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Cape Town - Russi Taylor, the voice of popular Disney character Minnie Mouse for 30 years, died at the age of 75.
Russi died on Friday, 26 July at her Californian home according to a Disney statement, CNN reports.
The cause of her death wasn’t revealed.
"Minnie Mouse lost her voice with the passing of Russi Taylor," Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger said.
"For more than 30 years, Minnie and Russi worked together to entertain millions around the world – a partnership that made Minnie a global icon and Russi a Disney legend beloved by fans everywhere," Iger said.
"We’re so grateful for Russi’s talent as well as the tremendous spirit and great joy she brought to everything she did.
"It was a privilege to have known her and an honour to have worked with her, and we take comfort in the knowledge that her work will continue to entertain and inspire for generations to come.
"Russi will be sorely missed and our hearts go out to her family and friends, along with our deepest condolences."
Russi won the role of Minnie in 1986 after competing against 200 hopefuls, The Irish Times reports.
She went on to do voice-overs for various other characters, including for The Simpsons’ twins Sherri and Terri, exchange student Üter and Bart’s dorky classmate Martin Prince, according to BBC.
"I never wanted to be famous," Russi said. "The characters I do are famous, and that's fine for me."
Sources: CNN, The Irish Times, BBC
