April Winchell Explained

April Winchell
Birth Name:April Terri Winchell
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Years Active:1972–present
Spouse:

    April Terri Winchell (born January 4, 1960) is an American actress, writer, and radio host. Since 1996, she has been the voice of Clarabelle Cow.

    Early life

    Winchell was born in 1960. She is the daughter of inventor, ventriloquist and comedian Paul Winchell (1922–2005, the original voice of Tigger), and his second wife, Nina Russel.[1] [2] In her weblog writings and appearances on radio, she describes her childhood with many references to the great talent of her father as well as the many disturbing incidents owing to his mental health issues.[3] [4]

    Career

    Acting

    Winchell's projects include the role of Sylvia in Wander Over Yonder, a Disney Channel animated series featuring Jack McBrayer in the title role. Created by The Powerpuff Girls producers Craig McCracken and Lauren Faust, the show chronicles the adventures of Wander and his trusty (and cynical) steed Sylvia, as they travel the universe. The series premiered on the Disney Channel in September 2013.[5]

    As a voice actress, she has been heard in hundreds of animated television series, such as Goof Troop (as Peg Pete), Recess (as Mrs. Muriel Finster), House of Mouse and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (as Clarabelle Cow), Bonkers (as Lucky's wife, Dyl Piquel), Pepper Ann (as title character's mom, Lydia Pearson),[6] and Kids from Room 402 (as Miss Gracie Graves the school teacher, along with several other characters that appear on the show), The Legend of Tarzan (taking over for Rosie O'Donnell as Terk in the original film), (as Cruella De Vil), and (as Molly Mange).

    She has also voiced characters in numerous films, including Antz, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Monsters University and Rob Zombie's The Haunted World of El Superbeasto. Winchell portrayed the "Glendale Federal Bank" lady – a cranky, cynical customer alleviated by the service at her new bank – in a series of radio commercials, which Winchell wrote and directed herself. The commercials caught the attention of Roseanne Barr, who hired her as a writer on Barr's eponymous sitcom.

    Radio

    Besides her many contributions to radio advertising as a director, writer, and performer, Winchell also hosted a radio talk show program on KFI, a Los Angeles radio station. This weekend program aired for three years, and enjoyed the fastest growth audience in the history of the station. Subsequent to the end of this program in November 2002, she appeared semi-regularly on the Ask Mr. KABC program, on KABC, an AM station also in Los Angeles – until the show ended in February 2007.

    In 2005, Winchell signed a deal with U.S. pay-TV service HBO to develop and host a show on Sirius Satellite Radio. However, on her official website on May 3, 2006, she announced that negotiations had stalled out between HBO and Sirius, leaving her program in limbo.

    On March 16, 2007, she returned to semi-regular radio appearances on The Marc "Mr. K" Germain Show on KTLK-AM (the new show hosted by the former Mr. KABC) and appeared twice a month. (Her appearances on Germain's show are available at her website in addition to KTLK's website.) During March, Winchell was "banned for life" from KABC (AM) in Los Angeles at the behest of ABC radio host Bill O'Reilly, over a retelling of an occurrence she dubbed "Croissantgate" (KABC provided Bill O'Reilly with croissants that were not fresh enough for his taste, causing a commotion at the station).

    Theater

    As a musical theater actress, she starred as Ado Annie in the Columbia Artists revival of Oklahoma!, and also appeared opposite Kevin Spacey in Gypsy.

    Additionally, Winchell wrote and starred as "Sheila Sands" in her show at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles to sold out crowds. The show was produced by Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner, who discovered her at Cafe Largo in Hollywood. Winchell reprised the character to open for Brad Garrett at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2013.

    She has also been a frequent panelist on the live-stage version of What's My Line at the Acme Comedy Theatre in Hollywood.

    Advertising

    In 1992, Winchell and her then-husband Mick Kuisel formed Radio Savant Productions, a radio advertising production company.[7] Since that time, Winchell has received many awards including Cannes, Clio, The $100,000 Mercury Award[8] and The International Grand Andy (bestowed by The Association of Independent Commercial Producers) – it was the only time the Andy was given for radio. Winchell also provided the award-winning radio and television advertising for Big Bear Mountain Resorts for over 20 years.

    Internet

    Winchell's official website contains a link to her IMDB biography and library of unusual and outsider music pieces.

    Prior to 2009, Winchell maintained a personal Web site that, in addition to the music pieces, chronicled the actor's activities, which include her professional, personal, and romantic life. In October 2009, Winchell (under the pseudonym "Helen Killer") launched Regretsy, a blog website which satirized Etsy.[9] Within four days, the site had received nearly 90 million hits. This huge viral success caught the attention of Random House, who subsequently won a bidding war to publish a book based around the Regretsy website. The book, which was published April 6, 2010, features humorous and bizarre crafts and artwork from several different artists, as well as essays about Winchell's personal life, childhood and own crafting failures.[10] As of March 1, 2012, the Regretsy site had raised over $200,000 for charitable causes.[11] The popularity of Regretsy's "Not Remotely Steampunk" section even inspired a viral "chap hop" music video.[12] Winchell ceased updating Regretsy on February 1, 2013.[13]

    Winchell made several appearances on early episodes of the internet broadcast series "Talk Radio One," interviewed by former Los Angeles radio personality Marc Germain. She became a weekly guest on the series beginning in 2017.

    Other work

    Winchell worked on the 1996 video game Toonstruck in which she voiced a number of characters including Ms. Fit, Polly, Punisher Polly and Dr. Payne's Receptionist. Not only did she voice the characters but she has also worked as casting and dialogue director for the game. She also worked as a punch writer for and wrote three episodes of the American sitcom Roseanne.

    Personal life

    In broadcasts of her KFI show, on her web diary and several other websites, Winchell revealed she and Kevin Spacey dated after high school.[14] [15]

    Winchell is a supporter of charities including Project Angel Food, a Los Angeles-based service providing meals for homebound people living with AIDS. Her website, Regretsy, generated charitable funds through selling of Regretsy merchandise. On, April 17, 2011, Winchell created April's Army, which ran monthly campaigns for which all profits went to a selected Regretsy member who has encountered hardships. On December 5, 2011, Regretsy began a Secret Santa program, collecting donations for presents for needy children.[16]

    Filmography

    Film

    Notes
    1988Who Framed Roger RabbitMrs. Herman, Baby Herman's baby voice[17]
    1990Additional Voices
    1997TanyaDirect-to-video
    1998Chandeleria
    Additional voices
    Antz
    1999Mickey's Once Upon a ChristmasMom, Old Woman, Firefighter #1Direct-to-video
    TarzanTerk's Mom
    2000Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the WolfmanMadame RayaDirect-to-video
    2001Miss Finster, Mrs. Detweiller
    Mrs. MahoneyDirect-to-video
    Mother Von DrakeDirect-to-video
    Miss FinsterDirect-to-video
    2002Lady DeBurne
    Tarzan & JaneTerkDirect-to-video
    Mickey's House of VillainsClarabelle Cow
    2003Miss FinsterDirect-to-video
    2004Clarabelle Cow
    Mickey's Twice Upon a ChristmasAdditional voicesDirect-to-video
    2005Mulan IIMatchmaker
    Reporter
    Tarzan IIAdditional voices
    Kronk's New GrooveHildy, Marge, Tina, Additional voices
    2006Asterix and the VikingsVikea
    Additional voicesDirect-to-video
    2007Happily N'Ever After
    2009Dame Grace Appleton, Liza, Babs, Dolly, Joan, Gloria, Scripty, Helga StrudelDirect-to-video
    2010Female Radio Caller #1Direct-to-video
    2012Strange FramePawnbroker
    2013Monsters UniversityAdditional Voices
    Despicable Me 2
    2015Giganta
    HomeBoov
    2020Computer Voice

    Television

    Notes
    1972–1973Kid PowerConnie
    1992Defenders of Dynatron CityAdditional voicesTV special
    Monster in My Pocket: The Big ScreamHelga
    Darkwing DuckBianca Beakley
    1992–1993Goof TroopPeg Pete / Various Characters77 episodes
    1993Tom & Jerry KidsAdditional voicesEpisode: "Penthouse Mouse/12 Angry Sheep/The Ant Attack"
    MarsupilamiEpisode: "A Spotless Record/A Boy and His Crab/Mars vs. Man"
    Problem Child
    1993–1994BonkersDyl Piquel20 episodes
    Molly Mange5 episodes
    1993Hollyrock-a-Bye BabyAdditional voicesTelevision film
    1994AladdinWomanEpisode: "The Flawed Couple"
    1995Bump in the NightAuntie Matta, Princess, the Cute DollsEpisodes: "Auntie Matta" and "Beauty and the Bump"
    The Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon ShowVarious Characters8 episodes
    1995–1999Timon & PumbaaAdditional voices7 episodes
    1996GargoylesShauna CoyleEpisode: "Broadway Goes to Hollywood"
    Earthworm JimIleneEpisode: "Lounge Day's Journey into Night"
    Quack PackFemale Viking, Various Characters2 episodes
    1996–1997Mighty DucksTanya26 episodes
    Jungle CubsVarious Characters4 episodes
    1996–1998The Spooktacular New Adventures of CasperMiss C. / Baby Casper2 episodes
    1997The Blues Brothers: The Animated SeriesVarious Characters
    Johnny BravoEpisode: "Johnny Bravo/Jungle Boy in 'Mr. Monkeyman'/Johnny Bravo and the Amazon Women"
    Nightmare NedQueen AntEpisode: "Ants"
    Extreme GhostbustersThe WaitressEpisode: "The Jersey Devil"
    1997–1998Cruella De Vil61 episodes
    1997–2000Pepper AnnLydia Pearson45 episodes
    1997–2001RecessMuriel Finster21 episodes
    1998HerculesAmazon GuardEpisode: "Hercules and the Girdle of Hippolyte"
    Additional voicesEpisode: "The Quick Clone Syndrome"
    TiffanyEpisode: "Bess and Itchy's Dog School Reunion"
    1998–1999Mad Jack the PirateAdditional voices13 episodes
    CatDogSadie / Space Grannies2 episodes
    1999The Wild ThornberrysGemsbok #2Episode: "Rain Dance"
    1999–2000Mickey Mouse WorksClarabelle Cow10 episodes
    Kids from Room 402Gracie Graves
    2000Buzz Lightyear of Star CommandPwertaEpisode: "Stress Test"
    RugratsArgentaEpisode: "Don't Poop on My Parade"
    2000–2001Judge4 episodes
    2001–2003House of MouseClarabelle Cow28 episodes
    The Legend of TarzanTerk / Bibi's Mother37 episodes
    2001–2004Lloyd in SpaceNora Nebulon35 episodes
    2002Totally Spies!Ms. Catherine Brooks / Principal VeganEpisode: "Silicon Valley Girls"
    Ozzy & DrixLunchladyEpisode: "Gas of Doom"
    2002–2003Teamo SupremoHypnotheria
    2002NanaTelevision film
    2003The MummyAglaophone #1Episode: "The Enemy of My Enemy"
    Rocket PowerAnnouncerEpisode: "Cinco de Twisto/Saving Lt. Ryan"
    2003–2006Mrs. Edmonds, Aunt Stacy35 episodes
    2003; 2007Kim PossibleBernice, Miss Hatchet, Trisha8 episodes
    2004FatherhoodMs. HuffingtonEpisode: "Love me Dude"
    As Told by GingerCleaning LadyEpisode: "A Lesson in Tightropes"
    2006BratzGertrudeEpisode: "Survivor"
    CatscratchVarious CharactersEpisode: "Mall Adjusted/Clan Destiny"
    The X'sEpisode: "Accidental Hero/Untitled"
    2006–20075 episodes
    Legion of Super HeroesWinema Wazzo2 episodes
    2006–2016Mickey Mouse ClubhouseClarabelle Cow52 episodes
    2007Mrs. SlitherEpisode: "Detention X"
    Slacker CatsAdditional voicesEpisode: "Mexico"
    2007–2008Tak & the Power of JujuDonna3 episodes
    2009–2014Phineas and FerbBlanca Dishon, Mona, Princess Leia
    2009King of the HillVarious CharactersEpisode: "Uncool Customer"
    2010–2011Helga
    2011Curious GeorgeChilla DeWinter, Melanie2 episodes
    Scooby-Doo! Mystery IncorporatedVarious CharactersEpisode: "Night Fright"
    Fish HooksLady EelbottomEpisode: "Oscar Makes an Impression"
    2011–2014Jake and the Never Land PiratesSingsong Bird, Slippery Serpent4 episodes
    2011–2016Minnie's Bow-ToonsClarabelle Cow40 episodes
    2012Robot and MonsterGrandma, Arpa Default4 episodes
    2012–2015Gravity FallsMa Duskerton3 episodes
    2013Queen Voratia RumbletumEpisode: "Tummy Trouble"
    Mistress MuganEpisode: "Tigress Tale"
    Monsters vs. AliensSoap Opera Alien, Educational TelevisionEpisode: "Educational Television"
    2013–2016Wander Over YonderSylviaMain role
    2014–2015BreadwinnersMama Monster
    2015Star vs. the Forces of EvilRiddle Sphinx2 episodes
    2016–2018Mickey MouseClarabelle Cow3 episodes
    2017–2021Mickey and the Roadster Racers33 episodes
    2017Sofia the FirstThe Dutchess/Windy2 episodes
    2018–2021DuckTalesBlack Heron, Zenith, Security System, Red Feather, Darkwing Dancer, Eggheads8 episodes
    2019AmphibiaTuti, Fens, Braddock3 episodes
    2020DC Super Hero GirlsAntiopeEpisode: "#AwesomeAuntAntiope"
    2020–2023The Wonderful World of Mickey MouseClarabelle CowMain cast
    2021Kid CosmicKrosh3 episodes
    2021–presentMickey Mouse FunhouseClarabelle CowMain cast
    2022The Cuphead Show!Hoagie Mom, Kindly Old Woman, Head Penguin2 episodes

    Video games

    Notes
    1991Hare Raising HavocBaby Herman, Mrs. Herman
    1996Animated Storybook: Toy StoryScrabble Narrator
    ToonstruckMs. Fit, Polly
    1998Disney's Math Quest with AladdinBizarrah
    2008Disney Think FastClarabelle Cow
    2010 Epic Mickey
    2011Kinect Disneyland AdventuresQueen of Hearts
    2012Clarabelle Cow

    Live-action

    Notes
    1994LimbolandVariousEpisode: "Pilot"
    1996Grace Under FireMs. SalemEpisode: "Grace Tests Out"
    1999Time of Your LifeKarenEpisode: "The Time She Got Mobbed"
    2002That '80s ShowMrs. NealonEpisode: "After the Kiss"

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. News: Paul Winchell, 82, TV Host and Film Voice of Pooh's Tigger, Dies. The New York Times. Julie. Salamon. June 27, 2005. May 22, 2010.
    2. News: TV Ventriloquist, Cartoon Voice And Inventor Paul Winchell Dies . The Washington Post . June 27, 2005 . November 26, 2021.
    3. Web site: Winchell . April . T.T.F.N. . https://web.archive.org/web/20071019165443/http://www.aprilwinchell.com/2005/06/25/577/ . June 25, 2005 . May 8, 2008 . October 19, 2007.
    4. Book: Winchell, Paul. Winch. New York. Authorhouse. March 1, 2004. 978-1414068978.
    5. News: D23 Expo: Jack McBrayer on New Disney Channel Series 'Wander Over Yonder' (Video) . . Kimberly . Nordyke . August 12, 2013.
    6. Book: Childs, T. Mike . Rocklopedia fakebandica . 72 . Macmillan . 2004 . 978-0-312-32944-0 .
    7. Book: Oakner, Larry . And now a few laughs from our sponsor: the best of fifty years of radio commercials . 156 . John Wiley and Sons . 2002 . 978-0-471-20218-9 .
    8. Book: Oakner, Larry . And now a few laughs from our sponsor: the best of fifty years of radio commercials . 155 . John Wiley and Sons . 2002 . 978-0-471-20218-9 .
    9. News: Regretsy Creator Revealed: April Winchell Discusses New Book Deal . Greenfield . Jeremy . November 20, 2009 . Wall Street Journal . January 8, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100112115158/https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/11/20/regretsy-creator-revealed-april-winchell-discusses-her-new-book-deal/. January 12, 2010 . live.
    10. April Winchell "Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF".
    11. Web site: A New Record . Winchell . April . August 1, 2011.
    12. Web site: Just Glue Some Gears On It (And Call It Steampunk) . Pikedevant . Youtube . November 29, 2011 . Inspired by the category 'Things That Are Not Steampunk' on Regretsy . December 4, 2011.
    13. Web site: Winchell. April. LET'S WRAP THIS UP NOW. regretsy.com. February 14, 2013.
    14. News: April. Winchell. Sexual secrets revealed. June 16, 2008. February 20, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110220001251/http://www.aprilwinchell.com/2003/07/11/kabc-friday-july-11-2003#more%20%20-925. dead.
    15. News: April. Winchell. memoir contest. June 16, 2008. December 27, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101227102421/http://www.aprilwinchell.com/2006/07/28/kabc-friday-july-28-2006/#more%20-898. dead.
    16. Web site: Killer. Helen. CATS 1, KIDS 0. Regretsy. December 6, 2011.
    17. Web site: April Winchell (visual voices guide) . August 26, 2023 . Behind The Voice Actors. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.