ACTOR · BORN 1952
Jim Cummings
- Born
- 3 November 1952, Youngstown, Ohio, USA
- Known for
- A Goofy Movie (1995), Winnie the Pooh (2011), CatDog (1998), Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (1989)
24 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Jim Cummings (born 3 November 1952) is an actor best known for A Goofy Movie, Winnie the Pooh and CatDog.
Jim Cummings over the years
24 Interesting Facts About Jim Cummings
Interesting Facts (7)
- #001
While recording 'Be Prepared' for The Lion King (1994), Jeremy Irons's voice gave out after the line 'You won't get a sniff without me!', so the team brought in Jim Cummings to sing the rest in Irons's place, completing the film's iconic villain song; it's one of the best-known stories of Cummings's career.
- #002
Jim Cummings is the only actor to appear in every Disney animated series of the 1990s, voicing characters in shows like Gargoyles, Goof Troop, Darkwing Duck, Aladdin and Bonkers, proof that he was one of the busiest and most sought-after voice actors of the era.
- #003
Jim Cummings's spot-on impression of Louis Prima, who voiced King Louie in The Jungle Book (1967), when playing the character in TaleSpin led Prima's family to sue Disney, feeling it disrespected his legacy; as a result, King Louie was dropped entirely from The Jungle Book 2 (2003), and a similar character, 'King Larry,' appeared instead in House of Mouse, also voiced by Cummings, this time without imitating Prima.
- #004
In an interview with Disney comics, Jim Cummings named Darkwing Duck and Don Karnage as his two favorite roles, the characters closest to him, saying he improvised much of their dialogue, bringing his own personality and humor to them, which is why they're among his most memorable performances.
- #005
In the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, Jim Cummings voiced the mutant alligator Leatherhead and, in 1991, filled in as Shredder for the original voice actor, James Avery, playing both a hero and a villain in the same show.
- #006
Taking over Tigger from Paul Winchell, Jim Cummings gave the character a slight lisp, a small change that made him more lovable and childlike and helped keep him popular.
- #007
Jim Cummings makes a hidden appearance in Steven Spielberg's Hook (1991): his voice can be heard in John Williams's song 'Give us the Hook,' an Easter egg in the background and proof he left his mark on live-action films too.
Characters & Cast (10)
- #008
Jim Cummings's line as Doctor Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon, 'Snooping as usual I see,' became an internet meme after fans misheard it as 'Snoo-Pingas usual I see,' and at one fan's request Cummings re-recorded it in Robotnik's voice, a sign of how much he enjoys engaging with fans.
- #009
Early in his career, while eating at a restaurant, Jim Cummings heard the legendary voice actor Sterling Holloway order clam chowder. Recognizing Holloway's distinctive voice immediately, Cummings wanted to meet him but was too excited and feared scaring the elderly actor. So he gave up on approaching him. He later admitted that he regretted this decision and said he wished he had mustered the courage to speak to Holloway in that moment. This anecdote reveals Cummings's respect for his idol and his humble character.
- #010
Throughout his career, Jim Cummings worked almost entirely in voice acting and rarely appeared in live-action roles. However, in the 2004 film Comic Book: The Movie, directed by Mark Hamill, he appeared on camera both as a voice actor and physically. This film stands as the only production in which he has appeared in full live action to date. Cummings's experience on it showed that he can create characters not only with his voice but also with his body language.
- #011
In the 1987 animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jim Cummings both voiced the mutant alligator Leatherhead and served as an alternate voice for Shredder in 1991. During this period he stepped in temporarily in place of James Avery, Shredder's main voice actor. Cummings's portrayal of two different characters in the same series shows just how wide a range his voice-acting talent spans. Bringing to life both heroes and villains in the same production demonstrates his versatility.
- #012
Jim Cummings has voiced many unforgettable Disney characters over his career, but among his favorites he places Pete especially at the top. Alongside him, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck, Ray and Hondo Ohnaka are also among his favorite roles. Each of these characters holds an important place in Cummings's voice-acting career and shows his influence in the Disney world. Cummings's preference reflects his diversity across both classic and modern Disney productions.
- #013
Over his career, Jim Cummings appeared in four different films selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry.
- #014
When voicing the character Tigger, Jim Cummings offered a different interpretation from Paul Winchell, who had brought the role to life before him. Cummings added a slight lisp to Tigger, giving the character a new dimension. This small but effective change gave Tigger a more endearing and childlike air. Cummings's choice shows his creativity in adding his own signature to characters and contributed to Tigger's continued popularity.
- #015
Jim Cummings stated that among the many films in which he voiced Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, the 2000 production The Tigger Movie was his favorite. The film centers on Tigger's search for his own family, and Cummings's performance reveals the character's emotional depth.
- #016
As a child, Jim Cummings was a big fan of Davy Crockett, and he still maintains this interest. Crockett's raccoon-skin cap was his iconic symbol, and Cummings still keeps this cap. This detail shows his devotion to his childhood heroes and his nostalgic personality. This interest of Cummings's may have formed the basis of his passion for characters and his imagination.
- #017
The line 'Snooping as usual I see,' which Jim Cummings said while voicing Doctor Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog animated series, gained great popularity in internet culture. The line was misheard by fans as 'Snoo-Pingas usual I see' and became a meme. At a fan's request, Cummings re-recorded the line in Robotnik's voice. This incident shows his interaction with his fans and his sensitivity to internet phenomena.
Career & Awards (6)
- #018
Jim Cummings took over two major characters from Sterling Holloway: after Holloway's death in 1992, he became the long-running voice of Winnie the Pooh, and in The Jungle Book 2 (2003) he voiced Kaa, another of Holloway's legendary roles, honoring his legacy.
- #019
Early in his career, Jim Cummings was eating in a restaurant when he heard legendary voice actor Sterling Holloway order clam chowder; he recognized the voice at once and wanted to say hello, but, afraid he'd get too excited and frighten the older actor, he held back, a decision he later said he regretted.
- #020
Jim Cummings has worked almost entirely as a voice actor, but in Mark Hamill's Comic Book: The Movie (2004) he appeared on camera as well, his only fully live-action role to date.
- #021
Of all the Disney characters he has voiced, Jim Cummings puts Pete at the top, with Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck, Ray and Hondo Ohnaka also among his favorites, a list spanning classic and modern Disney.
- #022
Four films Jim Cummings voiced in have been chosen for the Library of Congress's National Film Registry as culturally, historically or aesthetically significant: Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), The Little Mermaid (1989), The Lion King (1994) and Shrek (2001).
- #023
Of all the films in which he voiced Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Jim Cummings's favorite is The Tigger Movie (2000), about Tigger's search for his family, which let him show the character's emotional depth.
Life & Family (1)
- #024
Jim Cummings was a big Davy Crockett fan as a kid and still is, and he still has his coonskin cap, Crockett's iconic symbol.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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