Which actor voiced Prince Eric in Disney’s original English version of The Little Mermaid?

Christopher Daniel Barnes voiced Prince Eric in Disney’s original English version of The Little Mermaid.

Eric is the human prince Ariel rescues after his ship is caught in a storm. He becomes the central human character in Ariel’s romantic storyline, although he initially does not know that she saved him or that she is the mysterious singer whose voice he remembers.

Barnes was a child actor and voice performer before taking the role. His performance helped define Eric as a comparatively understated Disney prince: he is curious, independent, and interested in the sea rather than being introduced only as a distant royal figure.

Barnes also voiced Eric in The Little Mermaid television series and returned for the 1992 sequel The Return of Jafar as Aladdin. The role should not be confused with Jonah Hauer-King’s performance as Eric in Disney’s 2023 live-action adaptation.