Clarence Nash was an American actor who is best known for being the voice of Donald Duck. He brought this iconic character to life in numerous films and animated shorts, making him a beloved figure in animation.
Personal and Family Life
Clarence Nash was born on December 7, 1904, in Watonga, Oklahoma. He married Margaret Seamans on January 25, 1930, and they had two children together: Kay and Peggy Nash. Nash had a close bond with his family, and he cherished his role as a father and grandfather.
Early Career
From a young age, Nash showed a talent for imitating various bird calls and animal sounds. After moving to Southern California as a teenager, he worked in a dairy company as a promotional employee while also performing his animal imitations at local schools. This hobby eventually led him to Walt Disney, where he auditioned for the role of Donald Duck.
Death and Legacy
Clarence Nash passed away on February 20, 1985, in Glendale, California, due to leukemia. His contribution to animation, particularly as the voice of Donald Duck, left a lasting impact on the industry and millions of fans. Nash’s unique voice and memorable performances have ensured that he will always be remembered as a pioneer in voice acting.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Reluctant Dragon | 1941-06-19 | Donald Duck (voice) / Clarence Nash |
| Mickey and the Beanstalk | 1947-09-27 | Donald Duck (voice) |
| Der Fuehrer’s Face | 1943-01-01 | Donald Duck (voice) (uncredited) |
| Sufferin’ Cats! | 1943-01-16 | Tom’s and Meathead’s Meows and Screeches (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mickey’s Christmas Carol | 1983-10-19 | Donald – Nephew Fred (voice) |
| Pluto’s Christmas Tree | 1952-11-21 | Donald Duck (voice) (uncredited) |
| A Good Time for a Dime | 1941-05-09 | Donald Duck (voice) (uncredited) |
| Grand Canyonscope | 1954-12-23 | Donald Duck (voice) (uncredited) |
| Don Donald | 1937-01-09 | Donald Duck / Donna Duck (voice) (uncredited) |
| Home Defense | 1943-11-26 | Donald Duck / Huey / Dewey / Louie (voice) (uncredited) |