Billy Gilbert

Billy Gilbert
Background information
Born	September 12, 1894 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	September 23, 1971 (aged 77) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Stroke
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actor, comedy writer, film director
Years active	1929–1962
Family information
Spouse	Ella McKenzie (1938–1971, his death

Billy Gilbert (September 12, 1894 - September 23, 1971) was a radio comedian famous for his comical sneezing gags, provided the voice of Sneezy the dwarf in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, as well as Willie the Giant in Fun and Fancy Free and Mickey and the Beanstalk. It is believed by Animation Historian John Canemaker that Gilbert got the role of Sneezy by walking into Walt's office for his audition and sneezed 5 times and Walt said "Billy, you've got the job". Gilbert starred in many movies such as His Girl Friday (1940) Valley of the Sun (1942), and Five Weeks in a Balloon (1962). In 1937, Billy Gilbert married actress Ella McKenzie and they remained together until his death in 1971. They had no children together.

Death

On September 23, 1971, Billy Gilbert died in Hollywood, California from a stroke at the age of 77. He is buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.