Digest

This podcast episode features an interview with Jim Cummings, a renowned voice actor known for his roles as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. The episode begins with an introduction to the "Inside of You" podcast, hosted by Michael Rosenbaum. Jim Cummings discusses his extensive voice over career, including his experience as the WB guy, introducing shows for 10-15 years. He shares his upbringing in Youngstown, Ohio, and how he developed a passion for voice acting despite facing negativity from others. Jim recounts his early acting experiences, including his involvement in school plays and musicals, and his participation in speech tournaments. He reveals his early fascination with impressions, mimicking his relatives and characters from Saturday Night Live. Jim recounts his early voice over experiences, including his first job for a Mattel haunted house and his subsequent work on the Disney Channel's Dumbo Circus. He describes the significant financial shift he experienced after transitioning from a full-time job to voice acting. Jim reflects on his early naivete and the challenges he faced breaking into the voice over industry. He shares a discouraging piece of advice he received from a voice director and how he defied the odds by landing his first two jobs. Jim discusses the unique challenges of voice acting, particularly the pressure of creating characters on the spot during auditions. He shares his personal approach to auditions, emphasizing the importance of nailing the requested character and then offering alternative interpretations. Jim Cummings shares his journey to becoming the voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, revealing that he initially auditioned for Eeyore. He also discusses the legacy of Paul Winchell, the original voice of Tigger, and his work in Africa. Jim Cummings discusses the impact of his voice work on his personal life, particularly with his children and their friends. He shares how he navigates requests to do his impressions and his commitment to maintaining the integrity of the characters. Jim Cummings reflects on the toughest time in his life, which was a divorce. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude and prayer in overcoming adversity. He shares his nightly routine of expressing gratitude for loved ones and simple joys. Jim Cummings discusses his podcast, "Tune In with Jim Cummings," and his desire to interview a diverse range of guests, including those from the voiceover industry and beyond. He highlights the podcast's candid conversations and its accessibility on various platforms. Jim Cummings discusses potential future projects, including the possibility of a "Tomorrowland" revival and a return to the role of Darkwing Duck. He reflects on the enduring popularity of Darkwing Duck and its potential for a comeback. Jim Cummings discusses the impact of his voice work on his career and the recognition he receives from fans. He acknowledges the unique position he holds as a voice actor and the trust people place in him to deliver memorable performances. Jim Cummings discusses the experience of replacing iconic voice actors, such as Jeremy Irons and Paul Winchell. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of stepping into such roles and the power of voice acting to create lasting impressions. Michael Rosenbaum, the host of "The Inside of You" podcast, discusses his upcoming guests, including Elvira and Heather Graham. He expresses his excitement for interviewing Johnny Knoxville and his desire to delve into the guests' personal stories and journeys. Michael Rosenbaum expresses his gratitude to the top tier patrons of "The Inside of You" podcast, acknowledging their contributions to the show's success. He reads a list of the patrons and highlights their support. Michael Rosenbaum and Ryan Teyes discuss the "Give Them Lala" podcast and the topic of social media accounts for babies. They share their opinions on the practice and its potential implications for children's privacy and future online presence.

Outlines

00:00:00

Voice Acting: A Journey with Jim Cummings

This episode features an interview with Jim Cummings, a renowned voice actor known for his roles as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. He discusses his extensive voice over career, his upbringing, and his early acting experiences.

00:00:29

Inside of You Podcast Introduction

This chapter introduces the Inside of You podcast, hosted by Michael Rosenbaum. He welcomes his co-host, Ryan, and briefly discusses the busy week ahead, including multiple podcast episodes and upcoming events.

00:00:53

Podcast Support and Merchandise

Michael expresses gratitude to his Patreon supporters and encourages listeners to consider contributing to the podcast. He also promotes his merchandise, including a new fart book, Rosie's puppy fresh breath, and the Inside of You online store.

00:05:10

Jim Cummings: Voice Over Work

This chapter delves into Jim Cummings' extensive voice over career. He discusses his experience as the WB guy, introducing shows for 10-15 years, and the lucrative nature of voice over work.

00:06:58

Jim Cummings: Early Life and Influences

Jim shares his upbringing in Youngstown, Ohio, and how he developed a passion for voice acting despite facing negativity from others. He recounts a memorable encounter with a teacher who doubted his future success.

00:12:57

Jim Cummings: Early Acting and Speech Tournaments

Jim discusses his involvement in school plays and musicals, highlighting his participation in speech tournaments and his natural talent for voice acting. He describes himself as the "class wit" and shares his unique approach to impressions.

00:17:06

Jim Cummings: Early Impressions and Influences

Jim reveals his early fascination with impressions, mimicking his relatives and characters from Saturday Night Live. He shares a humorous anecdote about his Aunt Grace and her distinctive voice.

00:19:23

Jim Cummings: Breaking into Voice Over

Jim recounts his early voice over experiences, including his first job for a Mattel haunted house and his subsequent work on the Disney Channel's Dumbo Circus. He describes the significant financial shift he experienced after transitioning from a full-time job to voice acting.

00:22:13

Jim Cummings: Overcoming Negativity and Finding Success

Jim reflects on his early naivete and the challenges he faced breaking into the voice over industry. He shares a discouraging piece of advice he received from a voice director and how he defied the odds by landing his first two jobs.

00:30:08

Jim Cummings: The Art of Voice Acting

Jim discusses the unique challenges of voice acting, particularly the pressure of creating characters on the spot during auditions. He shares his personal approach to auditions, emphasizing the importance of nailing the requested character and then offering alternative interpretations.

00:57:35

Jim Cummings' Journey to Winnie the Pooh and Tigger

Jim Cummings shares his journey to becoming the voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. He reveals that he initially auditioned for Eeyore, but ultimately landed the roles of Pooh and Tigger. He also discusses the legacy of Paul Winchell, the original voice of Tigger, and his work in Africa.

01:01:24

The Legacy of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger

Jim Cummings discusses the impact of his voice work on his personal life, particularly with his children and their friends. He shares how he navigates requests to do his impressions and his commitment to maintaining the integrity of the characters.

01:04:29

Overcoming Adversity and Finding Gratitude

Jim Cummings reflects on the toughest time in his life, which was a divorce. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude and prayer in overcoming adversity. He shares his nightly routine of expressing gratitude for loved ones and simple joys.

01:07:17

Tune In with Jim Cummings Podcast

Jim Cummings discusses his podcast, "Tune In with Jim Cummings," and his desire to interview a diverse range of guests, including those from the voiceover industry and beyond. He highlights the podcast's candid conversations and its accessibility on various platforms.

01:08:49

Future Projects and the Legacy of Darkwing Duck

Jim Cummings discusses potential future projects, including the possibility of a "Tomorrowland" revival and a return to the role of Darkwing Duck. He reflects on the enduring popularity of Darkwing Duck and its potential for a comeback.

01:10:10

The Impact of Jim Cummings' Voice Work

Jim Cummings discusses the impact of his voice work on his career and the recognition he receives from fans. He acknowledges the unique position he holds as a voice actor and the trust people place in him to deliver memorable performances.

01:11:20

Replacing Legends and the Power of Voice Acting

Jim Cummings discusses the experience of replacing iconic voice actors, such as Jeremy Irons and Paul Winchell. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of stepping into such roles and the power of voice acting to create lasting impressions.

01:14:29

The Inside of You Podcast and Upcoming Guests

Michael Rosenbaum, the host of "The Inside of You" podcast, discusses his upcoming guests, including Elvira and Heather Graham. He expresses his excitement for interviewing Johnny Knoxville and his desire to delve into the guests' personal stories and journeys.

01:14:40

Thanking the Top Tier Patrons

Michael Rosenbaum expresses his gratitude to the top tier patrons of "The Inside of You" podcast, acknowledging their contributions to the show's success. He reads a list of the patrons and highlights their support.

01:17:23

Give Them Lala Podcast and Social Media for Babies

Michael Rosenbaum and Ryan Teyes discuss the "Give Them Lala" podcast and the topic of social media accounts for babies. They share their opinions on the practice and its potential implications for children's privacy and future online presence.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the challenges of voice acting, particularly during auditions?

  Voice actors often have to create characters on the spot during auditions, with limited information and a short amount of time. They must be able to adapt to different directions and deliver a convincing performance that aligns with the director's vision.

• How does Jim Cummings approach voice acting auditions?

  Jim emphasizes the importance of nailing the requested character first and then offering alternative interpretations. He believes in giving the director multiple options to showcase his versatility and creativity.

• What is Jim Cummings' most memorable voice acting experience?

  Jim considers his work on the Disney film Pocahontas to be one of his most financially rewarding experiences, particularly due to the success of the soundtrack album.

• How did Jim Cummings break into the voice acting industry?

  Jim landed his first voice over job for a Mattel haunted house and then went on to work on the Disney Channel's Dumbo Circus. These early experiences helped him establish himself in the industry and paved the way for his future success.

• What advice does Jim Cummings have for aspiring voice actors?

  Jim encourages aspiring voice actors to practice their impressions and develop a unique approach to character creation. He also emphasizes the importance of being versatile and offering multiple interpretations during auditions.

• What was Jim Cummings' initial audition for in the Winnie the Pooh franchise?

  Jim Cummings initially auditioned for the role of Eeyore, the gloomy donkey.

• What is Jim Cummings' perspective on the legacy of Paul Winchell, the original voice of Tigger?

  Jim Cummings holds great respect for Paul Winchell and considers him a legend. He shares a story about Winchell's work in Africa to combat hunger.

• What is Jim Cummings' approach to maintaining the integrity of the Winnie the Pooh and Tigger characters?

  Jim Cummings feels a responsibility to uphold the characters' integrity and refuses to do impressions that might compromise their image.

• What is Jim Cummings' podcast called, and what is its focus?

  Jim Cummings' podcast is called "Tune In with Jim Cummings" and features candid conversations with guests from various backgrounds, including voice actors, comedians, and other entertainers.

• What is Michael Rosenbaum's perspective on social media accounts for babies?

  Michael Rosenbaum expresses concern about the implications of creating social media accounts for babies, particularly regarding their privacy and future online presence.

Show Notes