Original 1989 Film Voice Cast
The 1989 Disney animated film The Little Mermaid features Jodi Benson as the speaking and singing voice of Ariel, the young mermaid who longs to become human. Benson, an American actress and singer, recorded both dialogue and songs including "Part of Your World" and "Kiss the Girl" at studios in California. The film was produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution in November 1989, becoming a box office hit and revitalizing Disney's animated feature lineup. For more on the production history, see the Disney Archives overview of the film at https://www.disney.com. The supporting cast includes Pat Carroll as Ursula, Christopher Daniel Barnes as Prince Eric, and Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian the crab.
The original voice actors were selected through auditions supervised by Disney casting directors and animation veterans such as Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. The film's soundtrack, with songs performed by the credited voice cast, topped charts and earned Grammy and Academy Award nominations. The original 1989 cast remains the definitive reference for the animated version, with Jodi Benson's portrayal of Ariel ranked among the most iconic Disney heroines in fan polls and media retrospectives. Additional information on the cast and music is available in the film's official credits and on the Disney official site at https://www.disney.com.
2023 Live-Action Remake Voice and On-Screen Cast
The 2023 live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, marking the first time a Black actress portrays the character in a major Disney production. Bailey, a member of the musical duo Chloe x Halle, performed both dialogue and songs for the role, with vocal performances recorded under the direction of director Rob Marshall and music supervisor Alex Lacamoire. The film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and released in May 2023, with worldwide box office figures tracked by industry sources such as Forbes. The remake features Javier Bardem as King Triton, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, and Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, with songs by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Halle Bailey's casting was announced by Disney in 2019, and her performance was highlighted in official trailers and press materials released by the studio. The live-action version uses a combination of on-set performance and CGI to create the underwater environment, with Bailey's voice serving as the emotional anchor for the character. Box office reporting and critical reviews from outlets such as Forbes documented the film's commercial performance and audience reception. More details on the production and cast are available in the official Walt Disney Pictures press release at https://www.disney.com.
Other Notable Voice Performances Across Adaptations
Beyond the 1989 and 2023 versions, Ariel has been voiced in other official Disney projects, including direct-to-video sequels and stage adaptations. In the 2000 sequel The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, Ariel as a child is voiced by Tara Charendoff, while Jodi Benson reprises the role of adult Ariel. The Broadway stage production, which opened in 2008, featured Sierra Boggess as Ariel in the original cast, with subsequent performers carrying the role in subsequent years. These versions are documented in Disney's official licensing materials and theater archives.
Voice casting for animated and live-action adaptations of The Little Mermaid is managed by Disney's casting department in coordination with directors and producers. The studio's official credits list the voice actors for each version, and these records are used by media databases, fan wikis, and entertainment journalists as primary sources. For verified cast lists and production details, refer to the official Disney