The Accidental Impressionist - an interview with Jim Dale
September 12, 2003 at 4:38 PM ET
Sano Orbis
Wizard News (via Copley News Service)
Jim Dale relates how he literally fell into show business as he discusses his career in an interview for Copley News Service
. His work on bringing Author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series to life for the recording of Random House Inc.'s Listening Library is emphasized as his most notable achievement.
The interview gives details of his experiences in performing the voices for all 5 Potter novels, with particular attention to the grueling process of completing Order of the Phoenix in time for the June release date. Mr. Dale had to record 255,000 words with 134 individual voiced characters in less than 3 months.
Despite the difficulties, Mr. Dale's feelings about his work are best expressed in his own words:
Being the voice of Harry Potter allows me to be the voice of J.K. Rowling to millions of children. And if that's the way I'm going to be remembered, by my grandchildren and, hopefully, their grandchildren, that isn't so bad.