Ed Gilbert (born Edmund F. Giesbert on June 29, 1931- May 8, 1999) was an American actor, with extensive credits in both live action roles and voice work in animation, although he was better known for the latter. He died on May 8, 1999 after losing his battle with lung cancer.
One of his most memorable roles was as the voice of Baloo the bear in the Disney animated TV series, TaleSpin. Originally, the role was supposed to go to Phil Harris, who had voiced Baloo in the original 1967 film, The Jungle Book. However, after one recording session, it was found that he had aged to the point where he could no longer do the voice successfully (his voice cracked). To perfect his rendition of Baloo's voice, Ed listened to old recordings of Phil Harris and practiced for many hours until he had it just right.
Ed Gilbert (Born - March 12, 1952 in Hamilton, Ontario) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 166 games in the National Hockey League for the Kansas City Scouts and Pittsburgh Penguins. He would also play 29 games in the World Hockey Association for the Cincinnati Stingers.
