Clarence Nash voiced Donald Duck in the classic Disney cartoons.
Nash created Donald’s famous raspy, largely unintelligible speech style and performed the character for decades. His voice helped distinguish Donald from Mickey Mouse and Goofy, whose personalities rely on very different vocal rhythms and comic sounds.
Nash first performed Donald in The Wise Little Hen, the 1934 short that introduced the character. He continued voicing Donald across theatrical cartoons, radio appearances, promotional recordings, and other Disney projects. His contribution was so closely tied to the character that he became known as the original voice of Donald Duck.
Later performers succeeded Nash after his death, but his interpretation remains the foundation for Donald’s voice. Clarence Nash should not be confused with Pinto Colvig, who supplied the classic voice of Goofy, or Walt Disney, who originally voiced Mickey Mouse.