April Winchell

April Winchell
File:Aprilwinchellprofile.jpeg Winchell in April 2011
Born	c. Template:Birth based on age as of date
Occupation	Actress writer radio host color commentator
Years active	1972–present
Spouse	Mick Kuisel (m. 1996; div. 2013) John Foley (m. 2013)

April Winchell (born c. 1959/1960) is an American actress, writer, radio host and color commentator. She is known for voicing Clarabelle Cow in the Disney franchise since 1996.

Early life

Winchell was born between 1959 and 1960. She is the daughter of ventriloquist and comedian Paul Winchell (1922–2005), and his second wife, Nina Russel. In her weblog writings and appearances on radio, she describes her childhood with many references to the great talent of her father as well as the many disturbing incidents owing to his mental health issues.

Career

Acting

File:April Winchell 2004.jpg

Winchell in Los Angeles, California in June 2004

Winchell's projects include the role of Sylvia in Wander Over Yonder, a Disney Channel animated series featuring Jack McBrayer in the title role. Created by The Powerpuff Girls producers Craig McCracken and Lauren Faust, the show chronicles the adventures of Wander and his trusty (and cynical) steed Sylvia, as they travel the universe. The series premiered on the Disney Channel in September 2013.

As a voice actress, she has been heard in hundreds of animated television series, such as Goof Troop (as Peg Pete), Recess (as Mrs. Muriel Finster), Disney's House of Mouse and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (as Clarabelle Cow), Bonkers (as Lucky's wife, Dyl Piquel), Pepper Ann (as title character's mom, Lydia Pearson), and Kids from Room 402 (as Miss Gracie Graves the school teacher, along with several other characters that appear on the show), The Legend of Tarzan (taking over for Rosie O'Donnell as Terk in the original film), 101 Dalmatians: The Series (as Cruella De Vil), SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (as Molly Mange), Robot and Monster, Phineas & Ferb and Kim Possible.

She has also voiced characters in numerous films, including Antz, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Monsters University and Rob Zombie's The Haunted World of El Superbeasto. Winchell portrayed the "Glendale Federal Bank" lady – a cranky, cynical customer alleviated by the service at her new bank – in a series of radio commercials, which Winchell wrote and directed herself. The commercials caught the attention of [[Roseanne Barr], who hired her as a writer on Barr's eponymous sitcom.

Radio

Besides her many contributions to radio advertising as a director, writer, and performer, Winchell also hosted a radio talk show program on KFI, a Los Angeles radio station. This weekend program aired for three years, and enjoyed the fastest growth audience in the history of the station. Subsequent to the end of this program in November 2002, she appeared semi-regularly on the Ask Mr. KABC program, on KABC, an AM station also in Los Angeles – until the show ended in February 2007.

In 2005, Winchell signed a deal with U.S. pay-TV service HBO to develop and host a show on Sirius Satellite Radio. However, on her official website on May 3, 2006, she announced that negotiations had stalled out between HBO and Sirius, leaving her program in limbo.

On March 16, 2007, she returned to semi-regular radio appearances on The Marc "Mr. K" Germain Show on KTLK-AM (the new show hosted by the former Mr. KABC) and appeared twice a month. (Her appearances on Germain's show are available at her website in addition to KTLK's website.) During March, Winchell was "banned for life" from KABC (AM) in Los Angeles at the behest of ABC radio host Bill O'Reilly, over a retelling of an occurrence she dubbed "Croissantgate" (KABC provided Bill O'Reilly with croissants that were not fresh enough for his taste, causing a commotion at the station).

Theater

File:Winchell hardwick 199806.jpg

Ted Hardwick and April Winchell (as "Teddy Towne" and "Sheila Sands") provide color commentary for the 1998 Christopher Street West Gay Pride Parade, in West Hollywood, California, from atop the Monaco Liquor Store sign on Santa Monica Boulevard.

As a musical theater actor, she starred as Ado Annie in the Columbia Artists revival of Oklahoma!, and also appeared opposite Kevin Spacey in Gypsy.

Additionally, Winchell wrote and starred as "Sheila Sands" in her show at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles to sold out crowds. The show was produced by Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner, who discovered her at Cafe Largo in Hollywood. Winchell reprised the character to open for Brad Garrett at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2013.

She has also been a frequent panelist on the live-stage version of What's My Line at the Acme Comedy Theatre in Hollywood.

Advertising

In 1992, Winchell and her then-husband Mick Kuisel formed Radio Savant Productions, a radio advertising production company. Since that time, Winchell has received many awards including Cannes, Clio, The $100,000 Mercury Award and The International Grand Andy (bestowed by The Association of Independent Commercial Producers) – it was the only time the Andy was given for radio. Winchell also provided the award-winning radio and television advertising for Big Bear Mountain Resorts for over 20 years.

Internet

Winchell's official website contains a link to her IMDB biography and library of unusual and outsider music pieces.

Prior to 2009, Winchell maintained a personal Web site that, in addition to the music pieces, chronicled the actor's activities, which include her professional, personal, and romantic life. In October 2009, Winchell (under the pseudonym "Helen Killer") launched Regretsy, a blog website which satirized Etsy. Within four days, the site had received nearly 90 million hits. This huge viral success caught the attention of Random House, who subsequently won a bidding war to publish a book based around the Regretsy website. The book, which was published April 6, 2010, features humorous and bizarre crafts and artwork from several different artists, as well as essays about Winchell's personal life, childhood and own crafting failures. As of March 1, 2012, the Regretsy site had raised over $200,000 for charitable causes. The popularity of Regretsy's "Not Remotely Steampunk" section even inspired a viral "chap hop" music video. Winchell ceased updating Regretsy on February 1, 2013.

Winchell made several appearances on early episodes of the internet broadcast series "Talk Radio One," interviewed by former Los Angeles radio personality Marc Germain. She became a weekly guest on the series beginning in 2017.

Other work

Winchell worked on the 1996 video game Toonstruck in which she voiced a number of characters including Ms. Fit, Polly, Punisher Polly and Dr. Payne's Receptionist. Not only did she voiced the characters but she has also worked as casting and dialogue director for the game. She also worked as a punch writer for Recess: School's Out and wrote three episodes of the American sitcom Roseanne.

Personal life

In broadcasts of her KFI show, on her web diary and several other websites, Winchell revealed she and Kevin Spacey dated for a while after high school.

On August 19, 2005, she announced on her website that she was diagnosed with stage 4 thyroid cancer. To promote solidarity during her radiation treatment, she issued her own "Glow in the Dark" wristbands, so one could "glow along" with April. She made a full recovery.

Winchell is a supporter of charities including Project Angel Food, a Los Angeles-based service providing meals for homebound people living with AIDS. Her website, Regretsy, generated charitable funds through selling of Regretsy merchandise. On, April 17, 2011, Winchell created April's Army, which ran monthly campaigns for which all profits went to a selected Regretsy member who has encountered hardships. On December 5, 2011, Regretsy began a Secret Santa program, collecting donations for presents for needy children.

Filmography

Film

List of voice performances in animated feature and direct-to-video films

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1988	Who Framed Roger Rabbit	Mrs. Herman Baby Herman (on-camera)
1997	Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off	Tanya	Direct-to-video
1998	Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Magical World	Chandeleria	Direct-to-video
1998	Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World	Additional voices	Direct-to-video
1998	Antz	Ladybug
1999	Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas	Mom Old Woman Firewoman Firefighter #1	Direct-to-video
1999	Tarzan	Terk's Mother
2000	Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman	Madame Raya	Direct-to-video
2001	Recess: School's Out	Miss Finster Mrs. Detweiller
2001	Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure	Mrs. Mahoney	Direct-to-video
2001	Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse	Mother Von Drake	Direct-to-video
2001	Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street	Miss Finster	Direct-to-video
2002	Hunchback of Notre Dame II, TheThe Hunchback of Notre Dame II	Lady DeBurne	Direct-to-video
2002	Tarzan & Jane	Terk	Direct-to-video
2002	Mickey's House of Villains	Clarabelle Cow	Direct-to-video
2003	Recess: All Growed Down	Miss Finster	Direct-to-video
2003	Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade	Miss Finster	Direct-to-video
2004	Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers	Clarabelle Cow Additional voices	Direct-to-video
2004	Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas	Additional voices	Direct-to-video
2005	Mulan II	Matchmaker	Direct-to-video
2005	Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama	Reporter	Direct-to-video
2005	Tarzan II	Additional voices	Direct-to-video
2005	Kronk's New Groove	Hildy Marge Tina Additional voices	Direct-to-video
2006	Asterix and the Vikings	Vikea
2006	Queer Duck: The Movie	Additional voices	Direct-to-video
2006	Fox and the Hound 2, TheThe Fox and the Hound 2	Additional voices	Direct-to-video
2007	Happily N'Ever After	Additional voices
2009	Haunted World of El Superbeasto, TheThe Haunted World of El Superbeasto	Dame Grace Appleton Liza Babs Dolly Joan Gloria Scripty Helga Strudel	Direct-to-video
2010	Superman/Batman: Apocalypse	Female Radio Caller #1 Tresha	Direct-to-video
2012	Strange Frame	Pawnbroker
2013	Monsters University	Additional Voices
2013	Despicable Me 2	Additional Voices
2015	Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League	Giganta
2015	Home	Boov
2022	Turning Red	Dot Lee	Television List of voice performances in animated shows Year Title Role Notes 1972–1973 Kid Power Connie 1992 Defenders of Dynatron City Additional voices TV special 1992 Monster in My Pocket: The Big Scream Helga TV special 1992 Darkwing Duck Bianca Beakley 1992–1993 Goof Troop Peg Pete / Various Characters 77 episodes 1993 Tom & Jerry Kids Additional voices Episode: "Penthouse Mouse/12 Angry Sheep/The Ant Attack" 1993 Marsupilami Additional voices Episode: "A Spotless Record/A Boy and His Crab/Mars vs. Man" 1993 Problem Child Additional voices 1993–1994 Bonkers Dyl Piquel 20 episodes 1993–1994 SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron Molly Mange 5 episodes 1993 Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby Additional voices Television film 1994 Aladdin Woman Episode: "The Flawed Couple" 1994 Sonic the Hedgehog Additional voices 13 episodes 1995 Bump in the Night Auntie Matta (additional voice talent) The Princess The Dream Cute Dolls (additional roles, uncredited) Episode: "Auntie Matta/Bumpy the Untrappable" 1995 The Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show Various Characters 8 episodes 1995–1999 Timon & Pumbaa Additional voices 7 episodes 1996 Gargoyles Shauna Coyle Episode: "Broadway Goes to Hollywood" 1996 Earthworm Jim Ilene Episode: "Lounge Day's Journey Into Night" 1996 Quack Pack Female Viking Various Characters 2 episodes 1996–1997 Mighty Ducks Tanya 24 episodes 1996–1997 Jungle Cubs Various Characters 4 episodes 1996–1998 The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper Miss C. / Baby Casper 2 episodes 1997 The Blues Brothers: The Animated Series Various Characters 2 episodes 1997 Johnny Bravo Various Characters Episode: "Johnny Bravo/Jungle Boy in 'Mr. Monkeyman'/Johnny Bravo and the Amazon Women" 1997 Extreme Ghostbusters The Waitress Episode: "The Jersey Devil" 1997–1998 101 Dalmatians: The Series Cruella De Vil 61 episodes 1997–2000 Pepper Ann Lydia Pearson 45 episodes 1997–2001 Recess Muriel Finster 21 episodes 1998 Hercules Amazon Guard Episode: "Hercules and the Girdle of Hippolyte" 1998 Men in Black: The Series Additional voices Episode: "The Quick Clone Syndrome" 1998 All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series Tiffany Episode: "Bess and Itchy's Dog School Reunion" 1998–1999 Mad Jack the Pirate Additional voices 13 episodes 1998–1999 CatDog Sadie / Space Grannies 2 episodes 1999 The Wild Thornberrys Gemsbok #2 Episode: "Rain Dance" 1999–2000 Mickey Mouse Works Clarabelle Cow 10 episodes 1999–2000 Kids from Room 402 Miss Gracie Graves / Various Characters 2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Pwerta Episode: "Stress Test" 2000 Rugrats Argenta Episode: "Don't Poop on My Parade" 2000–2001 Clerks: The Animated Series Judge 4 episodes 2001–2003 Disney's House of Mouse Clarabelle Cow 28 episodes 2001–2004 Lloyd in Space Nora Nebulon 35 episodes 2001–2003 The Legend of Tarzan Terk / Bibi's Mother 37 episodes 2002 Totally Spies! Ms. Catherine Brooks / Principal Vegan Episode: "Silicon Valley Girls" 2002 Ozzy and Drix Lunchlady Episode: "Gas of Doom" 2002–2003 Teamo Supremo Hypnotheria 2002 Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe In Santa Nana Television film 2003 The Mummy Aglaophone #1 Episode: "The Enemy of My Enemy" 2003 Rocket Power Announcer Episode: "Cinco de Twisto/Saving Lt. Ryan" 2003–2006 Lilo & Stitch Mrs. Edmonds 35 episodes 2003; 2007 Kim Possible Bernice Trisha 8 episodes 2004 Fatherhood Ms. Huffington Episode: "Love me Dude" 2004 As Told by Ginger Cleaning Lady Episode: "A Lesson in Tightropes" 2006 Bratz Gertrude Episode: "Survivor" 2006 Catscratch Various Characters Episode: "Mall Adjusted/Clan Destiny" 2006 The X's Various Characters Episode: "Accidental Hero/Untitled 2006–2007 Eloise: The Animated Series Various Characters 5 episodes 2006–2007 Legion of Super Heroes Winema Wazzo 2 episodes 2006–2016 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Clarabelle Cow 52 episodes 2007 Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, TheThe Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Mr. Slither Episode: "The Most Greatest Love Story Ever Told Ever/Detention X" 2007 Slacker Cats Additional voices Episode: "Mexico" 2007–2008 Tak & the Power of Juju Donna 3 episodes 2008–2014 Phineas and Ferb Blanca Dishob Bridgette Oshinomi Princess Leia 9 episodes 2009 King of the Hill Various Characters Episode: "Uncool Customer" 2010–2011 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil Helga 2011 Curious George Chilla DeWinter Melanie 2 episodes 2011 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Various Characters Episode: "Night Fright" 2011 Fish Hooks Lady Eelbottom Episode: "Oscar Makes an Impression" 2011–2014 Jake and the Never Land Pirates Singsong Bird Slippery Serpent 4 episodes 2011–2016 Minnie's Bow-Toons Clarabelle Cow 40 episodes 2012 Robot and Monster Grandma Arpa 4 episodes 2012–2015 Gravity Falls Ma Duskerton 3 episodes 2013 Ben 10: Omniverse Queen Voratia Rumbletum Episode: "Tummy Trouble" 2013 Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Mistress Mugan Episode: "Tigress Tale" 2013 Monsters vs. Aliens Soap Opera Alien Educational Television Episode: "It Came... On a Field Trip/Educational Television 2013–2016 Wander Over Yonder Sylvia Main role 2014–2015 Breadwinners Mama Monster 2015 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Riddle Sphinx 2 episodes 2016–2018 Mickey Mouse Clarabelle Cow 3 episodes 2017–present Mickey and the Roadster Racers Clarabelle Cow Hilda 33 episodes 2017 Sofia the First The Dutchess/Windy 2 episodes 2017 OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes Payton 2018-present DuckTales Black Heron 8 episodes 2019 Amphibia Tuti Fens Braddock 3 episodes Video games List of voice performances in video games Year Title Role Notes 1991 Hare Raising Havoc Baby Herman, Mrs. Herman 1996 Animated Storybook: Toy Story Scrabble Narrator Toonstruck Ms. Fit, Polly 1998 Disney's Math Quest with Aladdin Bizarrah 2008 Disney Think Fast Clarabelle Cow 2010 Epic Mickey 2011 Kinect Disneyland Adventures Queen of Hearts 2012 Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two Clarabelle Cow Live-action List of live action performances in television shows Year Title Role Notes 1994 Limboland Various 1996 Grace Under Fire Ms. Salem 1999 Time of Your Life Karen 2002 That '80s Show Mrs. Nealon