As a somewhat heavy-set character actress, she has appeared in many TV programs beginning in the 1950s (playing Cindy Williams' mother on Laverne and Shirley, for example) and stage productions, but is best known for her role as the voice of Ursula in The Little Mermaid.

As a character actress she appeared on many variety shows of the 1950s and 1960s, such as The Red Buttons Show, The Danny Kaye Show, The Red Skelton Show, and The Carol Burnett Show.

Like most character actors of the studio era Pat Carroll had numerous roles is many motion pictures and television shows.

She also does voice over work on animated programs such as A Pup Named Scooby Doo, Galaxy High, You Don't Say and a A Goofy Movie.

On Pound Puppies she play the series villain, Katrina Stoneheart on the Hanna Barbera version of their TV Show.

She has portrayed the sea witch in many forms of media, such as the Kingdom Hearts series of video games, the Fantasmic! show at two Disney theme parks, the spin-off TV series and will soon voice the Ursula puppet in the forthcoming Broadway production of the movie.

Taking a break from various villains she's played, her most recent voice over roll was the kind and compassionate character of Granny in the re-release of Hayao Miyazaki's warm hearted story "My Neighbor Totoro"

She has also had a successful career in the theater, particularly in numerous off-Broadway productions. Her one appearance on Broadway in a drama was not successful, however.

As a member of the actors studio Pat Carroll is currently working in stage productions. Her past work includes not only off-Broadway productions but the Kennedy Center and national tours.

In 2005 she played a homeless woman in three episodes of the televison series ER.

As a devout Catholic, her religious views inform her choiced of what roles to accept, and in which productions to appear.

She is the mother of 2 daughters, Kerry and Tara Karsian.