Phil Harris
| Phil Harris | |
|---|---|
Harris in 1956
|
|
| Born |
Wonga Philip Harris June 24, 1904 Linton, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | August 11, 1995 (aged 91) Rancho Mirage, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery, Cathedral City, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Wonga Harris Wonga P. Harris |
| Occupation | Comedian, jazz musician, singer, actor |
| Years active | 1933–1991 |
| Spouse(s) |
Marcia Ralston (m. 1927; div. 1940) Alice Faye (m. 1941; d. 1995) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Dolly and Harry Harris |
Wonga Philip "Phil" Harris (June 24, 1904 – August 11, 1995) was an American comedian, jazz musician, singer and actor. He found much success as an orchestra leader, and was 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. Harris is also noted for his voice performances in animated films. He played Baloo the bear in The Jungle Book (1967), in (1970), and Little John in Robin Hood (1973). In 1981, he sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the Indianapolis 500.
Phil Harris was born on June 24, 1904, in Linton, Indiana as "Wonga Phillip Harris", but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and identified himself as a Southerner (his hallmark song was "That's What I Like About the South"). He was born to Harry and Dollie Harris. His mother was of Irish descent. His upbringing accounted for both his trace of a Southern accent and, in later years, the self-deprecating Southern jokes of his radio character. The son of two circus performers, Harris's first work as a drummer came when his father, as tent bandleader, hired him to play with the circus band. Harris began his music career as a drummer in San Francisco, forming an orchestra with Carol Lofner in the latter 1920s and starting a long engagement at the St. Francis Hotel. The partnership ended by 1932, and Harris led and sang with his own band, now based in Los Angeles. Harris also played drums in the Henry Halstead Big Band Orchestra during the mid-1920s.
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