Christine Cavanaugh

Christine Cavanaugh, born Christine Josephine Sandberg on August 16, 1963 in Layton, Utah, was an American actress celebrated for her uniquely expressive voice that helped define a generation of animated characters. She grew up in a large Latter‑day Saints family, graduating from Layton High School in 1981, and was adopted at age fifteen by Kirt and Linda Johnson after the death of her mother, Margaret Sandberg. Her early education at Utah State University and the University of Hawaiʻi laid a foundation for a career that would take her far beyond her Utah roots. Cavanaugh began her professional journey in the late 1980s, quickly gaining recognition for her ability to convey vulnerability and humor through voice alone. In 1991 she landed the role of Gosalyn Mallard on Disney’s Darkwing Duck, a performance that showcased her talent for youthful, spunky characters. This was followed by her iconic portrayal of Chuckie Finster on Nickelodeon’s Rugrats, a role that cemented her status as a beloved voice‑over artist among children and adults alike. She also voiced Dexter in Cartoon Network’s Dexter’s Laboratory, Oblina in Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, and Bunnie Rabbot in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, adding to a prolific portfolio that spanned numerous beloved franchises.

Beyond animation, Cavanaugh delivered a memorable performance as the title character in the 1995 live‑action film Babe, proving her versatility extended to on‑screen acting as well. Her work earned industry recognition, including a 2000 Annie Award for the Dexter’s Laboratory: Ego Trip special. After a decade‑long run, she chose to retire from voice acting in 2001 to focus on family life, though recordings continued to appear in releases up to 2003. The loss of her distinctive voice was felt when she was succeeded by Candi Milo on Dexter’s Laboratory and by Nancy Cartwright on Rugrats. Christine Cavanaugh passed away from natural causes on December 22, 2014, at her Cedar City, Utah home, and was cremated with her ashes scattered in the Great Salt Lake. Her legacy endures through the characters she brought to life, and creators such as Genndy Tartakovsky have cited her death as a factor in deciding against reviving the shows she once starred in.