Sterling Holloway

Sterling Price Holloway, Jr. (January 4, 1905 – November 22, 1992) was an American voice actor. Most notably he was the original voice of Winnie the Pooh, as well as voicing Mr. Stork from Dumbo, the adult version of Flower from Bambi, Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, Kaa from The Jungle Book, and Roquefort from The Aristocats. Upon Holloway's death, Jim Cummings took over many of his roles. Holloway said that the role of Winnie the Pooh was his favorite role that he did for Disney. Besides a voice actor Holloway was also a movie and stage actor and appeared in movies such as Meet John Doe (1941) and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963). He also appeared in a few Gene Autry movies and he also appeared in television such as The Andy Griffith Show, Family Affair, and Gilligan's Island. Holloway was awarded the Disney Legend of 1991 in 1991 where he was escorted by the character of Pooh himself up to receive the award. Sterling Holloway died on November 22nd 1992 at the age of 87 from a cardiac arrest. He was never married but did adopt a son named Richard Holloway who survived him.