Voice acting is indeed an incredible art combining talent, creativity, and emotion. The animated characters, video games, and commercials can only come to life with voice performers. Here are 20 icons of the industry who have made voice acting their signature style through whimsical cartoons and emotionally powerful roles. These voices are easily and instantaneously recognized by viewers from around the world. With their diverse skills and dedication, they molded the history of animation and gaming, leaving a lasting impact on audiences of all ages.
1) Mila Kunis
Mila Kunis made the transition to voice acting fame playing Meg Griffin on Family Guy. When Kunis first joined the show at 15, deadpan delivery was her bread and butter. Kunis still finds time for voice work as a busy parent and is not limited to her extensive on-screen career. Her transition from dramatic roles in Black Swan to comedic animation is seamless. Recently, Kunis teased her continued involvement in animated projects, citing love for the freedom to create her imagination.
2) Seth Green
Seth Green's voice acting credits are as offbeat as his comedy. For many, he is the iconic voice of Chris Griffin on Family Guy, but he can also be remembered as the co-creator of the amazing Robot Chicken. The man can bring personalities to seemingly insignificant characters, and this has made him the standout in animation circles. Other than his work in comedy, Green voiced Leonardo on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from 2012 to 2017. His recent passion project of voicing indie animation underscores his commitment to the form of art.
3) Grey Griffin
Grey Griffin (previously Grey DeLisle) is one of the most powerful voice actors. She has voiced over 1,700 characters. From Daphne Blake in Scooby-Doo to Azula in Avatar: The Last Airbender, there is no one who has matched her vocal dexterity. She's also a singer-songwriter, and she brings these talents together to create a nuanced character. Her interest in mentoring aspiring voice actors shows that she cares for the future of the craft.
4) Jason Marsden
Jason Marsden has been a voice for a lot of iconic characters, including Max Goof in A Goofy Movie and Kovu in The Lion King II. With that charming voice, he's everybody's favorite in nostalgic Disney movies. Marsden continues to bring his fan-favorite roles to life through video games such as Kingdom Hearts and Fallout 4. His constant engagement with the fans at conventions and workshops has made him a hero in the industry, which ensures that his legacy is living on in the business.
5) Dee Bradley Baker
He's a one-man sound machine, voicing animals, aliens, and creatures across the board with Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and hundreds of other works. No one can touch Baker on creating lifelike, non-verbal sounds; he is, in fact, an industry legend. In fact, not even a month ago, he voiced the whole Bad Batch team so impressively to show off his range and emotional depth. Outside of animation, Baker shares his knowledge through free resources online, teaching voice-over artists worldwide.
6) Kevin Michael Richardson
Kevin Michael Richardson is known for his rich, strong voice that gives such strength to characters like Gantu in Lilo & Stitch and the Joker in The Batman. Most recently, he has lent his voice to characters on The Simpsons and Family Guy. With villains, heroes, and every role in between, his range is vast across animated series and video games. His work in Star Wars: The Bad Batch and Teen Titans Go! proves his endurance to bring life into the complex characters while maintaining signature depth and gravitas.
7) Lauren Tom
A strong voice acting talent like Amy Wong from Futurama and Li Li Stormstout in World of Warcraft: Legion shines in animated roles. She has managed to bring emotions and even great humor into her portrayals, which is very exciting. Recently, Lauren reprised her role in a reboot of Futurama, pleasing the hearts of those who were excitedly asking for her. Her work for diversity and her mentoring of aspiring voices in the industry speak as much to her impact, but Tom's continued pursuit ensures her legacy remains vivid in both classic and new animation.
8) Jennifer Hale
Notable for her Commander Shepard in Mass Effect, The Powerpuff Girls, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic roles, Jennifer Hale has been voicing Rivet in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart just as of late, earning rave reviews about her performance. As one of the prolific voice actors with Guinness World Records under her name, Hale continues to be the most sought-after voice actor in gaming and animation. Her efforts at advancing the industry as well as mentoring activities make her a highly influential figure.
9) Candi Milo
Candi Milo's work includes the dynamic voices for such memorable characters as Dexter in Dexter's Laboratory and Coco in Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. More recent appearances include her reprising her Granny voice in Looney Tunes Cartoons, making it an indelible characteristic that keeps viewers interested in what other variations she could portray with humor. She will also often direct new talent and ask them to become more creative as well. With decades of experience, Milo continues to be one of the driving forces changing the landscape of animation.
10) Jim Cummings
Jim Cummings is probably one of the most iconic voices in animation. He has portrayed characters like Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Darkwing Duck. With a huge vocal range, he can easily take on either comedic or villainous roles. He was Ed in The Lion King and Pete in DuckTales. Recently, he voiced both Pooh and Tigger in the Winnie the Pooh projects on Disney+. With a career that has spanned decades, his ability to balance humor and warmth still wins over the hearts of fans old and new.
11) Kath Soucie
Spanning years in her career, versatile-voiced Kath Soucie has been bringing characters Phil and Lil of Rugrats and Dexter's Mom to Dexter's Laboratory to life. She can easily lend a voice to anything, innocent little children or the most cunning of adults. It has become an all-too-familiar sight as Soucie returns to Rugrats and reconnects with the franchise once again in its revived reboot. Soucie is dedicated to her craft and advocates for voice actors, making her a significant personality in the voice acting community.
12) Frank Welker
Frank Welker is probably one of the most prolific voice actors ever, known for his role as Fred Jones in Scooby-Doo and Megatron in Transformers. He is unbeatable in voicing animals and creatures—from barking dogs to roaring lions—and is nicknamed the "king of creature voices." His latest projects are the new Scooby-Doo projects, proving his staying power. Welker has worked for more than fifty years, which makes his presence in voice performance unmatched and inspires generations of voice performers.
13) Kristen Schaal
Kristen Schaal is one of the most unique and quirky voices in animation. Most people know her as Louise Belcher in Bob's Burgers and Mabel Pines in Gravity Falls, where she has earned critical acclaim for her comedic timing and ability to make characters lovable and complex. Beyond television, the voice of Schaal could be heard in movies like Despicable Me 2 and Toy Story 3. She recently played her role as Louise in the movie The Bob's Burgers Movie. The great talent of Schaal endures.
14) John DiMaggio
John DiMaggio is an animation legend, voicing Bender in Futurama and Jake the Dog in Adventure Time. His voice is unmistakable, and he lends irreverence and depth to the roles he portrays. Most recently, DiMaggio reprised his role as Bender in the revival of Futurama, keeping the wit of this iconic character alive for a new generation. Another voice for the fair treatment of voice actors, DiMaggio's legacy also encompasses better conditions for the industry. He was a powerful voice and an ardent craftsman.
15) Jess Harnell
Jess Harnell's effervescent energy and musicality make him a bright spot in animation, having voiced Wakko Warner in Animaniacs and Ironhide in Transformers. He has become synonymous with blending humor with heart, and Harnell continues to voice Wakko in the new Animaniacs series, retaining his charm for a new generation. His credits also include video games and live performances with his band, Rock Sugar. Harnell's passion for storytelling and his desire to connect with fans guarantee his place in the world of voice acting forever.
16) Elizabeth Daily
Elizabeth Daily, or E.G. Daily, is widely known for her voice performances in cartoons such as the character Tommy Pickles on Rugrats and Buttercup in The Powerpuff Girls. She's a favorite within animation circles because of her childlike innocence with fiery determination and recently has reprised her role as Tommy Pickles in the recent Rugrats reboot, taking her talent to the next generation of fans. She is an accomplished singer. This ability and dedication to the craft would ensure her lasting legacy as one of the most loved voices in animation.
17) Tara Strong
Tara Strong is another voice actor whose work goes from the iconic Raven in Teen Titans to Bubbles in The Powerpuff Girls. She has this range and is known for the depth in emotion. From Teen Titans Go! to Loki (as Miss Minutes), she gives life to characters and connects directly with fans through social media platforms, giving insight into her voice-acting life and voice-acting profession. Her recent experimentations in AI technology in voice work really demonstrate her innovative prowess and confirm her as a real power player in the business.
18) Yeardley Smith
Since she provided the voice of Lisa Simpson on The Simpsons, a character that has turned the individual into an icon of wit and brains, for more than 30 years, Yeardley Smith's emotional voice of Lisa endears itself to audiences around the world. Alongside The Simpsons, she also writes and produces; additionally, she recently launched into podcasting with Small Town Dicks, in the world of true crime. Her versatility, as well as bringing complexity to her roles, would ensure continued success in voice acting.
19) Julie Kavner
Julie Kavner's voice has been the definitive sound of Marge Simpson and her sisters on The Simpsons since its creation. Kavner has been able to make Marge's raspy voice funny and emotional, and it has become a household name. She has never lost interest in the show, even when The Simpsons continues to break records while she stays out of public view. Kavner's commitment to quality storytelling combined with her distinctive vocal style ensures her place as a foundational pillar of the golden era of animation.
20) Tress MacNeille
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Tress MacNeille is a voice acting legend. She has voiced Dot Warner in Animaniacs, Daisy Duck for Disney, and so many characters on The Simpsons. Her incredible ability to make the switch between comedy and emotional delivery makes her one of the most versatile talents in the business. She recently returned as Dot in the Animaniacs reboot, pleasing audiences with her timeless wit. Given her lifelong dedication to the craft, MacNeille's work and longevity establish her as one of the most loved and prolific voice artists working in animation.
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