Frank Kenneth Sansom (April 2, 1927 – October 8, 2012) was an American actor. Among his best known roles, Sansom voiced Rabbit in animated television series, television specials, and animated films for Disney's Winnie the Pooh franchise from 1988 to 2010.
Early life Sansom was born on April 2, 1927, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He enlisted in the United States Navy soon after graduating from East High School in Salt Lake City in 1944.
Sansom enrolled at the University of Utah following World War II, but did not complete his studies there. He transferred to Brigham Young University, where he received a bachelor's degree in radio broadcasting in 1949.
He was recalled by the U.S. Navy for service during the Korean War. He served as a member of the United Service Organizations, providing entertainment to American troops while in Korea.
Career Sansom started his career in 1957 with a radio show in Los Angeles called Sansom and Then Some. He began acting in early 1968 when he moved to Los Angeles. His first role was in an episode of Mayberry R.F.D., a continuation of The Andy Griffith Show. He was best known for his role as Rabbit in the television series The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. He also voiced Stan, the Woozle in the series. He also voiced Rabbit in a number of TV specials and films, replacing Rabbit’s original voice actor Junius Matthews following his death in 1978.
In an interview with ABC 4, when asked about voicing Rabbit in the upcoming Winnie the Pooh film, he stated, "I'm not sure." Tom Kenny voiced Rabbit in the film, although Sansom claimed he was still under contract.
Personal life Sansom married Carla Sansom in 1961, they remained married until Sansom's death. Together they have three children.
Sansom was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Death Sansom died on October 8, 2012, in Holladay, Utah due to complications of a stroke at the age of 85. He resided in Sandy, Utah. His remains are buried in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Millcreek, Utah, alongside his widow Carla.Frank Sansom Obituary (2012) - Salt Lake City, UT - The Salt Lake Tribune
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1970Shinbone AlleyRosie (voice)1973The Long GoodbyeColony GuardThe StingWestern Union Executive1974Airport 1975Gary1975Funny LadyFrederick Martin1978The Small OneBaker (voice)Uncredited1979Nutcracker FantasyChamberlain, Wise Man (voice)English dub A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.Banjo the Woodpile CatBanjo's Father, Farmer (voice)1983The Invisible WomanLionel GilbertTelevision film1984GallavantsThunk (voice)1985Starchaser: The Legend of OrinMagreb (voice)1987The Chipmunk AdventureInspector Jamal (voice)1997Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher RobinRabbit (voice)Direct-to-video1999Seasons of Giving2000The Tigger Movie2001The Book of Pooh: Stories from the HeartDirect-to-video2002A Very Merry Pooh YearDirect-to-video2003Piglet's Big Movie2004Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with RooDirect-to-video2005Pooh's Heffalump MoviePooh's Heffalump Halloween MovieDirect-to-video2007Super Sleuth Christmas Movie2009Tigger & Pooh and a Musical Too
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1970Tales of Washington IrvingNarrator (voice)Television film1970–71Mayberry R.F.D.Clarence, Ferguson3 episodes1971The Brady BunchStan JacobsenEpisode: "The Liberation of Marcia Brady"1974Herbie Rides AgainLawyerWhere Have All the People Gone?Jack McFaddenYes, Virginia, There Is a Santa ClausPapa (voice)Television film1976Charlie's AngelsClerkTelevision film (pilot)1976–86Days of Our LivesFrederick PowellRecurring role (49 episodes)1983–85The LittlesDr. Hunter, Peterson (voice)Main cast1984–85The TransformersHound (voice)25 episodes1985The Super Powers Team: Galactic GuardiansMartin Stein (voice)2 episodes1985–86Murder, She WroteBert, Man2 episodes1988–91The New Adventures of Winnie the PoohRabbit (voice)Main cast1990TaleSpinRalph Throgmorton (voice)Episode: "On a Wing and a Bear"1996Boo to You Too! Winnie the PoohRabbit (voice)Television film1998A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving1999A Valentine for You2001–03The Book of PoohMain cast2007–10My Friends Tigger & Pooh
Video games YearTitleRoleNotes1998My Interactive PoohRabbit1999Disney Learning: Winnie the Pooh2000Tigger's Honey Hunt2001Party Time with Winnie the Pooh2003Piglet's Big Game2005Winnie the Pooh's Rumbly Tumbly Adventure2006Kingdom Hearts II
References
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