Pat Carroll was an American actress and voice actress known for a career spanning over seven decades, from the late 1940s until her passing in 2022. Born on May 5, 1927, in Shreveport, Louisiana, she began her career in 1947 and gained early recognition in television comedy. Her work in the sketch comedy series Caesar's Hour earned her an Emmy Award in 1956. She remained a familiar face on television through the following decades with appearances on programs such as The Danny Thomas Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Laverne & Shirley. In addition to her on-screen work, Carroll had a distinguished stage career, winning a Grammy Award in 1980 for her recording of her one-woman show, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein.

From the late 1980s onward, Carroll became highly sought after for voice-over work in animation. Her most iconic and career-defining role was as the voice of the sea witch Ursula in Disney's 1989 animated feature The Little Mermaid, a performance that included her singing the song Poor Unfortunate Souls. She would reprise this character in numerous subsequent projects, including the direct-to-video sequel The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, the television series The Little Mermaid, the Kingdom Hearts video game series, and various Disney theme park attractions.

Within the realm of anime, Carroll provided the voice for the English-language dub of Granny in the Studio Ghibli classic My Neighbor Totoro. This role, part of Disney's 2005 re-release of the film, stands as a significant credit in her extensive voice acting filmography. Her other voice work in animation included roles in numerous television series and specials, such as Pound Puppies, Galaxy High School, A Garfield Christmas, and A Pup Named Scooby-Doo.

Pat Carroll passed away on July 30, 2022, at the age of 95. Her legacy is defined by her immense talent and versatility, remembered for a career that brought to life a wide range of characters, from comedic television regulars to one of Disney's most memorable villains, as well as a beloved grandmother in a landmark animated film from Japan.