Danny DeVito is one of Hollywood’s most beloved character actors, known for igniting energy, passion, and his own liveliness into every role he portrays. When Disney asked DeVito to play Philoctetes, there was no way he could turn down the role. He gave it his all, and then some!
The resemblance between the eccentric old Satyr (half-human, half-goat) and the wise-cracking fun-loving actor who plays him is irrefutable!
Malory Archer
The late Jessica Walter may look exactly like the "Archer" character, Malory Archer, but believe it or not, she was not actually the inspiration for the character's design.
Producers admitted that Walter is "something akin to acting royalty" and didn't want to waste her time with the necessary photoshoots and screenings needed to create the character. As an alternative, they hired a Jessica Walter lookalike to sit for the design reference images.
Yzma
In addition to basing their character's design on the actor voicing the role, animators will often have other references they use to create the perfect character. "The Emperor's New Groove's" chief animator, Harald Siepermann, said that Yzma was based in part on the actress that voiced her, Eartha Kitt.
He added that the tram of animators also based the evil sorceress on Peruvian singer Yma Sumac.
Alice
Kathryn Beaumont did so much more than just voice the role of Alice; she also provided a live-action reference for "Alice." The young actress served as a life model, acting opposite to props that were not even there so that the animators could better capture her reactions. The result was something truly unique.
If Beaumont looks familiar, it's also because she was the voice and live-action reference for another timeless classic, "Peter Pan." The actress portrayed the eldest of the Darling siblings, Wendy Darling.
Lady Tremaine
Everyone has heard of the Wicked Stepmother at some point. Her real name? Lady Tremaine. The Disney classic's villainous stepmother was voiced by and modeled after Eleanor Audley.
The animators that worked on the film said she was drawn "with a sinister and lifelike subtlety that contrasted with the broader treatment given to many of the other characters." We can't deny that it didn't work!