sanders, Jeff Meyers and Ryan LaRosa in the video game Dead Rising[6] and Sam and others in the cult classic adventure game Sam & Max Hit the Road.
Farmer has also played Secret Squirrel on Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law in both the animated series and its spin-off video game, Stinkie in Casper: A Spirited Beginning and Casper Meets Wendy, Willie Bear in Horton Hears a Who! and Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck in Robot Chicken. He also voiced Gaston in one part of Beauty and the Beast, when Gaston eats eggs.
As of 2014, he plays Doc, the leader of the title characters in Disney's animated television series The 7D.[5]
He also voiced Blackhoof Boar Clan Leader in the 2008 video game Kung Fu Panda
Bill Farmer still regularly performs comedy routines at the Laugh Factory.
Recognition
In September 2009, Farmer was named a Disney Legend. In 2011, the International Family Film Festival awarded Bill Farmer the 'Friz Award' for Animation.
He won the Annie Award for Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production for his work as Goofy and Grandma Goofy in Mickey Mouse.[7]
Personal life
Farmer has been married to his wife Jennifer Farmer since 1985;[2] together they have a son.[1][2]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
1987 | RoboCop | Justin Ballard-Watkins | [4][8] | |
1998 | Pumpkin Man | Father Goblin / Billy Bob Sr. | [9] | |
2013 | I Know That Voice | Himself | Documentary | |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | Who Framed Roger Rabbit | Additional voices[10] | |
1991 | Rover Dangerfield | Farm voices | |
1991 | Beauty and the Beast | Stanley | |
1995 | Theodore Rex | Additional voices | |
1995 | A Goofy Movie | Goofy | Nominated - Annie Award for Voice Acting by a Male Performer in an Animated Feature Production |
1995 | Toy Story | Monotone Announcer | |
1996 | Space Jam | Foghorn Leghorn, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam | |
1996 | The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Frollo's Soldiers | |
1997 | Cats Don't Dance | Additional voices | |
1997 | Hercules | Builder #1 | |
1999 | The Iron Giant | Maine Man #2 | |
1999 | Toy Story 2 | Man #1 | |
2001 | Monsters, Inc. | CDA, Photographer | |
2001 | Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius | Additional voices | |
2003 | Porco Rosso | Additional voices | English dub |
2003 | Brother Bear | Edgar | |
2004 | Home on the Range | Donkey | |
2006 | Ice Age: The Meltdown | Male Elk | |
2006 | Cars | Various Reporter | |
2007 | Happily N'Ever After | Additional voices | |
2008 | Horton Hears a Who | Willie Bear | |
2010 | I Want Your Money | George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush | |
2012 | The Lorax | Thneedville Man #3 | |
2013 | Monsters University | Jason Chiang | |
2015 | Minions | Additional voices | |
2016 | The Secret Life of Pets | Additional voices | |
2017 | Despicable Me 3 | Additional voices |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1990 | The Prince and the Pauper | Goofy, Pluto, Horace Horsecollar, Weasels #1 | |
1990 | Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Disneyland Fun | Goofy, Pluto | |
1993 | Disney Sing-Along-Songs: The Twelve Days of Christmas | Goofy | |
1994–95 | Mickey's Fun Songs series | Goofy, Pluto | |
1995 | Runaway Brain | Pluto | |
1997 | Casper: A Spirited Beginning | Stinkie | |
1998 | Casper Meets Wendy | Stinkie | |
1998 | The Spirit of Mickey | Goofy | |
1998 | The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald[11] | Knight #2, Mob Leader (ep. 5) | |
1999 | Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas | Goofy, Pluto | |
2000 | An Extremely Goofy Movie | Goofy | |
2001 | Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse | Goofy, Pluto, Practical Pig | |
2002 | Mickey's House of Villains | Goofy | |
2004 | The Lion King 1½ | Goofy, Sleepy | |
2004 | Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers | Goofy | |
2004 | Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas | Goofy, Pluto | |
2005 | Son of the Mask | Masked Otis | |
2007 | Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt | Goofy, Pluto | |
2009 | Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland | Goofy, Pluto | |
2009 | Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo-Choo Express | Goofy, Pluto | |
2010 | Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally | Goofy, Pluto | |
2011 | Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure | Goofy, Pluto |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1987 | D-TV Doggone Valantine | Goofy | |
1987 | D-TV Monster Hits | Goofy | |
1989 | Goofy About Health | Goofy | |
1989 | Betty Boop's Hollywood Mystery | Fergie Furbelow | |
1992 | Raw Toonage | Goofy | |
1992–93 | Goof Troop | Goofy | |
1992 | Goof Troop Christmas | Goofy | |
1993 | Bonkers | Goofy | |
1995 | What-a-Mess | Additional Voices | |
1996 | Quack Pack | Pluto | |
1998 | Paracycling | Goofy | |
1999 | Disney's Mouseworks Spaceship | Pluto | |
1999–2000 | Mickey Mouse Works | Goofy, Pluto, Horace Horsecollar | |
2000 | Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law | Secret Squirrel | |
2001–03 | Disney's House of Mouse | Goofy, Pluto, Horace Horsecollar, Practical Pig, Sheriff of Nottingham | |
2003–06 | The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | Stank Williams, Blort Sportscaster | |
2004 | Astro Boy | Tawashi | |
2004 | Game Over | Race Announcer | |
2005 | Loonatics Unleashed | Mr. Leghorn | |
2006–16 | Mickey Mouse Clubhouse | Goofy, Pluto | |
2006–16 | Robot Chicken | Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Pubertis | |
2007 | Higglytown Heroes | Janitor Jay | |
2008 | The Banana Splits | Fleegle | |
2010 | 'Til Death | George Bush, Minister | |
2012–2016 | Minnie's Bow-Toons | Goofy, Pluto, others | |
2013–present | Mickey Mouse | Goofy, Pluto | |
2014–16 | The 7D | Doc, Sir Yips-A-Lot | |
2015 | Jake and the Never Land Pirates | Ghostly Bob | |
2017–present | Mickey and the Roadster Racers | Goofy, Pluto,[12] Horace Horsecoller, Mayor McBeagle, Mr. Bigby | |
2019 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | TBA |
Video games
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | Sam and Max Hit the Road | Sam, Psychic, Flambe | |
1994 | Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness | Leshy | |
1995 | Full Throttle | Horrace, Corley Motors Merchandise Salesman, Gas Guard Pilot, News Anchorman | |
1996 | Mortimer and the Riddles of the Medallion | Bald Eagle, Coyote, Gila Monster, Additional voices | |
1998 | Disney's Hades Challenge | Goofy | |
1998 | King's Quest VIII: Mask of Eternity | King Gryph, Weirdling Tradesman | |
1998 | Baldur's Gate | Brunos, Irlentree, Yeslick Orothiar | |
2000 | Mickey's Speedway USA | Goofy | |
2000 | Looney Tunes Racing | Foghorn Leghorn | |
2000 | Looney Tunes: Space Race | Foghorn Leghorn | |
2000 | Mickey Mouse Kindergarten | Goofy, Pluto, Bellhop #1, Bellhop #2 | |
2000 | The Flintstones: Bedrock Bowling | Bamm-Bamm Rubble, Dino Bridge | |
2000 | The Emperor's New Groove | Pacha | |
2001 | Disney Learning: Phonics Quest | Goofy, Horace Horsecollar | |
2001 | Goofy's Fun House | Goofy | |
2002 | Ty the Tasmanian Tiger | Wedgwood the Pirate, The Frill Necked Lizard | |
2002–present | Kingdom Hearts series | Goofy | |
2002 | Disney Golf | Goofy | |
2003 | Toontown Online | Goofy | |
2003 | Tales of Symphonia | Governor-General Dorr | |
2004 | Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest | Additional voices | |
2004 | Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2 | Parrotbeard, Squeaver, Johno | |
2004 | EverQuest II | Various characters | |
2005 | Destroy All Humans! | Narrator, Rural Male | |
2005 | Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 3: Night of the Quinkan | Parrotbeard | |
2006 | Over the Hedge | Lou, Rottweiler | |
2006 | Cars | Rustbucket Cars | |
2006 | Dead Rising | Cletus Samson, Floyd Sanders, Jeff Meyers, Ryan LaRosa | |
2006 | Yakuza | Date (English version) | |
2006 | Flushed Away | Spike | |
2006 | Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island | Old Hermit Crab, Plant King, Crab Refugee #4, Plant Guard | |
2007 | Meet the Robinsons | Ice Cream Vendor | |
2008 | Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law | Secret Squirrel, Cameraman, Prison Guard #2 | |
2008 | Destroy All Humans! Big Willy Unleashed | Colonel Kluckin | |
2008 | Kung Fu Panda | Blackhoof Boar Clan Leader | |
2008 | Disney Think Fast | Goofy, Horace Horsecollar | |
2008 | Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon | Legg Tallman, Deep Navel | |
2008 | Looney Tunes: Cartoon Conductor | Foghorn Leghorn[13] | |
2010 | Epic Mickey | Goofy, Horace Horsecollar | |
2011 | Kinect Disneyland Adventures | Goofy, Pluto | |
2012 | Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two | Goofy, Horace Horsecollar, Practical Pig | |
2012 | Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion | Goofy | |
2014 | Disney Magical World | Goofy, Pluto, Sleepy |
Theme park attractions
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2003 | Mickey's PhilharMagic | Goofy |
References
- 1 2 3 "About Toonhouse". Toonhouse Inc. Archived from the original on April 23, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Stahl, Scarlett (February 24, 2012). "A Visit with a Goofy Guy Named Bill Farmer". LaughingPlace.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Disney Legends - Bill Farmer". D23. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Interview with Bill Farmer on Rob Paulsen's Talkin Toons Podcast, 2012
- 1 2 "Disney Legend, Bill Farmer talks about voicing Goofy and new Disney Junior series "The 7D"". mediamikes.com. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
- ↑ "Bill Farmer". Voice Chasers. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
- ↑ Erik Pedersen. "Annie Award Winners 2015: Full List Of Animation Award Winners - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
- ↑ "RoboCop (1987) - Paul Verhoeven - Cast and Crew". AllMovie. All Media Guide. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
- ↑ http://movieweb.com/movie/pumpkin-man/cast/
- ↑ "2011 Disneyana Fan Club Convention Highlight: Voice Panel" (Video). YouTube. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ↑ "The Voices of Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald (1998, Live-Action/Animated Series (Direct-to-Video)) - Voice Cast Listing at Voice Chasers". Voice Chasers. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
- ↑ "Bring Home this Fast Paced Fun of Mickey and the Roadster Racers on Disney DVD". Chip and Co. 2016-12-17. Retrieved 2017-01-06.
- ↑ http://www.mobygames.com/game/nintendo-ds/looney-tunes-cartoon-conductor/credits
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bill Farmer. |
Preceded by Will Ryan |
Voice of Goofy 1987–present |
Succeeded by current voice |
Preceded by Pinto Colvig |
Voice of Pluto 1990–present |
Succeeded by current voice |
Preceded by Billy Bletcher |
Voice of Horace Horsecollar 1990–present |
Succeeded by current voice |
Preceded by Jim Cummings |
Voice of Yosemite Sam 1996 |
Succeeded by Frank Gorshin |