Wonga Phillip "
Phil"
Harris (June 24, 1904 – August 11, 1995) was an American singer, songwriter,
jazz musician, actor, and comedian. Though successful as an orchestra leader, Harris is remembered today for his recordings as a vocalist, his
voice work in animation (probably most famous later in his career for his roles as bears, one being Baloo in Disney's
The Jungle Book, and as Little John in Disney's
Robin Hood). He also voiced Thomas O'Malley in Disney's
The Aristocats. His last role was for the 1991
Don Bluth film
Rock-A-Doodle, in which he voiced a character named Patou and provided the narration. Harris was also a pioneer in radio
situation comedy, first with
Jack Benny, and then in
a series in which he co-starred with his wife, singer-actress
Alice Faye, for eight years. In 1981, he sang
Back Home Again in Indiana before the
Indianapolis 500.