Jonathan Joseph "Candy" Candido was an American actor, voice actor, vocalist, bass player, and radio personality, he was known for his deep gravelly voice. He was perhaps best known for his famous catchphrase: "I'm feeling mighty low." The running gag of his catchphrase that was heard weekly on Jimmy Durante's radio show became so familiar that he recorded a song of the same title with Durante. The line can be heard in the 1950 Bugs Bunny cartoon Homeless Hare, although it was technically not spoken by Candido.
For Disney, he voiced the Indian Chief in the 1953 Disney animated feature film Peter Pan, the leader of Maleficent's goons in Sleeping Beauty, Captain Crocodile in Robin Hood, and Fidget the Bat and a bar patron in The Great Mouse Detective (his final film roles). He also voiced a prisoner (Gus) in The Haunted Mansion attraction and the Red Devils in Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
Born on Christmas Day in New Orleans, Candido, who later used the legal name John B. Candido, was a bassist and vocalist in Ted Fio Rito's big band, and they can be seen in a Soundie, "Ma, He's Making Eyes at Me". Candido's distinctive, four-octave speaking voice became familiar to radio listeners and moviegoers. Candido briefly but memorably was also the voice of the "Angry Apple Tree" in The Wizard of Oz, the voice of a skeleton in Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion, and the voice of the titular bear of the Gentle Ben television series.
His other notable films included The Phantom Tollbooth (alongside Daws Butler, Mel Blanc, and June Foray), Hey Good Lookin', Heavy Traffic, Sadie McKee, Roberta, Only Angels Have Wings, Campus Rhythm, Sarge Goes to College, Smart Politics, The Great Rupert, and King Creole.
Candido died from natural causes in his sleep at the age of 85 on May 19, 1999, in his home in Burbank, California. He was later interred in San Fernando Mission Cemetery.
Filmography[]
- Peter Pan - Indian Chief and Peter Pan (impersonating the Chief's voice)
- Sleeping Beauty - Leader of Maleficent's Goons (uncredited)
- Mickey Mouse Club - episode "Guest Star Day: Candy Candido"
- Babes in Toyland - Trees (uncredited)
- "Nature's Better Built Homes" - Additional voices
- Robin Hood - Captain Crocodile (uncredited)
- Herbie Rides Again - Additional voices
- The Great Mouse Detective - Fidget the Bat and Bar Patron
- The Haunted Mansion (ride) - Prisoner (Gus)
- Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - Red Devils
- Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough - Leader of Maleficent's Goons
- Peter Pan's Flight - Indian Chief
Roles[]
(The Great Mouse Detective)
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Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Candido was known for having a four-octave vocal range, best demonstrated through his performance of the novelty song "One Meatball".
- Fidget's lines in The Great Mouse Detective were sped up during the recording process to make Candido's gravelly voice sound more high-pitched.
