Samuel E. Wright, who voiced Sebastian in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and also appeared in The Lion King on Broadway as well as the voice of Kron the Iguanodon in Dinosaur, has died at the age of 74.
“Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.” Rest In Peace, Samuel E. Wright | 1946 – 2021
Original Broadway Cast, Mufasa. pic.twitter.com/MDuQAZJalZ— The Lion King – Musical (@TheLionKing) May 25, 2021
His death was announced by a Facebook page for the New York Town of Montgomery, where he lived. Wright passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Walden, New York, due to prostate cancer. As the character of Sebastian the Crab, Wright has provided lead vocals to ‘Under the Sea’, which he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
“Sam was an inspiration to us all and along with his family established the Hudson Valley Conservatory,” said the Facebook page in a tribute for Wright.
“Sam and his family have impacted countless Hudson Valley youth always inspiring them to reach higher and dig deeper to become the best version of themselves. On top of his passion for the arts and his love for his family, Sam was most known for walking into a room and simply providing PURE JOY to those he interacted with. He loved to entertain, he loved to make people smile and laugh and he loved to love.
The greater Town of Montgomery Community mourns together today. As we say goodbye to a pillar in our community and ask everyone to share a memory and help us celebrate the life of this great man.”
May his work continue to live on for generations to come and does its magic the way it did for us growing up.
*Cover image via Media Punch / Looper
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