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Mulan Voice Actress Dies After Suicide Attempt

Animated Mulan still image
Credit: D23

When the animated film Mulan (1998) debuted, the world was introduced to the inspiring story of a courageous young woman who disguises herself as a man to join the army and protect her family. It starred Ming-Na Wen as the voice of Fa Mulan, with Lea Salonga providing her singing voice.

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Coco Lee

But the popular movie was translated into various other languages. The Hong Kong-born American actress and singer Coco Lee played the Chinese role of Mulan and provided the singing voice for the Disney Princess.

Mulan Animated Film

Credit: Disney D23

Coco Lee originally made her debut in 1994 and was notable for breaking boundaries, finding significant fame in Asia and Chinese-speaking countries as a pop diva. She eventually entered the international music realm, singing theme songs for movies like Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).

Mulan (1998) recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, and Coco Lee had continued portraying the character over the years. Recently she reprised the iconic song “Reflection” for the live-action remake of Mulan (2020).

Coco Lee Image

Credit: Warner Music China

She also performed the signature song at the Hong Kong Disneyland Opening Ceremony in 2005.

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Her Passing

Over this past weekend, Coco Lee attempted to take her own life. On July 2 she went to the hospital where she remained in a coma until July 5th.

According to her family, she had been “suffering from depression for a few years,” and her condition “deteriorated drastically over the last few months” despite Lee seeking professional help. Her family also announced that “sadly, that demon inside of her took the better of her.”

Mulan Cutting Hair

Credit: Disney

She tragically passed away at age 48 “despite the best efforts” of the hospital’s medical team.

Her sister Nancy Lee shared the sad news on an Instagram post and a heartwarming family montage.

The family of Disney actors and actresses is deep and wide, and it’s always sad when one of its members passes away. We send our condolences to the Lee family in this troubling time.

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About Steven Wilk

Steven has a complicated relationship with Disney. As a child, he visited Walt Disney World every few years with his family. But he never understood why kids his age (and older) were so scared of Snow White or Alien Encounter. He is a former participant of the Disney College Program (left early…long story), and he also previously worked in Children’s publishing, where he adapted multiple Disney movies and TV shows. He has many controversial opinions about Disney…like having a positive view of Michael Eisner, believing Return of the Jedi is superior to The Empire Strikes Back, and that Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge should have never been built (at least not at Hollywood Studios). Every year for the past two decades, Steven has visited either Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani or went on a Disney Cruise. He’s happy to share any and all knowledge of the Disney destinations (and he likes using parenthesis a lot…as well as ellipses…)