ADRIANA CASELOTTI
Name: Adriana Caselotti
Born: 16 May 1916 Bridgeport, Connecticut
Died: 19 January 1997 Los Angeles, California
Adriana Hitchell Caselotti (May 16, 1916 - January 19, 1997) was an American
actress perhaps best known for providing the voice behind the lead character in
Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Adriana was born into a home full of song. Her father Guido Caselotti, an
immigrant from Italy, was a teacher of music and a vocal coach. Her mother,
Maria Caselotti (from Naples), was a singer in the Royal Opera. Her older sister
Louise was also quite musical; she gave voice lessons and sang opera. It goes
without saying that Adriana herself was also vocally gifted, given her strong
musical background.
In the mid-1930s, Guido Caselotti was hired by Walt Disney to help cast parts in
his new film. She made a conscious decision to not appear in any other films
following Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in order to not "spoil the illusion
of Snow White". The only other work she did following her premiere was an
uncredited role in The Wizard of Oz, as the voice of Juliet during the Tin-Man's
song, "If I Only had a Heart".
She did, however, do a few promotional spots for Snow White, signing memorabilia.
In 1973, she appeared on an episode of The Julie Andrews Hour saluting the music
of Walt Disney, singing I'm Wishing with Julie Andrews. She also made a guest
appearance on the syndicated Mike Douglas show. Later in her life, she sold
autographs. She also made an attempt at an opera career. In the early 1990s,
when the Snow White Grotto at Disneyland was refurbished, Caselotti re-recorded
"I'm Wishing" for the Snow White Wishing Well at the age of 75.
She was married four times. Adriana's first husband was Robert Chard, whom she
married in 1945. The marriage ended in divorce. Adriana later met bit actor
Norval Mitchell, whom she married in 1952. He retired after marrying her, but
later died in 1972. The same year, she married Dr Dana Costigan, who later died.
Her last husband was Florian St Pierre, who later divorced her.
Eleven years before her death, Adriana was diagnosed with cancer in her left
breast, which she eventually had removed. In 1996, she again developed cancer -
this time, in her lungs. On January 19, 1997, Adriana Caselotti died at home of
respiratory failure. She was 80 years old. Her body was cremated, and the ashes
were scattered in the waters of Newport Beach. Adriana was once quoted saying, "I
know my voice will never die".
Name: Adriana Caselotti
Born: 16 May 1916 Bridgeport, Connecticut
Died: 19 January 1997 Los Angeles, California
Adriana Hitchell Caselotti (May 16, 1916 - January 19, 1997) was an American
actress perhaps best known for providing the voice behind the lead character in
Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Adriana was born into a home full of song. Her father Guido Caselotti, an
immigrant from Italy, was a teacher of music and a vocal coach. Her mother,
Maria Caselotti (from Naples), was a singer in the Royal Opera. Her older sister
Louise was also quite musical; she gave voice lessons and sang opera. It goes
without saying that Adriana herself was also vocally gifted, given her strong
musical background.
In the mid-1930s, Guido Caselotti was hired by Walt Disney to help cast parts in
his new film. She made a conscious decision to not appear in any other films
following Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in order to not "spoil the illusion
of Snow White". The only other work she did following her premiere was an
uncredited role in The Wizard of Oz, as the voice of Juliet during the Tin-Man's
song, "If I Only had a Heart".
She did, however, do a few promotional spots for Snow White, signing memorabilia.
In 1973, she appeared on an episode of The Julie Andrews Hour saluting the music
of Walt Disney, singing I'm Wishing with Julie Andrews. She also made a guest
appearance on the syndicated Mike Douglas show. Later in her life, she sold
autographs. She also made an attempt at an opera career. In the early 1990s,
when the Snow White Grotto at Disneyland was refurbished, Caselotti re-recorded
"I'm Wishing" for the Snow White Wishing Well at the age of 75.
She was married four times. Adriana's first husband was Robert Chard, whom she
married in 1945. The marriage ended in divorce. Adriana later met bit actor
Norval Mitchell, whom she married in 1952. He retired after marrying her, but
later died in 1972. The same year, she married Dr Dana Costigan, who later died.
Her last husband was Florian St Pierre, who later divorced her.
Eleven years before her death, Adriana was diagnosed with cancer in her left
breast, which she eventually had removed. In 1996, she again developed cancer -
this time, in her lungs. On January 19, 1997, Adriana Caselotti died at home of
respiratory failure. She was 80 years old. Her body was cremated, and the ashes
were scattered in the waters of Newport Beach. Adriana was once quoted saying, "I
know my voice will never die".