You know that voice. Even if you haven't seen the movie in a decade, you can hear those crystal-clear high notes in your head right now. Most people think of Jodi Benson and immediately picture a red-headed mermaid staring longingly at a fork—sorry, a "dinglehopper." But honestly? If you only know her as Ariel, you’re missing out on about 90% of a career that spans everything from gritty 90s sci-fi to high-fashion dolls and even live-action legal dramas.
Jodi Benson movies and tv shows aren't just a list of Disney sequels. She's basically the secret sauce of the voice-acting world. She’s been a robot, a thumb-sized girl, a legendary plastic icon, and most recently, she's been popping up in live-action series like Sweet Magnolias. It’s a massive filmography that frankly doesn’t get enough credit for its range.
The Barbie Connection You Probably Forgot
Most of us grew up watching Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 thinking, "Man, Barbie is hilarious in this." But did you realize it was Jodi? It wasn't just a one-off casting choice either. Jodi actually voiced Barbie way back in 1992 for a workout video called Dance! Workout with Barbie.
When Pixar was casting for the Toy Story sequels, they actually told her it was a huge deal because Barbie was finally getting a "real" voice. Jodi had to kind of awkwardly remind them, "Actually, I've been her for a decade." Talk about a humble brag. Her take on Barbie is great because it isn't just a "bimbo" trope; she gave the character this weirdly intense, leader-like energy that made the scenes in Sunnyside Daycare actually work.
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Beyond the G-Rating: Jodi's Surprising TV Roles
If you look closely at the list of Jodi Benson movies and tv shows, things get pretty interesting in the late 90s. Did you know she was in Batman Beyond? She played Aquagirl (Mareena). It’s a much darker, sleeker vibe than anything she did under the sea with Flounder.
Then there’s The Pirates of Dark Water. If you were a Saturday morning cartoon kid, you remember this one. It was this epic, slightly terrifying fantasy series. Jodi voiced Tula, a character who was definitely more "action hero" than "Disney Princess."
- Camp Lazlo: She voiced Patsy Smiles and Ms. Jane Doe. Totally different vocal register.
- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: She did the Blue Fairy.
- The Wingfeather Saga: Her most recent big voice role as Nia Igiby. It’s a much more grounded, maternal, and soulful performance.
The "Enchanted" Cameo and Live-Action Shifts
For a long time, fans were desperate to see her actually on screen. In 2007, we finally got a glimpse in Enchanted. She played Sam, Robert’s (Patrick Dempsey) receptionist. It was a tiny role, but if you listen to the background music during her scenes, the instrumental for "Part of Your World" is playing. It’s one of those "if you know, you know" moments that Disney loves to do.
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Fast forward to right now, and she’s making a real splash in live-action. In 2025, she joined the cast of Sweet Magnolias as Iris Maddox. Seeing her interact in a contemporary Southern drama is a trip, but it proves she’s got the acting chops to move past the recording booth. She also popped up as a market vendor in the 2023 live-action The Little Mermaid, which felt like a passing of the torch to Halle Bailey.
Why We Are Still Talking About Her in 2026
Jodi is currently serving as the first-ever "FAN-bassador" for D23 in 2026. She isn't just a legacy act; she's still recording. In fact, she recently let it slip at a convention that she just finished a "secret project" for Disney that involved a brand-new song. People are speculating it might be for Toy Story 5 or even a crossover project.
The thing about Jodi is her work ethic. She was mentored by Howard Ashman—the genius behind the Disney Renaissance—and she carries that Broadway-style discipline into everything. She doesn't just "do a voice." She creates a person. Whether it's the title role in Don Bluth's Thumbelina or voicing Anita Radcliffe in the 101 Dalmatians sequel, there’s a specific kind of warmth she brings that's impossible to fake.
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Actionable Ways to Explore Her Work
If you're a fan of her voice and want to see the full scope of what she can do, don't just stick to the classics. Here is how to actually dive into her catalog:
- Watch "The Wingfeather Saga": This is where you'll hear her most "mature" voice work. It's available on Angel Studios and is a great fantasy series.
- Binge "Sweet Magnolias" Season 5: This is her biggest live-action role to date. It's a completely different side of her.
- Hunt down "Smile" (The Musical) recordings: If you want to hear why Howard Ashman picked her, find the cast recording of Smile. The song "Disneyland" is basically the blueprint for the modern Disney "I Want" song.
- Check out "Grandia II": If you're a gamer, she voiced Millenia in this classic RPG. It’s probably the "meanest" character she’s ever played, and she nails it.
Jodi Benson has managed to stay relevant for nearly forty years in an industry that usually forgets people after five. She’s more than a mermaid; she’s a survivor of the Broadway grind and the voice of a generation’s childhood. If you haven't seen her recent work, you're missing the best part of her story.