Disney legend voiced Minnie Mouse

Russi Taylor, who voiced Disney’s Minnie Mouse, died at 75 on Friday.

The Disney legend, who died in Glendale, Calif., has lent her iconic voice to the character for more than three decades and to many other recognizable animated characters including Martin Prince on “The Simpsons.”

She first assumed the role of Minnie Mouse more than 30 years ago and gave voice to Minnie in hundreds of Disney projects — from television to theme park experiences, animated shorts and theatrical films.

“Minnie Mouse lost her voice with the passing of Russi Taylor,” Bob Iger, Disney chairman and chief executive officer, said in statement.

“For more than 30 years, Minnie and Russi worked together to entertain millions around the world — a partnership that made Minnie a global icon and Russi a Disney Legend beloved by fans everywhere. We’re so grateful for Russi’s talent as well as the tremendous spirit and great joy she brought to everything she did.”

Ms. Taylor was born in Cambridge, Mass., on May 4, 1944, and wished to work for Disney since she was kid.

“When I was a little girl, I was with my mom and my brother, and it was late at night at Disneyland. We had just come off the Mark Twain Riverboat and were getting some popcorn. I looked over and saw Walt sitting on a bench, so we introduced ourselves and shared our popcorn with him. At one point during our chat, he asked me what I wanted to do when I grow up, and I said, ‘ I want to work for you!’ So he said, ‘ Okay!’ — and now I do!” Ms. Taylor once said.

In 1986, she beat out 200 other candidates to win the role of Minnie Mouse, according to a Disney statement.

“You have to bring yourself to a character,” Ms. Taylor once said. “But because of this particular character, she actually enhances who I am, she really does. In a sense Minnie makes me better than I was before ’ cause there’s a lot to live up to.”

As if it were written in a fairy tale, Ms. Taylor fell in love with Wayne Allwine, who had voiced Mickey Mouse since 1977, Disney said. They married in 1991 and were as inseparable as Mickey and Minnie.

Mr. Allwine died in 2009.

“Russi Taylor embodied the character of Minnie Mouse,” Rick Dempsey, senior vice president of Disney Character Voices, said in a statement.

“She truly was one of the kindest, most gracious, upbeat and loving people I have ever had the privilege to work with and to count as a friend. The world has a lost a real treasure. She will truly be missed, but her voice will live on.”

Some of the films Ms. Taylor voiced Minnie Mouse in were “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” “Runaway Brain,” “Get a Horse!” and “Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers.” She also appeared in shows such as the awardwinning Mickey Mouse shorts series for Disney Channel.

“Russi was as close as family; as wonderful, funny, and sweet as Minnie Mouse, and as talented yet humble as you would expect,” Bill Farmer, the voice of Goofy, said in a statement. “I will deeply and dearly miss her.”

“I never wanted to be famous,” Ms. Taylor once said.

“The characters I do are famous, and that’s fine for me.”