Kathryn Beaumont

Perfectly cast as the typical, dreamy Victorian girl, Kathryn also portrayed Alice on film...but only for the benefit of the Disney animators, as a live-action reference for their work. Soon her acting skills were put to the test as she would pose, act-out and portray young Alice in various scenarios - even as she falls down the rabbit hole!

Born in England and originally a native of London, Kathryn moved to Bangor, North Wales, where her father, Kenneth Beaumont, was a broadcaster during World War II. Upon her return to London in 1945, Kathryn was spotted by an MGM talent scout and came to the U.S. under contract to MGM. Her years with MGM brought roles in such various films as On An Island With You - 1948, with Esther Williams, and a non-credited part in the 1949 film The Secret Garden with Margaret O'Brien.

Around this time, Walt Disney was beginning production on "Alice In Wonderland" and searching for the perfect lead voice - "one that would be English enough to satisfy British audiences and preserve the feeling of an English Literary classic," says Kathryn, "but not so English that it would put off American audiences." Kathryn was only about ten years old when she was signed and began recording the voice of Alice in "Alice In Wonderland" for Disney. With her curly blonde hair, sparkling eyes and acting ability, Walt also chose her as the live action reference model for Alice as well.

After an extensive promotional tour and appearances in Walt Disney's first television special "One Hour In Wonderland," in 1950, Kathryn stepped into her role as Wendy Darling. For the next 3 years, she spent her days at the Walt Disney studios in rehearsals, recording sessions and animator modeling sessions for four hours a day, then attending 3 hours a day in her classroom studies on the studio lot.

After Peter Pan, Beaumont resumed regular schooling where she pursued drill team activities and she ran for a position in student government. Upon graduating, she attended the University of Southern California, where she earned a degree and teaching credential. Kathryn continued to work for Disney each summer during college. On the completion of her studies, and for the next thirty years, Kathryn devoted her time and energy to being a school teacher in a local elementary school, a move she has never regretted. She explains simply, "Teaching gave me satisfaction, and I stayed." Occasionally a sharp-eared student would ask why their teacher's voice sounded so familiar.

Kathryn lost contact with the studio even though she lived a stones-throw away. In 1983 Disney studios re-established contact and Kathryn returned to Disney to promote the 1983 re-release of Peter Pan. She also resumed her voice-over career recording as Alice and Wendy for theme parks, attractions, video games and television programs. In 1992, Kathryn created a new audio track for Disneyland's "FantasMic!" - it is Kathryn who calls out to Peter Pan during the pirate sequence each night entertaining millions of Park visitors each year.

On October 16, 1998, Kathryn was named a "Disney Legend" by the Walt Disney Company. Honored at the annual ceremony on the Studio lot, Kathryn Beaumont took her place among the stars of the Disney landscape.

Now retired and living in Burbank, California, Kathryn enjoys traveling and has made numerous trips abroad as well -- returning to London several times since her first magical tumble down the rabbit hole. Kathryn also keeps active with her continued work for various divisions of the Walt Disney Company including Disney Art Classics and Consumer Products.