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From Bugs Bunny to Batman, some voices are simply unforgettable. Join us as we count down our picks for the most iconic voice actors in animation history, whose legendary performances have shaped entire generations of cartoons and beloved characters that continue to live on in our hearts and memories!
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00:00And Bubbles from the Powerpuff Girls. She's hardcore. And Raven from Teen Titans.
00:06Welcome to Ms. Mojo. And today, we're counting down our picks for the legends whose voices define entire generations of
00:13cartoons and movies, shaping our childhoods and beyond.
00:16He didn't just do voices. He played characters. And there's a difference.
00:21I think I've got it!
00:25Number 20. Peter Cullen.
00:27No one sounds quite like Peter Cullen, especially when he's delivering inspiring speeches as the venerable leader of the Autobots,
00:34Optimus Prime.
00:35Hang on to your dreams, Chip. The future is built on dreams. Hang on.
00:41His voice, simultaneously powerful and comforting, has been synonymous with heroism for generations of Transformers fans, truly defining the character
00:49across multiple series and films.
00:51Beyond the transforming robots, Cullen's impressive versatility shines through in roles like the ever-gloomy Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh,
00:58showcasing a gentle, melancholic side that's just as memorable.
01:02Just got lonely being so popular.
01:05Figure being boring old me was better than trying to be something I ain't.
01:11His ability to imbue characters with such distinct personalities, from commanding leaders to lovable grumps, firmly cements his status as
01:18an undisputed all-time great in animation history, admired by fans worldwide.
01:24If you're gonna be a hero, be a real hero. Don't be one of those Hollywood pretenders. Don't go yelling
01:31and screaming and pretending you're a tough guy.
01:34Be strong enough to be gentle. And that hung in my brain.
01:39Number 19. Tress McNeil.
01:41Talk about a chameleon of voice acting. A master of a thousand voices, if you will.
01:46I'm cute. Yes, it's true. I really can't help it, but what can I do when you're cute? It just
01:53shows. With these two darling eyes and this cute little nose.
01:57If you've watched what feels like practically any animated show in the last almost half a century, chances are you've
02:03heard McNeil's voice bringing a character to life, if not more.
02:06Her incredible range allows her to effortlessly jump from the sweet, innocent Dot Warner in Animaniacs to the crotchety Agnes
02:13Skinner and numerous other Springfield residents in The Simpsons.
02:16Oh, you must be Seymour's friend. He's up in his room. Don't touch the wallpaper.
02:22She's also the perfectly daffy mom and others in Futurama, demonstrating her mastery of comedic timing and character work.
02:29McNeil's seemingly endless talent makes her one of the most prolific performers in animation history today.
02:34Pretty soon producers come to rely on you or, you know, hope that you will poop things up, bring it
02:44to their little spot and maybe just kind of polish things up just a bit.
02:48Number 18, Mark Hamill.
02:50From a galaxy far, far away to the darkest corners of Gotham City, Hamill cemented his animation legacy by giving
02:57voice to some of pop culture's most iconic figures.
02:59So, what you do is you start going through your little repertoire, you know, they'll say, a little higher, that's
03:05good, you know, and you arrive at something that makes everybody happy.
03:09While already famous for Luke Skywalker, his truly legendary turn as the Joker in Batman the Animated Series unveiled an
03:16entirely new side to his talents,
03:18transforming the clown prince of crime into a cackling, terrifying, and unpredictably chaotic force.
03:24The only things gaining now are the laughingstocks.
03:31Hamill's electrifying performance in this role, which he reprised in various projects, set a new standard for villainous voice acting.
03:38His additional roles, like Fire Lord Ozai in Avatar The Last Airbender, only further prove his incredible versatility and mastery
03:46of character.
03:47After generations of Fire Lords failed to find you, now the universe delivers you to me as an act of
03:56providence.
03:57Number 17. Alan Tudyk
04:00Alan Tudyk has become Disney's modern-day lucky charm, consistently delivering memorable and often scene-stealing performances in their biggest
04:07animated hits.
04:08I'm Turbo, the greatest racer ever, and I did not reprogram this world to let you, and that holocaust, this
04:17riddled warthog, take it away from me!
04:20Stepping seamlessly from live-action into the recording booth, Alan Tudyk has become an undeniable fixture in modern animated blockbusters.
04:28His uncanny ability to inject personality into every character, no matter how brief their appearance, is simply remarkable.
04:34When does the magic happen, huh?
04:36Oh, something's happened.
04:38I'm talking! I am talking! Ha! Who knew my voice would be this low?
04:42Whether he's the hilariously dim-witted Heihei the Rooster in Moana, the scene-stealing K2SO in Rogue One, or the
04:49delightfully villainous King Candy in Wreck-It Ralph,
04:51Tudyk consistently delivers unforgettable performances. His diverse range, from the side-splitting to the surprisingly menacing,
04:58ensures that any project he's involved with is instantly elevated by his one-of-a-kind vocal talents.
05:04I'm doing a totally different take. Well, leaning into that.
05:09Yeah.
05:09I'm just gonna do my thing.
05:11Mm-hmm.
05:11And you hope for it. Hope that it turns out. It's turned out enough in my career that I've been
05:16able to survive.
05:18Number 16. Maurice LaMarche
05:20With a voice that's as versatile as it is inimitable, Maurice LaMarche is a voice-acting powerhouse celebrated for his
05:26incredible range and uncanny impressions.
05:29Everybody I do, nobody under the age of 45 has heard of them, which is actually a great thing as
05:36a cartoon voiceover artist,
05:37because I have reused so many of these people on Disenchantment, on Futurama.
05:44He's perhaps most recognizable as the megalomaniacal brain from Pinky and the Brain,
05:49whose schemes to take over the world are only matched by LaMarche's perfectly nuanced delivery.
05:54But his talents extend far beyond, lending his voice to characters like the lovably meek Kif Croker in Futurama,
06:00the booming voice of Morbo, and more.
06:03Puny earthlings were shocked today to learn that a ball of garbage will destroy their pathetic city of New New
06:09York.
06:09Makes me glad we live here in Los Angeles.
06:12Morbo agrees.
06:13He understands rhythm and pacing, which is why his characters stick with you.
06:18Whether he's booming, whispering, or plotting something ridiculous, he always sounds completely committed to the bit.
06:24We're going to shrink ourselves down to microscopic size, get inside the body of one of Bab's members, and control
06:31their vocal cords.
06:32Number 15, Tom Kenny.
06:35If there's one voice that defines a generation of cartoon viewers, it's arguably Tom Kenny's iconic portrayal of Spongebob Squarepants.
06:43Spongebob's first line ever would have been,
06:47Today's the big day, Gary.
06:48Look at me.
06:49I'm naked!
06:50His high-pitched, eternally optimistic, and instantly recognizable voice has made the porous protagonist a global phenomenon,
06:58bringing joy and laughter to millions.
07:00But Kenny's prolific career extends far beyond Bikini Bottom,
07:04showcasing his incredible versatility in roles such as the gruff but lovable Ice King in Adventure Time,
07:09and the narrator and mayor in The Powerpuff Girls.
07:12Look at me!
07:13Huh?
07:14Thanks to you girls, Townsville is safe, and my hat is back in its proper place.
07:20How can I ever repay you for saving the day?
07:24He has this elastic, almost bouncing-off-the-walls quality that lets him stretch into anything.
07:29Loud, weird, sweet, dramatic, and he handles it all without missing a step.
07:35I'm a French narrator.
07:37A slow day at the Clusty Club.
07:39Two hours later.
07:40Two hours later.
07:42I'm Gary.
07:43I'm Pachy the Pirate!
07:45Number 14, Phil Lamar.
07:47Phil Lamar is a chameleon in the truest sense,
07:50effortlessly transitioning between vastly different characters with unparalleled skill and charisma.
07:55Known for the voice of Samurai Jack, characters on Futurama, Family Guy, Star Wars The Clone Wars,
08:01Mad TV, Justice League, or anything else you watched 15 years ago.
08:06He brought the quick-witted and often cynical Hermes Conrad to life in Futurama,
08:10perfectly balancing humor and exasperation.
08:13But his range truly shines with roles like the stoic and honorable title character in Samurai Jack,
08:18showcasing his ability to convey profound depth and determination.
08:21I will continue to fight you no more.
08:24I say thee nay!
08:29No!
08:30I will not do battle with you for your amusement.
08:33There is no honor in it.
08:34Lamar's talent for creating unique vocal performances,
08:37whether he's a heroic leader, a flamboyant sidekick, or a quirky background character,
08:42has made him an indispensable and highly respected voice in the animated world for decades.
08:47The Bureaucra Scan won't let anyone but the assigned bureaucrat log in.
08:53Identity confirmed.
08:54Also, you have a rectangular mass in your colon.
08:58That's a calculator.
08:59I ate it to gain its power.
09:00Number 13.
09:01June Foray
09:02A true trailblazer and an absolute legend,
09:06June Foray's unparalleled career spanned an astounding seven decades,
09:10giving voice to some of the most iconic and beloved characters in animation history.
09:14They told me they had an idea of a moose and a squirrel,
09:17and I thought, gee, that's a real cockeyed idea, you know.
09:21But after the second martini, I thought it was great.
09:23She was the mischievous rocket Rocky J. Squirrel
09:26and the villainous Natasha Fatale in The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends,
09:30demonstrating her incredible range and comedic prowess within a single series.
09:34We're gonna have a lot of fun!
09:36Come on and join us!
09:38Foray also brought Granny to life in countless Looney Tunes cartoons,
09:41and even voiced Cindy Lou Who in the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
09:45Sandy Claus, why?
09:48Why are you taking our Christmas tree?
09:52Why?
09:52Her timeless performances and ability to captivate audiences for generations
09:57cement her status as one of the all-time greatest voice actresses.
10:01Excuse me, but may I borrow your telephone?
10:05Hey, you're not gonna keep it now, are you?
10:07Oh, no, no.
10:08I just wanted to call a hotel.
10:10Number 12.
10:12Cree Summer
10:12With a distinct voice that's both instantly recognizable and incredibly versatile,
10:17Summer has been a vibrant force in animation for decades.
10:20Come on, Angelica.
10:21Let's go inside.
10:23I know where there's a box of juice with your name on it.
10:26You know, I gotta admit,
10:27you are the best shoots and ladders player.
10:30And you're the best racer.
10:32She's perhaps best known for bringing the spunky, tomboyish Suzy Carmichael to life in Rugrats,
10:37showcasing her ability to convey youthful energy and wisdom.
10:41However, Summer's range extends far beyond,
10:44as evidenced by her portrayal of the brave and independent Princess Kida in Atlantis' The Lost Empire
10:49and the often sarcastic Elmira Duff in Tiny Toon Adventures.
10:52You heard it here, folks.
10:54Monty, promise you'd be my date for the prom.
10:57Ooh, I can't wait to boogie the night away with my cute little Monty Wondty.
11:02Wee!
11:03Yeah, party down!
11:05Her unique vocal texture and boundless energy have made her a beloved and prolific actress,
11:11always bringing captivating performances to the screen.
11:13Cartoons will always be beloved to me because it's the first time as a kid you see
11:20what can I be, right?
11:22And so, and I think they keep me young.
11:26Cartoons keep me young.
11:27Number 11.
11:28Rob Paulson
11:29If you grew up watching cartoons in the 90s,
11:32Rob Paulson's voice was practically the soundtrack to your childhood.
11:35United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru.
11:39Republic, Dominican, Cuba, Caribbean, Greenland, El Salvador, too.
11:42He's the zany, pun-loving Yakko Warner from Animaniacs,
11:46whose rapid-fire wit and identifiable vocal delivery are legendary.
11:49Paulson also gave us the dim-witted but lovable Pinky from Pinky and the Brain,
11:53effortlessly transitioning between two vastly different comedic characters within the same universe.
11:58Well, at first I was smashing my head against the glass to get my friends out,
12:02then I realized it just felt really good.
12:05Nah, really?
12:08Hey, that does feel good.
12:10His incredible range further extends to roles like the suave Raphael
12:14in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series,
12:17proving his unparalleled versatility.
12:19Paulson's boundless energy and comedic genius make him a true icon of animated voice acting.
12:25I was Raphael, turtle-powered dude, on the original show.
12:29People don't know that I was also the entertainment at The Last Supper.
12:31I've been around for a long time.
12:33Number 10.
12:34Dee Bradley Baker
12:35While his name may not immediately ring bells,
12:38Dee Bradley Baker is one of the most unique voice actors in the industry.
12:41He's particularly famous for creating distinctive sound profiles for non-human characters and creatures.
12:47Turkey?
13:00A few of Baker's most famous roles include Perry the Platypus of Phineas and Ferb
13:04and both Appa and Momo on Avatar The Last Airbender.
13:07In every creature role, he has the uncanny ability to convey a wide range of emotions
13:13through grunts, roars, and more.
13:24Those are big dinosaurs.
13:25That's not to say his roles are all non-verbal, though.
13:28Baker is also every single clone trooper in nearly every single Star Wars animated series.
13:34And he's not a big supporter of clones.
13:36We'll soon find out.
13:38We've been summoned by the Prime Minister.
13:40Guess you didn't find that mess-hole fight amusing.
13:43Oh, but I sure did.
13:45It takes a skilled actor to make so many subtle variations on what is essentially an identical voice.
13:52Number 9.
13:53Gray Delisle Griffin
13:54This incredible actress has a resume full of popular roles that span decades.
13:59For the last 20 years, she's been the primary voice for Daphne in various Scooby-Doo series.
14:05Delisle perfectly captured the essence of the character while putting her own spin on the role.
14:09It's all mine. You can't have it. Go away. Mine!
14:13Okay.
14:14On the other side of the coin, she's also voiced memorably dry or villainous roles.
14:19Her Mandy on The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy was pretty intimidating.
14:23However, Delisle's Azula on Avatar The Last Airbender might be her most frightening role.
14:28The divine right to rule is something you're born with.
14:32The fact is, they don't know which one of us is going to be sitting on that throne and which
14:38one is going to be bowing down.
14:39But I know. And you know.
14:42When she's not voicing famous villains or heroes, she brings her skills to supporting characters like Martin Prince on The
14:48Simpsons.
14:49Delisle's voice is both distinctive and chameleonic.
14:52When I wanted to do it, I was like, I think that I could do that. That's like what I'm
14:56good at. I know I'm really good at that. I'm only good at one thing and this is it.
15:00Number 8. Seth MacFarlane
15:02Not every voice actor becomes famous for starring as characters in shows that they themselves created.
15:07But MacFarlane has the fortune and talent to be part of that exclusive club.
15:12Oh. Hey. Uh, didn't think I'd see anyone I knew here.
15:16There's no Daniel Day-Lewis process that goes on here with these kids. It's not. It's not that deep.
15:22On Family Guy, he voices main characters Peter, Stewie, Brian, and Quagmire.
15:27He also plays big roles on American Dad, like Stan and Roger.
15:31Uh, do I know you?
15:33Stop pretending I don't exist!
15:35Even though a few of MacFarlane's roles sound similar side by side, he always ensures that each character has their
15:41own distinct personality.
15:42The fact that he can sing as nearly all of them, too, is equally fantastic.
15:47They sent this little warning. They're prepared to do their worst.
15:51And they stuck it in your mailbox, hoping you could be coerced.
15:54I can think of quite another place they should have stuck it first.
15:58They may just be neurotic or possibly psychotic.
16:02Today, MacFarlane can celebrate that he's still voicing comedy icons on one of the longest-running animated shows out there.
16:09Number 7. Hank Azaria
16:11The Simpsons has given us some of the most instantly recognizable voice actors out there.
16:16And here's your ticket to a front-row seat.
16:19No, no! I'll never eat those filthy mini-trees!
16:23Dan Castellaneta is famous for voicing Homer.
16:26And without Nancy Cartwright, Bart might not be as memorable as he is today.
16:30But the actor we really wanted to highlight was Hank Azaria.
16:33Anytime I'm doing a voice, which is often, for me, it's based on someone I know.
16:40The range of characters he's voiced on The Simpsons is simply incredible.
16:44Azaria has played Chief Wiggum, Moe Sislak, Professor Frank, and so much more.
16:49While he may not star as one of the titular family members of the show, his voice is key.
16:55Good, because I got a hot date tonight.
16:57Hot date.
16:58Dinner with Fred.
16:59Dinner alone.
17:00Watching TV alone.
17:01He's been ensuring that the town of Springfield is full of colorful characters for three decades and counting.
17:07All in all, much like his character Bartok from Anastasia, Azaria is magnificent.
17:13Wow! I tell you what, wow!
17:17What the...
17:19John DiMaggio is one of those voices you can instantly recognize in every cartoon he's in.
17:26And he's in a lot of them.
17:28When it comes to main roles, he's famous for playing Jake the Dog in Adventure Time.
17:32He also shone as the voice of Bender on Futurama.
17:35What time is it?
17:36Time for you to shut up!
17:38Speaking of that show, we have to give a shout-out to his sci-fi co-star Billy West for
17:42playing Fry and so many other roles.
17:44That easygoing performance was perfectly contrasted against DiMaggio's gravelly and exuberant voice.
17:50Whoa! A real live robot!
17:52Or is that some kind of cheesy New Year's costume?
17:56Bite my shiny metal ass!
17:58It doesn't look so shiny to me.
18:00Shinier than yours, meatbag.
18:02When he's not playing a magical dog or futuristic robot, you can catch the fantastic actor demonstrating his incredible range
18:09by playing villains like the Joker.
18:11DiMaggio's distinct voice and sheer talent have made him a standout performer.
18:15Please tell the big man I said, hello.
18:23Number 5. Kevin Conroy.
18:25I am vengeance. I am the knight. I am Batman.
18:29While Conroy had a handful of great vocal performances over the years, he will always be fondly remembered for his
18:36legendary tenure as the Dark Knight of Gotham.
18:39Conroy brought a ton of nuance and strength to his dual role as Batman and Bruce Wayne during his popular
18:4590s series.
18:46From there, he went on to voice the iconic character in several shows, throughout major video games, and within numerous
18:52films.
18:53I would like to claim that I have been the only voice of Batman for any animated show, but I've
18:59been doing it the longest of anybody, and I've been the one that's sort of referred to as the animated
19:04voice.
19:05Conroy was brought back again and again because he effortlessly conveyed the Dark Knight's gravitas, intensity, and vulnerability.
19:12He continued to dedicate time to the character up until his passing in 2022.
19:17No matter how many Batman actors come next, none of them will embody Batman quite like Conroy did.
19:24Surprised to see me? A little. I'm more surprised that I lived so long.
19:28Batman, Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne, Batman. Or have you met?
19:31Not now.
19:33Great. What did they used to call it? Stereo?
19:35Number 4. Tara Strong.
19:37Tara Strong is one of the most prolific voice actresses in the industry.
19:41To go over all her roles, we need a longer video.
19:45Once you create a character, in my experience, they, like, live up in my brain, and they're just ready to
19:50come down when it's their turn, so I don't confuse them.
19:52They all are their own entity. Basically, I'm a crazy person.
19:56Within superhero media alone, she's played Batgirl, the earth-shaking Tara, and Raven in practically every medium you can think
20:04of.
20:04Strong has also played the adorable heroine Bubbles on the Powerpuff Girls.
20:09Additionally, she lent her voice to Twilight Sparkle on My Little Pony.
20:12Oh, I'm not worried, Spike. The princess trusts me completely. In all the years she's been my mentor, she's never
20:18once doubted me.
20:19Strong's range has also let her nab the roles of several major adolescent boy characters.
20:24She asked for countless wishes when she played Timmy Turner of the Fairly Oddparents fame.
20:29I knew Timmy had to be...
20:31Happy? Mischievous? Silly? Kinda nerdy? Oh, and very, very adventurous.
20:37Outside of that role, she played Ben Tennyson in several Ben 10 shows.
20:42Like her many powerful characters, Tara Strong can do just about anything.
20:46That was...
20:47Unbelievable.
20:48No, it wasn't.
20:51Somebody believed.
20:53Number 3. Jim Cummings
20:55As of 2023, this voice actor has over 400 credits.
21:00His performances have brought many of our favorite childhood characters to life.
21:04Uh, let's get, uh, uh, uh, uh, dangerous.
21:08Let's get dangerous, chap.
21:11We'll slice the cheese on the side.
21:13I'm already dangerous. I don't have to get any more dangerous.
21:18He's the voice of both Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, as well as a host of Disney characters over the
21:23years.
21:23However, you probably recognize him most as either Darkwing Duck or Disney's Pete.
21:28When he's not playing lovable heroes, he's playing entertaining villains like Dr. Robotnik
21:33and the lovable Star Wars pirate Hondo Onaka.
21:36I'm the first laser sword-wielding maniac I've had to deal with.
21:42And Hondo Onaka survives every time.
21:47Cummings also has a fantastic singing voice that he famously used to provide some of the vocals on Be Prepared.
21:53The fact that he was able to sound like Jeremy Irons and sing at the same time
21:58gives you an idea of how talented he is.
22:09Number 2. Frank Welker
22:11400 roles sounded like a lot, right?
22:14Well, Frank Welker has around 860 to his name.
22:18And with all those parts, Welker has become incredibly adaptable.
22:22There's probably a couple of surprising characters that I've done in the past.
22:27Garfield, Futurama, and believe it or not, I was Smokey the Bear.
22:31He's played villains like Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget and Megatron from Transformers.
22:37He's played famous non-verbal characters like Curious George.
22:40But perhaps the longest-running and most well-known parts are as Fred
22:44and sometimes the titular lead canine of Scooby-Doo.
22:47Would you do it for a Scooby snack?
22:48Oh gosh, well come on guys.
22:49Hey, I can drive because I have a license.
22:51It's incredible to think that Welker can play an easily spooked dog
22:55as convincingly as he can play a terrifying metal robot.
22:58By taking on both intimidating and gentle roles,
23:01this actor secured his place in many of our childhood memories.
23:05They must be willing to follow my prime clone into that crevice.
23:09He must win their complete trust.
23:12Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.
23:16H. John Benjamin
23:17His dry wit defines beloved animated everymen like Bob Belcher.
23:22All right, listen.
23:23You're my children and I love you.
23:25But you're all terrible at what you do here.
23:28And I feel like I should tell you.
23:30I'd fire all of you if I could.
23:32Kevin Michael Richardson
23:33A deep, booming voice adds gravitas and humor to countless roles.
23:50Daz Butler
23:51The golden age of Hanna-Barbera owes him everything,
23:54from Yogi Bear to Huckleberry Hound.
23:56The ranger was on to all my tricks, boo.
23:58And with him gone, the picnic baskets are at my mercy.
24:04Let's raid the picnic tables!
24:07Jeff Bennett
24:08A master of distinct voices, endlessly versatile, from Johnny Bravo to Kowalski.
24:13Hey, swanny mamas.
24:15Wanna go back to my place and get downy?
24:17Tiltogoo!
24:18They dig me.
24:19Mae Questel
24:20The original Betty Boop
24:22A timeless, iconic voice from animation's early days.
24:25Long time no see.
24:27What are you doing here?
24:29Work's been kind of slow since cartoons went to color.
24:32But I still got it, Eddie.
24:35Boo-boo-bee-doo-boop!
24:36Number 1.
24:37Mel Blank
24:38They didn't call him the man of a thousand voices for nothing.
24:41Mel Blank brought some of the most celebrated cartoon characters of all time to life.
24:46I said, well, you sound a little like you was looking for some sour mad.
24:52He said, great, what are you doing Tuesday?
24:54He played Barney Rubble, Woody Woodpecker, and both Tom and Jerry during his career.
24:59But Blank is most famously known for all the roles he played in the Looney Tunes franchise.
25:04You will just like a rabbit.
25:07Uh, come here.
25:10Listen, Doc.
25:11Now, don't spread this around.
25:20He starred as Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, Tweety, Sylvester, and more.
25:27We don't know if we'll ever see a voice actor like Blank again.
25:30During his historic career, he managed to lay the foundation for characters that have been popular for over 80 years
25:36and counting.
25:37We are reminded of Blank's tremendous legacy each and every time we see Bugs, or hear...
25:44Did we miss your favorite voice actor?
25:46Add them to the conversation in the comments.
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