Information
Full name: William Lee
Birth: August 21, 1916 in Johnson Nebraska
Death: November 15, 1980 in Los Angeles, California
Marriage:
Ada Beth Lee (? – November 15, 1980)
Worked at the Disney studio between:
Occasionally between 1950 and 1967
Job on Snow White:
Voice of the Prince in Snow White and the Three Stooges
Voice of the Prince in Camarata’s album BV4023
Back to Snow White and the Three Stooges
A princely voice
Bill Lee was a prolific American baritone and one of the most recorded voices of the mid-20th century. He is best known as a founding member of The Mellomen, a versatile vocal quartet formed in 1948 alongside Thurl Ravenscroft, Max Smith, and Bob Hamlin. As the group’s baritone, Lee contributed to their lush harmonies across multiple decades and lineups. The Mellomen collaborated with stars like Bing Crosby, Doris Day, and Elvis Presley, and were featured in radio, television, and film. They also formed the vocal core of the Norman Luboff Choir, appearing on numerous studio albums and backing major recording artists.
Lee had a long-standing relationship with Walt Disney Studios, both with the Mellomen and as a solo vocalist. His clear, warm baritone is featured in classics like Sleeping Beauty (as the singing voice of Prince Phillip), Alice in Wonderland, Lady and the Tramp, Mary Poppins, and The Jungle Book.
He also played a unique role in continuing the musical legacy of Snow White: he provided the singing voice of the Prince in the 1961 film Snow White and the Three Stooges, and reprised the role on the 1963 Disneyland Records LP arranged by Tutti Camarata. Lee died of a brain tumor in 1980 at the age of 64, leaving behind a timeless voice still heard by millions.
