Jodi Benson Biography
Jodi Benson is an American actress and singer who rose to fame for voicing Ariel’s character in Disney’s first original animated version of The Little Mermaid back in 1989. She even gained more fame for voicing other voices like Belle in House of Mouse when Paige O’Hara was on leave. Benson’s other voices overs and roles are in Toy Story (1999 to 2010), Secret of the Wings, Lady and the Tramp II, Scamp’s Adventure and Enchanted.
Benson was born and raised in the suburbs of Rockford, Illinois. She grew up in a catholic family household with native American parents. Jodi finished her high school education at Central Catholic High School based in her hometown, Illinois. She then enrolled at Millikin University in Illinois where she graduated with a degree in theatre arts.
Benson made her acting debut in a 1983 American film called American Fable. She then appeared in off-broadway plays and films like Smile back in 1986 before landing her breakout role as Ariel in the Little Mermaid movie. Jodi gained national and international recognition for voicing the lead role in Disney’s first cartoon version of The Little Mermaid.
Her role was well received and it even opened more opportunities for Jodi in the film industry. In 1992, Benson won a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress for playing Polly Baker’s role in Crazy For You. She even narrated the whole storyline of Disney’s Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat back in 1998.
Jodi’s other most recent and famous roles are in Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), The Little Mermaid Musical (2019), and The Wingfeather Saga. She is also set to make a cameo appearance in The new live-action film of Disney’s The Little Mermaid movie in 2023.
Jodi Benson Age
How old is Jodi Benson? Jodi is 62 years old as of 2023. She was born Jodi Marie Benson Marzorati on October 10, 1961, in Rockford, Illinois, United States. In addition, Jodi celebrates her birthday on October 10th every year. Her zodiac birth sign is Libra.
Jodi Benson Height
Benson stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m). She also weighs approximately 55 kilograms (121 Ibs). She is a woman of average body stature and her other body measurements are 33-23-31 inches respectively. Additionally, Jodi’s hair color is light blonde and her eye color is dark brown.
Jodi Benson Family
Jodi was born to catholic faithful parents who lived in the suburbs of Rockford Illinois. Benson’s father worked as a farmer while her mother is a homemaker. She also grew up as the middle child in her family. More information regarding Benson’s parents and siblings will be updated once it is confirmed available.
Jodi Benson Husband
Benson is happily married to American actor and singer Ray Benson who is ten years older than her. She began dating Ray in the early 1980s and got religious backlash and controversies because she is ten years younger than him. Nevertheless, Ray and Jodi exchanged vows through a private wedding ceremony held in 1984. The couple shares two children together.
Jodi Benson Kids
Benson is the proud mother of two kids. They include a wonderful daughter named Delany Benson and a son named McKinley Benson. Delany turned 21 in 2023 and she is currently following her mother’s footsteps in the film industry. Jodi’s son on the other hand is pursuing a career in business.
Jodi Benson Ariel 1989
Jodi gained national recognition and fame in 1989 after she voiced Ariel’s first-ever appearance in Disney’s 1989 Cartoon Little Mermaid film. Her role was received well and was watched over twenty countries across the world.
Jodi was also the one who performed The Little Mermaid’s hit soundtrack called Part of Your World. Her voice is incredible and it has inspired actress Halle Bailey who will play Ariel’s role in the live-action film The Little Mermaid.
Jodi Benson Enchanted
Disney’s Enchanted is a famous 2007 live-action film that follows the life of Princess Giselle’s character. She was banished from her kingdom by her evil stepmother. Giselle is then moved to work and live in the real world where she meets a handsome lawyer. Eventually, she falls in love with the handsome young man while fighting to restore her throne. Jodi played Sam’s role in the film.
Jodi Benson Halle Bailey | Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid 2023 is a live-action film adaptation of Disney’s animation of the same name. The film will be released on May 26, 2023. The storyline of the series follows King Triton’s daughter Ariel who is a beautiful and spirited Young Mermaid who has a thirst and passion to adventure out of their home in the sea. Her friends try to convince her to stop but she finds herself above the ocean visiting the handsome Prince with help from an evil sea witch known as Ursula.
Jodi will not play the lead role of Ariel but she will make a cameo appearance in the film. Ariel’s role will be played by American singer and actress, Halle Bailey. Halle has mentioned and listed Jodi’s assistance and friendship as one of the key things that helped her embody Ariel’s role in the Live action film of the Little Mermaid which will be released in May 2023. Halle will be the first African-American woman to play the lead character in a Disney live-action movie.
Jodi Benson’s Net Worth
Benson has an estimated net worth of around $3 million dollars. Her primary source of income is her career as a Film and television actress.
Jodi Benson Movies
- 1989 The Little Mermaid
- 1992 Dance! Workout with Barbie
- 1994 Thumbelina
- 1995 Mickey’s Fun Songs: Beach Party at Walt Disney World
- 1997 Flubber Weebo
- 1998 The Mighty Kong Ann Darrow
- 1999 Toy Story 2
- 2000 The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
- 2001 Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure
- 2002 Balto: Wolf Quest
- 2003 101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure
- 2004 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
- 2007 Enchanted
- 2008 The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning
- 2010 Toy Story 3
- 2011 The Little Engine That Could
- 2012 Secret of the Wings
- 2018 Ralph Breaks the Internet
- 2023 The Little Mermaid
Jodi Benson TV Shows
- 1991 Hunter Police officer
- 1991–1993 The Pirates of Dark Water
- 1992 P. J. Sparkles
- 1992–1994 The Little Mermaid
- 1997 Caroline in the City
- 1998 Pepper Ann
- 1998–1999 Hercules
- 2000 The Wild Thornberrys
- 2000 Batman Beyond
- 2001–2003 House of Mouse
- 2003 The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire
- 2004–2006 The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
- 2005–2008 Camp Lazlo
- 2011 Toy Story Toons Barbie
- 2013–2018 Sofia the First
- 2015 Star vs. the Forces of Evil
- 2016 Clarence
- 2019 The Little Mermaid Live!
- 2022–2023 The Wingfeather Saga