Bernice Hansen

Biography

Bernice Edna Hansell, widely recognized as Bernice Hansen, was born on July 11, 1897, and passed away on April 16, 1981. She made significant contributions to the animation industry during the 1930s, particularly at Warner Bros., where she lent her voice to numerous female and juvenile characters. One of her notable roles was as Little Kitty in the animated short "I Haven't Got a Hat," released in 1935.

Throughout this period, the absence of proper voice credits in cartoons posed challenges for historians, complicating efforts to accurately identify many voice actors. This lack of documentation often led to confusion, with several female performers being mistaken for one another due to their similar vocal qualities, particularly in portraying young animal characters. As a result, Hansell was sometimes incorrectly credited with voicing Sniffles, showcasing the difficulties in tracing contributions from that era.

Despite these challenges, Bernice Hansen's work remains a significant part of animation history, and her performances continue to be appreciated by audiences and historians alike. Her legacy serves as a reminder of the early days of animation and the talented individuals who helped shape the industry during its formative years.