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American actor (1927–2012) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frank Kenneth Sansom (April 2, 1927 – October 8, 2012)[1] was an American actor. Among his best known roles, Sansom voiced Rabbit in animated television series, television specials, and films for Disney's Winnie the Pooh franchise from 1988 to 2010.[1]
Ken Sansom | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | Frank Kenneth Sansom April 2, 1927 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Died | October 8, 2012 (aged 85) Holladay, Utah, U.S. |
| Resting place | Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Millcreek, Utah, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1950s–2010 |
| Spouse |
Carla Sansom (m. 1961) |
| Children | 3 |
Sansom was born on April 2, 1927, in Salt Lake City, Utah.[1] He enlisted in the United States Navy soon after graduating from East High School in Salt Lake City in 1944.[1]
Sansom enrolled at the University of Utah following World War II, but did not complete his studies there.[1] He transferred to Brigham Young University, where he received a bachelor's degree in radio broadcasting in 1949.[1]
He was recalled by the U.S. Navy for service during the Korean War.[1] He served as a member of the United Service Organizations, providing entertainment to American troops while in Korea.[1]
Sansom started his career in 1957 with a radio show in Los Angeles called Sansom and Then Some.[1] He began acting in early 1968 when he moved to Los Angeles.[1] His first role was in an episode of Mayberry R.F.D., a continuation of The Andy Griffith Show. He was best known for his role as Rabbit in the television series The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. He also voiced Stan, the Woozle in the series. He also voiced Rabbit in a number of TV specials and films, replacing Rabbit’s original voice actor Junius Matthews following his death in 1978.[2][1]
In an interview with ABC 4, when asked about voicing Rabbit in the upcoming Winnie the Pooh film, he stated, "I'm not sure."[3] Tom Kenny voiced Rabbit in the film, although Sansom claimed he was still under contract.[3] Sansom was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4]
Sansom married Carla Sansom in 1961, they remained married until Sansom's death.[1] Together they have three children.[1]
Sansom died on October 8, 2012, in Holladay, Utah due to complications of a stroke at the age of 85.[1] He resided in Sandy, Utah.[1] His remains are buried in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Millcreek, Utah, alongside his widow Carla.[5]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Tales of Washington Irving | Narrator (voice) | Television film |
| 1970–71 | Mayberry R.F.D. | Clarence, Ferguson | 3 episodes |
| 1971 | The Brady Bunch | Stan Jacobsen | Episode: "The Liberation of Marcia Brady" |
| 1974 | Herbie Rides Again | Lawyer | |
| Where Have All the People Gone? | Jack McFadden | ||
| Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus | Papa (voice) | Television film[6] | |
| 1976 | Charlie's Angels | Clerk | Television film (pilot) |
| 1976–86 | Days of Our Lives | Frederick Powell | Recurring role (49 episodes) |
| 1983–85 | The Littles | Dr. Hunter, Peterson (voice) | Main cast |
| 1984–85 | The Transformers | Hound (voice) | 25 episodes[6] |
| 1985 | The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians | Martin Stein (voice) | 2 episodes[6] |
| 1985–86 | Murder, She Wrote | Bert, Man | 2 episodes |
| 1988–91 | The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | Rabbit (voice) | Main cast |
| 1990 | TaleSpin | Ralph Throgmorton (voice) | Episode: "On a Wing and a Bear"[6] |
| 1996 | Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh | Rabbit (voice) | Television film |
| 1998 | A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving | ||
| 1999 | A Valentine for You | ||
| 2001–03 | The Book of Pooh | Main cast | |
| 2007–10 | My Friends Tigger & Pooh |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | My Interactive Pooh | Rabbit | [6] |
| 1999 | Disney Learning: Winnie the Pooh | [6] | |
| 2000 | Tigger's Honey Hunt | ||
| 2001 | Party Time with Winnie the Pooh | ||
| 2003 | Piglet's Big Game | ||
| 2005 | Winnie the Pooh's Rumbly Tumbly Adventure | ||
| 2006 | Kingdom Hearts II |
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