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Who Framed Roger Rabbit Star's Surprising Career Origin
3 Feb
Summary
- April Winchell got her SAG card imitating voices at age 10.
- She landed roles in 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' unexpectedly.
- Her father, Paul Winchell, was proud of her voice work.
April Winchell, daughter of legendary voice actor Paul Winchell, shared how her own career began serendipitously. At just 10 years old, while visiting her father at Bell Sound studios, she was overheard imitating celebrity voices by his agent. This chance encounter led to her audition and subsequent role in the animated series 'Kid Power,' earning her a Screen Actors Guild card.
Years later, Winchell landed memorable roles as Baby Herman and Mrs. Herman in the 1988 film 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit.' She recalled her agent suggesting she audition for the movie, a project she initially dismissed. Her ability to channel classic Hollywood actress Margaret Dumont proved crucial for the Mrs. Herman role, a feat she achieved due to her childhood familiarity with the Marx Brothers' films.
Winchell also expressed the emotional impact of learning about her father's hidden pride in her work. Though estranged, her father, who passed away in 2005, had apparently spoken positively about her career to friends, a fact she discovered posthumously. This revelation offered her a profound sense of connection and validation.
