"I pretty much came out of the womb singing. I think I sang all the time."
Jodi Marie Benson (née Marzorati; born October 10, 1961) is an American actress, voice actress, and singer. She's best known for voicing Ariel from The Little Mermaid, a role she's reprised in all future projects since, making her the longest-running voice actress for a Disney Princess. She was born and raised in a Catholic environment, graduating from Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford, Illinois. She married actor/singer Ray Benson in 1984. They have two children, McKinley and Delaney.
On September 13, 2022, she published her memoir, Part of My World, which tells her story of how she went through life as well as her involvement with The Little Mermaid and other stage productions she did before and after.
She has no relation to Robby Benson (the voice of the Beast), or Ashley Benson for that matter.
Theater Roles:
- Marilyn: An American Fable (1983): Factory Girl.
- Smile (1986): Doria Hudson.
- Welcome to the Club (1989): Betty Bursteter.
- Chess (1990): Florence.
- Crazy For You (1992): Polly Baker.
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1998): Narrator.
Film Roles:
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984): Lastelle's Mother.
- The Little Mermaid (1989): Ariel.
- The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000): Ariel.
- The Little Mermaid III: Ariel's Beginning (2008): Ariel.
- Thumbelina (1994): Thumbelina.
- Flubber (1997): Weebo.
- A Christmas Carol (1997): Belle.
- The Mighty Kong (1998): Ann Darrow.
- Toy Story 2 (1999): Barbie.
- Toy Story 3 (2010): Barbie.
- The Crippled Lamb (1999): Abigail, Mary, and Laura Lamb.
- Joseph: King of Dreams (2000): Asenath.
- Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (2001): Lady.
- Balto II: Wolf Quest (2002): Jenna.
- Balto III: Wings of Change (2004): Jenna.
- Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe in Santa (2002): Lenee.
- 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure (2003): Anita.
- K10C: Kids' Ten Commandments (2003): Leila and Martha.
- Enchanted (2007): Sam.
- The Little Engine That Could (2011): Jillian.
- Tinker Bell: Secret of the Wings (2012): Healing Fairy.
- Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018): Ariel.
Television Roles:
- Hunter, episode "Cries of Silence" (1991): Police Officer.
- The Pirates of Dark Water (1991-1993): Tula.
- PJ Sparkles (1992): PJ.
- The Little Mermaid (1992-1994): Ariel.
- Caroline in the City, episode "Caroline and the Egg" (1997): Mother.
- Pepper Ann, episode "Green Eyed Monster" (1998): as Amber O'Malley.
- Hercules: The Animated Series (1998-1999): as Helen of Troy.
- The Wild Thornberrys, episode "Cheetahs Never Prosper" (2000): as Mother Cheetah.
- Batman Beyond, episode "The Call" Parts 1 & 2 (2000): as Aquagirl.
- Kids Ten Commandments (2003): as Martha the Lamb.
- House of Mouse (2001-2003): Ariel, Belle.
- The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire, episode "Sleeping Lions" (2003): Choir Soloist.
- Duck Dodgers (2003-2004): Princess Incense, Captain Tortelli.
- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2004-2006): The Blue Fairy, Floraculture Lady, Rich Lady.
- Camp Lazlo (2005-2008): Patsy Smiles, Ms. Jane Doe, Almondine.
- Toy Story Toons, episode "Hawaiian Vacation" (2011): Barbie.
- Sofia the First (2013-2018): Ariel, Queen Emmaline.
- Star vs. the Forces of Evil, episode "St. Olga's Reform School for Wayward Princesses" (2015): Singing Teacher.
- Clarence, episode "The Tails of Mardrynia" (2016): Diana.
- The Loud House, episode "Flip This Flip" (2022): Tammy Gobblesworth.
Video Game Roles:
- A Bug's Life (1998): Atta.
- Grandia II (2000): Millennia and Reena.
- Disney's Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge (2000): Nasira.
- House of Mouse (2001-2002): Duchess
- Kingdom Hearts (2002): Ariel.
- Kingdom Hearts II (2005): Ariel.
- Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey (2007): Ariel.
- Kinect: Disneyland Adventures (2011): Ariel.
- Cookie Run Kingdom (2022): Ariel Cookie.
- Disney Dreamlight Valley (2022): Ariel.
Here are tropes associated with her:
- Beautiful Singing Voice: Given that her most famous role of all time, Ariel, this is her signature trope, Ms. Benson has been particularly famous, even among the Disney Princesses, for her amazing voice.
- I Am Not Spock: Completely averted. She knows that everyone will always think of her as Ariel, and she loves it. She absolutely adores the character, is well aware of the impact the film has had over the years, and absolutely loves getting to meet her fans, making a point to take the time to listen to everyone's story and to really reach out and connect with the fans who come to see her. And no matter how many times she does it, she will never, ever get tired of singing her signature song "Part of Your World".
- Nice Girl: More like Nice Character, Even Nicer Actress. She is often described by her family, colleagues, and even fans who've met her personally as a woman who is just as (if not more) genial as many of the characters she portrays.
- Older Than They Look: She looks 40 yet is actually in her 60s. Older than she sounds, too, considering that she can still do the young Ariel's voice exactly the same way over thirty years later.
- Role Reprise: She's voiced Ariel in every Disney production since 1989.
