As well as his role in The Little Mermaid, Wright was a two-time Tony nominee.
Actor and musician Samuel E. Wright has passed away at the age of 74.
Wright’s daughter Dee told The Hollywood Reporter that her father died peacefully at home on Monday. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The actor was best known for voicing Sebastian The Crab in The Little Mermaid films. He performed lead vocals on Under The Sea, which won Best Original Song in the 1990 Oscars.
Additionally, Wright sang Kiss the Girl, which also received an Academy Award nomination.
In 1991, the actor spoke about his performance of Sebastian.
He told Entertainment Weekly: “Sebastian has given me what I’ve always wanted as an actor, and that’s immortality.
“As far as I’m concerned, that’s why I’m in the business. I want the whole world to love me, to remember me forever.”
While audiences will be most familiar with his role as Sebastian, Wright also enjoyed an established career on the Broadway stage.
“Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.” Rest In Peace, Samuel E. Wright | 1946 – 2021
Original Broadway Cast, Mufasa. pic.twitter.com/MDuQAZJalZ— The Lion King – Musical (@TheLionKing) May 25, 2021
In the 1970s, Samuel appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin and Two Gentlemen of Verona.
In 1984, he received his first Tony award nomination for his performance as William Sheridan in The Tap Dance Kid.
Over 10 years later, Wright originated the role of Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway. He received his second Tony award nomination for this performance.
In the 2000’s, he reprised his role as Sebastian in the Little Mermaid sequels; Return to the Sea, and Ariel’s Beginning.
Earlier this morning, The Lion King on Broadway lit up their theatre and paid tribute to Wright in their display.
On Twitter, they shared an appropriate quote from the musical to honour him: “Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.”
