In the movie version of “Pinocchio,” a lonely woodcarver named Geppetto crafts a wooden puppet that is magically transformed into a real boy. Geppetto may have helped give the puppet life on the screen, but voice actor Richard Percy Jones, also known as Dick Jones, gave him life behind the scenes.
Now, unfortunately, the man behind Pinocchio’s iconic voice has died at the age of 87.
Jones passed away in his Northridge, California home on Monday night, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office in a report filed to CNN. Jones had retired from the acting field in the late ‘50s to pursue a career in real estate, but his role as the memorable Disney puppet earned him an indelible place in popular culture.
In addition to acting, Jones also served in the Army during World War II, where he was stationed in Alaska near the end of the war. He acted both before and after his tour of duty, appearing in movies and TV shows including “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Rocky Mountain,” “Buffalo Bill, Jr.,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Lone Ranger” and “Annie Oakley.”
Before his acting career began, Jones started work in a rodeo as a trick rider and trick roper. By the end of his acting career, Jones had 100 movie appearances to his credit before embarking on his real estate business. However, despite his iconic status amongst Disney fans as the voice of Pinocchio, Jones didn’t always know this role would turn him into a legend.
"At the time, 'Pinocchio' was just a job," Jones said when he was recognized as a “Disney Legend” in 2000 (via CNN). "Who knew it would turn out to be the classic that it is today? I count my lucky stars that I had a part in it."
In addition to providing the voice of Pinocchio, Jones would also help act scenes out so the animators on the movie had a reference when illustrating the character. According to TMZ, Jones is survived by his wife, Betty, and four children.
