Jinkies! Scooby Doo voice actress Daphne reveals she used a medium to speak to her deceased predecessor

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What is the central theme of Scooby Doo? Is it ghosts? Mysteries? Could it even be food? (Oh, those Scooby Snacks!) I’d say it’s friendship. The Mystery Inc. gang have been close friends since 1969, and there’s something comforting about that. One of the most heartwarming friendships in the Scooby Doo franchise, however, took place off-screen.

Mary Kay Bergman began voicing Daphne Blake in the 1998 animated film Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island. Other animated films, a video game, and several Cartoon Network bumpers followed. After Bergman’s death in 1999, her close friend and acting student Grey DeLisle took over the role of Daphne. DeLisle has played the role for over 20 years and sees it as the ultimate tribute to her friend’s legacy.

During a press conference at Dragon Con 2023, DeLisle recalled her friendship with Bergman.

“She was one of my best friends and my first voiceover teacher. She was just so encouraging and wonderful. I was completely unprepared when I first took lessons with her. I had just come out of drama school and was so fresh and full of energy. She was the most caring and wonderful teacher. When I actually started getting roles, it was so exciting because I got to work with my teacher,” DeLisle said.

Even after Bergman’s death, DeLisle found that her old mentor still had a lot to teach her.

“She loved the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland and I got called back to be the voice of Pirate Redd. I was at the callback at Disney Character Animation and I said, ‘Oh Mary Kay, this was your spot, you were always here. What advice would you give me?’ I felt like she was telling me to be more prepared.”

DeLisle took this message to heart and began studying pirate slang, which came in handy when producers asked her to improvise pirate dialogue for 30 minutes.

“Thank God Mary Kay let me do it! The day I got the part, I called her husband, Dino Andrade. He said, ‘You know, today is the anniversary of Mary Kay’s death.’ I always feel like she’s my little red-headed guardian angel,” DeLisle said.

According to DeLisle, their bond is so strong that not even death could break their connection.

“I went to a psychic, he was a medium, and he said, ‘Here’s a woman who does the same strange job that you do. I don’t know your job, but she did this job when she was alive. And in my mind I see her handing you this little plant, and in your hands I see you taking it, and I see it growing into this big plant. Do you understand that? She just wanted to say how proud she is of you and that she’s with you all the time.’ And I was stunned,” DeLisle recalled.

Before DeLisle could process all of that, the psychic had another surprise for her. “He said, ‘There’s another woman here with a funny name like Rooshie or Sheeshie. She says you’re going to do the same thing for her.’ Well, Russi Taylor had just died,” DeLisle said.

Russi Taylor was the voice of Martin Prince on The Simpsons, and shortly after the session, DeLisle took over the role. “He couldn’t look it up on the internet or anything. I hadn’t even auditioned for it.”

Whether you believe in psychic powers or not, there’s something heartwarming about the friendship between DeLisle and Bergman. Not only is DeLisle’s portrayal of Daphne the ultimate tribute to Bergman’s legacy, but she also keeps the connection with her late friend alive. It’s a sweet thought to consider the next time you watch Scooby-Doo.

Scooby-Doo is a gift that always brings joy… especially when it itself serves as inspiration for horror classics.

This way you can watch Scooby-Doo in its entirety in order.