The forgotten Disney voice actor who came to Rexburg after the Teton Dam Disaster
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Bill Whitaker may not be a household name today, but for a brief time during his childhood, he was part of Hollywood. His biggest claim to fame? Voicing a character in Disney’s animated classic “Robin Hood.”
Bill’s older brother, Johnny Whitaker, was a household name in the 1960s and ’70s, starring as Jody Davis on the CBS sitcom Family Affair from 1966 to 1971. Earlier this year, Johnny joined us on “It’s Worth Mentioning” to talk about his life and career in show business, which included a remarkable story about how the Teton Dam Disaster brought him to Rexburg in 1976.
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Johnny had chosen Rexburg as the setting for an episode of a variety show he was pitching called “The Johnny Whitaker Show.” The program was supposed to feature Johnny and his siblings singing and dancing alongside other entertainers of the era. But when the Teton Dam collapsed, the project was derailed.
In the weeks following the disaster, Ricks College administrators invited Johnny and his siblings to perform a free live show at Hart Auditorium to help lift the spirits of a community reeling from tragedy. The family agreed, and that performance became the kickoff to a summer tour through Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Oregon and California.
Bill was along for the ride, and he joins us on this episode to revisit that unforgettable chapter of his life.
He shares what it was like growing up with a famous older brother, how Johnny’s success opened the door to his own brief career in show business, and his experience acting alongside well-known names of the era in a film that was completed but never released. The largely forgotten movie can still be found online here.
Bill also takes us behind the scenes of his role in “Robin Hood,” explaining how he landed the part and what he remembers about the experience.
He then reflects on traveling to Rexburg in the aftermath of the Teton Dam Disaster. He remembers being escorted through town ahead of the performance, witnessing the devastation firsthand and meeting locals whose lives had been turned upside down. He also shares what it was like to perform for a community struggling to recover from such a devastating loss.
That summer tour marked the end of Bill’s time in show business. He discusses the career he pursued afterward, his life away from Hollywood and his connections to eastern Idaho.
Bill also opens up about a more personal journey. Raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he left the faith over the past decade. He shares what led to that decision and how his views on religion have evolved.
From childhood fame and a Disney classic to an unforgettable visit to Rexburg during one of Idaho’s darkest chapters, Bill’s story offers a rare glimpse into a little-known piece of entertainment history — and a personal perspective on how life can take unexpected turns.
If you grew up watching Johnny Whitaker and his family on television, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Watch previous episodes of “It’s Worth Mentioning” here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip, guest idea, or comment, email rett@eastidahonews.com.