The Little Mermaid’s Ariel is based on Alyssa Milano
The actress served as a base for the character’s design without her own knowledge. She found out about being the prototype of the Disney princess after the movie’s release.
Up’s Carl is modeled after Ed Asner.
The actor, Ed Asner, provided the voice for the character, Carl, who he was at least a partial prototype for.
Pocahontas is based on Irene Bedard.
The actress served as a model for the Disney character, and she also provided a voice for her.
Cinderella’s Lady Tremaine is based on Eleanor Audley.
The actress, Eleanor Audley, was also a voice actress for Lady Tremaine, so the production studio drew the character with as many of Audley’s features as possible.
Snow White’s model is the actress, Marge Champion
Marge Champion worked closely with the Disney production studio when Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was being made: the animation team studied her movements closely on the sound stage to make the character more realistic.
Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent is based on Maila Nurmi.
While some believed that Maleficent, just like Lady Tremaine, was also based on Eleanor Audley, there were also rumors flying around that the real prototype for the Disney villain was the actress, Maila Nurmi. This was confirmed after the actress’ death — her old diaries were discovered, where she wrote about working with Disney to create Maleficent.
Aladdin was based on Tom Cruise.
While it may be surprising, it’s true — the lead animator of the cartoon said that Cruise was used as a prototype for Aladdin due to his confidence in “all of his attitudes and his poses.”
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