Last updated on February 10th, 2021 at 05:41 am
Behind many animated, cartoon movies, and even off-screen monologues are talented voice actors. These people are highly trained in being able to deliver lines, most of the time with zero context. Unlike standard actors who deliver lines while acting or on set, voice actors have to get into character in a booth. There is no scenery, no nothing to help them deliver their lines. This is why voice actors are so talented in what they do. They are able to convey high amounts of emotion and expression on a dime. The unfortunate thing with voice actors however, is that they often don’t get the recognition and fame standard actors get. People know the characters they voice, but they are unaware of who is in the booth. Throughout the years, there have been plenty of different voice actors, some more popular than others. Here is a look at some of the most popular voice actors of all time and what they are famous for.
Nancy Cartwright
The name Nancy Cartwright might not sound familiar to you, but she is a voice actor for several characters in one of the most famous animated shows of all time, The Simpsons. Her most famous character on the show is Bart Simpson, but she also provided the voice for Nelson, Ralph, Todd, Kearney, Database, and Maggie in the few episodes where she spoke. Her ability to change her voice when doing a voice over for these characters is truly amazing. She is an extremely talented voice actor and is renowned in the community for all her work. Now that you know this information and who she voiced, turn on an episode of The Simpsons and appreciate how good she is at voice acting.
Mark Hamill
At first glance, you might not think of Mark Hamill as a voice actor. Mark Hamill is more universally known for playing Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise, that does not mean however that he is not talented in the booth. Having played the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, Mark is somehow able to perfectly capture the mannerisms and expressions of the Joker and convey them flawlessly. Actors and voice actors alike will tell you that playing the Joker is an extremely difficult task, yet he makes it look easy. His voice acting has introduced multiple layers to his character and is one of the reasons why the Joker is such a difficult character to portray.
Tom Hanks
Just like Mark Hamill, Tom Hanks is a very famous actor known for many movies. That being said, he is universally recognized for his talent in the voice booth in Toy Story. Voicing everyone’s favourite cowboy, Woody, Hanks is able to win over audiences with his performance. The Toy Story franchise would not be what it is today without his talent and skill. A special shoutout should go to Tim Allen as well, as the two have become a dynamic duo for their work in Toy Story. Even after a long break, they got together and made Toy Story 4 a fantastic movie that once again features some of the best voice acting out there.
Kevin Conroy
Conroy voices Batman in Batman: The Animated Series and really shows off his skills in this show. He voices both Bruce Wayne and Batman and is able to change his voice tones and dynamics based upon which character he is. While Mark Hamill is famous for the joker, Conroy is the true star of this series and is definitely considered one of the best in the business for a reason. Both of them together make this show a true masterpiece with seamless voice acting and fantastic expression. When it comes to talent and skill Conroy truly is one of the best out there.
James Earl Jones
Star Wars fans should recognize this name, and will definitely agree on his talent. James Earl Jones voices Darth Vader in the original trilogy. The way Vader speaks and breathes has become iconic with even children on the playgrounds running around and initiating his raspy voice. Another voice actor who unfortunately is not as universally known as he should be. James Earl Jones helped change the landscape of voice acting and is one of the finest when it comes to talent and skill.
Mike Myers
A popular Canadian comedian, Myers found success in voice acting through the movie Shrek. This Dreamworks movie has become a cult classic and it is definitely thanks to how Myers portrays the lovable green ogre. Lines referencing onions and swamps are spoken all over the world by people today as they look to imitate Shrek. While Myers hasn’t been too involved in voice acting, you definitely cannot deny the amount of work that he has put into the character and how successful it was. Not only did Myers voice Shrek in the movie, but he also voiced the Three Blind Mice as well, showing that he can diversify and represent different characters. Myers is definitely one of the most popular voice actors out there due to the cult classic character that he created.
Tom Kenny
This voice actor is most well-known for delivering his patented “I’m Ready” line. Kenny, the voice of Spongebob Squarepants, has worked in voice acting for many years. His talent is certainly recognized around the community as well, as people praise the characters of Spongebob for their personalities and expressions. Kenny can do more than just voice a yellow sponge also. He worked on Adventure Time as the Ice King and is also the narrator for The Powerpuff Girls. If you have ever seen these three shows and heard his voice, you will notice there is a stark contrast to how it sounds in each of them. Talent like this is hard to come by and Kenny has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with in the voice acting community.
These are some of the most popular voice actors to date. While we might have left a few voice actors off, it doesn’t mean they are not good at what they do. Take the time to look at some of your favourite shows as well and learn who the actors are behind them. Who are some of your favourite voice actors?
