Black Voice Actors Who Have Voiced Both Disney Heroes And Anime Villains

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Though it may seem vast, the voice acting world is actually quite interconnected, with many talented performers working on both Western cartoons and Japanese anime. Several Black voice actors have become well-known for bringing iconic characters to life – from heroic Disney figures to villainous anime baddies. This demonstrates their incredible versatility and ability to convincingly play characters with very different personalities and motivations, whether they’re singing as a Disney princess or plotting as a powerful anime villain. Here’s a look at some Black celebrities and voice actors who have successfully worked in both industries.

Phil LaMarr

Phil LaMarr is a highly respected voice actor, best known for bringing a sense of honor and power to the character of Bail Organa in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’. He played the Alderaan leader as a truly heroic figure dedicated to democratic ideals. Anime viewers might also recognize his work as Kaname Tosen in ‘Bleach’, where he voiced a complex and ruthless villain who opposes the established order. LaMarr is remarkably versatile, seamlessly transitioning between the warmth of a noble Disney character and the chilling demeanor of a classic anime antagonist.

Zeno Robinson

I’m a huge fan of Zeno Robinson – he’s seriously blown up in the anime world, and for good reason! He’s already landing big roles with Disney, which is amazing. I especially loved his work as Hunter in ‘The Owl House’. He started as someone you loved to hate, but then you really felt for him as his story unfolded. And he’s not just great in Disney shows – his voice work as PePe Waccabrada in ‘Bleach’ was so unique and creepy! He even voiced Gamma 2 in ‘Dragon Ball Super,’ another character who starts off rough but you end up rooting for. Honestly, he’s just fantastic at bringing these energetic, sometimes wild characters to life, and that’s what makes him such a special talent.

Cree Summer

Cree Summer is famous for her unique, lively voice, which became iconic in many cartoons. She became a Disney star by voicing Princess Kida in the beloved film ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’, where she played a strong warrior princess determined to protect her underwater people. She also brought a terrifying voice to the villain Haggar in ‘Voltron: Legendary Defender’, a show inspired by Japanese action stories. Whether playing royalty or a powerful enemy, Cree Summer always delivers a captivating performance.

Keith David

As a movie and voice acting fan, I’ve always been struck by Keith David’s incredible voice – that rich baritone is instantly recognizable. He just sounds like a leader, or a powerful villain, and he’s played both so memorably. I grew up loving ‘Gargoyles,’ and his performance as Goliath was just perfect – a truly noble king protecting New York. But he’s incredibly versatile! Anime fans will know him as the voice of Okkoto in ‘Princess Mononoke,’ and that role is heartbreaking. Even though Okkoto is a tragic figure, David brought such power and menace to the character, making him a truly formidable antagonist. Whether he’s defending a castle or leading a destructive charge, Keith David just commands your attention.

Kevin Michael Richardson

Kevin Michael Richardson is a highly respected voice actor, famous for his deep, booming voice. He’s well-known for roles like Captain Gantu in Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ where he played the tough villain chasing Lilo and Stitch. He also voiced the powerful villain Groggy in the ‘One Piece’ anime. Richardson often brings intimidating characters to life because his voice naturally conveys strength and power, making him perfect for roles that require a powerful and threatening presence.

Dave Fennoy

Dave Fennoy is a well-established voice actor known for his work in popular franchises like Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ and the anime series ‘Bleach’. He famously voiced Pong Krell, a deceitful Jedi General in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’, and Zommari Rureaux, a proud and powerful villain in ‘Bleach’. Fennoy is particularly skilled at bringing to life characters who are both arrogant and possess a sense of dark intelligence.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson is a major Hollywood star known for bringing a cool and commanding presence to his roles, and he’s made a big impact on animated films. Most famously, he voiced Frozone, the ice-powered hero, in Disney Pixar’s ‘The Incredibles’ and ‘Incredibles 2’. He later took on the lead role in the Japanese anime series ‘Afro Samurai’, playing the vengeful anti-hero. Though the main character, Afro is a fierce and deadly warrior in a violent world reminiscent of classic anime villains. Jackson consistently brings his unique energy and intensity to all his animated performances.

Isaac Robinson-Smith

Isaac Robinson-Smith is quickly becoming a well-known voice actor, with significant roles in both the Marvel and JoJo franchises. He’s the voice of Miles Morales in the popular game ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’, a key title for Disney and Marvel. He also plays Tiziano, a manipulative villain with a unique power over tongues, in the anime series ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind’. Robinson-Smith skillfully portrays both the kind-hearted teenage hero and the cunning, strategic villain.

Imari Williams

Imari Williams is a versatile voice actor known for bringing strong characters to life in action-packed cartoons and anime. He played Boulder, a kind and heroic rescue worker, in the popular series ‘Transformers: Rescue Bots.’ He also voices Queen the Plague, a flamboyant and dangerous villain in the hit anime ‘One Piece.’ Queen is a powerful member of the Beast Pirates who fights using both biological weapons and physical strength. Williams demonstrates his impressive range by seamlessly transitioning between the role of a friendly robot and a ruthless pirate commander.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito is well-known for portraying cool and clever villains in TV and movies. He recently joined the world of Disney by providing the voice for Akela, the leader of the wolves, in the live-action version of ‘The Jungle Book’. He’s also made his mark in anime, voicing the character Faraday in the popular series ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’. Faraday is a scheming villain who deceives the heroes to benefit a corporation. Esposito brings the same cool and unsettling quality to his voice acting as he does to his on-screen roles.

Gary Anthony Williams

Gary Anthony Williams is a talented comedian and actor known for his work in animation. He took on the role of Mufasa in ‘The Lion Guard,’ continuing the iconic Disney character’s story. He’s also a familiar voice in anime, having played Gato, a villain from the early parts of ‘Naruto.’ Gato is a typical ‘shonen’ antagonist who uses hired help to threaten a village and its heroes. Williams skillfully portrays both a caring fatherly figure and a ruthless, greedy businessman.

Bumper Robinson

Bumper Robinson has been performing since he was a child and has become a highly accomplished voice actor. He’s known for bringing characters to life in popular animated series, including the role of the heroic Falcon in Disney XD’s ‘Avengers Assemble.’ On the other side of the battle, he voiced Blitzwing, a complex villain with three different personalities, in ‘Transformers: Animated.’ Robinson skillfully captures the chaotic nature of Blitzwing while also delivering a strong performance as the noble Falcon, showcasing his versatile and energetic style.

Anairis Quiñones

Anairis Quiñones is a skilled voice actress making waves in the world of anime dubbing. She’s known for bringing characters to life, like Libby Stein-Torres, the upbeat star of Disney Channel’s ‘The Ghost and Molly McGee.’ But she also tackles more challenging roles, such as Echidna in ‘Re:Zero,’ a complex and cunning witch who challenges the hero. While Libby is friendly and encouraging, Echidna is deceptive and has a questionable moral compass, showcasing Quiñones’ impressive range as an actress – she can convincingly play both the cheerful best friend and the clever, manipulative villain.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba is a well-known actor who’s become a popular voice in animated films. He’s known for playing strong characters like Chief Bogo in ‘Zootopia’ and Fluke in ‘Finding Dory’. More recently, he joined the action genre by voicing Knuckles in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’, where Knuckles starts as an enemy of Sonic before his character develops. Elba consistently brings a sense of realism and weight to his animated roles.

Tell us which of these performances surprised you the most in the comments!

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2025-12-17 00:47