Wayne Anthony Allwine (February 7, 1947 -- May 18, 2009) was an American actor born in Glendale, CA and best known for the voice of Mickey Mouse. Allwine joined the Walt Disney Company in 1966 as a sound effects editor and foley artist before becoming the voice of the immortal and famous character of all, Mickey Mouse. Allwine was passed the torch after Jim MacDonald and provided the well-known falsetto voice for several movies and TV shows. Starting in 1977, Allwine began voicing Mickey for "The New Mickey Mouse Club," followed by his first theatrical performance in the 1983 featurette, "Mickey's Christmas Carol."

During the eighties, Allwine continued to work in sound effects editing on Disney films and television shows including Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983), Splash (1984) and Three Men and a Baby (1987). Allwine continued to voice for Mickey in short films such as "The Prince and the Pauper," "Runaway Brain," and "Mickey's New Car" along with TV shows, "Mickey Mouse Works," "House of Mouse," and "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse." Video game fans will hear his voice in the series, "Kingdom Hearts." He can also be heard at Disney theme parks for parades, shows, and special events.

Allwine provided the voice for Mickey Mouse longer than anyone as of 2009. Walt Disney performed Mickey from 1928 to 1947 while Jim MacDonald took over from 1947 to 1953. In 1991 Allwine married Russi Taylor (voice of Minnie Mouse since 1986). Both were named Disney Legends in 2008. Allwine sadly passed away on May 18, 2009 from complications of diabetes. His wife was by his side at the time of his death. Allwine is survived by five children from a previous marriage: Erin, Alison, Peter, Christopher and Joshua.