Phil Harris

Birth Name:

Wonga Philip Harris

Birth Date:

June 24, 1904

Birth Place:

Linton, Indiana

Death Date:

August 11, 1995

Place of Death:

40233 Club View Drive, Rancho Mirage, California

Age:

Cause of Death:

Heart attack

Cemetery Name:

Forest Lawn Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Show Business

Phil Harris, the brash, bourbon-swigging, fast-drawling band leader who became a comic radio star as a Jack Benny sidekick in the 1930's and then enchanted new generations of fans as the unlikely voice of Baloo the Bear in Walt Disney's "Jungle Book". A talented American actor, comedian, singer and songwriter, voice actor, orchestra leader and a pioneer in radio situation comedy, he was married to his equally lovely and talented wife actress Alice Faye. Whether as part of the famous Jack Benny radio ensemble from 1936 to 1952 or as the star of his own show from 1946 to 1954 with his wife, Alice Faye -- a major star of movie musicals in the 1930's and 40's -- Mr. Harris, with his dark curly hair, wide, toothy grin and trademark "Hi ya, Jackson," was the epitome of the slang-slinging, wise-cracking slacker, a drummer given to one-line quips and two fingers of bourbon.

Fun Facts

In 1956, Harris appeared in the film Good-bye, My Lady and made numerous guest appearances on 1960s and 1970s television series, including The Steve Allen Show, the Kraft Music Hall, Burke’s Law, F Troop, The Dean Martin Show, The Hollywood Palace, and other musical variety programs.

Walt Disney wanted to bring in more well-known performers to voice the key characters of The Jungle Book. Phil Harris nearly turned down the role after doing a test recording, because he could not see himself as the character, but reconsidered after the filmmakers allowed him to perform the way that felt the most comfortable to him. Wolfgang Reitherman said when they “told him not to be a bear, but to be Phil Harris, he got in front of the microphone and tore that thing apart”. Subsequently most of Baloo’s lines were improvised by Harris.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Forest Lawn Cemetery

69855 Ramon Road

Cathedral City, California, 92234

USA

North America

Map:

Map of Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cathedral City, California

Grave Location:

Mission San Luis Rey Niche Room, West Glass, Space 2-A

Grave Location Description

Park on Memorial Drive, and walk through the gate to the left of the fountain. Turn left at the first sidewalk, the gated niche room is immediately on the left. Both Phil and his wife Alice Faye are side-by-side on the glass wall of memorials.