Black Actors Who Are Voices In Famous Cartoons

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As a huge animation fan, I’ve always been amazed by the voice actors who truly become these characters. It’s incredible how many famous actors, especially Black actors, have moved from being on screen to voicing some of the most iconic heroes and villains we know and love. Honestly, sometimes their voice work is even more memorable than their live-action roles – it’s like they become a legend in two different ways!

Keith David

Keith David is a highly recognizable voice in animation, best known for bringing the powerful leader Goliath to life in the ‘Gargoyles’ series. His deep, commanding voice gave Goliath a sense of strength and dignity. He also famously voiced the villain Dr. Facilier in ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ and has contributed to many other projects like ‘Spawn’ and ‘Adventure Time’. With a long and successful career, Keith David has become a truly iconic voice in modern animation.

James Earl Jones

Okay, let’s talk about James Earl Jones – a voice you absolutely know, even if you don’t immediately place the name. For many of us, his voice is Mufasa from ‘The Lion King,’ and he truly brought that character to life, making him feel both powerful and incredibly wise. He’s revisited that role a few times over the years, and it’s amazing how consistently impactful he is. But it’s not just animation – he even lent that incredible voice of his to ‘The Simpsons’ way back when! Seriously, people talk about legendary voices in film and TV, and James Earl Jones is always right at the top of that list. It’s a voice that just commands attention.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson is famous for bringing a lot of personality to his voice acting roles. He’s well-known as Frozone, the ice-powered superhero in ‘The Incredibles,’ and a friend to the Parr family. He also voiced the main character in the anime-inspired show ‘Afro Samurai,’ and played Gin Rummy in ‘The Boondocks.’ Jackson’s voice work is often praised for being both powerful and funny.

Phil LaMarr

Let me tell you, Phil LaMarr is a voice acting powerhouse. You probably know him as the incredibly cool, calm Samurai Jack, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He absolutely owned the role of John Stewart as the Green Lantern in ‘Justice League,’ bringing a real gravitas to the character. What’s truly impressive is his versatility – he can jump between genres and completely embody any role. And who could forget his hilarious portrayal of Hermes Conrad in ‘Futurama’? Seriously, the guy is a legend, and it’s clear why he’s so beloved by fans and respected by everyone in the industry.

Kevin Michael Richardson

Kevin Michael Richardson is a prolific voice actor known for bringing hundreds of characters to life, including the Joker in ‘The Batman’. His remarkably deep and flexible voice lets him portray a huge range of characters, from scary creatures to kind-hearted giants. He’s well-known for roles like Gantu in ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and for voicing multiple characters on ‘Family Guy’. Many fans also recognize his work as the villain Trigon in ‘Teen Titans’. He continues to be a highly requested and busy voice actor in Hollywood.

Khary Payton

Khary Payton is well known as the voice of Cyborg in ‘Teen Titans’ and its spin-off, bringing a lively and energetic feel to the character. He also voiced Aqualad in ‘Young Justice’ and has earned praise for his work in ‘G.I. Joe’. Payton remains a prominent voice actor in superhero animation.

LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton voiced Kwame in the popular cartoon ‘Captain Planet and the Planeteers.’ As the team leader, Kwame had the power over earth. Burton is also recognized for making guest appearances on animated shows such as ‘Family Guy.’ He consistently brought a soothing and informative quality to his voice acting, mirroring his personality. This animation work is just one part of a long and successful career focused on creating content that both educates and entertains.

Michael-Leon Wooley

Michael-Leon Wooley is a versatile voice actor known for bringing characters to life with both humor and heart. He’s famous for voicing Louis, the jazz-loving alligator in Disney’s ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ and also played the villain Darkseid in ‘Justice League Action.’ With a background in Broadway, Wooley infuses his voice work with a strong musicality, and he’s lent his talents to other popular series like ‘Adventure Time’ and ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’.

Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy is famous for his unforgettable voice work in animated films. He’s particularly well-known as Donkey in the ‘Shrek’ movies, where his quick wit and funny delivery were key to the films’ popularity. He also brought a lot of humor to the role of Mushu in Disney’s ‘Mulan’. These characters are still fan favorites and stand out as some of the best in animated movie history.

Chris Rock

Chris Rock is well-known for his voice work in animated films, especially as the lively zebra Marty in the ‘Madagascar’ series. He brought a lot of humor and energy to the story of the animals stuck on an island. He also starred as the main character in ‘Osmosis Jones,’ a movie that combined live actors with animation. Rock’s background in stand-up comedy really shines through in these roles, and his distinct voice makes his characters instantly memorable.

Will Smith

Will Smith is well-known for his voice work in animated films, including the role of Oscar, the determined fish in ‘Shark Tale’. He brought his signature personality and energy to the part of this optimistic character living in an underwater city. He also voiced Lance Sterling in ‘Spies in Disguise’. By doing voice work, Smith has been able to connect with younger viewers, bringing his unique sense of humor to his animated characters.

Arsenio Hall

Arsenio Hall was the voice of Winston Zeddemore in the cartoon series ‘The Real Ghostbusters,’ taking over the role from the original live-action movies. He voiced the character for multiple seasons and also lent his voice to characters on ‘The Proud Family.’ Hall brought a realistic and professional quality to the comedic, supernatural show, and his work on 1980s animation remains popular with fans.

Ernie Hudson

Ernie Hudson is well-known for voice acting, and he brought the character Agent Bill Fowler to life in the ‘Transformers: Prime’ series. He played a government contact who worked alongside the robot heroes. Throughout his career, Hudson has lent his voice to many action and superhero projects, including roles in ‘Spawn’ and as Lucius Fox in various ‘Batman’ adaptations. His strong, reliable voice consistently conveys a sense of power and trustworthiness in his characters.

Bumper Robinson

Bumper Robinson is a well-known voice actor with a long career in animation. He’s famous for bringing characters like Cyborg in ‘Justice League: Doom’ and Bumblebee in ‘Transformers Animated’ to life. He’s also voiced Falcon in ‘Avengers Assemble’ and appeared in ‘The Batman’. Robinson’s talent lets him convincingly play both strong, heroic characters and funny, supporting roles.

Ogie Banks

I’m a big fan of Ogie Banks! He’s the voice behind some of my favorite Marvel heroes, like Luke Cage and Miles Morales in ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’. He’s really made a name for himself voicing major characters in animated shows and movies. I even recognized his voice in ‘Monster High’ and ‘Naruto: Shippuden’ – he’s so versatile! What I really love is how energetic and heroic his voice sounds, it just fits modern action cartoons perfectly. He’s constantly working, too – you can always find him in new TV shows and video games. He’s a really consistent voice actor.

Zeno Robinson

Zeno Robinson is a fast-rising voice actor best known for bringing characters like Hawks from ‘My Hero Academia’ and Hunter from ‘The Owl House’ to life. He’s praised for his ability to express a wide range of emotions and portray complex characters, and has also voiced Cyborg and Victor Stone in ‘Young Justice’. With roles in many popular anime and animated series, his career is quickly gaining momentum.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover is a versatile voice actor known for bringing popular characters to life. He voiced Marshall Lee in ‘Adventure Time’ and Miles Morales in ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’, adding a fresh, contemporary feel to both roles. More recently, he voiced the adult Simba in the 2019 version of ‘The Lion King’, showcasing his ability to portray a wide variety of characters.

Tyler James Williams

Tyler James Williams is the voice of Firestorm in the animated series ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’. He played the teenage hero, who shares a body with a scientist, bringing a lot of youthful enthusiasm to the role. While known for acting in live-action projects, Williams has also done voice work in animation, including appearances in ‘The Walking Dead’ webisodes and other smaller projects. His work as Firestorm demonstrated his talent for delivering lines in action-packed scenes.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito voices Lex Luthor in the animated series ‘Harley Quinn’, perfectly capturing the villain’s cool and calculating personality. He also voiced Baxter Stockman in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’. Esposito’s strong and commanding voice makes him a natural fit for playing powerful characters, and he’s frequently cast in animated roles that need a distinct, authoritative vocal performance.

Tony Todd

Tony Todd is a voice actor famous for bringing intimidating characters to life. He voiced the villain Dreadwing in ‘Transformers: Prime’ and Zoom in ‘The Flash’ TV series. His distinctively deep and rough voice makes him ideal for playing scary and powerful roles. Throughout his career, he’s also lent his voice to projects like ‘Justice League’ and even ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’, consistently adding a sense of drama and power to everything he works on.

Michael Jai White

Michael Jai White is a voice actor with a background in martial arts, which often influences his character performances. He’s known for voicing powerful characters like Doomsday in ‘Justice League’ and Bronze Tiger in various ‘Batman’ projects. He also voiced the main character in the animated series ‘Black Dynamite,’ and his voice acting is typically strong and assured.

Carl Lumbly

Carl Lumbly is well known for voicing the Martian Manhunter in the popular animated series ‘Justice League’ and ‘Justice League Unlimited’. His soothing and distinctive voice became iconic for the character, especially for fans who grew up with those shows. He also voiced Silas Stone in ‘Justice League: Gods and Monsters’, and has been part of other significant DC animated projects like ‘Batman Beyond’. Many fans consider his portrayal to be the best version of the alien superhero.

Cedric the Entertainer

Cedric the Entertainer is well-known for his voice acting work in animation. He famously voiced Maurice in the ‘Madagascar’ movies, where he played the funny and cautious advisor to King Julien. He also brought Bobby Proud to life in the Disney series ‘The Proud Family’. Cedric’s great comedic skills and unique voice make his characters memorable, and he’s also contributed to films like ‘Ice Age’ and ‘Charlotte’s Web’.

Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac voiced Zuba in ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,’ playing Alex the lion’s father. He brought both strength and heart to the character, using his distinctive comedic voice. This role was among his last before his death, and his performance gave the animated film a deeply emotional resonance.

David Alan Grier

David Alan Grier is a voice actor known for bringing his comedic talents to animated projects. He voiced the character Red in ‘Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild’ and has also lent his voice to ‘The Proud Family’. Grier’s work includes roles in ‘Pinky and the Brain’ and ‘Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child’, showcasing his ability to portray a wide range of characters, from exaggerated personalities to more realistic ones.

Wayne Brady

Wayne Brady is a versatile voice actor who brought King Dice to life in ‘The Cuphead Show!’ He’s also lent his voice to popular shows like ‘The Loud House’ and ‘Phineas and Ferb,’ and played Clover in ‘Sofia the First.’ Known for his impressive singing and wide vocal range, Brady’s improv skills make him a particularly engaging performer when recording.

Taye Diggs

Taye Diggs is known for his voice work in animation, notably as Capper in ‘My Little Pony: The Movie,’ where he brought a cool and charming vibe to the character. He also voiced Triton in ‘The Little Mermaid’ animated series. Diggs frequently lends his smooth voice to projects, often playing captivating and likable main characters.

Sinbad

Sinbad is well-known for his voice work in animation. He voiced Milton in ‘The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue’ and Roper in Disney’s ‘Planes’. Throughout the 1990s, he appeared in many animated shows, including ‘Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child’. His lively and funny style made him a favorite for family entertainment, and he’s still remembered for his work in animated films.

Martin Lawrence

I always thought Martin Lawrence was a perfect fit for Boog in ‘Open Season’! He really brought that signature energy and physical comedy to the role of this grizzly bear who suddenly gets thrust back into the wild. It was actually his first time really leading an animated movie, which I think a lot of people don’t realize. And honestly, his performance was a huge part of why ‘Open Season’ became such a popular franchise with all those sequels and spin-offs.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman lent his voice to the character Vitruvius in ‘The LEGO Movie’, and his famously calm and comforting tone was brilliantly used for comedic effect. He’s also narrated many animated documentaries and short films. Known worldwide for his authoritative and relaxed delivery, Freeman’s involvement often adds a touch of class to animated projects.

Dave Fennoy

Dave Fennoy is a highly acclaimed voice actor, best known for his role as Lee Everett in ‘The Walking Dead’ game. He’s also a familiar voice in animation, having played Tetrax Shard in ‘Ben 10’ and numerous characters in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’. Known for his deep, commanding voice, he often portrays authoritative figures and mentors. Fennoy’s work extends to other popular shows like ‘The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ and ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’. He continues to be a successful and well-respected voice actor in the industry.

Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart is well-known for his voice work in animated films. He originally voiced the mischievous rabbit, Snowball, in ‘The Secret Life of Pets,’ and his energetic, comedic performance quickly made the character popular. He brought Snowball back for the sequel, where the rabbit surprisingly became a hero. Hart also lent his voice to a character in ‘Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie.’ Overall, he’s found great success connecting with audiences young and old through his animation work.

Keegan-Michael Key

Keegan-Michael Key is a talented voice actor who brought Ducky to life in ‘Toy Story 4’ and voiced Murray the Mummy in the ‘Hotel Transylvania’ movies. He’s known for creating funny and diverse characters, and also played a hyena in the remake of ‘The Lion King’. Key often works closely with his fellow comedians when he’s doing voice work for animated films.

Jordan Peele

Jordan Peele is a talented voice actor in addition to being a well-known director and comedian. He voiced the character Bunny in ‘Toy Story 4’ with his frequent comedy partner, and also played the Ghost of Duke Ellington in the animated series ‘Big Mouth’. His experience with character-based comedy really shines through in his voice work. He’s also appeared in ‘Storks’ and ‘Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie’, lending his creative and perfectly-timed voice to various roles.

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne lends his voice to the character of the Beyonder in the animated series ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’. He’s also a producer on the show, which is notable for its young Black female protagonist. Fishburne’s powerful and dramatic voice is a perfect match for the otherworldly nature of his character. He’s no stranger to animated roles, having previously voiced the Silver Surfer in ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’, and always brings a sense of importance and weight to the projects he’s involved in.

Avery Brooks

Avery Brooks is a talented voice actor who voiced the character Nokkar in ‘Gargoyles’ and also appeared in the ‘Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child’ series. While he doesn’t often do voice work, fans remember his animated roles fondly. He’s known for a powerful, rhythmic voice and brings a sense of intelligence to every character he plays.

Gary Anthony Williams

Gary Anthony Williams is a highly versatile voice actor known for many roles, including the iconic Uncle Ruckus in ‘The Boondocks’. He’s also lent his talents to popular shows like ‘The Lion Guard’ and ‘Rick and Morty’, and appeared in the film ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows’ as Bebop. You might also recognize his voice from recurring parts in ‘Family Guy’ and ‘American Dad’. Williams’ impressive vocal range allows him to bring a wide variety of characters to life.

John Witherspoon

John Witherspoon was best known for voicing Granddad in the animated series ‘The Boondocks’. His unique and funny voice was a key part of the show’s popularity. Witherspoon brought his experience as a comedian from live-action movies to his voice work, and also lent his talents to ‘The Proud Family’ and ‘Kim Possible’. He’s remembered for his unforgettable portrayal of the Freeman family patriarch, leaving a lasting impact on animation.

JB Smoove

JB Smoove is the voice of Frank the Plant in the animated series ‘Harley Quinn.’ He brings his energetic and spontaneous comedy style to the role. Smoove has also lent his voice to characters in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and ‘The Simpsons.’ Known for his rapid-fire delivery and clever humor, he’s become a go-to actor for funny characters in today’s animated shows.

Ron Funches

Ron Funches is a voice actor known for playing Cooper in the ‘Trolls’ movies and King Shark in the ‘Harley Quinn’ animated series. He often voices characters who are physically imposing, which is funny because his own voice is very gentle and calming. You might also recognize him from guest roles in shows like ‘Adventure Time’ and ‘Bob’s Burgers’. His consistently cheerful voice work has really made him stand out as an actor lately.

Kenan Thompson

Kenan Thompson is a veteran voice actor with decades of experience in both film and television. He’s known for bringing a warm and funny quality to his characters, including Bricklebaum in ‘The Grinch’ and the title role in ‘Fat Albert’. He’s also contributed to animated films like ‘The Smurfs’.

Kel Mitchell

Kel Mitchell is a well-known voice actor, especially for kids! He famously voiced T-Bone in ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog,’ and also lent his voice to characters in ‘Wild Grinders’ and ‘Motorcity.’ Mitchell is known for bringing a lot of energy and excitement to his roles, and he’s been a part of many Nickelodeon animated shows over the years, making him a familiar voice to kids and adults alike.

James Avery

As a huge animation fan, I always thought James Avery was incredible. Seriously, the voice of Shredder in the original ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ cartoon? Perfect! He just brought this really menacing, deep quality to the character – you instantly knew the Foot Clan was trouble. And it wasn’t just turtles, he was a fantastic War Machine in the ’90s ‘Iron Man’ series. I remember he popped up in ‘The Wild Thornberrys’ and even ‘Spider-Man’ too. Honestly, his voice is one of those instantly recognizable ones that just defines a lot of action animation from that era.

Buster Jones

Buster Jones was a highly active voice actor best known for bringing popular characters to life in classic cartoons. He voiced Blaster in ‘The Transformers’ and Doc in ‘G.I. Joe.’ Later, he took on the role of Winston Zeddemore in ‘The Real Ghostbusters.’ Jones was a dependable presence in action animation, and his work in the 1980s and 90s was instrumental in shaping some of the biggest franchises we know today.

Greg Eagles

Greg Eagles is famous for providing the voice of Grim in ‘The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy.’ He created a memorable character by giving death a unique Jamaican accent, which became a fan favorite. He also voiced Brother Ninja in ‘Afro Samurai’ and has appeared in shows like ‘The Shield’ and several video games, including ‘Metal Gear Solid.’ His distinctive voice work has made his characters stand out in animation for years.

Isaac Hayes

Isaac Hayes was the voice of the character Chef on the animated show ‘South Park’. Known for his rich, soulful voice, he performed songs and delivered humorous advice on the show. Hayes played a key role in making ‘South Park’ a worldwide success in its first few seasons. Before he died, he also made guest appearances on other animated series. His work as Chef is still considered one of the most memorable performances in adult animation history.

Dennis Haysbert

As a huge animation fan, I always loved Dennis Haysbert as Kilowog in ‘Green Lantern: The Animated Series’. He just nailed that tough, mentor vibe for the alien drill sergeant. You know, he’s got one of those voices – super authoritative and deep – that you instantly recognize from tons of commercials and movies. And it wasn’t just Kilowog; he was Master Ox in ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ too! He consistently brings this incredible sense of wisdom and strength to all his animated characters, and it really makes a difference.

Brock Peters

Brock Peters was a talented voice actor known for bringing gravitas to iconic roles. He voiced Lucius Fox in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ and, notably, Darth Vader in radio adaptations of ‘Star Wars’. He also lent his powerful and dignified voice to ‘The Pirates of Dark Water’. Peters’ voice acting work is fondly remembered for its sophistication and dramatic impact.

Phil Morris

Phil Morris is a veteran voice actor known for bringing characters to life in both DC and Marvel projects. He’s the voice of Vandal Savage in the ‘Justice League’ animated series and Silas Stone in ‘Teen Titans Go!’ He also voiced Joshua Sweet in Disney’s ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’. Morris is particularly skilled at portraying complex characters thanks to his adaptable and polished voice.

Kevin Grevioux

Kevin Grevioux is a voice actor with a remarkably deep, natural voice – so deep, in fact, that he doesn’t need any electronic effects to enhance it. He’s lent his voice to several animated series, including ‘Young Justice’ where he played the villain Black Beetle, and ‘The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.’ He also appeared as the character Terrax in ‘Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.’, and his distinctive voice consistently brings a powerful presence to his roles.

Share your favorite performances from these actors in the comments.

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2026-02-18 09:20