Ilene Woods, a talented individual, was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to a backstage mom who played a pivotal role in launching her career in the entertainment industry. From a young age, Ilene's mother ensured she got her start on the stage at just two years old. As she grew older, Ilene's remarkable voice and charisma caught the attention of industry professionals, and at the tender age of 14, she received an offer to star in her own radio show upon completing her school year.
During a vacation in New York City, Ilene's radio show, aptly named The Ilene Woods Show, began its run on the Blue Network, featuring a 3-nights-a-week, 15-minute musical series. After gaining valuable experience in the radio industry, Ilene relocated to Chicago, where she continued to hone her craft. Her next move took her to California, where she landed her first and only on-screen movie role in the 1945 film On Stage Everybody, as well as a stint on the popular radio series Sealtest Village Store, starring the renowned Jack Carson.
Ilene's songwriter friends, Mack David and Jerry Livingston, approached her with an opportunity to record two of their latest compositions. Unbeknownst to Ilene, these songs were destined for the iconic Disney film Cinderella, set to premiere in 1950. Walt Disney himself was impressed by Ilene's enchanting voice on the recordings and subsequently chose her to voice the title role of Cinderella, cementing her place in the annals of Hollywood history.
