Retired Marine and Voice of Disney's Bambi, Donnie Dunagan, Dies at 92

SAN ANGELO, TX — Donnie Dunagan, a San Angelo resident, retired Marine and the voice of Bambi, has passed away.

Dunagan, who voiced Bambi in the 1942 Disney film, died Nov. 4 at the age of 92 from lung cancer.

Dunagan was born in San Antonio on Aug. 16, 1934, then moved to Tennessee where he was discovered by a talent scout at the age of 3. He made is acting debut in 1938 and starred in several projects like Mary Carey’s Chickens, Son of Frankenstein, and Tower of London before voicing Bambi for Disney at just 6 years old.

Dunagan enlisted in the Marines in 1952 and became the youngest drill sergeant in Marine Corps history. He served three tours in Vietnam before retiring in 1977 as a major. He received three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. Dunagan was also awarded a Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal with V device, an Army Commendation Medal, and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

Dunagan retired with his wife, Dana, in San Angelo.