Samuel E. Wright, Voice Of The Little Mermaid’s Sebastian, Dies At 74 [CONDOLENCES]

Samuel E. Wright, Voice Of The Little Mermaid’s Sebastian, Dies At 74 [CONDOLENCES]

The man behind the voice of The Little Mermaid’s Sebastian has sadly passed away.

Samuel E. Wright died after battling prostate cancer for three years, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 74 years old.

His daughter confirmed the news and said,

“He was the brightest light.”

Samuel E. Wright’s iconic Under The Sea song from The Little Mermaid won an Oscar Award for Best Original Song in 1989 and Grammy Award for Best Song Written For for Visual Media in 1991.

Along with serving as the voice for the wise crab and advisor to King Triton in The Little Mermaid in 1989, Wright was also a Broadway star. He first hit the stage in 1971 in Jesus Christ Superstar and replaced Ben Vereen in the original Pippen from 1972-1977. He notably played Mufasa in The Lion King stage play in 1997.

He guest-starred in shows like The Cosby Show and contributed his voice to 2000’s Dinosuar. 

Behind the camera, Wright helped launch the performance center, the Hudson Valley Conservatory in Walden, NY. The center saluted him on Facebook and announced a scholarship fund in his honor.

“To honor the life and continue the mission of our beloved leader and mentor the New Rose Theatre Group will be starting The Samuel E Wright Scholarship Fund. This fund will be used to support the children, school and community of young artists he created at the Hudson Valley Conservatory.”

The Town of Montgomery also acknowledged his accomplishments and wrote on Facebook,

He and his wife Amanda would have been married for 49 years next month. They share three children Keely, Dee and Sam.

Prayers for Samuel E. Wright’s family, friends, and loved ones.