Verna Felton
Biography
Verna Arline Felton was an American character actress born in Salinas, California, on July 20, 1890, and she died on December 14, 1966, in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Before moving into film and television, she gained extensive experience in theater and radio. Felton became best known for her distinctive husky voice and for providing numerous female voice roles in classic Disney animated films, including the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella and the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, as well as voicing Pearl Slaghoople, the mother-in-law of Fred Flintstone for Hanna-Barbera. Her film work during the 1940s included appearances in If I Had My Way, Girls of the Big House, and The Fuller Brush Man. During the early 1950s, she remained in high demand as a movie character actress, appearing in Buccaneer's Girl, Belles on Their Toes, Don't Bother to Knock, and playing the supporting role of Mrs. Potts in the film adaptation of William Inge's Picnic.
Career overview
Verna Arline Felton was an American character actress and voice artist born on July 20, 1890, in Salinas, California, and she died on December 14, 1966, in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Before breaking into film and television, she gained extensive experience working in theater and radio. She became best-known for providing distinctive husky voices for numerous female characters in classic Disney animated films, including the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella from 1950 and the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, as well as voicing Pearl Slaghoople, the mother-in-law of Fred Flintstone, for Hanna-Barbera.
Throughout the 1940s, her film appearances included If I Had My Way in 1940, Girls of the Big House in 1945, and The Fuller Brush Man in 1948. She remained much in demand as a movie character actress during the early 1950s, appearing in Buccaneer's Girl in 1950, Belles on Their Toes in 1952, and Don't Bother to Knock in 1952. Among her notable film work is her memorable supporting role as Mrs. Potts in the 1956 film adaptation of William Inge's Picnic. Across her career, she accumulated numerous known acting credits in film and television before her passing at the age of seventy-six.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
49 titles- Once Upon a Studio (2023) as Flora (voice) (archive sound)
- Disney’s Coyote Tales (1991) as Eloise (voice) (archive sound) (uncredited)
- Disney's Halloween Treat (1982) as Aunt Sarah (voice) (archive footage)
- The Jungle Book (1967) as Winifred (voice)
- The Man from Button Willow (1965) as Mrs.Pomeroy / Mother / Lady on Trolley (voice)
- A Bob Hope Comedy Special (1963) as Self
- Miami Undercover (1961)
- My Three Sons (1960) as Mub
- The Flintstones (1960) as Pearl Slaghoople (voice)
- Pete and Gladys (1960)
- Guns of the Timberland (1960) as Aunt Sarah
- Goliath II (1960) as Eloise
- Dennis the Menace (1959) as Aunt Emma
- The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959) as Mrs. Lapping
- Sleeping Beauty (1959) as Flora / Queen Leah (voice)
- Wagon Train (1957) as Gran Jennings
- The Oklahoman (1957) as Mrs. Waynebrook
- Taming Sutton’s Gal (1957) as Aunty Sutton
- Lady and the Tramp (1955) as Aunt Sarah (voice)
- Picnic (1955) as Helen Potts
- Climax! (1954) as Nurse
- December Bride (1954) as Hilda Crocker
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as The Queen of Hearts (voice) (archive footage)
- The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952) as Mrs. Whistler
- Don't Bother to Knock (1952) as Mrs. Ballew
- Belles on Their Toes (1952) as Cousin Leora
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Mrs. Simpsons (uncredited)
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Mrs. Porter
- Alice in Wonderland (1951) as Queen of Hearts (voice)
- New Mexico (1951) as Mrs. Fenway
- Little Egypt (1951) as Mrs. Doanne
- The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950) as Mrs. Rodney
- The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950) as Maggie
- The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950) as Emily Marsh
- The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950) as Mrs. Evans
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self - Sketch Performer (uncredited)
- The Jack Benny Program (1950) as Mrs. Day
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- Cinderella (1950) as Fairy Godmother (voice)
- The Gunfighter (1950) as Mrs. August Pennyfeather
- Buccaneer's Girl (1950) as Dowager
- The Fuller Brush Man (1948) as Junior's Grandmother (uncredited)
- She Wrote the Book (1946) as Mrs. Kilgour
- Girls of the Big House (1945) as Agnes
- Dumbo (1941) as Elephant Matriarch / Mrs. Jumbo (voice) (uncredited)
- Northwest Passage (1940) as Mrs. Towne
- If I Had My Way (1940) as Mrs. DeLacey
- Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President (1939) as Neighbor
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Verna Felton best known for?
Verna Felton is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Once Upon a Studio (2023), The Jungle Book (1967), Miami Undercover (1961), My Three Sons (1960).
When and where was Verna Felton born?
Verna Felton was born on July 20, 1890 in Salinas, California, USA. They passed away on December 14, 1966.
How many credits does Verna Felton have?
Verna Felton has accumulated over 49 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1939 to 2023.
What is Verna Felton's background in cinema and television?
Verna Arline Felton was an American character actress born in Salinas, California, on July 20, 1890, and she died on December 14, 1966, in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Before moving into film and television, she gained extensive experience in theater and radio. Felton became best known for her distinctive ...