Donnie Dunagan, the child actor who voiced young Bambi in Disney’s 1942 animated film, has died at 92. Film historian Tom Weaver reported that Dunagan died of lung cancer on Nov. 4, according to The Hollywood Reporter. His representatives later confirmed his death in a statement to Variety, and The Guardian independently reported his death and career.

A brief film career with a lasting role

Dunagan was six when he recorded the voice of young Bambi. His screen career also included the 1939 horror film Son of Frankenstein, in which he played Peter von Frankenstein, and other early Hollywood roles. Bambi became his final film before he left acting for military service.

The distinction matters: Dunagan voiced the young deer, while other performers voiced Bambi at later ages. His part is brief, but it is central to the film’s childhood perspective and to one of its most remembered scenes.

From child actor to a 25-year Marine career

After Hollywood, Dunagan joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served for 25 years, including three tours in Vietnam. He retired as a major in 1977 and received a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts, according to The Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter.

He kept his childhood acting work private from many fellow Marines. Later in life, Dunagan spoke about the unusual connection with families who recognized him as the young voice of Bambi, a role that had followed him across a very different second career.

Remembering Donnie Dunagan

Dunagan’s story links two chapters that rarely meet: a child performer in Hollywood’s studio era and a decorated Marine officer. The role that ended his film career became the work audiences continued to associate with him decades later. Read more film coverage in The Globuzz Movies section.

Sources

The Hollywood Reporter, citing film historian Tom Weaver; Variety, reporting confirmation from Dunagan’s representatives; and The Guardian, independent obituary and career context.