William Edward "Bill" Phipps (February 4, 1922 – June 1, 2018) was an American actor and producer whose career spanned stage, screen, radio and television. He is best remembered by mainstream audiences as the speaking voice of Prince Charming in Walt Disney's animated feature Cinderella, but his body of work also includes numerous supporting parts in mid-20th century science fiction and western films and episodic television.

Career and notable work

Phipps established himself as a reliable character performer, frequently cast in roles that required a strong, clear speaking voice or the everyman presence common to postwar genre pictures. In animation he provided the princely voice that helped define the romantic lead for a generation of children and families. In live-action films and TV series he appeared in many productions that are now grouped under the classic science fiction and western categories, working steadily as both a performer and occasional producer.

  • Voice acting: Prince Charming in Disney's Cinderella, an enduring credit in his filmography.
  • Film and television: Regular supporting parts in science fiction and western titles, often playing pilots, ranchers, soldiers, or officials.
  • Production work: Credited as a producer on select projects later in his career, complementing his acting work.

Phipps's work reflects the mid-20th century Hollywood system in which many performers moved fluidly between studio animation, feature films and the expanding medium of television. His contributions are representative of character actors who sustained popular genre entertainment for decades. Biographical summaries and filmographies are available through various resources and obituaries for those seeking a detailed list of credits; see a general biographical entry here for an overview.

He lived to an advanced age, continuing to be recognized for his early Disney role and his long career in supporting parts. Phipps died at his home in Santa Monica, California, on June 1, 2018, at the age of 96, from complications related to lung cancer. His career illustrates the varied paths taken by mid-century American character actors: steady work across multiple media, a handful of widely remembered credits, and a legacy appreciated by genre fans and animation historians alike. For background on the studio he worked with on Cinderella, see more about Walt Disney and the studio's animated features.