John Leroy Atwell[1] (May 2, 1878 – February 6, 1962) was an American actor, known for playing characters that mis-deliver their lines or stammer, most notably Doc from Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

As well as his film work, he appeared in several Broadway productions, including The Little Missus, The Mimic World, Oh, My Dear!, The Firefly, Apple Blossoms, and How's Your Health?

When Atwell began working on Broadway, he had a role, as a serious actor, in which he was to deliver the following line: "It is spring and all the little birds are twittering in the tree tops."

Atwell fully expected to be dismissed, but the misdelivered line drew a big laugh from the audience and, after the show was over, he was congratulated and asked to repeat it the next night.

His unwitting comedic success caused Atwell to make the change from being a dramatic actor to becoming a comedian.