All Dogs Go To Heaven’s Behind-the-Scenes Murder Is a Devastating Tragedy

One year before “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” Don Bluth released another movie that ranks among the top animated films of all time, and it also featured the voice-acting talents of Judith Barsi. The young actor voiced Ducky in “The Land Before Time,” where her character was among a group of young dinosaurs in search of the mythical Great Valley. Ducky’s catchphrase, “Yep! Yep! Yep!,” would become so beloved among viewers that it was included at the bottom of Barsi’s gravestone.
Speaking to German publication Yiya, Bluth had nothing but good things to say about his time working with Barsi. “She was absolutely astonishing,” the filmmaker said. “She understood verbal direction, even for the most sophisticated situations. We loved working with her.” And while he didn’t dwell much on the topic, he also commented on the child actor’s death in an interview with Meridian Magazine in 2012. Per Bluth, the tragedy greatly affected those who worked on “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” so much so that production was momentarily paused. “We couldn’t listen to the voice,” he explained. “Everybody would start tearing up … so it stopped everything for a while.”
If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse or is struggling or in crisis, contact the relevant sources below.