Adriana Caselotti

Adriana Caselotti
Born	(1916-05-16)May 16, 1916 Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Died	January 19, 1997(1997-01-19) (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, United States
Cause of death	Cancer
Resting place	Newport Beach (Ashes)
Occupation	Actress, singer
Years active	1935–1997
Spouse	Robert Chard (m. 1945-?; divorced) Norval Mitchell (m. 1952-1972; his death) Dr. Dana Costigan (m. 1972-1982; his death) Florian St. Pierre (m. 1989-?; divorced)
Parents	Guido Caselotti (father) Maria Orefice (mother)
Relatives	Louise Caselotti (sister)
Awards	Disney Legend (1994)

Adriana Mitchell Caselotti (May 16, 1916 – January 19, 1997) was an American actress, singer, and Disney Legend. She was the voice of the title character in Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Caselotti was named as a Disney Legend in 1994.

Early life

Her father Guido Caselotti, an immigrant from Italy, was a teacher of music and a vocal coach. Her mother, Maria Orefice (from Naples), was a singer in the Royal Opera. Her older sister Louise sang opera and gave voice lessons (for example, to Maria Callas, during 1946 and 1947).

When Caselotti was seven, they left Connecticut for Italy while her mother toured with an opera company.

Caselotti was educated at an Italian convent, San Getulio, near Rome, while her mother performed in the opera. When they returned to New York three years later, Caselotti spoke no English. While relearning English, she studied singing with her father.

Career

In the mid-1930s (after a brief stint as a chorus girl at MGM), Caselotti was hired by Walt Disney in 1936 as the voice of his heroine Snow White. She was paid a total of $970 for working on the film.^[1] As she was under studio contract from Disney, she was prevented from appearing in film and other media following Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.^[2] Jack Benny specifically mentioned that he had asked Disney for permission to use her on his radio show and was told, "I'm sorry, but that voice can't be used anywhere. I don't want to spoil the illusion of Snow White."^{[cite this quote]}

The only other work Caselotti 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", singing the falsetto line "Wherefore Art Thou, Romeo".^[3] In 1946, she had an uncredited role, singing in Martini's bar as James Stewart was praying, in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life.

Caselotti did, however, do several promotional spots for Snow White, signing memorabilia. On November 22, 1972 -Thanksgiving Day-, she guest-starred on an episode of The Julie Andrews Hour saluting the music of Walt Disney, singing "I'm Wishing" and "Someday My Prince Will Come" with Julie Andrews.^[4] She also made a guest appearance on the syndicated The Mike Douglas Show. Caselotti also wrote a how-to book, Do You Like to Sing?.^[5]

Later in life, she sold autographs, and also made an attempt at an opera career (for example, Rigoletto). 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. In 1994, she was named a Disney Legend.^[5]

Personal life

Caselotti was married four times. Her first husband was Robert Chard, whom she married in 1945. The marriage ended in divorce. She 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 the podiatrist Dr. Dana Costigan, who later died. Caselotti's last husband was Florian St. Pierre, a retired postal employee. They married in 1989 and later divorced.^[3]

Death

On January 19, 1997, Caselotti died of cancer at her Los Angeles home at the age of 80.^[1]

References

External links

Biography portal

• Adriana Caselotti at the Internet Movie Database
• Adriana Caselotti interview, 1986
• The magic behind the voices, 2004
• Salute Disney, 1972