Discover the Top 10 Iconic Black Characters from Pixar You Never Knew You Loved!

For many years, Pixar has been a trailblazer in the world of animation. Yet it was with the 2020 film ‘Soul’ that they introduced their first lead character who was African American, named Joe Gardner. This led us to ponder about other black characters created by Pixar that we recall.

I will present to you a top ten list of the most remarkable black characters from Pixar films, featuring Frozone from ‘The Incredibles’ and Alisha and Izzy Hawthorne from ‘Lightyear’. Since many Pixar movies don’t depict human characters but rather imaginative creatures and beings, I have included all the fantastic characters voiced by black actors on this list.

I will share with you a handpicked list of ten incredible black characters from Pixar films, including Frozone (from The Incredibles) and Alisha and Izzy Hawthorne (from Lightyear). Since most Pixar movies don’t show human characters but instead focus on fictional creatures and beings, I have added all the amazing characters voiced by black actors to this list.

The list is not ranked or ordered in any particular way. Enjoy!

1. Frozone

In both ‘The Incredibles’ and ‘The Incredibles 2′, the character Lucius Best, more popularly known as Frozone, was given voice by the esteemed Samuel L. Jackson. This friend of the main family is not only stylish but also has a witty demeanor, making Frozone an integral part of the films’ essence.

In my unique abilities, I can instantaneously freeze whatever is before me, and with another flick of my powers, I can craft a robust structure solely from ice.

2. Joe Gardner

Joe Gardner, pioneering as the initial black lead character in a Pixar full-length film, was none other than a skilled jazz musician and dedicated school music teacher. Regrettably, his life had never fully materialized according to his aspirations. A startling mishap led to Joe’s untimely demise, only for him to wind up in a realm where newborn souls seek their way into Earthly existence.

The film was utterly fantastic, so remember to stock up on lots of tissues prior to viewing. The incredible vocal talents in the character Joe Gardner can be attributed to Jamie Foxx, further demonstrating his remarkable versatility as an actor.

3. Alisha Hawthorne

One reason I adored ‘Lightyear’ so much was because of Alisha Hawthorne’s character. She served as Buzz Lightyear’s superior officer and closest confidant. Following their spaceship crash on an alien world, their survival depended on figuring out how to utilize crystal fusion for repairs to their ship, if they hoped to one day escape the planet.

In the story, Buzz was chosen to be the test pilot, and it seemed like time moved slower for him while he was in flight. Minutes for him were equivalent to years for Alisha and the inhabitants of the alien planet. Consequently, while Buzz remained youthful, Alisha aged. Despite this, Alisha found love, got married, had a child, and lived an extraordinary life. Remarkably, she became the grandmother of Izzy Hawthorne, whom we’ll talk about later on.

The talented Uzo Aduba voiced Alisha.

4. Izzy Hawthorne

Is it possible to rephrase the statement in a more conversational manner? Here’s one way: Izzy Hawthorne is the granddaughter of Alisha, who was best friends with Buzz Lightyear and grew old while Buzz remained young due to his role as a Space Ranger. Despite her intense fear of space, Izzy had an ardent desire to follow in the footsteps of Alisha and Buzz by becoming a Space Ranger herself.

This version attempts to make the sentence more approachable by using terms like “ardent desire” and “intense fear,” as well as breaking it up into smaller parts for easier understanding.

After some time, she managed to conquer her fear and turned out to be an invaluable asset to Buzz and everyone else who belonged to the society on that extraterrestrial planet. In the end, she indeed earned the title of a Space Ranger.

Keke Palmer gave Izzy a voice.

5. Ducky & Bunny

Among all the supporting characters in the four Toy Story films, Ducky and Bunny are undeniably my top picks. In Toy Story 4, they were introduced as carnival prize stuffed toys yearning for a child’s love. Their unique humor made them stand out, earning them a special place in the hearts of many viewers, and rightly so.

Eventually, they opted to remain at the carnival instead of being ‘taken’ by a child, preferring to help other discarded toys find their families. Despite being just plush toys, Ducky and Bunny are significant because they were voiced by none other than Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele – one of the funniest African-American duos in history.

6. Fluke

In the animated film ‘Finding Dory’ by Pixar, Fluke and Rudder were relatively minor characters, but they left a significant and humorous impact on viewers. These two sea lions from California were quite lazy and tended to stay put on their favorite rock. Whenever Gerald, another sea lion who wasn’t the sharpest tool in the box, attempted to climb onto their rock, Fluke and Rudder would repeatedly call out “Off! Off! Off!” until he retreated.

In a humorous nod to ‘Finding Nemo’ enthusiasts, the noises made by Fluke sounded strikingly similar to the seagulls’ cries of “Mine! Mine! Mine!” from that movie. The character Fluke was brought to life vocally by the renowned actor Idris Elba.

7. Nurse George

In the 2009 film ‘Up,’ Nurse George was a supporting character who attempted to persuade Carl to accompany them and reside at Shady Oaks Retirement Home, where he and his co-worker A.J. were employed. They both watched in astonishment as Carl’s house began to soar aloft.

Essentially, George and A.J. have an animated short film titled ‘George & A.J.’ that offers some insight into their lives. In this short film, they find themselves in a series of amusing scenarios where they attempt to escape from other elderly individuals. For instance, they might see their house drift away or be chased by cats.

Don Fullilove voiced Nurse George in ‘Up’ and by Jason Topolski in ‘George & A.J.’

8. Poppa Henry

As a movie critic, allow me to express my heartfelt thoughts about Pixar’s ‘The Good Dinosaur.’ Among its compelling characters, none held a more significant role than Poppa Henry. He was not just the father of Buck, Libby, and Arlo; he was their rock, their protector, and their guiding light. His unwavering love for his family, particularly his son Arlo, resonated deeply within me.

Poppa Henry’s character was a beacon of strength and wisdom in the movie, and I found myself drawn to him. However, the tragic turn of events when he met his untimely end in a river accident left an indelible mark on my heart. The pain of his loss was palpable and served as a poignant reminder of the profound impact characters can have on us, their audience.

Henry Poppa, though not a human character, was given voice by the exceptionally gifted African-American actor, Jeffrey Wright.

9. Corey the Manticore

I’ve often felt that ‘Onward’ didn’t get the recognition it deserved from Pixar, or at least not as much appreciation as it deserved. One character that left a lasting impression on me was Corey the Manticore. She’s an ancient manticore who was once a valiant warrior and the proprietor of a tavern where adventurous travelers would pause during their epic journeys to rest.

Over time, when bold journeys became less common, Corey transformed her tavern into a friendly eatery for families. Yet, her adventurous nature remained hidden within – it wasn’t until an urgent moment that she discovered it. Known as Corey the Manticore, this character was brought to life by the exceptional and award-winning actress Octavia Spencer.

I’m merely crossing my fingers that the pies served at Corey’s restaurant aren’t identical to those prepared by Minny, as portrayed by Octavia Spencer in ‘The Help.’ You’ll understand if you’ve seen the movie.

10. Wade Ripple

To round things off, the most recent Pixar production, ‘Elemental,’ brought us the character of Wade Ripple, albeit he had a tiny, preceding appearance in ‘Lightyear.’ Wade is a water-based individual who demonstrates strong emotions, keen observation, compassion, and care. He steps outside the norm by developing affection for Ember Lumen, a fire-born girl, which causes disapproval among their elders due to their unconventional relationship.

As someone who’s just finished watching “Elemental” on Disney+, I’m guessing quite a few of you haven’t had the pleasure yet, so let me avoid spoilers. However, I must say that despite the character Wade being literally composed of water, his presence here is undeniably due to the captivating performance by the talented Mamoudou Athie, who brings him to life with his exceptional voice acting.

2025-05-25 06:45