April Winchell (born January 4, 1960) is an American voice actress, actress, writer, talk radio host, commentator and comedian. She provides the voice for Sylvia, one of the main characters and Wander's best friend.
Personal Life
Winchell is the daughter of ventriloquist, actor, and comedian Paul Winchell, and his second wife, Nina Russel. 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
On August 19, 2005, she announced on her website that she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent successful surgery and radiation treatment. To promote solidarity during her radiation treatment, she issued her own rubber wristbands. Where Lance Armstrong's wrist bands were yellow, April's were "Glow in the Dark" so one could "glow along" with April. Winchell is also widely known as a supporter of various charity causes, including Project Angel Food, a Los Angeles-based service providing meals for home bound people living with AIDS. Her website, Regretsy, generated charitable funds through selling of Regretsy merchandise.
On, April 17, 2011, Winchell created April's Army, one of the largest selling teams on Etsy. The Army's members ran monthly campaigns, and all the profits gathered from their store 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. Regretsy raised so much money so quickly that PayPal froze the Regretsy account – as well as Winchell's unrelated personal account – for six months in order to "investigate." As this move effectively destroyed Christmas for 200 needy families, public outcry was massive, resulting in Regretsy becoming a worldwide trending topic on Twitter. After publicly apologizing, PayPal reinstated Winchell's accounts and donated $20,000 to the families she was raising money for.[1]
Career
Winchell's projects include the role of Sylvia in Wander Over Yonder, a Disney 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 program premiered on the Disney Channel in September 2013.
As a voice actress, she has been heard in hundreds of animated television programs, such as Goof Troop (Peg Pete), Recess (as Mrs. Muriel Finster), Disney's House of Mouse and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (as Clarabelle Cow), Bonkers (as Lucky's wife, Dyl Piquel), Pepper Ann (as Pepper Ann's mom, Lydia Pearson), and Kids from Room 402 (as Miss Gracie Graves the School teacher, along with a number of other characters that appear on the show), The Legend of Tarzan (taking over for Rosie O'Donnell as Terk), 101 Dalmatians: The Series (as Cruella De Vil), SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (as Molly Mange), Robot and Monster, Phineas & Ferb and Kim Possible.
She has also voiced roles 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 mollified by the service at her new bank – in a series of highly successful radio commercials, which Winchell wrote and directed herself. The commercials caught the attention of Roseanne, who hired her as a writer on her eponymous sitcom. She was also tested for the part of Regan inТhe Exorcist until she fell ill and was taken out of consideration.
Gallery
The gallery for April Winchell may be viewed here.
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 - 1973 | Kid Power | Connie | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1992 | Defenders of Dynatron City | Additional voices | Voice role, TV special |
| 1992 | Monster in my Pocket: The Big Scream | Helga | Voice role, TV special |
| 1992 | Darkwing Duck | Bianca Beaksley | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1992 - 1993 | Goof Troop | Peg Pete/ Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1993 | Tom and Jerry Kids | Additional voices | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1993 | Marsupilami | Additional voices | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1993 | Problem Child | Additional voices | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1993 - 1994 | Bonkers | Dyl Piquel | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1993 - 1994 | SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron | Molly Mange | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1994 | Limboland | Various | |
| 1994 | Aladdin | Woman | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1994 | Sonic the Hedgehog | Additional voices | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1995 | Bump in the Night | Auntie Matta, The Princess, The Cute Dolls | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1995 | The Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show | Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1995 - 1999 | Timon & Pumbaa | Additional voices | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1996 | Gargoyles | Shauna Coyle | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1996 | Earthworm Jim | Ilene | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1996 | Grace Under Fire | Ms. Salem | |
| 1996 | Quack Pack | Female Viking, Various vharacters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1996 - 1997 | Mighty Ducks | Tanya | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1996 - 1997 | Jungle Cubs | Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1996 - 1998 | The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper | Miss C. / Baby Casper | Vouce role, Animated series |
| 1997 | The Blues Brothers: The Animated Series | Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1997 | Johnny Bravo | Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1997 | Extreme Ghostbusters | The Waitress | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1997 - 1998 | 101 Dalmatians: The Series | Cruella De Vil | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1997 - 2000 | Pepper Ann | Lydia Pearson | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1997 - 2001 | Recess | Muriel Finster | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1998 | Hercules | Amazon Guard | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1998 | Men in Black: The Series | Additional voices | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1998 | All Dogs go to Heaven: The Series | Tiffany | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1998 - 1999 | Mad Jack the Pirate | Additional voices | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1998 - 1999 | CatDog | Sadie / Space Grannies | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1999 | The Wild Thornberrys | Gemsbok #2 |
Voice role, Animated series |
| 1999 | Time of Your Life | Karen | |
| 1999 - 2000 | Mickey Mouse Works | Clarabelle Cow | Voice role, Animated series |
| 1999 - 2000 | Kids from Room 402 | Miss Gracie Graves, Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2000 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Pwerta | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2000 | Rugrats | Aregenta | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2000 - 2001 | Clerks: The Animated Series | Judge | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2001 - 2002 | House of Mouse | Clarabelle Cow | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2001 - 2003 | The Legend of Tarzan | Terk / Bibi's Mother | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2002 | Totally Spies! | Ms. Catherine Brooks / Principal Vegan | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2002 | That '80s Show | Mrs. Nealon | |
| 2002 | Ozzy and Drix | Lunchlady | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2002 - 2003 | Teamo Supremo | Hypnotheria | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2002 - 2003 | Lloyd in Space | Nora Nebulon | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2003 | The Mummy: The Animated Series | Aglaophone #1 | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2003 | Rocket Power | Announcer | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2003 - 2006 | Lilo & Stitch | Mrs. Edmonds | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2003; 2007 | Kim Possible | Bernice, Trisha | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2004 | Fatherhood | Ms. Huffington | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2006 | Bratz | Gertrude | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2006 | Catscratch | Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2006 | The X's | Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2006 - 2007 | Eloise: The Animated Series | Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2006 - 2007 | Legion of Super Heroes | Winema Wazzo | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2006 - 2007 | Mickey Mouse Clubhouse | Clarabelle Cow | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2007 | The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | Mr. Slither | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2007 | Slacker Cats | Additional Voices | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2007 - 2008 | Tak & the Power of Juju | Donna | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2008 - 2014 | Phineas and Ferb | Blanca Dishob, Bridgette Oshinomi, Princess Leia | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2009 | As Told by Ginger | Cleaning Lady | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2009 | King of the Hill | Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2010 - 2011 | Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil | Helga | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2011 | Curious George | Chilla DeWinter, Melanie | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2011 | Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated | Various Characters | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2011 | Fish Hooks | Lady Eelbottom | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2011 - 2014 | Jake and the Nether Land Pirates | Singsong Bird, Slippery Serpent | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2012 | Robot and Monster | Grandma, Arpa | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2012 - 2015 | Gravity Falls | Ma Duskerton | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2013 | Ben 10: Omniverse | Queen Voratia Rumbletum | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2013 | Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness | Mistress Mugan | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2013 | Monsters vs. Aliens | Soap Opera Alien, Educational Television | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2013 - 2016 | Wander Over Yonder | Sylvia | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2014 - 2015 | Breadwinners | Mama Monster | Voice role, Animated series |
| 2015 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Riddle Sphinx | Voice role, Animated series |
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Who Framed Roger Rabbit | Mrs. Herman, Baby Herman (on-camera) | Voice role |
| 1990 | Jetsons: The Movie | Additional Voices | Voice role |
| 1993 | Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby | Additional Voices |
Voice role, Television Film |
| 1997 | Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off | Tanya |
Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 1998 | Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Magical World | Chandeleria | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 1998 | Pocahontas ll: Journey to a New World | Additional Voices | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 1998 | Antz | Additional Voices | Voice role |
| 1999 | Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas |
Firefighter, Mother |
Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2000 | Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman | Madame Raya | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2001 | Recess: School's Out | Miss Finster, Mrs. Detweiller | Voice role |
| 2001 | Lady and the Tramp ll: Scamp's Adventure | Mrs. Mahoney | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2001 | Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse | Mother Von Drake | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2001 | Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street | Miss Finster | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2002 | The Hunchback of Notre Dame ll | Lady DeBurne | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2002 | Tarzan & Jane | Terk | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2002 | Mickey's House of Villains | Clarabelle Cow | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2002 | Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe in Santa | Nana | Voice role |
| 2003 | Recess: All Growed Down | Miss Finster | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2003 | Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade | Miss Finster | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2004 | Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers | Clarabelle Cow, Additional Voices | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2004 | Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas | Additional Voices | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2005 | Mulan ll | Matchmaker | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2005 | Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama | Reporter | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2005 | Tarzan ll | Additional Voices | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2005 | Kronk's New Groove | Hildy, Marge, Tina, Additional Voices | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2006 | Asterix and the Vikings | Vikea | Voice role |
| 2006 | Queer Duck: The Movie | Additional Voices | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2006 | The Fox and the Hound 2 | Additional Voices | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2007 | Happily N'Ever After | Additional Voices | Voice role |
| 2009 | The Haunted World of El Superbeasto | Dame Grace Appleton, Liza, Babs, Dolly, Joan, Gloria, Scripty, Helga Strudel | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2010 | Superman/Batman: Apocalypse | Female Radio Caller #1, Tresha | Voice role, Direct-to-video |
| 2012 | Strange Frame | Pawnbroker | Voice role |
| 2013 | Monsters University | Additional Voices | Voice role |
| 2013 | Despicable Me 2 | Additional Voices | Voice role |
| 2013 | Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizzaro League | Giganta | Voice role |
| 2015 | Home | Boov | Voice role |