Unveiling The Faces Behind So Many Iconic Voices In Animation

BuzzFeed
·8-min read

Not everyone can act; never mind, do it well. Voice acting is its own challenge, but there have been some legendary voices in the business who have been immortalized forever.

Close-up of a professional microphone and pop filter in a recording studio against a purple background
BusàPhotography / Getty Images

Here are 21 voice actors who deserve all our love for their exceptional work:

1.Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright smiles on the red carpet, wearing an elegant off-the-shoulder gown adorned with intricate beadwork

Here are the many animated characters of Nancy Cartwright:

Bart Simpson, sitting up in bed, looks nervously at a large pointing finger directed at him
Bart Simpson, sitting up in bed, looks nervously at a large pointing finger directed at him
Chuckie Finster from
Chuckie Finster from
Rufus, from Kim Possible, grinning and holding up Kim's communicator with Kim Possible's logo hologram
Rufus, from Kim Possible, grinning and holding up Kim's communicator with Kim Possible's logo hologram
Maggie Simpson, a baby character from The Simpsons, is sucking on a pacifier with a blue bow in her hair. She is indoors
Maggie Simpson, a baby character from The Simpsons, is sucking on a pacifier with a blue bow in her hair. She is indoors

Fox, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel

2.Tara Strong

Tara Strong at a Mercy for Animals event, wearing a floral-patterned dress

Here are the many animated characters of Tara Strong:

Bubbles, a character from The Powerpuff Girls, is seen flying. She has pigtails and large eyes, wearing a striped outfit
Bubbles, a character from The Powerpuff Girls, is seen flying. She has pigtails and large eyes, wearing a striped outfit
Timmy Turner from
Timmy Turner from
Animated character Raven from Teen Titans Go! in a hooded cloak, smirking against a clear sky
Animated character Raven from Teen Titans Go! in a hooded cloak, smirking against a clear sky
Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony with an angry expression and her eyes narrowed, appearing determined or upset
Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony with an angry expression and her eyes narrowed, appearing determined or upset
Harley Quinn, a character from the Batman series, stands in a doorway wearing a leather outfit with belts and gloves, her hair in pigtails
Harley Quinn, a character from the Batman series, stands in a doorway wearing a leather outfit with belts and gloves, her hair in pigtails

Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Discovery Family, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

3.June Foray

June Foray holds an Emmy award

Here are the many animated characters of June Foray:

Rocky the Flying Squirrel, from
Rocky the Flying Squirrel, from
Grandmother Fa from Mulan smiling and holding a set of bamboo fortune sticks
Grandmother Fa from Mulan smiling and holding a set of bamboo fortune sticks
Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas holds a large red ornament. She wears a pink nightgown and has two pink bows in her hair
Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas holds a large red ornament. She wears a pink nightgown and has two pink bows in her hair

ABC, Walt Disney Feature Animation, MGM Television

4.Daran Norris

Daran Norris, wearing a suit and tie, sits at a table looking slightly amused

Here are the many animated characters of Daran Norris:

Cosmo, a character from Fairly OddParents, holds a magic wand with a star on top, smiling broadly
Cosmo, a character from Fairly OddParents, holds a magic wand with a star on top, smiling broadly
Close-up of a puppet resembling a distinguished older man in a suit, from the TV show
Close-up of a puppet resembling a distinguished older man in a suit, from the TV show
Jorgen Von Strangle from Fairly OddParents, wearing a green tank top and cargo pants, holding a sword, with a stern expression on his face
Jorgen Von Strangle from Fairly OddParents, wearing a green tank top and cargo pants, holding a sword, with a stern expression on his face
The image shows a character from the animated TV show
The image shows a character from the animated TV show

Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Fox

5.Jim Cummings

Jim Cummings, wearing a patterned short-sleeve shirt, sits at a table with an arm casually resting on the back of a chair, smiling broadly

Here are the many animated characters of Jim Cummings:

Winnie the Pooh sits in a wicker chair holding a honey pot inside a cozy, wooden house
Winnie the Pooh sits in a wicker chair holding a honey pot inside a cozy, wooden house
Tigger from Winnie the Pooh grinning with his hand on his hip inside a wooden house
Tigger from Winnie the Pooh grinning with his hand on his hip inside a wooden house
Pete looks cautious in a dark and eerie setting in this animated scene from a Disney show or movie
Pete looks cautious in a dark and eerie setting in this animated scene from a Disney show or movie
Ray the firefly illuminates a dark scene with his glowing tail in the animated movie
Ray the firefly illuminates a dark scene with his glowing tail in the animated movie
Darkwing Duck wearing a wide-brimmed hat and blue scarf, standing in front of a building
Darkwing Duck wearing a wide-brimmed hat and blue scarf, standing in front of a building

The Disney Channel, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

6.Kevin Michael Richardson

Kevin Michael Richardson wearing a blue baseball cap and a multicolored, patterned shirt smiles for the camera

Here are the many characters of Kevin Michael Richardson:

Animated character Gantu from Lilo & Stitch, wearing a black and orange uniform, with a stern expression
Animated character Gantu from Lilo & Stitch, wearing a black and orange uniform, with a stern expression
Animated character Blaze from Blaze and the Monster Machines smiling in a garage setting
Animated character Blaze from Blaze and the Monster Machines smiling in a garage setting
Goro from Mortal Kombat, a fictional character with four arms and a serious expression, appears intimidating in this scene
Goro from Mortal Kombat, a fictional character with four arms and a serious expression, appears intimidating in this scene
Star Wars character Jabba the Hutt, a large slug-like creature with prominent eyes, stern expression, and textured skin
Star Wars character Jabba the Hutt, a large slug-like creature with prominent eyes, stern expression, and textured skin
Cleveland Jr. from
Cleveland Jr. from

The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Fox

7.Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill stands in front of a "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" poster wearing a dark jacket at an event

Here are the many animated characters of Mark Hamill:

Animated character Joker from Batman: The Animated Series holds a phone, grinning menacingly, and he is in a dark setting wearing his iconic hat and suit
Animated character Joker from Batman: The Animated Series holds a phone, grinning menacingly, and he is in a dark setting wearing his iconic hat and suit
Animated clown baby character
Animated clown baby character
Fire Lord from
Fire Lord from
Animated character Skips from
Animated character Skips from

Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network

8.Tom Kenny

Tom Kenny wears a blue suit with a white shirt and a patterned tie, smiling on the red carpet at a TV and Movies event

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Tom Kenny.

Along with voicing SpongeBob Squarepants, Kenny has offered his hilarious pipes to numerous animated projects, including the popular Ice King in Adventure Time.

Monica Schipper / Getty Images

Here are the many animated characters of Tom Kenny:

SpongeBob SquarePants standing with a cheerful expression against a flower-petal background
SpongeBob SquarePants standing with a cheerful expression against a flower-petal background
The Ice King from Adventure Time wearing a yellow crown with red jewels, holding a tray of small objects, and appearing sad while inside his ice cave
The Ice King from Adventure Time wearing a yellow crown with red jewels, holding a tray of small objects, and appearing sad while inside his ice cave
Otto the cow, from the animated show Rocko's Modern Life, stands outdoors with houses in the background
Otto the cow, from the animated show Rocko's Modern Life, stands outdoors with houses in the background
Animated character the Mayor of Townsville from
Animated character the Mayor of Townsville from
CatDog character with a perplexed expression, standing in an outdoor setting
CatDog character with a perplexed expression, standing in an outdoor setting

Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network

9.Phil Lamarr

Man in a casual shirt smiles at The Groundlings' 50th anniversary event

Here are the many animated characters of Phil Lamarr:

Samurai Jack stands holding his sword, ready for battle
Samurai Jack stands holding his sword, ready for battle
Static Shock character, in superhero costume with goggles and mask, crouched and ready, with lightning in the background
Static Shock character, in superhero costume with goggles and mask, crouched and ready, with lightning in the background
Animated character wielding a green energy weapon, wearing a futuristic armor suit, background shows mountains
Animated character wielding a green energy weapon, wearing a futuristic armor suit, background shows mountains
Cleveland Brown presents the weather forecast on TV, showing rain clouds and a sun icon over a map of the United States
Cleveland Brown presents the weather forecast on TV, showing rain clouds and a sun icon over a map of the United States
Animated character Kareen from the show
Animated character Kareen from the show
Hermes Conrad from Futurama wears glasses and an official badge with the number 36, sitting at a desk with a grid board in the background
Hermes Conrad from Futurama wears glasses and an official badge with the number 36, sitting at a desk with a grid board in the background

Cartoon Network, Fox, Comedy Central

10.Cree Summer

Person smiling, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a buttoned shirt with detailed embroidery, and a suit jacket at an event. Name of the person is unknown

Here are the many animated characters of Cree Summer:

Kida from Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire, with wide eyes and mouth slightly open, has white hair, blue eyes, and distinctive facial markings
Kida from Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire, with wide eyes and mouth slightly open, has white hair, blue eyes, and distinctive facial markings
Susie Carmichael from Rugrats, with braided hair and wearing a patterned shirt, smiles with arms outstretched
Susie Carmichael from Rugrats, with braided hair and wearing a patterned shirt, smiles with arms outstretched
Numbuh Five from Codename: Kids Next Door looks serious, wearing a red hat, gold hoop earrings, and a blue outfit. Background shows a room with a sofa
Numbuh Five from Codename: Kids Next Door looks serious, wearing a red hat, gold hoop earrings, and a blue outfit. Background shows a room with a sofa
Elmyra Duff from
Elmyra Duff from
Foxxy Love from
Foxxy Love from

Walt Disney Feature Animation, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central

11.Tress MacNeille

Tress MacNeille smiles

Tress MacNeille's voice-acting range is as wide as any in the business. She can truly do it all, whether it is high-pitched like Dot from Animaniacs or rougher like Mom from Futurama.

She's still blowing people away today with a variety of voices on different shows.

Harmony Gerber / Getty Images

Here are the many animated characters of Tress MacNeille:

Angelica Pickles from Rugrats, wearing a suit, speaking on a purple phone with an intense expression
Angelica Pickles from Rugrats, wearing a suit, speaking on a purple phone with an intense expression
Animated character Dot Warner from Animaniacs, with white face, black ears, red nose, and a yellow flower on her head, looking surprised
Animated character Dot Warner from Animaniacs, with white face, black ears, red nose, and a yellow flower on her head, looking surprised
Futurama character Mom, with a large heart-shaped blue hairstyle, looks angrily at another character inside a medieval castle
Futurama character Mom, with a large heart-shaped blue hairstyle, looks angrily at another character inside a medieval castle
An animated character with a surprised expression stands near a table holding a tall stack of brown, round objects
An animated character with a surprised expression stands near a table holding a tall stack of brown, round objects

Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central

12.Charlie Adler

A man with short gray hair, a beard, and blue eyes smiles warmly at the camera. He is wearing an earring and a casual shirt

Here are the many animated characters of Charlie Adler

Ickis from Aaahh!!! Real Monsters with a surprised expression against a dark background
Ickis from Aaahh!!! Real Monsters with a surprised expression against a dark background
Phil and Lil, characters from Rugrats, are looking surprised with wide eyes and open mouths. Their expressions are exaggerated in a comical way
Phil and Lil, characters from Rugrats, are looking surprised with wide eyes and open mouths. Their expressions are exaggerated in a comical way
Cartoon character Cow from the TV show
Cartoon character Cow from the TV show
Buster Bunny stands confidently on a stage with red curtains in the background
Buster Bunny stands confidently on a stage with red curtains in the background

Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros.

13.Tom Kane

Tom Kane in a patterned shirt stands next to a person dressed as a stormtrooper at a red carpet event for "Star Wars: The Clone Wars"

Here are the many animated characters of Tom Kane:

Professor Utonium from The Powerpuff Girls holds a beaker with a pink liquid in a cartoon scene
Professor Utonium from The Powerpuff Girls holds a beaker with a pink liquid in a cartoon scene
Yoda, an animated Jedi Master from Star Wars, is shown in a contemplative moment
Yoda, an animated Jedi Master from Star Wars, is shown in a contemplative moment
A surprised-looking monkey character from the animated TV show
A surprised-looking monkey character from the animated TV show
rabbit from
rabbit from
Animated character from Star Wars: The Clone Wars with a stern expression, wearing a dark military uniform
Animated character from Star Wars: The Clone Wars with a stern expression, wearing a dark military uniform

Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon

14.Hank Azaria

Hank Azaria smiling while seated in a chair, wearing a button-up shirt with sunglasses hanging from the neckline

Here are the many animated characters of Hank Azaria:

Moe Szyslak from The Simpsons looking down with a sad expression, standing next to trees with foliage
Moe Szyslak from The Simpsons looking down with a sad expression, standing next to trees with foliage
Chief Wiggum, a character from The Simpsons, is depicted in his police uniform looking up with a surprised expression
Chief Wiggum, a character from The Simpsons, is depicted in his police uniform looking up with a surprised expression
Professor Frink from The Simpsons, wearing glasses and a green jacket with a blue bow tie, speaking with an animated expression against a simple background
Professor Frink from The Simpsons, wearing glasses and a green jacket with a blue bow tie, speaking with an animated expression against a simple background

Fox

15.John DiMaggio

A man is smiling directly at the camera. He has short, light-colored hair and a mustache, and is wearing a leather jacket

Here are the many animated characters of John DiMaggio:

Bender from Futurama gritting his teeth with a worried expression against a dark background
Bender from Futurama gritting his teeth with a worried expression against a dark background
Jake the Dog from Adventure Time with a worried expression, pointing with one paw against a plain background
Jake the Dog from Adventure Time with a worried expression, pointing with one paw against a plain background
Penguin from the show
Penguin from the show
Dr. Drakken from Kim Possible is shown with an angry expression, his hands raised and fingers curled as if plotting something sinister
Dr. Drakken from Kim Possible is shown with an angry expression, his hands raised and fingers curled as if plotting something sinister
Animated Joker from Batman grinning with wide eyes, wearing an orange outfit
Animated Joker from Batman grinning with wide eyes, wearing an orange outfit

Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, Warner Home Video

16.Frank Welker

A man, Mike Lookinland, smiles while standing indoors near a large window with an urban background. He is wearing a button-down shirt

Here are the many animated characters of Frank Welker:

Animated scene with Megatron from Transformers, gesturing with one hand up and one hand down, possibly speaking
Animated scene with Megatron from Transformers, gesturing with one hand up and one hand down, possibly speaking
Curious George holding a small shopping bag inside a grocery store looking at vegetables
Curious George holding a small shopping bag inside a grocery store looking at vegetables
Fred Jones and Daphne Blake from Scooby-Doo in mid-conversation, Fred's expression is surprised while Daphne is seen from the back
Fred Jones and Daphne Blake from Scooby-Doo in mid-conversation, Fred's expression is surprised while Daphne is seen from the back
Abu from Disney's Aladdin stands in front of a pile of gold treasures, looking concerned
Abu from Disney's Aladdin stands in front of a pile of gold treasures, looking concerned

Sunbow Productions, PBS Kids, Cartoon Network, Walt Disney Feature Animation

17.Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane at PaleyFest posing in a dark blazer and black shirt

Seth MacFarlane is a family guy and the mastermind behind Family Guy. His style of comedy ruled the 2000s, and he voiced many characters in the popular show like Peter Griffin, Stewie, Brian, and countless others.

MacFarlane is still running the show going on its 23rd season.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Here are the many animated characters of Seth McFarlane:

Brian, Peter, and Stewie Griffin from
Brian, Peter, and Stewie Griffin from
Roger from
Roger from
Ted the bear, from the movie
Ted the bear, from the movie

Fox, Universal Pictures

18.Troy Baker

Troy Baker speaks into a microphone while sitting at a panel event. He is wearing a hat and a knit sweater

Here are the many characters of Troy Baker:

Joel from The Last of Us, depicted with a serious expression, wearing rugged outdoor clothing with a backpack strap over his shoulder
Joel from The Last of Us, depicted with a serious expression, wearing rugged outdoor clothing with a backpack strap over his shoulder
A character from the TV show The Flash, resembling a monk with white face paint, holds a mystical artifact
A character from the TV show The Flash, resembling a monk with white face paint, holds a mystical artifact
The image features the Joker, a character from the Batman franchise, with a sinister grin, looking towards the camera in a scene likely from a TV show or movie
The image features the Joker, a character from the Batman franchise, with a sinister grin, looking towards the camera in a scene likely from a TV show or movie
A video game character with short white hair and rugged clothing sits near a burning barrel, looking intensely at the camera
A video game character with short white hair and rugged clothing sits near a burning barrel, looking intensely at the camera

Sony Interactive Entertainment, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Ubisoft

19.James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones smiles while wearing a black suit, light blue shirt, and red tie at a public event backdrop with "Where Musicals..." printed

Here are the many animated characters of James Earl Jones:

animated Mufasa and Simba
animated Mufasa and Simba
Darth Vader in a dark armor suit, with a helmet and a cape, featured in a scene
Darth Vader in a dark armor suit, with a helmet and a cape, featured in a scene

Walt Disney Feature Animation, Disney XD

20.Kath Soucie

Kath Soucie wearing a cable-knit turtleneck sweater and belted slacks at the premiere of Disney's "Pooh's Heffalump Movie" in front of a promotional poster

Here are the many characters of Kath Soucie:

Animated characters Phil and Lil from Rugrats play outside with buckets. Phil holds a blue bucket, and Lil holds a pink one with flowers
Animated characters Phil and Lil from Rugrats play outside with buckets. Phil holds a blue bucket, and Lil holds a pink one with flowers
Lola Bunny from Space Jam: A New Legacy, with an intense expression, stands in a determined pose
Lola Bunny from Space Jam: A New Legacy, with an intense expression, stands in a determined pose
Cartoon character Maddie Fenton from Danny Phantom with a bob haircut and an intense expression
Cartoon character Maddie Fenton from Danny Phantom with a bob haircut and an intense expression
Animated character, Mom from
Animated character, Mom from
Sven from Frozen is seen in a close-up with an expressive, open-mouthed look in front of a stained glass window
Sven from Frozen is seen in a close-up with an expressive, open-mouthed look in front of a stained glass window

Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, Walt Disney Pictures

21.And lastly, Mel Blanc

A man in a suit and tie, smiling slightly

Here are the many animated characters of Mel Blanc:

Looney Tunes character Porky Pig says
Looney Tunes character Porky Pig says
Bugs Bunny stands with a sly smile in a desert background
Bugs Bunny stands with a sly smile in a desert background
Tweety Bird stands by a window with snow outside, looking concerned
Tweety Bird stands by a window with snow outside, looking concerned
Woody Woodpecker stands confidently with one hand on his chest, wearing his signature blue and white outfit
Woody Woodpecker stands confidently with one hand on his chest, wearing his signature blue and white outfit
Marvin the Martian, wearing Roman-inspired armor, stands on a moon landscape in a scene from a classic animated TV show
Marvin the Martian, wearing Roman-inspired armor, stands on a moon landscape in a scene from a classic animated TV show

Warner Bros.

There are so many talented voice actors in the world. If I missed one (obviously, I missed many), comment below with their name and the characters they voiced!

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