John Fiedler, 80, Stage Actor and Film Voice of Pooh's Piglet, Dies - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-27-2005, 11:30 AM

John Fiedler, 80, Stage Actor and Film Voice of Pooh's Piglet, Dies

By MICHELLE O'DONNELL
Published: June 27, 2005
John Fiedler, who played character roles in celebrated dramas on Broadway and in Hollywood but gained lasting fame among young audiences as the voice of Piglet in Walt Disney's Winnie-the-Pooh films, died on Saturday. He was 80.

John Fiedler in 1981.

Filmography: John Fiedler

Forum: Hollywood and Movie News

Forum: Theater
His death was confirmed by his brother, James.

Mr. Fiedler had appeared in the Broadway production of "A Raisin in the Sun" and had played a juror on film in the drama "Twelve Angry Men" when, in the 1960's, his voice earned him the role of Piglet, the kind-hearted worrier who is Winnie-the-Pooh's best friend.

"Walt Disney heard it on a program and said, 'That's Piglet,' " James Fiedler recalled.

John Fiedler's natural speaking voice was higher than most men's, his brother said, but he still had to raise it considerably to achieve the high-pitch of the little pink pig. Mr. Fiedler continued to play this part in later life, most recently this year in "Pooh's Heffalump Movie"; last year, he did "Winnie-the-Pooh: Springtime with Roo," and in 2003, "Piglet's Big Movie."

John Donald Fiedler was born Feb. 3, 1925 in Platteville, a small town in southwestern Wisconsin, and was the oldest of three children born to Donald and Margaret Fiedler. When he was 5, his father, a salesman, moved the family to Shorewood, a suburb of Milwaukee.

There, John's love of acting bloomed, his brother said. He staged productions in the family's garage and cast them with neighborhood children.

He graduated from Shorewood High School in 1943 and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving stateside until World War II's end. He made his way to New York City the following year, his brother said, and joined the Neighborhood Playhouse.

In 1954, he landed the part of Medvedenko in "The Sea Gull" starring Montgomery Clift and Judith Evelyn Off Broadway at the Phoenix Theater. That was followed by the Broadway productions of "A Raisin in the Sun" with Sidney Poitier and "The Odd Couple" starring Walter Matthau and Art Carney. Many of his characters had meek demeanors that were belied by a tough, even mean streak.

He landed character parts in movies, including "True Grit" with John Wayne and "A Touch of Mink" with Cary Grant. In addition, he played parts on television series, including "Star Trek" and "The Bob Newhart Show," in which he was Mr. Peterson, the bashful patient who was always henpecked by his wife.

Mr. Fiedler said that his brother approached the part of Piglet with as much enthusiasm as his other roles, as it was simply a chance to act.

In addition to his brother, who lives in Madison, Wis., Mr. Fiedler is survived by a sister, Mary Dean of Milwaukee, and numerous nieces and nephews.

TV DVD Fan · 06-27-2005, 06:05 PM

RIP to a very dignified and talented actor. Mr. Fiedler, you are sorely missed.

pat

TJL · 06-27-2005, 06:41 PM

What a shame. He was a funny man. He was in tons of movies and TV shows.

06-27-2005, 11:30 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	John Fiedler, 80, Stage Actor and Film Voice of Pooh's Piglet, Dies John Fiedler, 80, Stage Actor and Film Voice of Pooh's Piglet, Dies By MICHELLE O'DONNELL Published: June 27, 2005 John Fiedler, who played character roles in celebrated dramas on Broadway and in Hollywood but gained lasting fame among young audiences as the voice of Piglet in Walt Disney's Winnie-the-Pooh films, died on Saturday. He was 80. John Fiedler in 1981. Filmography: John Fiedler Forum: Hollywood and Movie News Forum: Theater His death was confirmed by his brother, James. Mr. Fiedler had appeared in the Broadway production of "A Raisin in the Sun" and had played a juror on film in the drama "Twelve Angry Men" when, in the 1960's, his voice earned him the role of Piglet, the kind-hearted worrier who is Winnie-the-Pooh's best friend. "Walt Disney heard it on a program and said, 'That's Piglet,' " James Fiedler recalled. John Fiedler's natural speaking voice was higher than most men's, his brother said, but he still had to raise it considerably to achieve the high-pitch of the little pink pig. Mr. Fiedler continued to play this part in later life, most recently this year in "Pooh's Heffalump Movie"; last year, he did "Winnie-the-Pooh: Springtime with Roo," and in 2003, "Piglet's Big Movie." John Donald Fiedler was born Feb. 3, 1925 in Platteville, a small town in southwestern Wisconsin, and was the oldest of three children born to Donald and Margaret Fiedler. When he was 5, his father, a salesman, moved the family to Shorewood, a suburb of Milwaukee. There, John's love of acting bloomed, his brother said. He staged productions in the family's garage and cast them with neighborhood children. He graduated from Shorewood High School in 1943 and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving stateside until World War II's end. He made his way to New York City the following year, his brother said, and joined the Neighborhood Playhouse. In 1954, he landed the part of Medvedenko in "The Sea Gull" starring Montgomery Clift and Judith Evelyn Off Broadway at the Phoenix Theater. That was followed by the Broadway productions of "A Raisin in the Sun" with Sidney Poitier and "The Odd Couple" starring Walter Matthau and Art Carney. Many of his characters had meek demeanors that were belied by a tough, even mean streak. He landed character parts in movies, including "True Grit" with John Wayne and "A Touch of Mink" with Cary Grant. In addition, he played parts on television series, including "Star Trek" and "The Bob Newhart Show," in which he was Mr. Peterson, the bashful patient who was always henpecked by his wife. Mr. Fiedler said that his brother approached the part of Piglet with as much enthusiasm as his other roles, as it was simply a chance to act. In addition to his brother, who lives in Madison, Wis., Mr. Fiedler is survived by a sister, Mary Dean of Milwaukee, and numerous nieces and nephews. Attached Images

06-27-2005, 06:05 PM	#2
TV DVD Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 2,602	RIP to a very dignified and talented actor. Mr. Fiedler, you are sorely missed. pat
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06-27-2005, 06:41 PM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	What a shame. He was a funny man. He was in tons of movies and TV shows.
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