20 All-Time Best Voice Actors

Exceptional voice actors bring animated characters to life, making fantastical worlds feel believable and often defining popular shows and games for entire generations. The performers listed below have created unforgettable roles in movies, TV, and video games, consistently delivering impressive range, working for many years, and building up a huge collection of memorable performances. They range from the earliest days of animation to today’s biggest video games, and have established the standards for skill, adaptability, and bringing characters to life. This list highlights twenty of the very best, whose work reflects the history of the entire industry.

Mel Blanc

Mel Blanc was the voice behind many of Warner Bros.’ most beloved cartoon characters, shaping American animation for generations. He famously voiced Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and countless others in hundreds of shorts. Blanc wasn’t just reading lines; he perfected the delivery and timing, and animators actually built the cartoons around his voice work. His talent extended beyond animation to radio and early TV, proving how one performer could become the foundation of an entire studio’s success.

June Foray

June Foray was a brilliantly funny and skilled voice actress best known for characters like Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Granny from the Looney Tunes. She lent her talents to a wide range of roles – witches, grandmothers, and heroines alike – at various animation studios. Foray’s work was instrumental in proving that women could be leading voices in the early days of American animation, and she also dedicated herself to supporting and celebrating the art of voice acting through industry groups and awards.

Frank Welker

Frank Welker has worked on countless animated and live-action projects creating sound effects. He’s famous for voicing Fred Jones and Scooby-Doo in many different shows and movies, and he often provides unique animal and creature sounds that become a trademark for those productions. Studios trust him to create these sounds naturally, without relying on electronic effects. His reliable work has helped keep popular franchises consistent even with new versions and different actors.

Jim Cummings

Jim Cummings is the main voice of both Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, and he plays many other characters as well. He famously voiced ‘Darkwing Duck’ and created memorable villains and supporting characters for Disney TV shows. His voice is incredibly versatile, moving seamlessly from friendly and comforting to scary and powerful, even within the same scene. He also expertly sings in character, ensuring the songs always sound right for each role.

Tara Strong

Tara Strong is a voice actress beloved by many, having starred in popular shows and animated series for decades. She’s famous for voicing iconic characters like Bubbles from ‘The Powerpuff Girls’, Timmy Turner from ‘The Fairly OddParents’, Raven from ‘Teen Titans’, and Dil Pickles from ‘Rugrats’. She’s skilled at creating distinct voices for different characters, even within the same episode, and also lends her talent to major video game franchises, bringing a polished, animated feel to interactive stories.

Billy West

Billy West is the voice behind many of the main characters in ‘Futurama,’ including Fry, Professor Farnsworth, and Dr. Zoidberg, and he frequently acts opposite himself in longer scenes. He’s also well-known for voicing the Red M&M in commercials and has played iconic characters like Bugs Bunny. West’s talent lies in his ability to create exaggerated characters while still delivering lines naturally, making both the humor and the story work. His work on multiple roles at once shows impressive control over his breathing and timing.

Tom Kenny

Tom Kenny is most famous for voicing SpongeBob SquarePants, a role he’s energetically played for many years. He also voices the Ice King on ‘Adventure Time’ and contributes many other characters that help create richer, more detailed worlds in animation. Because of his experience with sketch comedy, Kenny is skilled at improvising lines that animators can then match with expressive character movements. He often works closely with casting directors to create well-rounded and harmonious voice acting groups.

Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright is the voice of Bart Simpson, as well as many other children on ‘The Simpsons’. For over thirty years, she’s consistently brought these characters to life. Her unique voice allows the writers to create clever jokes based on Bart’s speech patterns and delivery. She also voices many smaller characters, helping to create a lively and believable world in Springfield. Cartwright’s work demonstrates how one actor can be essential to the feel and timing of a long-running comedy.

Dan Castellaneta

Dan Castellaneta is the voice of Homer Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and many other characters on ‘The Simpsons’. He skillfully changes his voice to portray different personalities, even during fast-paced conversations. His portrayal of Homer works well for both funny scenes and more serious, emotional moments. Because of his vocal versatility, the show can often cover for absent guest stars without needing to rewrite scripts.

Maurice LaMarche

Maurice LaMarche is the voice behind iconic characters like Brain from ‘Pinky and the Brain,’ and he’s famous for his ability to imitate the voice of Orson Welles, a skill he uses in many shows. He’s a master of delivering complex lines with perfect clarity, making it easy for animators to match his words to the characters’ expressions. LaMarche often plays refined villains and narrators, requiring precise vocal control, and he also works on audio editing – like ADR and looping – to ensure consistent sound quality throughout each episode.

Rob Paulsen

As a huge animation fan, I’m always amazed by voice actor Rob Paulsen. He’s the voice of Yakko Warner – super fast and energetic – and Pinky from ‘Pinky and the Brain,’ who’s all about a slower, higher pitch. It’s incredible how much range he has! He’s done tons of singing in his roles, and it’s not just about the music – he really makes sure each character’s personality shines through. What’s even more impressive is how quickly he can switch between different characters, even within the same scene. And he’s not just talented himself – he also helps up-and-coming voice actors, teaching them everything from how to use a microphone to understanding a script.

Dee Bradley Baker

Dee Bradley Baker is a voice actor known for creating sounds for creatures and characters without words, as well as performing complex spoken dialogue. He famously voiced all the clone troopers in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars,’ giving each one a unique sound through slight changes in tone. In ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ he developed instantly recognizable animal voices like Appa and Momo, using techniques like layering breaths and vocal fry. Sound designers often point to his work as a prime example of excellent voice acting for animation.

John DiMaggio

John DiMaggio is the voice behind iconic characters like Bender from ‘Futurama’ and Jake the Dog from ‘Adventure Time’, skillfully blending dry wit with genuine emotion. His distinctive, rough voice allows him to portray both intimidating figures and caring guides, all while remaining clear and understandable. DiMaggio has also given viewers a look behind the scenes at how voice acting works today, including the process of casting and recording. He’s a versatile performer, consistently delivering strong vocal performances in both video games and television, no matter the recording location.

Kevin Conroy

Kevin Conroy became the definitive voice of Batman, starting with ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ and continuing in numerous projects afterward. He uniquely voiced Bruce Wayne and Batman distinctly, without relying on excessive vocal effects. For years, Conroy consistently played the character across TV shows, movies, and video games, helping to maintain a consistent feel for the franchise. His work even impacted how other actors were chosen to play the role in future adaptations.

Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill’s portrayal of the Joker is legendary in DC animation, beginning with his iconic performance in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’. He’s masterful at changing his tone and pace mid-sentence, seamlessly moving from humorous to menacing. Hamill has consistently reprised the role in various films and games, creating a consistent and recognizable voice for the character. Beyond the Joker, he also lends his voice to other franchises, demonstrating his versatility as a voice actor.

Jennifer Hale

Jennifer Hale is a hugely successful voice actor in video games, best known for playing the female version of Commander Shepard in ‘Mass Effect’. She’s skilled at delivering consistent and believable performances even when characters have many different lines and the dialogue changes based on player choices. She also works on animated projects and action games, where her voice work needs to perfectly match the action and scenes. Hale prioritizes vocal health and endurance, which is essential for long and demanding recording sessions.

Laura Bailey

Laura Bailey is a highly versatile voice and performance capture actor known for iconic roles like Abby in ‘The Last of Us Part II’ and Nadine Ross in ‘Uncharted 4’, as well as numerous characters in both anime and Western animation. She excels at bringing characters to life through both motion capture and traditional voice acting, seamlessly blending physical performance with vocal delivery. Bailey is adept at handling scripts that demand a wide range of emotions, from subtle realism to intense action, and thrives in both team-based and leading roles.

Nolan North

Nolan North is famous for his role as Nathan Drake in ‘Uncharted’, where he skillfully combined his quick improvisation with the game’s dramatic scenes. He’s worked on many game series where player decisions affect the story and how it unfolds. North’s performances include realistic breathing and overlapping speech, which sound editors use to create a cinematic rhythm. He also records replacement dialogue for games when cutscenes are updated or changed.

Troy Baker

Troy Baker is a highly versatile voice actor known for iconic roles like Joel in ‘The Last of Us’ and Booker DeWitt in ‘BioShock Infinite,’ as well as many anime dubs. He seamlessly transitions between performance capture and traditional recording, ensuring consistent character portrayals. Baker’s voice can convincingly bring to life heroes, complex characters, and even over-the-top villains, always maintaining clear delivery. He works closely with directors to make sure a character’s voice and personality fit perfectly with the game’s story and action.

Cree Summer

Cree Summer is a veteran voice actor known for iconic roles like Susie Carmichael in ‘Rugrats’ and Numbuh 5 in ‘Codename: Kids Next Door’. She’s incredibly versatile, able to believably portray both relatable young children and self-assured teens, making her a valuable asset to any cast. Summer seamlessly moves between comedic and action-packed series, often adding her own improvisations and reactions to enhance the show’s overall feel. She remains in high demand, frequently appearing in updated versions of beloved classics, bringing them to a new generation.

James Earl Jones

As a film buff, I’ve always been struck by James Earl Jones’ incredible voice work. He was Darth Vader, not just voicing the lines, but really shaping how that iconic character sounded through all the different ‘Star Wars’ films and re-releases. And then there’s Mufasa in ‘The Lion King’ – his delivery was perfect, hitting all the emotional beats with both dialogue and those short songs, perfectly timed with the animation. You can tell he had serious training, because even over huge orchestral scores, his deep voice always came through crystal clear. He wasn’t just in the films, either; he did a ton of trailer and documentary narration that really helped build the sound of those productions, across all kinds of formats.

Peter Cullen

Peter Cullen is famous for being the voice of Optimus Prime in many ‘Transformers’ shows and movies, and he’s kept the character’s delivery remarkably consistent through different versions. He developed the commanding rhythm that sound editors use to emphasize key moments and create dramatic effect. But Cullen is incredibly versatile – he also voiced the gentle Eeyore in ‘Winnie the Pooh,’ showcasing a softer, more subdued tone achieved through careful breath control. He’s also a sought-after voice for commercials, where his precise timing is essential for meeting strict broadcast deadlines.

Kevin Michael Richardson

Kevin Michael Richardson is a prolific voice actor known for his work on shows like ‘The Cleveland Show’, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, and ‘Lilo & Stitch’. Because of his deep voice and clear delivery, he’s often cast as villains, wise mentors, and funny supporting characters. He’s skilled at recording scenes with multiple actors, ensuring that even fast-paced dialogue remains understandable. Richardson also lends his voice to video games, providing everything from battle cries to dramatic lines in extended recording sessions.

Clancy Brown

As a big animation fan, I’ve always been struck by Clancy Brown’s voice work. He is Mr. Krabs in ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ – his timing is perfect for that show’s quick, funny style. But it’s not just SpongeBob; he’s been a consistently great Lex Luthor in a ton of DC animated projects, which is amazing for how often they do crossovers and need a recognizable voice. He also does a lot of video game voice work, and you can tell he understands how to match the energy of the cutscenes to the fast-paced gameplay. Plus, it sounds like he has a lot of experience with live-action work, because his voice always sounds really clear and textured, even when it’s supposed to be gravelly – no distortion at all!

Steve Blum

Steve Blum is a highly experienced voice actor known for iconic anime and video game roles, including Spike Spiegel from ‘Cowboy Bebop’ and characters in ‘Naruto’ and ‘X-Men’. He’s capable of delivering consistent performances even during long recording sessions with a lot of dialogue. Blum expertly balances natural delivery with the exaggerated style often needed for animated shows, precisely timing his reads to match the visuals. He also shares his expertise by creating training resources and workshops focused on vocal health for demanding work schedules.

Grey DeLisle

For years, Grey DeLisle has been the voice of Daphne Blake in various ‘Scooby Doo’ projects, and she also frequently takes on new characters in many different series. She’s a talented singer, which means shows can include musical episodes without needing to hire separate vocal performers. DeLisle excels at both comedic timing for shorter, funny scenes and dramatic performances in action-packed shows. She also has an extensive background in video games, providing voices for fantasy and sci-fi titles, including both action-filled combat and story-driven scenes.

Phil LaMarr

Phil LaMarr is a versatile voice actor known for roles like Samurai Jack and Green Lantern John Stewart. He easily transitions between serious, reserved characters and more casual, conversational ones. His background in improvisation and experience with ensemble comedies, such as ‘Futurama’, make him adept at quickly switching between different characters during recording sessions. This skill, combined with his understanding of script interpretation and microphone technique, allows editors to choose the best takes to create a well-paced final product. LaMarr also shares his expertise by teaching the fundamentals of voice acting.

Keith David

Keith David is known for his deep, powerful voice, which he uses for both narrating and playing characters in shows like ‘Gargoyles’, ‘Mass Effect’, and ‘Rick and Morty’. He’s skilled at recording voiceovers that blend perfectly with music without sacrificing clarity. David excels at portraying both commanding figures and down-to-earth, funny characters, helping writers create well-rounded scenes. His background in film and theater gives him excellent breath control, ensuring his long sentences are always clear and easy to follow.

H. Jon Benjamin

H. Jon Benjamin is the voice behind both Sterling Archer in ‘Archer’ and Bob Belcher in ‘Bob’s Burgers,’ and his natural, conversational delivery is key to the humor in both shows. He’s known for recording lines with realistic pauses and overlapping dialogue, which allows editors to create a fluid and believable rhythm. Because his voice remains consistent throughout the series, animators can easily time the characters’ facial expressions. Benjamin also appears in sketch comedy shows, where writers specifically craft jokes to take advantage of his famously dry and understated style.

Charles Martinet

For many years, Charles Martinet was the voice of iconic ‘Super Mario’ characters like Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi. He recorded quick lines and enthusiastic sounds that perfectly matched the game’s action and animations. His unique vocal style became instantly recognizable and was used throughout the games and in their advertisements. Martinet also brought these characters to life at live events, performing the voices for fans in person.

2025-11-01 17:52