Illinois native Jodi Benson began her career as a voice actress with a bang, landing the leading role of Ariel in the Disney film The Little Mermaid in 1989. It was a part Benson would return to again and again, providing the voice for subsequent sequels, TV shows, video games, and more. Benson remained closely tied to Disney for years to come, providing voices for characters on shows like Hercules and House of Mouse, and in movies likeFlubber and the Toy Story franchise. She would also provide the voice of Patsy Smiles on the animated series Camp Lazlo.