25/05/2024
DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS LADY? 🤔
It’s none other than 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝘁𝗮 from the crystal ball in The Haunted Mansion! 👻
𝗟𝗲𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗯𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 was a pivotal figure at Walt Disney Imagineering. Born on August 9, 1925, in Los Angeles, she began her career at Disney in the ink and paint department, working on classic animated films.
➡️ Her talents were quickly noticed, leading her to transition into the design and development of theme park attractions. Leota is best known for her work on Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, where she served as the model and voice for Madame Leota, the floating head inside the crystal ball in the séance room. This iconic character became a beloved part of the attraction, known for its eerie yet captivating presence.
Leota Toombs also contributed to attractions such as “𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱”, the 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗶𝗸𝗶 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺, and 𝗣𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗻. For Pirates, she was involved in the creation of several animatronic figures and scenic elements for the attraction. Her contributions helped bring the beloved pirate adventure to life, adding to her legacy as a key figure in the development of Disneyland’s iconic attractions. 🏴☠️
Her birth name was Leota Anne Wharton. She married her first husband, Harvey Toombs, taking his last name and becoming Leota Toombs. After their marriage ended, she later married Hugh Thomas, which is why she is also known as Leota Thomas.
Leota Toombs passed away on December 21, 1991, but her legacy continues through her significant contributions to Disney’s theme parks.
✨ Leota’s daughter, Kim Irvine, followed in her mother’s footsteps and also became a prominent figure at Walt Disney Imagineering. She has worked extensively on preserving and updating various Disneyland attractions, ensuring her mother’s legacy and the classic Disney magic endure. Notably, Kim played a key role in refurbishing the Haunted Mansion and even portrayed Madame Leota in the “Haunted Mansion Holiday” overlay. 🙌😃🏰
