Louise Chamis: The Voice Behind the Characters
Louise Chamis, born on April 26, 1933, in Burbank, California, is a retired American voice actress whose career spanned several decades. Her vocal talents brought to life a variety of characters across animation, anime, and video games, making her a notable figure in the voice acting community.
Early Life and Entry into Voice Acting
Details about Chamis’s early life and how she ventured into voice acting are scarce. However, her extensive work in the industry suggests a deep-seated passion for bringing animated characters to life.
Animation and Film Roles
Chamis’s voice graced numerous animated films and series. Notably, she voiced Minnie Rabbit in Rock-A-Doodle (1991), a film that combined live-action and animation to tell the story of Chanticleer, a rooster who believes his crowing causes the sun to rise. Additionally, she contributed to Rover Dangerfield (1991), providing various farm voices in this animated comedy about a dog with the personality of Rodney Dangerfield.
Anime Contributions
In the realm of anime, Chamis showcased her versatility. She voiced Mrs. Nulette in The Dog of Flanders (1997), a touching story of a young boy and his dog. Her other anime roles include Kikuyo in Hana to Shounen and Grand Mothers in Texhnolyze (2003), demonstrating her ability to adapt to diverse character profiles.
Television Appearances
Chamis’s television work includes voicing the Evil Queen in Disney’s House of Mouse (2001–2003), where classic Disney villains and heroes mingled in a nightclub setting. She also lent her voice to characters in The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries (1984) and Wildfire (1986), contributing to the rich tapestry of 1980s animation.
Video Game Roles
Expanding her repertoire, Chamis ventured into video games, voicing the Wicked Queen Witch in Villains’ Revenge (1999), a game that allowed players to interact with Disney villains in a unique storyline. She also portrayed Vermatrix Goldenhide in Stonekeep (1995), a dungeon-crawling RPG that has since become a cult classic.
Theme Park Attractions
Chamis’s voice extended beyond screens into theme parks. She provided the voice for the Queen and the Witch in the Snow White’s Scary Adventures ride, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the attraction. Her vocal work was also featured in shows like Fantasmic! and parades such as the Not So Scary Halloween Parade, enhancing the immersive experiences for park-goers.
Voice Over Coach
In the late 1980’s Louise began coaching small groups of voice over actors out of her home in Laurel Canyon. D.C. Douglas was one of those students. This connection led to Louise inspiring a few of the actors to start a walla group that worked on many films that came through Coley Sound in Los Angeles. D.C. credits Louise as one of those special people who propelled his career to the next level.
Retirement and Legacy
After a prolific career, Chamis retired from voice acting in 2011. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the industry, with performances that continue to resonate with audiences. Her ability to bring depth and personality to a wide array of characters showcases her talent and dedication to the craft.
While information about her personal life remains private, Louise Chamis’s professional legacy speaks volumes. Her work across various media has cemented her status as a versatile and talented voice actress, whose performances continue to be celebrated by fans and peers alike.
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