Will Ryan

Will Ryan (May 21, 1949 - November 19, 2021) was an American voice actor and producer–writer–composer, well-known for singing about the American West. In the late seventies he teamed up with Phil Baron as Willio and Phillio. They had regular gigs on television, radio and comedy clubs and universities throughout the US. Ryan and Baron later paired up again voicing characters of best friends Teddy Ruxpin (Baron) and Grubby the Octopede (Ryan) in the Teddy Ruxpin book and tape series as well as the 1987 television show The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin.

The Willio and Phillio act brought Ryan back into music and after moving to California, he began to write and record songs for Disney. He provided the voice of Rabbit, Tigger, and Eeyore in the Disney Channel's long-running series Welcome to Pooh Corner and in many other Pooh cartoons. He also provided the voice of Barnaby the Dog on the popular series Dumbo's Circus.

Since 1987, Ryan was a fixture of the radio drama Adventures in Odyssey, playing Eugene Meltsner, Harlow Doyle, David Harley, Patrick O'Ryan and hundreds of one-shot characters.

He also voiced Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore after the death of Junius Matthews.

Ryan also voiced the character Digit in the 1986 animated film An American Tail.

He appeared in the film The Wizard of Speed and Time as several different motion picture union representatives.

He was the voice of Elmo Aardvark. He can be heard as the character, called Elmo Aardvark: Outer Space Detective and in several Elmo Aardvark CDs.

Must be noted that Ryan was the voice of Willie the Giant. He started voicing the character from Mickey's Christmas Carol until his death in 2021.

Ryan's youthful involvement in pop music has continued alongside his animation career. Will Ryan compositions have been recorded by artists such as Patti LaBelle, Diane Schuur, Victoria Jackson, The Pointer Sisters and Joanie Sommers (whom he also produced).

With Andrew J. Lederer and Michael Rosenberg (Jackie Diamond), Ryan performed in the '20s-style music and comedy trio, The Merry Metronomes. He and Lederer also appeared from time to time as a duo, usually under the name The Natty Nabobs.

His latest musical incarnation was as leader of Los Angeles-based Will Ryan and the Cactus County Cowboys, a cross between the Marx Brothers and The Sons of the Pioneers. His variety show, Will Ryan's Cactus County Round-Up, was a staple in Southern California since 2008. It regularly played at several venues, including the Steve Allen Theatre in Hollywood.

Ryan continued to do voice work. In 2009 he was working on the third season of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, the 21st season of Adventures in Odyssey, and the new radio series of Will Ryan's Cactus County Round-Up.

Ryan died on November 19, 2021 at the age of 72 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Partial filmography

 * Frog and Toad are Friends
 * An American Tail
 * The Land Before Time
 * The Little Mermaid
 * Thumbelina

Partial discography

 * Eugene Sings!
 * Eugene Sings! Christmas
 * Am I Cool or What?
 * Goin' Quackers
 * Elmo Aardvark: Outer Space Detective!
 * Elmo Aardvark: Vintage Cartoon Sound Tracks
 * Elmo Aardvark: Classic Cartoon Soundtracks
 * Classic Songs for Leonard Reed's Shim Sham Shimmy
 * Adventures in Odyssey (Eugene Meltsner/Harlow Doyle)