Samuel E. Wright, the actor who voiced Sebastian the Crab in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, has died and he was 74. Samuel E. Wright’s daughter named Dee has confirmed the news, saying that he died peacefully in his home on Monday after being diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago. Dee told the Hollywood Reporter, “He was the brightest light”. The town of Montgomery in New York, posted on their Facebook page about Wright’s death, saying, “Today, the Town of Montgomery mourns the loss of Sam Wright”.
Born in Camden in South Carolina on Nov. 20, 1946, the actor was also a Broadway veteran. He performed in Jesus Christ Superstar in the year 1971 and played as Mufasa in The Lion King beginning in the year 1997. Wright’s first Tony nomination came in 1984 for his performance in The Tap Dance Kid then followed by another nomination in 1998 for The Lion King.
In 1989, he voiced Ariel’s trusty sidekick and voice of reason Sebastian in The Little Mermaid. He would continue to lend his talents for the role in numerous video games, TV series House Of Mouse and The Little Mermaid 2: Return To The Sea. He also was best known for his performance of “Under the Sea” which helped earn the film an Oscar for Best Original Song. He also guest-starred on TV shows like The Cosby Show, All My Children, and Law & Order.
In a 1991 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Wright once said, “Maybe not every actor would say this, but if I didn’t want to be immortal, I wouldn’t be acting. I do want to make my little mark on the world”.
Sources: SYFY Wire, Facebook Town Of Montgomery, YouTube DisneyMusicVIVO.