Edie McClurg is a multi-talented American actress, voice actress, singer, and stand-up comedian. With a career spanning both film and television, she has appeared in animated classics such as ‘Cars’, ‘Wreck-it-Ralph’, ‘Frozen’, and ‘The Little Mermaid’, as well as iconic movies like ‘Carrie’, ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’, and ‘Natural Born Killers’. Her comedic prowess extends beyond the screen, as she has also made a name for herself in the world of improv-comedy, creating memorable characters for TV shows and performing live onstage. Additionally, McClurg has showcased her singing talents in various shows and films. Truly a versatile entertainer, she has left a lasting impact in the entertainment industry.
Quick Facts
- Age: 78 Years, 78 Year Old Females
- Family: father – Mac McClurg, mother – Irene McClurg, siblings – Bob McClurg
- Born Country: United States
- Occupation: Actresses, Voice Actresses
- Height: 5’7″ (170 cm), 5’7″ Females
- City: Kansas City, Missouri
- U.S. State: Missouri
- Education: The Groundlings, Syracuse University, University of Missouri-Kansas City: Volker Campus
Childhood & Early Life
Edie McClurg was born on July 23, 1945, in Kansans City, Missouri, USA. Her father, Mac McClurg, was a mailman while her mother, Irene, was a secretary for ‘Federal Aviation Administration’. Her brother is retired actor Bob McClurg.
She obtained a bachelor’s degree in speech education from the ‘Syracuse University’. She followed it up with a master of science degree from the same university. Then she taught radio at the ‘University of Missouri-Kansas City’ for eight years.
While working at the ‘University of Missouri-Kansas City’, McClurg also worked as a DJ, operations manager, anchor, and producer for ‘KCUR-FM’ at ‘National Public Radio’ (1966-74).
Career
Edie McClurg’s entertainment career started on the radio. Soon, she went on to become an original member of the sketch-comedy troupe ‘The Groundlings.’ In 1974, she made her TV debut as a comedy regular in the series ‘Tony Orlando and Dawn’.
Her breakthrough movie role was of Helen in the supernatural horror classic ‘Carrie’ (1976). McClurg’s first recurring TV role was of Venus Kallikak in the TV series ‘The Kallikaks’ (1977). She also portrayed different comic characters in ‘The Richard Pryor Show’ (1977).
McClurg started voicing different characters in the animated series ‘Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo’ (1979). In the next few years, she appeared in comedy series like ‘Madame’s Place’ (1982) and ‘The Dukes’ (1983), and movies like ‘Pandemonium’ (1982) and ‘Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers’ (1984).
She played Bonnie Brindle in the fan-favorite sitcom ‘Small Wonder’ (1985-88). By the late 1980s, Edie McClurg had become a bankable name as a versatile comedy actress. This was reflected in the success of the comedy movies ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ (1986) and ‘Elvira: Mistress of the Dark’ (1988).
In 1989, she voiced the character of Carlotta in the Disney animated classic ‘The Little Mermaid’. The ‘Oscar’-winning movie made more than US $233 million at the box office. Edie also gained praise for her acting in ‘A River Runs Through It’ (1992).
In 1997, she co-starred in the hit comedy movie ‘Flubber’. Edie McClurg also lent her voice to ‘The Rugrats Movie’ and ‘A Bug’s Life’ in 1998. Both were box office hits. She appeared in the TV shows ‘7th Heaven’ (1996-2000), ‘The Kids from Room 402’ (1999-2000), and ‘Rocket Power’ (1999-2004) in the ensuing years.
She appeared in the hit film ‘Van Wilder’ (2002) and then voiced the role of Minny in the animated blockbuster ‘Cars’ (2006). The movie made more than US $462 million. She reprised her role in ‘Cars 2’ (2011).
From 2008 until 2012, she was seen in TV series like ‘Rules of Engagement’, ‘The Life & Times of Tim’, and ‘Fish Hooks.’ In 2012, she voiced Mary in the animated movie ‘Wreck-It Ralph’. The movie garnered more than US $471 million at the box office.
She lent her voice to blockbusters like ‘Frozen’ (2013) and ‘Zootopia’ (2016). In 2019, she appeared in the short film ‘Lucky.’
Major Works
Edie McClurg is known for playing Helen Shyres in one of the greatest supernatural horror movies of all time, ‘Carrie’ (1976). Besides winning several accolades, the blockbuster also made more than US $33.8 million at the box office against a budget of just US $1.8 million.
She played Grace in the classic ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ (1986). The movie has been preserved in the ‘National Film Registry’, USA for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. It also made more than US $70.1 million at the box office against a budget of US $5.8 million.
She lent her voice to the character of Gerda in ‘Frozen’ (2013). The ‘Academy Award’-winning animated classic is the second-highest-grossing animated movie of all time, making more than US $1.28 billion at the box office.
Family & Personal Life
Edie McClurg has never been married nor is it known who she dated in the past. In February 2019, reports emerged that she is suffering from dementia, rendering it impossible to take care of herself.
It was also reported that a male friend living with her was trying to take advantage. Edie’s niece, cousin, and a friend had appealed to the court to make McClurg’s cousin, Angelique Cabral, her conservator.