He was the voice of Bambi 80 years ago, Donnie Dunagan just died
Voice of Disney’s fawn at the age of 8, the actor who became a soldier has just disappeared. He was 92 years old.
He will have left a small, thin voice in the history of the 7th art…
Donnie Dunagan was only 8 years old when he was cast to play the young fawn in Bambithe Disney classic released in 1942. Donnie Dunagan died on Wednesday, November 4, at the age of 92, the American press announced today. He died of lung cancer.
Born on August 16, 1934 in San Antonio, Texas, Donnie Dunagan quickly moved with his family to Hollywood, after being spotted by a talent agent at the age of three. He made his film debut in 1938 in Mary Carey’s Chickensbefore playing Peter von Frankenstein in The Son of Frankenstein (1939), the grandson of the mad scientist behind the famous monster. It then appears in The Forgotten Woman And The Tower of London (1939), then Vigil in the Night (1940) and Meet the Chump (1941).
In 1942, he lent his voice to the young Bambi in the great Disney animated classic directed by David D. Hand.
An experience which marked the end of his career in Hollywood: after the film, Dunagan definitively stopped his acting career to become a soldier and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He became the youngest drill sergeant in the corps’ history, served three times in Vietnam and retired in 1977 with the rank of major. His military commitment notably earned him the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts.
“We were proud to represent a Marine, loved by fans around the world for his roles in Bambi and Son of Frankenstein” his agents comment in Variety today, confirming his death.
Donnie Dunagan, who provided the original voice of Disney’s Bambi, died of lung cancer at age 92. “We were proud to represent a Marine, beloved by fans around the world for his roles in ‘Bambi’ and ‘Son of Frankenstein,’” he told Variety. “While he asked us (in his words) ‘not to be sad due to the great life I lived,’ it would be friends not to share the impact that Donnie had on people when they met him. His love for life was shown through his encouragement. He knew how to inspire and inspired us to be the best we could be. He had an infectious smile, a warmth and charisma that never shook the child-like spirit of his acting youth. He rallied other veterans, loved his fans, and above all else, loved his wife. We will always love you Donnie. https://t.co/W8D3TOFftj
— Variety (@Variety) November 9, 2026
They continue:
“Even though he had asked us, in his own words, “not to be sad, given the beautiful life I have lived”, it would have been a shame not to mention the impact Donnie had on the people he met. His love of life was evident in the way he encouraged others. He knew how to inspire and pushed us to give the best of ourselves. He had an infectious smile, a warmth and charisma that never erased the childish spirit of his early acting days. He brought veterans together, loved his fans, and most of all, adored his wife. We will always love you, Donnie. You were the best of us.“
