Actress behind Babe's voice dies at 51

American actress Christine Cavanaugh, who was the voice of Babe the pig, has died aged 51.

Director of "Babe" Chris Noonan, left, and the voice of "Babe" Christine Cavanaugh, right, arrive for the 68th Academy Awards. (AAP)

Voice actress Christine Cavanaugh has died at the age of 51.

The Babe star passed away on December 22, although a cause of death has yet to be revealed.

She was best known for her work as the voice of the titular pig in the hit 1995 film.

Cavanaugh also worked on Disney movie Darkwing Duck as Gosalyn Mallard and as Chuckie Finster in the children's cartoon Rugrats.

In addition to her voice work, she guest starred on several TV shows and films, including Jerry Maguire, Cheers and The X-Files.

In 2000, she was feted with an Annie Award for her voice performance as Dexter in TV special Dexter's Laboratory: Ego Trip.

Cavanaugh retired from acting in 2001.