Donnie Dunagan, the child actor who famously voiced young Bambi in Disney's 1942 classic, has passed away at the age of 92. Dunagan died on November 4, 2026, from lung cancer, as confirmed by his representatives, Kris Jones and Nery Lemus, on Instagram. They shared that Dunagan had asked them to convey his joy for the life he lived, describing him as a marine and a beloved figure for his roles in Bambi and Son of Frankenstein.
Born on August 16, 1934, in San Antonio, Dunagan began his acting career at just 3 years old when a talent agent discovered him in Memphis. His family relocated to Los Angeles, where he made his film debut in 1938's Mother Carey's Chickens. The following year, he played Basil Rathbone's son in Son of Frankenstein. His most iconic role came in 1942 when he voiced young Bambi, a part that would also mark the end of his acting career.
In a 2025 interview with fellow Disney voice actor Jim Cummings, Dunagan recounted how Walt Disney personally called his mother to ask him to 'help his artist put a child's expression on a deer.' To capture Bambi's emotional cry for his mother, Dunagan drew from his own experience of missing his mother, which produced the heartfelt voice heard in the film.
Dunagan's life took a different turn when he joined the Marine Corps at 18, serving for 25 years, including three tours in Vietnam. He earned three Purple Hearts and retired as a major in 1977. Despite his military career, Dunagan humorously recalled a moment when a general referred to him as 'major Bambi' during an audit assignment. He is survived by his wife, Dana, whom he married 34 years ago.