Disney in bear market with

“SOMETIMES the smallest things take the most room in your heart,” a wise little bear once remarked – and Jim Cummings has put his heart and soul into playing Winnie the Pooh for three decades.

The 65-year-old American voice actor has been playing the Disney character based on the stories of English novelist AA Milne since in 1988.

After more than a dozen movies and various other tele v i s i on and v i deo game appearances, Cummings plays Pooh and his bouncy feline friend Tigger in their first liveaction outing, the upcoming ChristopherRobin.

“These guys are extremely special. Everybody says, ‘Who’s your favorite? Who’s your alltime favorite?’ First of all, I don’t have ‘a’ favourite but, if I had two, it would be Pooh and Tigger,” Cummings said.

“They’re kind of in their own class, their own categor y. They’re on their own shelf and everybody else isn’t.”

Disney’s history with AA Milne’s characters dates back to 1966 when the studio released the animated short

featuring the character Christopher Robin, based on the author’s son.

In the new live action adventure, the young boy who embarked on countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with his band of spirited and lovable stuffed animals has grown up and lost his way.

Born and raised in Ohio, Cummings spent Saturday mornings as a child riveted to the television, mimicking his favourite cartoon characters and dreaming one day he would voice them himself.

The recipient of two Daytime Emmy nominations for his television work, Cummings has appeared in almost 400 roles, but he enjoys anonymity.

“When I was a kid I wanted to be facially famous. I joke around and say, ‘Well anybody could win an Oscar or an Emmy if they use their face,’ Cummings laughs.

“But I don’t mind it. My friend calls me a stealth celebrity. So, okay – I’ll take it.”

Asked how he accounts for