The former child actor later spent 25 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving three tours in Vietnam before retiring as a major.
SAN ANTONIO — Donnie Dunagan, the former child actor who gave young Bambi his voice in Walt Disney’s 1942 animated classic before building a long career in the U.S. Marine Corps, has died. He was 92.
Dunagan died Nov. 4 of lung cancer, according to reports citing his representatives and film historian Tom Weaver. News of his death was reported publicly on Nov. 9. His career followed an unusual path from Hollywood child performer to decorated Marine officer, with “Bambi” becoming the role most closely associated with him decades after he left acting behind.
Dunagan was born Aug. 16, 1934, in San Antonio and began performing when he was very young. After his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, he won a talent contest for tap dancing, an event that helped lead to his family’s move to Los Angeles and the start of his film career. He made his screen debut in the 1938 film “Mother Carey’s Chickens.”
He later appeared in several films, including the 1939 horror classic “Son of Frankenstein,” where he acted alongside Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone. He also appeared in “Tower of London,” “The Forgotten Woman,” “Vigil in the Night” and “Meet the Chump.” His time in Hollywood was brief but placed him alongside some of the era’s best-known performers.
Dunagan’s most enduring role came when Walt Disney’s studio brought him in to help animators capture the expressions and personality of a young deer for “Bambi.” He ultimately supplied the voice of the young fawn. The film, released in 1942, became one of Disney’s best-known animated works and remained a central part of Dunagan’s public identity for the rest of his life.
“Bambi” was Dunagan’s final film. After leaving acting, he eventually joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952 at age 18. He served for 25 years, including three tours in Vietnam, and retired with the rank of major in 1977. Accounts of his military career say he served in roles that included drill instructor, counterintelligence officer and Force Recon commander.
Dunagan received several military honors during his service. Multiple reports say those decorations included a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Disney later described him as a highly decorated veteran and said he also received additional honors during his military career.
For much of his time in the Marines, Dunagan did not tell fellow service members that he had once voiced Bambi. He later said he worried the connection could make him a target for teasing and earn him the nickname “Major Bambi.” In later interviews, however, he spoke warmly about the film and said he regretted not sharing that part of his life with close military friends.
Disney eventually reconnected with Dunagan, and his childhood role became more visible again. He attended film screenings, conventions and Disney events where he discussed the making of “Bambi” and its lasting effect on audiences. In 2023, Disney Parks highlighted a visit in which Dunagan saw Bambi and Thumper represented in the Disney Fab 50 Character Collection at Walt Disney World.
After leaving the Marines, Dunagan worked in business, including positions with financial companies in New York, Los Angeles and San Antonio, and later became a corporate executive. He is survived by his wife, Dana, whom he married in 1992. No additional public details about funeral or memorial arrangements were included in the reports reviewed Tuesday.
Author note: Last updated November 10, 2026.