Richard White (actor)

Richard White (born August 4, 1953 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee) is an American actor, opera singer and voice actor. He is best known for voicing the character of Gaston in Disney's Beauty and the Beast and in the TV series House of Mouse. His vocal range is low tenor-baritone.

He also played the character of Gaylord Ravenal in Show Boat at Paper Mill Playhouse and Robert Mission in The New Moon, at the New York City Opera. White also created the title role of Erik in the world premiere of Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston's musical, Phantom and sings the role on the original cast recording.

White has performed on Broadway as Joey in The Most Happy Fella and has had roles in New York revivals of Brigadoon, South Pacific, and Auntie Mame.

He was also considered for the voice of Governor Ratcliffe in the 1995 Disney animated feature Pocahontas, but the producers realized that viewers would hear his voice and think of Gaston. David Ogden Stiers, White's co-star from Beauty and the Beast, provided Ratcliffe's voice.

Personal life
White is a 1971 graduate of Bethel Park High School. He is divorced from choreographer Sharon Halley with whom he had a daughter, Amanda.