Ken Sansom

Frank Kenneth "Ken" Sansom (April 2, 1927 – October 8, 2012) was an American actor and voice actor. Among his best known roles, Sansom voiced Rabbit in animated television series, television specials, and films for Disney's Winnie the Pooh 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 at that university. 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
Sanson started his career with a radio show in Los Angeles called Sansom and Then Some. He began acting in the early 1970s. His first role was in an episode of Mayberry R.F.D., a continuation of the 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 movies of Winnie the Pooh, taking over for original Rabbit voice Junius Matthews after 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 movie, although Sansom claimed he was still under contract. Ken was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Death
On October 8, 2012, Sansom died due to complications of a stroke at the age of 85. He had been residing in Sandy, Utah.

Filmography

 * My Friends Tigger & Pooh (2007–2010) as Rabbit
 * Who Saves The Village? (2005) as Ol Blue
 * Kingdom Hearts II (video game, 2005) as Rabbit
 * Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie (2005) as Rabbit
 * Pooh's Heffalump Movie (2005) as Rabbit
 * Piglet's Big Movie (2003) as Rabbit
 * The Tigger Movie (2000) as Rabbit
 * Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (1997) as Rabbit
 * Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh (1996) as Rabbit
 * Tale Spin (1 episode, 1990) as Ralph Throgmorton
 * The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (78 episodes, 1988–1991) as Rabbit, Stan Woozle, Piglet Look-Alike & Store Clerk
 * The Wizard of Oz (TV series, 1990)
 * Scooby Doo and the Ghoul School (1988) as Ned
 * The Chipmunk Adventure (1987) as Inspector Jamal
 * Murder She Wrote (3 episodes, 1985–1986)
 * Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985) as Magreb/Tactical Robot
 * The Transformers (13 episodes, 1984–1985) as Hound
 * Nutcracker Fantasy (1979)
 * Banjo the Woodpile Cat (1979) as Banjo's father
 * Days of our Lives (1 episode, 1976)
 * Charlie's Angels (1 episode, 1976)
 * Herbie Rides Again (1974)
 * The Sting (1973)
 * The Long Goodbye (1973)
 * Mayberry R.F.D. (3 episodes, 1970–1971)
 * The Brady Bunch (1 episode, 1971)