April Winchell
Winchell in 2011
Born
April Terri Winchell

(1960-01-04) January 4, 1960[1]
New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • writer
  • radio host
  • color commentator
Years active1972–present
Spouses
Mick Kuisel
​
​
(m. 1996; div. 2013)​
    John Foley
    ​
    (m. 2013)​
    Parents
    Websiteaprilwinchell.com

    April Terri Winchell (born January 4, 1960)[1] is an American actress, writer, and radio host. Since 1996, she has been the voice of Clarabelle Cow.

    Early life

    Winchell was born in 1960.[1] She is the daughter of inventor, ventriloquist and comedian Paul Winchell (1922–2005, the original voice of Tigger), and his second wife, Nina Russel.[2][3] In her weblog writings and appearances on radio, she describes her childhood with many references to the great talent of her father as well as the many disturbing incidents owing to his mental health issues.[4][5]

    Career

    Acting

    Winchell in Los Angeles, California in June 2004

    Winchell's projects include the role of Sylvia in Wander Over Yonder, a Disney Channel animated series featuring Jack McBrayer in the title role. Created by The Powerpuff Girls producers Craig McCracken and Lauren Faust, the show chronicles the adventures of Wander and his trusty (and cynical) steed Sylvia, as they travel the universe. The series premiered on the Disney Channel in September 2013.[6]

    As a voice actress, she has been heard in hundreds of animated television series, such as Goof Troop (as Peg Pete), Recess (as Mrs. Muriel Finster), House of Mouse and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (as Clarabelle Cow), Bonkers (as Lucky's wife, Dyl Piquel), Pepper Ann (as title character's mom, Lydia Pearson),[7] and Kids from Room 402 (as Miss Gracie Graves the school teacher, along with several other characters that appear on the show), The Legend of Tarzan (taking over for Rosie O'Donnell as Terk in the original film), 101 Dalmatians: The Series (as Cruella De Vil), and SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (as Molly Mange).

    She has also voiced characters in numerous films, including Antz, Who Framed Roger Rabbit,[1] Monsters University and Rob Zombie's The Haunted World of El Superbeasto. Winchell portrayed the "Glendale Federal Bank" lady – a cranky, cynical customer alleviated by the service at her new bank – in a series of radio commercials, which Winchell wrote and directed herself. The commercials caught the attention of Roseanne Barr, who hired her as a writer on Barr's eponymous sitcom.[1]

    Radio

    Besides her many contributions to radio advertising as a director, writer, and performer, Winchell also hosted a radio talk show program on KFI, a Los Angeles radio station. This weekend program aired for three years, and enjoyed the fastest growth audience in the history of the station. Subsequent to the end of this program in November 2002, she appeared semi-regularly on the Ask Mr. KABC program, on KABC, an AM station also in Los Angeles – until the show ended in February 2007.

    In 2005, Winchell signed a deal with U.S. pay-TV service HBO to develop and host a show on Sirius Satellite Radio. However, on her official website on May 3, 2006, she announced that negotiations had stalled out between HBO and Sirius, leaving her program in limbo.

    On March 16, 2007, she returned to semi-regular radio appearances on The Marc "Mr. K" Germain Show on KTLK-AM (the new show hosted by the former Mr. KABC) and appeared twice a month. (Her appearances on Germain's show are available at her website in addition to KTLK's website.) During March, Winchell was "banned for life" from KABC (AM) in Los Angeles at the behest of ABC radio host Bill O'Reilly, over a retelling of an occurrence she dubbed "Croissantgate" (KABC provided Bill O'Reilly with croissants that were not fresh enough for his taste, causing a commotion at the station).

    Theater

    Winchell (right) providing commentary at the 1998 Christopher Street West Gay Pride Parade in West Hollywood.

    As a musical theater actor, she starred as Ado Annie in the Columbia Artists revival of Oklahoma!, and also appeared opposite Kevin Spacey in Gypsy.

    Additionally, Winchell wrote and starred as "Sheila Sands" in her show at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles to sold out crowds. The show was produced by Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner, who discovered her at Cafe Largo in Hollywood. Winchell reprised the character to open for Brad Garrett at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2013.

    She has also been a frequent panelist on the live-stage version of What's My Line at the Acme Comedy Theatre in Hollywood.

    Advertising

    In 1992, Winchell and her then-husband Mick Kuisel formed Radio Savant Productions, a radio advertising production company.[8] Since that time, Winchell has received many awards including Cannes, Clio, The $100,000 Mercury Award[9] and The International Grand Andy (bestowed by The Association of Independent Commercial Producers) – it was the only time the Andy was given for radio. Winchell also provided the award-winning radio and television advertising for Big Bear Mountain Resorts for over 20 years.

    Internet

    Winchell's official website contains a link to her IMDB biography and library of unusual and outsider music pieces.

    Prior to 2009, Winchell maintained a personal Web site that, in addition to the music pieces, chronicled the actor's activities, which include her professional, personal, and romantic life. In October 2009, Winchell (under the pseudonym "Helen Killer") launched Regretsy, a blog website which satirized Etsy.[10] Within four days, the site had received nearly 90 million hits. This huge viral success caught the attention of Random House, who subsequently won a bidding war to publish a book based around the Regretsy website. The book, which was published April 6, 2010, features humorous and bizarre crafts and artwork from several different artists, as well as essays about Winchell's personal life, childhood and own crafting failures.[11] As of March 1, 2012, the Regretsy site had raised over $200,000 for charitable causes.[12] The popularity of Regretsy's "Not Remotely Steampunk" section even inspired a viral "chap hop" music video.[13] Winchell ceased updating Regretsy on February 1, 2013.[14]

    Winchell made several appearances on early episodes of the internet broadcast series "Talk Radio One," interviewed by former Los Angeles radio personality Marc Germain. She became a weekly guest on the series beginning in 2017.

    Other work

    Winchell worked on the 1996 video game Toonstruck in which she voiced a number of characters including Ms. Fit, Polly, Punisher Polly and Dr. Payne's Receptionist. Not only did she voiced the characters but she has also worked as casting and dialogue director for the game. She also worked as a punch writer for Recess: School's Out and wrote three episodes of the American sitcom Roseanne.

    Personal life

    In broadcasts of her KFI show, on her web diary and several other websites, Winchell revealed she and Kevin Spacey dated after high school.[15][16]

    Winchell is a supporter of charities including Project Angel Food, a Los Angeles-based service providing meals for homebound people living with AIDS. Her website, Regretsy, generated charitable funds through selling of Regretsy merchandise. On, April 17, 2011, Winchell created April's Army, which ran monthly campaigns for which all profits went to a selected Regretsy member who has encountered hardships. On December 5, 2011, Regretsy began a Secret Santa program, collecting donations for presents for needy children.[17]

    Filmography

    Film

    List of voice performances in animated feature and direct-to-video films
    Year Title Role Notes
    1988 Who Framed Roger Rabbit Mrs. Herman, Baby Herman's baby voice [18]
    1990 Jetsons: The Movie Additional Voices
    1997 Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off Tanya Direct-to-video
    1998 Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Magical World Chandeleria
    Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World Additional voices
    Antz
    1999 Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Mom, Old Woman, Firefighter #1 Direct-to-video[18]
    Tarzan Terk's Mom
    2000 Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman Madame Raya Direct-to-video[18]
    2001 Recess: School's Out Miss Finster, Mrs. Detweiller [18]
    Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure Mrs. Mahoney Direct-to-video[18]
    Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse Mother Von Drake Direct-to-video
    Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street Miss Finster Direct-to-video[18]
    2002 The Hunchback of Notre Dame II Lady DeBurne
    Tarzan & Jane Terk Direct-to-video
    Mickey's House of Villains Clarabelle Cow
    2003 Recess: All Growed Down Miss Finster Direct-to-video[18]
    Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade
    2004 Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers Clarabelle Cow
    Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas Additional voices Direct-to-video
    2005 Mulan II Matchmaker
    Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama Reporter
    Tarzan II Additional voices
    Kronk's New Groove Hildy, Marge, Tina, Additional voices
    2006 Asterix and the Vikings Vikea [18]
    Queer Duck: The Movie Additional voices Direct-to-video
    The Fox and the Hound 2
    2007 Happily N'Ever After
    2009 The Haunted World of El Superbeasto Dame Grace Appleton, Liza, Babs, Dolly, Joan, Gloria, Scripty, Helga Strudel Direct-to-video
    2010 Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Female Radio Caller #1 Direct-to-video[18]
    2012 Strange Frame Pawnbroker
    2013 Monsters University Additional Voices
    Despicable Me 2
    2015 Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League Giganta
    Home Boov
    2020 Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe Computer Voice

    Television

    List of voice performances in animated shows
    Year Title Role Notes
    1972–1973 Kid Power Connie
    1992 Defenders of Dynatron City Additional voices TV special
    Monster in My Pocket: The Big Scream Helga
    Darkwing Duck Bianca Beakley
    1992–1993 Goof Troop Peg Pete / Various Characters 77 episodes
    1993 Tom & Jerry Kids Additional voices Episode: "Penthouse Mouse/12 Angry Sheep/The Ant Attack"
    Marsupilami Episode: "A Spotless Record/A Boy and His Crab/Mars vs. Man"
    Problem Child
    1993–1994 Bonkers Dyl Piquel 20 episodes
    SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron Molly Mange 5 episodes
    1993 Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby Additional voices Television film
    1994 Aladdin Woman Episode: "The Flawed Couple"
    1995 Bump in the Night Auntie Matta, Princess, the Cute Dolls Episodes: "Auntie Matta" and "Beauty and the Bump"
    The Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show Various Characters 8 episodes
    1995–1999 Timon & Pumbaa Additional voices 7 episodes
    1996 Gargoyles Shauna Coyle Episode: "Broadway Goes to Hollywood"
    Earthworm Jim Ilene Episode: "Lounge Day's Journey into Night"
    Quack Pack Female Viking, Various Characters 2 episodes
    1996–1997 Mighty Ducks Tanya 26 episodes
    Jungle Cubs Various Characters 4 episodes
    1996–1998 The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper Miss C. / Baby Casper 2 episodes
    1997 The Blues Brothers: The Animated Series Various Characters
    Johnny Bravo Episode: "Johnny Bravo/Jungle Boy in 'Mr. Monkeyman'/Johnny Bravo and the Amazon Women"
    Nightmare Ned Queen Ant Episode: "Ants"
    Extreme Ghostbusters The Waitress Episode: "The Jersey Devil"
    1997–1998 101 Dalmatians: The Series Cruella De Vil 61 episodes
    1997–2000 Pepper Ann Lydia Pearson 45 episodes
    1997–2001 Recess Muriel Finster 21 episodes
    1998 Hercules Amazon Guard Episode: "Hercules and the Girdle of Hippolyte"
    Men in Black: The Series Additional voices Episode: "The Quick Clone Syndrome"
    All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series Tiffany Episode: "Bess and Itchy's Dog School Reunion"
    1998–1999 Mad Jack the Pirate Additional voices 13 episodes
    CatDog Sadie / Space Grannies 2 episodes[18]
    1999 The Wild Thornberrys Gemsbok #2 Episode: "Rain Dance"[18]
    1999–2000 Mickey Mouse Works Clarabelle Cow 10 episodes
    Kids from Room 402 Gracie Graves [18]
    2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Pwerta Episode: "Stress Test"[18]
    Rugrats Argenta Episode: "Don't Poop on My Parade"[18]
    2000–2001 Clerks: The Animated Series Judge 4 episodes
    2001–2003 House of Mouse Clarabelle Cow 28 episodes
    The Legend of Tarzan Terk / Bibi's Mother 37 episodes
    2001–2004 Lloyd in Space Nora Nebulon 35 episodes[18]
    2002 Totally Spies! Ms. Catherine Brooks / Principal Vegan Episode: "Silicon Valley Girls"
    Ozzy & Drix Lunchlady Episode: "Gas of Doom"[18]
    2002–2003 Teamo Supremo Hypnotheria
    2002 Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe In Santa Nana Television film[18]
    2003 The Mummy Aglaophone #1 Episode: "The Enemy of My Enemy"
    Rocket Power Announcer Episode: "Cinco de Twisto/Saving Lt. Ryan"
    2003–2006 Lilo & Stitch: The Series Mrs. Edmonds, Aunt Stacy 35 episodes
    2003; 2007 Kim Possible Bernice, Miss Hatchet, Trisha 8 episodes
    2004 Fatherhood Ms. Huffington Episode: "Love me Dude"
    As Told by Ginger Cleaning Lady Episode: "A Lesson in Tightropes"[18]
    2006 Bratz Gertrude Episode: "Survivor"
    Catscratch Various Characters Episode: "Mall Adjusted/Clan Destiny"
    The X's Episode: "Accidental Hero/Untitled"
    2006–2007 Eloise: The Animated Series 5 episodes
    Legion of Super Heroes Winema Wazzo 2 episodes
    2006–2016 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Clarabelle Cow 52 episodes
    2007 The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Mrs. Slither Episode: "Detention X"[18]
    Slacker Cats Additional voices Episode: "Mexico"
    2007–2008 Tak & the Power of Juju Donna 3 episodes
    2008–2014 Phineas and Ferb Blanca Dechan, Mona, Princess Leia [18]
    2009 King of the Hill Various Characters Episode: "Uncool Customer"
    2010–2011 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil Helga
    2011 Curious George Chilla DeWinter, Melanie 2 episodes
    Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Various Characters Episode: "Night Fright"
    Fish Hooks Lady Eelbottom Episode: "Oscar Makes an Impression"[18]
    2011–2014 Jake and the Never Land Pirates Singsong Bird, Slippery Serpent 4 episodes
    2011–2016 Minnie's Bow-Toons Clarabelle Cow 40 episodes
    2012 Robot and Monster Grandma, Arpa Default 4 episodes[18]
    2012–2015 Gravity Falls Ma Duskerton 3 episodes[18]
    2013 Ben 10: Omniverse Queen Voratia Rumbletum Episode: "Tummy Trouble"[18]
    Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Mistress Mugan Episode: "Tigress Tale"[18]
    Monsters vs. Aliens Soap Opera Alien, Educational Television Episode: "Educational Television"
    2013–2016 Wander Over Yonder Sylvia Main role[18]
    2014–2015 Breadwinners Mama Monster [18]
    2015 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Riddle Sphinx 2 episodes
    2016–2018 Mickey Mouse Clarabelle Cow 3 episodes
    2017–2021 Mickey and the Roadster Racers 33 episodes[18]
    2017 Sofia the First The Dutchess/Windy 2 episodes
    2018–2021 DuckTales Black Heron, Zenith, Security System, Red Feather, Darkwing Dancer, Eggheads 8 episodes[18]
    2019 Amphibia Tuti, Fens, Braddock 3 episodes[18]
    2020 DC Super Hero Girls Antiope Episode: "#AwesomeAuntAntiope"
    2020–2023 The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse Clarabelle Cow Main cast
    2021 Kid Cosmic Krosh 3 episodes
    2021–present Mickey Mouse Funhouse Clarabelle Cow Main cast[18]
    2022 The Cuphead Show! Hoagie Mom, Kindly Old Woman, Head Penguin 2 episodes

    Video games

    List of voice performances in video games
    Year Title Role Notes
    1991 Hare Raising Havoc Baby Herman, Mrs. Herman
    1996 Animated Storybook: Toy Story Scrabble Narrator
    Toonstruck Ms. Fit, Polly [18]
    1998 Disney's Math Quest with Aladdin Bizarrah
    2008 Disney Think Fast Clarabelle Cow
    2010 Epic Mickey
    2011 Kinect Disneyland Adventures Queen of Hearts
    2012 Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two Clarabelle Cow

    Live-action

    List of acting performances in television shows
    Year Title Role Notes
    1994 Limboland Various Episode: "Pilot"
    1996 Grace Under Fire Ms. Salem Episode: "Grace Tests Out"
    1999 Time of Your Life Karen Episode: "The Time She Got Mobbed"
    2002 That '80s Show Mrs. Nealon Episode: "After the Kiss"

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 Sinton, Peter (August 14, 1996), "Glendale Federal Bashes Big Banks / The Brains, Voice Behind the Barbs / April Winchell – Glen Fed's radio warrior", San Francisco Chronicle, archived from the original on October 28, 2020, retrieved September 24, 2011, ...Winchell, 36 [as of August 14, 1996]...
    2. ↑ Salamon, Julie (June 27, 2005). "Paul Winchell, 82, TV Host and Film Voice of Pooh's Tigger, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
    3. ↑ "TV Ventriloquist, Cartoon Voice And Inventor Paul Winchell Dies". The Washington Post. June 27, 2005. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
    4. ↑ Winchell, April (June 25, 2005). "T.T.F.N." Archived from the original on October 19, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
    5. ↑ Winchell, Paul (March 1, 2004). Winch. New York: Authorhouse. ISBN 978-1414068978.
    6. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly (August 12, 2013). "D23 Expo: Jack McBrayer on New Disney Channel Series 'Wander Over Yonder' (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter.
    7. ↑ Childs, T. Mike (2004). Rocklopedia fakebandica. Macmillan. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-312-32944-0.
    8. ↑ Oakner, Larry (2002). And now a few laughs from our sponsor: the best of fifty years of radio commercials. John Wiley and Sons. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-471-20218-9.
    9. ↑ Oakner, Larry (2002). And now a few laughs from our sponsor: the best of fifty years of radio commercials. John Wiley and Sons. p. 155. ISBN 978-0-471-20218-9.
    10. ↑ Greenfield, Jeremy (November 20, 2009). "Regretsy Creator Revealed: April Winchell Discusses New Book Deal". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 12, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
    11. ↑ April Winchell "Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF". ISBN 978-0-345-52318-1
    12. ↑ Winchell, April (August 1, 2011). "A New Record".
    13. ↑ Pikedevant (November 29, 2011). "Just Glue Some Gears On It (And Call It Steampunk)". Youtube. Retrieved December 4, 2011. Inspired by the category 'Things That Are Not Steampunk' on Regretsy
    14. ↑ Winchell, April. "LET'S WRAP THIS UP NOW". regretsy.com. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
    15. ↑ Winchell, April. "Sexual secrets revealed". Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
    16. ↑ Winchell, April. "memoir contest". Archived from the original on December 27, 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
    17. ↑ Killer, Helen. "CATS 1, KIDS 0". Regretsy. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
    18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 "April Winchell (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 26, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
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