Robie Lester was an American actress, voice artist, and record producer known for her roles as the singing voice of Duchess in “The Aristocats,” Miss Bianca in “The Rescuers,” and Miss Jessica in “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.” She made a significant impact in children’s entertainment through her work with Disney and other projects.
Personal and Family Life
Robie Lester was born on March 23, 1925, in Megargel, Texas. She grew up in northern Ontario, Canada, and served in the United States Army Air Corps during the 1940s. Robie was married to Geoffrey Eccleston and had one child, Mindy Eccleston, along with three grandchildren.
Career
After her military service, Robie studied at UCLA, focusing on music. She began her Hollywood career providing vocal demos for songwriters like Henry Mancini. Recommended by Disney songwriters, she became a prominent voice for many Disney records and characters, starting as the first “Disneyland Story Reader” in 1965. Besides her Disney work, she voiced characters for commercials and created her own record labels. Later in life, she became a published author, writing novels and advocating for animal rights.
Death and Legacy
Robie Lester passed away on June 14, 2005, at the age of 80 due to cancer. She left behind a lasting legacy, having influenced generations of children with her voice. In 2006, her autobiography, “Lingerie For Hookers In The Snow: An Audiography Of A Voice Artist,” was published posthumously, celebrating her career and contributions to entertainment.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town | 1970-12-14 | Miss Jessica / Mrs. Claus (voice) |
| The Rescuers | 1977-06-22 | Miss Bianca (singing voice, uncredited) |
| Lisbon | 1956-08-17 | Singer |
| The Funny Company | 1963-01-01 | Polly Plum (voice) |
| The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo | 1964-09-26 | Handmaiden (voice) |