Will Ryan obit

Will Ryan, Veteran Disney Voice Actor, Dies at 72

The actor voiced Petrie in Universal's animated film 'The Land Before Time' and Willie the Giant in 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,' 'House of Mouse' and more children's projects.

 

He was not on the list.

Today we learned that our dear friend Will Ryan passed away after a short illness. Will acted on the Adventures in Odyssey audio program since 1987. He played more than 150 characters across more than 400 episodes but was most well-known as the lovable genius Eugene Meltsner. Will was 72 years old.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Will became involved in many aspects of the entertainment industry in California, especially voice acting where he’s known as Petrie from The Land Before Time, Willie the Giant in Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and Rabbit in several Winnie the Pooh cartoons. Throughout his thirty-five year involvement with Adventures in Odyssey, Will worked with other voice actor friends such as Hal Smith (the original voice of Whit), Walker Edmiston (voice of Tom Riley and Bart Rathbone), Dave Madden (voice of Bernard Walton), and Katie Leigh (who continues to voice Connie Kendall).

Will’s Odyssey career began with the second episode, where he played Bill Moorhead. In those early days, he also voiced Guy in “Gifts for Madge and Guy,” Marco Dibiasi in “Camp What-a-Nut,” and police officer David Harley, whose hilarious antics proved to be a little much for law enforcement.

But Will’s most memorable and lasting role was the character of Eugene Meltsner. Will’s performance was so nuanced and endearing that the character quickly became a listener favorite. Many aspects of Eugene’s character were inspired by Will himself — from his insistence on precise language to his quirky interests to his incredible musical talent on the ukulele. Fans connected to Eugene (and to Will) in a very special way. In fact, Focus has received multiple letters over the years from listeners who decided to become Christians upon hearing Eugene’s salvation story.

Long time writer/director Paul McCusker says: “The loss of Will Ryan leaves a great void for all who knew him as a friend and as an artist. He was always a joy to be with. He was dedicated whole-heartedly to the people and work he loved, investing so much of himself in everything he did. I can hardly express the deep sadness I feel. It’s hard to imagine a world without him.” Former executive producer Chuck Bolte adds, “I’ll never forget Will’s first interpretation of the character of Eugene. It was masterful and perfect…which is what he produced with EVERY character he created. Will was an amazing talent and a consistent joy to work with. There are not words that can express how much he will be missed.” Odyssey co-creator/writer/director Phil Lollar says, “Almost from the moment Will joined the Odyssey cast, we became close friends. But we worked on multiple projects outside of Odyssey as well, and Will always brought his A-game professionalism and monumental talent to each one. The magnitude of his loss is incalculable — to Adventures in Odyssey, yes, but to me, personally, even more. I owe him so much, and I will forever treasure every moment we spent together creating, writing, singing, laughing, and just talking. My life is immensely richer for having known him and will not be the same without him.”

And current executive producer Dave Arnold sums it up by saying, “When actor Mel Blanc died, a poster of Bugs Bunny and many of the characters he voiced stood behind a microphone. The poster was captioned: ‘Speechless.’ If a poster was created for Will, Eugene Meltsner would be standing at the mic, surrounded by all of us who knew him. That caption would be: ‘Obmutescent.’ I cannot fully state how much Will has impacted the world of Odyssey, or those of us who had the privilege of knowing him. Godspeed, my friend. I tip my fedora to you.”

Internal discussions about the future of the character of Eugene Meltsner are ongoing and the team isn’t prepared to make any announcements currently. The Official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast will feature a tribute to Will next year. Will recorded a number of new episodes before his passing that will release throughout 2022. And of course, he will be heard on Adventures in Odyssey re-airs, broadcasts, streams, and shows for decades to come.

Ryan’s death was confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter by his talent agent, Nery Lemus. “The world is a little less bright tonight with the passing of Will Ryan,” wrote Lemus in a statement. “As much as he was known to many of you as a Disney icon, voice-over legend, gun twirling cowboy, musician/songwriter, a brilliant comedic actor, along with a list of credits that don’t even touch the essence of what he accomplished… he was my friend.”

Born in 1949, Ryan began his performance career providing voices for short animated projects including Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore and the Oscar-nominated animated film Mickey’s Christmas Carol. He went on to have a recurring role in G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra, G.I. Joe and Dumbo’s Circus.

In 1988, Ryan voiced Petrie in Universal’s animated adventure film, The Land Before Time, which became a children’s classic. Also in the ’80s, he voiced roles in Teen Wolf, DuckTales, The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin and The Smurfs. He took on Willie the Giant in numerous Disney projects over several decades, such as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and House of Mouse, and had a number of appearances in shows from Adventures in Odyssey, a weekly radio series in which Ryan performed over 100 characters; to Family Guy.

In 1998, Ryan was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Nickelodeon’s The Wubbulous World of Doctor Seuss, in which he had writing and producing credits. Among his 100 credits was also the comedic project The Adventures of Biffle and Shooster, which co-starred Nick Santa Maria. Ryan also appeared on the informative tell all series, Tell Ya Later, with Katie Leigh.

Ryan was a longtime member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and served as a past president of ASIFA, an international animation organization.

As a musician, Will Ryan and the Cactus County Cowboys released five records and he performed often with the Saguaro Sisters at The Autry Museum of Western Heritage. Ryan also wrote numerous songs for The Jim Henson Company, many recorded by familiar Disney characters. He has two Gold Records from the Recording Industry Association of America and a Pioneer Award from BMI for his songwriting.

The actor is survived by his wife, Nancy Niparko Ryan, and siblings Patty Ryan, Marsha Ryan Russo, and George Ryan.

Actor (101 credits)

 2021 Mickey Mouse Funhouse (TV Series short)

Willie The Giant

- Mickey and the Cornstalk/King Mickey (2021) ... Willie The Giant

 2015 Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection (Video)

Peg-Leg Pete (voice)

 2015 Imitation of Wife (Short)

Sam Shooster

 2015 Schmo Boat (Short)

Sam Shooster

 2015 The Adventures of Biffle and Shooster

Sam Shooster

 2015 Little Charmers (TV Series)

- Charm Your Mom Day/A Charming Campout (2015) ... (voice)

 2015 Bride of Finklestein (Short)

Sam Shooster

 2015 The Biffle Murder Case (Short)

Sam Shooster

 2006-2014 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (TV Series)

Willie the Giant

- Sea Captain Mickey (2014) ... Willie the Giant (voice)

- Mickey's Farm Fun-Fair! (2013) ... Willie the Giant (voice)

- Quest for the Crystal Mickey! (2013) ... Willie the Giant (voice)

- The Go-Getters (2011) ... Willie the Giant (voice)

- Goofy's Giant Adventure (2011) ... Willie the Giant (voice)

Show all 16 episodes

 2013 Get a Horse! (Short)

Peg-Leg Pete (voice)

 2013 It's a Frame-Up! (Short)

Sam Shooster

 2012 Bubble Puppy's Fin-tastic Fairytale Adventure (TV Movie) (voice)

 2011 Complimentary (Short)

Bartender

 2010 Family Guy (TV Series)

Winnie the Pooh

- Road to the North Pole (2010) ... Winnie the Pooh (voice)

 2009 Vegan 101 (TV Series)

Shane

- Vegan Potluck (2009) ... Shane

 2007 Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt (Video)

Willie the Giant (voice)

 2006 Laurel & Hardy: The Fox Years (Video short)

Narrator

 2006 Little Dogs on the Prairie: Lyin', Cheatin' and a Lollipop (Video short)

Scout (voice)

 2004-2006 Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (TV Series short)

Wall / Muscle Bound Guy / Defensive End / ...

- Tooth Decay/Gridiron Maidens/Sound Off (2006) ... Muscle Bound Guy / Defensive End / Riptide's Coach / ... (voice)

- Jungle Prom/Truth or Dare/Sumo Kaz (2006) ... Wasabi / Sumo Wrestler (voice)

- Motor Psycho Mama/Oldie AmiYumi/Trouble with Mimes (2006) ... (voice)

- Movie Madness/Stop the Presses/Hired Help (2006) ... Wall (voice)

- Secret Origin/Legend of Mei Pie/Under the Hood (2006) ... Rumaki / Old Camper 3 (voice)

Show all 9 episodes

 2006 Adventures in Odyssey (TV Series)

Eugene Meltsner

- A Time for Action, Part 2 (2006) ... Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 2006 Little Dogs on the Prairie: Pride, Prejudice and Fudge (Video short)

Scout (voice)

 2006 Wonder Showzen (TV Series)

The Letter P

- Body (2006) ... The Letter P (voice)

 2006 Little Dogs on the Prairie: A Lotta Love and a Little Off the Top (Video short)

Scout (voice)

 2003 Looney Tunes: Back in Action

Papa Bear (voice)

 2001-2002 House of Mouse (TV Series)

Willie the Giant

- Halloween with Hades (2002) ... Willie the Giant (voice)

- House of Genius (2002) ... Willie the Giant (voice)

- House of Scrooge (2002) ... Willie the Giant (voice)

- The Mouse Who Came to Dinner (2001) ... Willie the Giant (voice)

- Timon & Pumbaa (2001) ... Willie the Giant (voice)

 2002 Adventures in Odyssey: The Caves of Qumran (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 2000 Adventures in Odyssey: The Last Days of Eugene Meltsner (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 2000 Adventures in Odyssey: Escape from the Forbidden Matrix (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1999-2000 Courage the Cowardly Dog (TV Series)

Duck Brothers

- Little Muriel/The Great Fusilli (2000) ... (voice)

- Revenge of the Chicken from Outer Space/Journey to the Center of Nowhere (2000) ... (voice)

- The Snowman Cometh/The Precious, Wonderful, Adorable, Loveable Duckling (2000) ... (voice)

- Queen of the Black Puddle/Everyone Wants to Direct (2000) ... (voice)

- The Hunchback of Nowhere/The Gods Must Be Goosey (2000) ... (voice)

Show all 12 episodes

 1998 Adventures in Odyssey: A Stranger Among Us (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1998 Adventures in Odyssey: Baby Daze (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1997 Ariel's Story Studio (Video Game)

Herald the Seahorse (voice)

 1997 Young Pocahontas (Video short) (voice)

 1997 Adventures in Odyssey: In Harm's Way (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1997 Adventures in Odyssey: A Twist in Time (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1996 Rotten Ralph (Video short)

 1996 The Story of Santa Claus (TV Movie)

Additional Voices (voice)

 1995-1996 The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat (TV Series short)

Voices / Medic Guardian 1 / Mr. Gross Ghost / ...

- Wizards and Lizards/The Evil Donut/An Auto Biography (1996) ... Voices (uncredited)

- The Fuzzy Bunny Show/The Milky Way (1996) ... Voices (uncredited)

- The Punderground/Nightmare on Oak Street/Star Trash (1996) ... Voices (uncredited)

- Felix's Big Splash/Gross Ghost/Swedish Meatballs (1995) ... Medic Guardian 1 / Mr. Gross Ghost / Pesky Ghost / ... (voice)

- Love at First Slice/Space Case/Peg Leg Felix (1995) ... Voices (uncredited)

Show all 8 episodes

 1996 Adventures in Odyssey: Someone to Watch Over Me (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1995 The Pebble and the Penguin

Royal / Tika (voice)

 1995 Adventures in Odyssey: Go West Young Man (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1994 Adventures in Odyssey: Electric Christmas (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1994 A Flintstones Christmas Carol (TV Movie)

Nephew Ned (voice)

 1994 The Baby Huey Show (TV Series) (voice)

 1994 Three Little Pigs Sing a Gig (Video short)

Lippy Pig (voice)

 1994 A Troll in Central Park

Boss (voice)

 1994 Adventures in Odyssey: Once Upon an Avalanche (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1994 Thumbelina

Hero / Reverend Rat (voice)

 1993 Adventures in Odyssey: Star Quest (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1993 Morris Has a Cold (Short)

Morris (voice)

 1993 Mouse Soup (Short)

Weasel (voice)

 1993 Adventures in Odyssey: Shadow of a Doubt (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1990-1992 Garfield and Friends (TV Series)

McKraven / Webster the Rabbit

- Super Sonic Seymour/A Mildly Mental Mix-Up/The Garfield Rap (1992) ... (voice)

- Ghost of a Chance/Roy Gets Sacked/Revenge of the Living Lunch (1992) ... McKraven (voice)

- All Things Fat and Small/U.S. Acres: Robin Hog/Hare Replacement (1990) ... Webster the Rabbit (voice)

 1992 Adventures in Odyssey: A Fine Feathered Frenzy (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1992 Disney's Ariel the Little Mermaid (Video Game)

Seahorse (voice)

 1991 Uncle Elephant (Short)

Uncle (voice)

 1991 Rock-A-Doodle

Stuey (voice)

 1991 Barney in Concert (Video)

Cow (uncredited)

 1991 Adventures in Odyssey: A Flight to the Finish (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1991 Adventures in Odyssey: The Knight Travellers (Video short)

Eugene Meltsner (voice)

 1985-1991 Adventures of the Gummi Bears (TV Series)

Ogres / Gad / Zook / ...

- Wings Over Dunwyn (1991) ... Gad / Zook / Ogres (voice)

- Trading Faces (1991) ... Gad / Zook / Ogres (voice)

- Tummi Trouble (1991) ... Gad / Zook / Ogres (voice)

- King Igthorn: Part II (1990) ... Gad / Zook / Ogres (voice)

- King Igthorn: Part I (1990) ... Gad / Zook / Ogres (voice)

Show all 47 episodes

 1985-1991 ABC Weekend Specials (TV Series short)

Mouse / Francois / Grubby / ...

- Ralph S. Mouse (1991) ... Mouse (voice)

- Cap'n O.G. Readmore's Puss in Boots (1988) ... Francois (voice)

- The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin (1985) ... Grubby / Tweeg / Wooly (voice)

- Cap'n O.G. Readmore's Jack and the Beanstalk (1985) ... Wordsy / Humpty Dumpty (voice)

- The Bollo Caper (1985) ... Clamper Carstair / Chestnut / Monkey #1 (voice)

 1990 Jack and the Beanstalk (Video short)

Bean Seller (voice, uncredited)

 1990 The Clean Club (Short) (voice)

 1990 A Gnome Named Gnorm

Gnorm

 1990 Stanley and the Dinosaurs (Short) (voice)

 1989 The Little Mermaid

Seahorse (voice)

 1984-1989 The Smurfs (TV Series)

Slime / Selwyn Quarrel / Cousin McDougall / ...

- Phantom Bagpiper/Jungle Jitterbug (1989) ... Cousin McDougall (voice)

- Castaway Smurfs/Legendary Smurfs (1987) ... Wizard Anton (voice)

- Jokey's Cloak/Papa's Last Spell (1986) ... Slime (voice)

- The Most Unsmurfy Game/Put Upon Puppy (1986) ... Slime (voice)

- The Scarlet Croaker (1986) ... Slime (voice)

Show all 12 episodes

 1988 The Wizard of Speed and Time

All the Unions / Mr. President (voice, as William Z. Ryan)

 1988 The Land Before Time

Petrie (voice)

 1988 Superman (TV Series short)

Conroy

- Destroy the Defendroids/The Adoption (1988) ... Conroy (voice)

 1988 Totally Minnie (TV Movie)

Goofy / Pete (voice)

 1986-1987 The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin (TV Series)

Grubby / Louie

- The Mystery Unravels (1987) ... Grubby (voice)

- L.B.'s Wedding (1987) ... Grubby / Louie (voice)

- On the Beaches (1987) ... Grubby (voice)

- The Journey Home (1987) ... Grubby (voice)

- Father's Day (1987) ... Grubby (voice)

Show all 65 episodes

 1987 DuckTales (TV Series short)

Captain Pietro / Weasels / Captain Blackheart / ...

- Duck in the Iron Mask (1987) ... Captain Pietro (voice)

- Raiders of the Lost Harp (1987) ... (voice)

- Back Out in the Outback (1987) ... Weasels (voice)

- Time Teasers (1987) ... Captain Blackheart (voice)

- Merit-Time Adventure (1987) ... Dogface Pete (voice)

Show all 9 episodes

 1986-1987 Teen Wolf (TV Series)

Chubs

- Scott and the Howlers (1987) ... Chubs (voice)

- Diary of a Mad Werewolf (1987) ... Chubs (voice)

- Toot Toot, Tut Tut and All That Rot (1987) ... Chubs (voice)

- It's No Picnic Being Teen Wolf (1987) ... Chubs (voice)

- Teen Wolf's Curse (1987) ... Chubs (voice)

Show all 13 episodes

 1987 The Mother Goose Video Treasury (Video short)

Bertram The Gander (voice)

 1987 Sport Goofy in Soccermania (Short)

Scrooge McDuck / The Beagle Boys / Gyro Gearloose (voice)

 1987 Alice Through the Looking Glass (TV Movie)

The Paper Man (voice)

 1987 Down and Out with Donald Duck (TV Movie)

Pete / Goofy (voice)

 1987 DTV 'Doggone' Valentine (TV Movie)

Pongo (voice)

 1987 Frog and Toad Together (Short)

Frog (voice)

 1986 An American Tail

Digit (voice)

 1986 My Little Pony 'n Friends (TV Series short)

Additional Voices

- The End of Flutter Valley: Part 8 (1986) ... Additional Voices (voice)

 1986 Wildfire (TV Series)

- A Visit to Wonderland (1986) ... (voice, as Wil Ryan)

 1986 Pooh's Great School Bus Adventure (Short)

Rabbit / Tigger (voice)

 1986 The Glo Friends (TV Series)

Various Characters (1986) (voice)

 1985-1986 Dumbo's Circus (TV Series)

Barnaby the Dog / Barnaby Bowser

- She's Really Something Special (1986) ... Barnaby the Dog (voice)

- Welcome to Melody Land (1986) ... Barnaby the Dog (voice)

- The Annual Summer Parade (1986) ... Barnaby the Dog (voice)

- Lilli Come's Home (1986) ... Barnaby the Dog (voice)

- Lilli's Surprise Birthday (1986) ... Barnaby the Dog (voice)

Show all 82 episodes

 1986 Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation

Stars and Hearts (uncredited)

 1986 DTV Valentine (TV Movie)

Pongo / Goofy (voice)

 1985 G.I. Joe (TV Series)

Footloose / Rock 'n Roll / Rock 'N Roll

- Cold Slither (1985) ... Footloose / Rock 'n Roll (voice)

- Hearts and Cannons (1985) ... Footloose (voice)

- Flint's Vacation (1985) ... Footloose (voice)

- Worlds Without End: Part 2 (1985) ... Footloose (voice)

- Worlds Without End: Part 1 (1985) ... Footloose (voice)

Show all 13 episodes

 1985 The Wuzzles (TV Series)

Wishing Well

- Eleroo's Wishday (1985) ... Wishing Well (voice)

 1985 CBS Storybreak (TV Series)

- Witch-Cat (1985) ... (voice)

- Robbut: A Tale of Tails (1985) ... (voice)

 1985 Too Smart for Strangers (TV Short)

Rabbit / Tigger (voice)

 1985 Frog and Toad Are Friends (Short)

Frog (voice)

 1985 The Care Bears Movie

Stars (uncredited)

 1984 G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra (TV Mini Series)

Rock 'n Roll

- Amusement Park of Terror (1984) ... Rock 'n Roll (voice)

- Battle on the Roof of the World (1984) ... Rock 'n Roll (voice)

- The Palace of Doom (1984) ... Rock 'n Roll (voice)

- The Vines of Evil (1984) ... Rock 'n Roll (voice)

- In the Cobra's Pit (1984) ... Rock 'n Roll (voice)

 1984 Harold and His Amazing Green Plants (Short)

Harold / Narrator (voice)

 1984 Fitness and Me: Why Exercise? (Short)

Knight Light (voice, as W.Z. Ryan)

 1983 Mickey's Christmas Carol (Short)

Collector for the Poor #2 / Ghost of Christmas Present (Willie the Giant) / Ghost of Christmas Future (Pete) / ... (voice)

 1983 Welcome to Pooh Corner (TV Series)

Rabbit (1983-1986) / Tigger (1983-1986) (voice)

 1983 Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore (Short)

Rabbit (voice)

Writer (8 credits)

 2015 Imitation of Wife (Short) (based on characters created by)

 2015 Schmo Boat (Short) (based on characters created by)

 2015 The Adventures of Biffle and Shooster (based on characters created by)

 2015 Bride of Finklestein (Short) (based on characters created by)

 2015 The Biffle Murder Case (Short) (based on characters created by)

 2013 It's a Frame-Up! (Short) (additional dialogue) / (based on characters created by)

  The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (TV Series) (1 episode, 1997) (teleplay - 2 episodes, 1996) (written by - 1 episode, 1996)

- Oh, the People You'll Meet (1997)

- The Guest (1996) ... (teleplay)

- The King's Beard (1996) ... (written by)

- Who Are You, Sue Snue? (1996) ... (teleplay)

 1993 ABC Weekend Specials (TV Series short) (teleplay - 1 episode)

- Commander Toad in Space (1993) ... (teleplay)

Music department (5 credits)

 1993 Mouse Soup (Short) (composer: songs)

 1991 Uncle Elephant (Short) (composer: songs)

 1991 ABC Weekend Specials (TV Series short) (songs - 2 episodes)

- Ralph S. Mouse (1991) ... (songs: exercise) / (songs: radio)

 1990 Stanley and the Dinosaurs (Short) (composer: songs)

 1983 Welcome to Pooh Corner (TV Series) (composer: songs - 1983)

 Soundtrack (7 credits)

 2015 Imitation of Wife (Short) (performer: "Ain't We Got Fun")

 1997 MGM Sing-Alongs: Friends (Music Video short) (performer: "The Good Ship Misery")

 1995 The Pebble and the Penguin (performer: "The Good Ship Misery")

 1993 The Making of '...and God Spoke' (writer: "Tell The World To Take A Hike")

 1993 Mouse Soup (Short) (performer: "Don't Have Nothin'") / (writer: "Feeling Good", "Don't Have Nothin'")

 1991 Highway to Hell (writer: "The Ice Cream Man Song")

 1984 Donald Duck's 50th Birthday (TV Special short) (lyrics: "Goin' Quackers") / (music: "Goin' Quackers")

Producer (3 credits)

 1996 The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (TV Series) (consulting producer)

 1993 Mouse Soup (Short) (associate producer)

 1993 ABC Weekend Specials (TV Series short) (associate producer - 1 episode)

- Commander Toad in Space (1993) ... (associate producer)

Composer (1 credit)

 1985 Too Smart for Strangers (TV Short)

Additional Crew (1 credit)

 1990 A Gnome Named Gnorm (gnorm wrangler)