Get to Know the Characters from the Haunted Mansion Attraction

Disney’s Haunted Mansion has a rich cast of characters, many of whom originate from the classic theme park attraction, while others have been expanded upon in various films, comics, and books. The Gracey family, often associated with the lore, plays a key role in many adaptations. Below is a comprehensive list of notable characters from the attraction and related media.

Ghost Host

  • The eerie narrator of the Haunted Mansion ride, guiding guests through the mansion’s many rooms.
  • His identity varies across different interpretations, sometimes linked to Master Gracey or an unnamed butler.

Madame Leota

  • A ghostly medium whose disembodied head floats in a crystal ball.
  • She summons spirits during the séance scene and is sometimes portrayed as a tragic figure.
  • Inspired by Leota Toombs, a Disney Imagineer.
  • Variants: Little Leota (a miniature version at the ride’s exit urging guests to “hurry back”).

Master Gracey

  • Often assumed to be the owner of the mansion, though the ride never explicitly names him.
  • In some versions, he is portrayed as a wealthy nobleman who fell to a tragic fate.
  • His full name in some adaptations is Edward or William Gracey.

The Hatbox Ghost

  • One of the most famous ghosts in the mansion.
  • He carries a hatbox, and his head disappears from his body and reappears inside the box.
  • Originally part of the ride in 1969 but removed and later reinstated in 2015.

The Hitchhiking Ghosts

  • A trio of spectral figures who “follow” guests home at the end of the ride.
  • Ezra (tall and skeletal), Gus (short and bearded), and Phineas (portly and carrying a carpetbag).

The Bride (Constance Hatchaway)

  • A recurring and sinister character in Haunted Mansion lore.
  • A black widow bride who murdered multiple husbands.
  • Appears in the attic scene holding a hatchet.

The Stretching Room Portraits Characters

  • A group of doomed souls seen in the ride’s iconic stretching portraits:
    • A woman on a tightrope over an alligator.
    • A man atop a barrel of dynamite.
    • A portly man sinking into quicksand.
    • A widow sitting on a gravestone with a hatchet-wielding husband’s bust behind her.

The Singing Busts

  • A ghostly barbershop quintet singing Grim Grinning Ghosts.
  • Notable members include Rolo Rumkin, Uncle Theodore, and Phineas P. Pock.

The Ballroom Ghosts

  • A collection of dancing and dining spirits seen during the ballroom scene.
  • Includes duelists, waltzing couples, and a spectral birthday celebration.

The Graveyard Spirits

  • A variety of ghostly figures appearing during the chaotic cemetery sequence.
  • Features pop-up ghouls, opera singers, and a skeletal dog.

The Caretaker and His Dog

  • A frightened living caretaker and his equally terrified bloodhound.
  • Positioned at the entrance to the ghost-infested graveyard.

The Gracey Family (Expanded Lore and Film Characters)

Master Edward Gracey (2003 Film)

  • Portrayed by Nathaniel Parker in The Haunted Mansion (2003).
  • A nobleman who lived in the mansion and fell in love with Elizabeth, a woman beneath his social class.
  • Believed she died by suicide, but it was a deception by his butler, Ramsley.

Elizabeth Henshaw (2003 Film)

  • Edward Gracey’s true love, falsely accused of suicide.
  • Her spirit lingers in the mansion until justice is served.

Ramsley (2003 Film)

  • The scheming butler who manipulated Edward Gracey by poisoning Elizabeth’s letter.
  • Becomes a vengeful spirit punished for his misdeeds.

Ben Matthias (2023 Film)

  • A paranormal expert and central protagonist in Haunted Mansion (2023).
  • Investigates the haunted house alongside a group of allies.

Alistair Crump (2023 Film)

  • The main villain in Haunted Mansion (2023).
  • A cruel and ruthless ghostly entity known as “The Hatbox Ghost” in this adaptation.
  • Once a wealthy socialite who was ultimately betrayed and beheaded.
Disneyland Paris’ Phantom Manor

Other Notable Haunted Mansion Characters

Professor Phineas Plump & Ezra Dobbins (Comic & Ride Lore)

  • Often depicted as conmen or tricksters, they appear in the comics and ride expansions.

The Mariner (Comics & Disneyland Paris)

  • A ghostly sea captain, sometimes tied to the mansion’s origins.
  • Some versions suggest he is Master Gracey.

The Phantom & Melanie Ravenswood (Phantom Manor)

  • Unique to Phantom Manor (Disneyland Paris), the Phantom is a sinister ghost haunting the mansion.
  • Melanie is his doomed daughter, forced to wander the estate waiting for her lost love.

This list covers the most well-known characters from The Haunted Mansion and its extended media, including different adaptations in films, comics, and international versions.