Donnie Dunagan Dies: Voice Of Young Bambi In 1942 Disney Classic Was 92

Donnie Dunigan, the original voice of Bambi in Disney's 1942 classic, has passed away at the age of 92. The talented child actor breathed his last on Wednesday after battling lung cancer. Born in San Antonio in 1934, Dunigan's career began when he caught the attention of RKO talent scouts during a tap dancing performance. His film debut came in Mother Carey's Chickens, followed by Son Of Frankenstein, where he plays checkers with Boris Karloff while the legendary actor is fully in monster makeup.

Dunigan also appeared alongside Basil Rathbone's future King Richard III in Tower Of London, arranging a child marriage between Dunigan's young prince and Joan Carroll's Lady Mowbray. After several more films in the 1930s and early 1940s, he was cast as the youthful Bambi, with Hardie Albright taking over for the adolescent version. Dunigan fondly recalled the experience, stating that he had a great time and enjoyed the ice cream served in the Disney dining room.

The iconic scenes where Bambi searches for his mother and faces the cold truths of the forest have left a lasting impression on moviegoers, with Dunigan revealing that the Disney acting coach instructed him to imagine searching for his own mother, growing increasingly fearful. After Bambi, Dunigan left show business and enlisted in the Marines in 1952, serving two tours in Vietnam and receiving multiple military honors, including three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and numerous other medals.

He retired as a major in 1977, keeping his Hollywood past a secret to avoid being labeled "Major Bambi."

Dunigan occasionally spoke about his film career, particularly during Bambi's DVD release, expressing joy in seeing children recognize him as the voice of Bambi. He is survived by his wife, Dana.