10 Iconic Black Voice Actors Who Deserve Their Flowers

As I delve deeper into the world of voice acting and animation, I can’t help but be captivated by the extraordinary journey of TC Carson and Debra Wilson. Their lives and careers serve as a testament to the power of versatility, resilience, and sheer talent.

Voice acting is a skilled and financially rewarding profession that often goes under-recognized. Many beloved animated characters wouldn’t exist without talented voice actors such as Mark Hamill, Frank Welker, Grey DeLisle, and EG Daily. Regrettably, Black voice artists sometimes face marginalization and lack of recognition for their significant contributions to the field. Notable exceptions include Michael Dorn, Keith Silverstein, Earle Hyman, Phil Morris, Beau Billingslea, Jaleel White, and Anika Noni Rose, who have built impressive careers in this area.

So, here are 10 iconic Black voice actors who deserve their flowers.

10 Iconic Black Voice Actors Who Deserve Their Flowers

Cree Summer

A list of iconic Black VO artists would be invalid without animation’s go-to It girl Cree Summer. She has been among the most successful and recognized Black actors for the last four decades. Summer was the most prominent Black female (or just Black in general) voice artist, with multiple animation classics under her belt for years.

Absolutely, Summer began her voiceover career back in the 1980s, lending her distinctive raspy voice to Penny in the beloved animated TV series “Inspector Gadget”. Over the years, she’s built an impressive resume with numerous iconic roles in popular shows such as Elmyra Duff on “Tiny Toon Adventures”, Susie Carmichael on “Rugrats”, Miranda on “As Told by Ginger”, and Numbuh Five on “Codename Kids Next Door”.

Her voice has also been featured in video games, becoming instantly recognizable in franchises such as Fallout, Star Wars, and Final Fantasy. While many may recall her from the classic 1990s sitcom A Different World as Freddie Brooks, Summer’s distinctive raspy voice continues to be heard in contemporary productions like The Patrick Star Show and The Legend of Vox Machina.

10 Iconic Black Voice Actors Who Deserve Their Flowers

Phil LaMarr

For close to four decades, Phil LaMarr’s voice talent has been a constant presence. Ever since he entered the world of voice acting, he has proven himself to be a well-respected and reliable African American actor. Known for his adaptability, LaMarr is one of the most versatile performers in animation, having lent his voice to numerous timeless animated productions.

In the 1980s, LaMarr embarked on his voice-over journey as Woody Daniels in the less celebrated animated TV series “Mister T”. However, it was during the 1990s that his voice acting career truly took off, with a steady stream of standout roles appearing in renowned shows. Notable among these were various characters on “Family Guy”, Hermes Conrad in “Futurama”, Virgil Hawkins/Static in “Static Shock”, and the legendary Samurai Jack.

Much like many voice artists, he lends his vocal talents to a variety of video games. His voice might ring a bell for viewers in popular gaming series such as Metal Gear, Star Wars, and Mortal Kombat. Although audiences have appreciated his work in video games, they might recall him from his comedic skits on the Fox show MAD TV. The actor has been part of live-action productions, but he is also heard in Star Trek: Lower Decks and the upcoming series Among Us.

Kimberly Brooks

Although you might not recognize the name Kimberly Brooks in everyday conversation, her work has provided entertainment for many years. She is a dependable and accomplished voice actor, particularly within the Black community, in both films and television shows. Brooks stands out as one of the most versatile performers in animation, lending her voice to renowned animated productions.

In the ’90s, I embarked on my voice acting journey as Mee Mee in the legendary Cartoon Network series, “Dexter’s Laboratory”. This marked the beginning of a career that would become an integral part of Millennials and Gen Z’s childhood memories. I brought life to unforgettable characters in remarkable projects, such as Jasper on “Steven Universe”, Princess Allura on “Voltron: Legendary Defender”, Buena Girl on “Mucha Lucha”, several roles on “South Park”, and Luna in the “Scooby-Doo” movies.

She’s also dabbled in the world of video games, providing a variety of voiceovers that some viewers might find familiar. These include popular gaming series such as Mass Effect, No More Heroes, and BioShock Infinite. Brooks’ voice can be heard in shows like The Simpsons and Batman: Caped Crusader as well.

Kevin Michael Richardson

Few voice actors share the same profession as Kevin Michael Richardson, who stands out as one of the most distinguished and accomplished African-American voice talents in animation, both in film and television. Richardson’s career is marked by his distinctive deep voice and his penchant for portraying villainous characters.

Brooks commenced his voice acting journey with the role of Goro in the 1995 film adaptation of Mortal Kombat. His career rapidly escalated, landing him roles in renowned productions such as Captain Gantu in Lilo & Stitch, characters on Family Guy, American Dad, The Simpsons, and Futurama, Monster Girl in Invincible, and The Joker in The Batman. In the 1990s and 2000s, Richardson’s powerful voice became a common fixture in animation.

He extended his voice work into video games with classic franchises like Star Wars, Fallout, and Skylanders. Brooks’ voice is present in projects like The Simpsons and the preschool series Ariel.

Keith David

Over the past forty years, Keith David has lent his distinctive, rich voice to numerous animated productions, earning him a notable reputation as one of the most well-known and easily identifiable Black voice actors in animation. His commanding presence can be heard in various animated projects.

David first appeared in the 1988 animated TV movie “Christmas in Tattertown”. Kicking off his career in the 1980s, he lent his distinctive voice to iconic roles in many well-known productions, such as Goliath from the undervalued ’90s series “Gargoyles”, the Flame King on “Adventure Time”, Dr. Facilier in “The Princess and the Frog”, and Spawn in the critically acclaimed HBO show. Over the years, his powerful voice resonated with generations of animation enthusiasts.

He even ventured into gaming by providing his deep voice to franchises like Halo, Saints Row, and Mass Effect. Viewers can also hear David in documentaries, commercials, and audiobooks. They might recognize him from live-action work like Platoon, Greenleaf, There’s Something About Mary and American Fiction. David can be heard in high-profile projects like Krapopolis, Hazbin Hotel, and Kite Man: Hell Yeah!

Bumper Robinson

For over four decades, Bumper Robinson has lent his voice to animated characters, earning him a significant and well-known position among Black voice actors in the animation industry. Given that he began his career as a voiceover artist at a young age, audiences have had the opportunity to witness his talent for adaptability throughout his work.

As a gaming enthusiast, I embarked on my voice-acting adventure with the cherished animated series The Flintstone Kids, lending my voice to the undervalued genius Philo Quartz. Kicking off at a tender age paved the way for me to evolve into diverse roles. My career soared in the ’90s as I earned recognition as the VO sensation, accumulating memorable roles on iconic productions such as Static Shock, Dwight Conrad in Futurama, Bumblebee in Transformers, and Ralph Sr in Teenage Euthanasia. My journey has been a testament to growth and continuity within my voice-over career.

Through providing voices for characters in games such as Skylanders, Resistance, Marvel and DC productions, he found himself immersed in the world of video gaming. However, many may also recognize him from live-action roles in shows like The Jacksons: An American Dream, A Different World, and Living Single. Listeners can catch Robinson’s voice in prominent projects such as Harriet the Spy and Batman: Caped Crusader.

Khary Payton

For over twenty years, viewers have listened to Khary Payton through their screens. In the course of his career, he’s established himself as one of animation’s most notable and identifiable Black voices. His talent has earned him praise for delivering diverse performances spanning various genres.

Robinson began his voice-over career in the year 2000, with the video game titled “Deus Ex”. Demonstrating his adaptability, he moved seamlessly between different platforms. His profession flourished during the 2000s, as he landed numerous significant roles in noteworthy productions. These include Cyborg in “Teen Titans”, various characters on “Young Justice”, Wasabi in “Big Hero 6: The Series”, and Black Samson on “Invincible”.

He continued working in the gaming industry by providing his voice to franchises like Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland, The Sims, and Metal Gear. Viewers have heard and seen live-action productions, including General Hospital and The Walking Dead. Viewers can hear Payton on notable projects like Teen Titans Go! and The Loud House.

James Avery

For many years, James Avery has been deeply ingrained in people’s minds through various shows. Yet, there may be those unaware that he spent significant time lending his voice to beloved animated characters. He rose to prominence as one of the most identifiable Black voices in animation. Avery garnered recognition for his multifaceted acting abilities across both film and television productions.

Avery kicked off his voiceover career by portraying the character Junkyard Dog in Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling, marking his debut. Over time, he demonstrated his acting range, bringing to life a host of unforgettable characters – from villains to heroes. His career really gained momentum in the late 1980s with the assumption of various legendary roles, such as Shredder on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Haroud Hazi Bin on Aladdin: The Series. He even lent his voice to Br’er Frog and Bear at Disney World’s Splash Mountain.

Apart from portraying OG Phillip Banks on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” the actor also lent his voice to video games such as Disney’s Animated Storybook: The Lion King and Biker Mice from Mars. Regrettably, he passed away in 2013, but his legacy continues with a host of beloved animated characters.

TC Carson

For many years, TC Carson has captivated audiences on various platforms. He’s made a significant mark as one of the most identifiable Black voice artists in the voiceover industry, recognized for his adaptability and unique vocal timbre that keeps projects moving smoothly.

Carson kicked off his voice acting journey with a brief appearance in the series Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child. His unique timbre enabled him to bring life to diverse characters in timeless children’s tales. As the 90s progressed, he amassed iconic roles such as those on Life with Louie, Afro Samurai, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where he played Mace Windu.

He lent his voice to video game series such as Kratos in God of War, Star Wars, and BioShock Infinite. Many viewers are also acquainted with Carson’s live-action roles, notably Kyle Barker on the 1990s sitcom Living Single. However, you can still catch his voiceover work in projects like LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy and various Star Wars games.

Debra Wilson

For many years, Debra Wilson has captivated audiences with her multitalented abilities in various fields. Beyond her comedic roles, she has stealthily emerged as one of voiceover’s most prominent Black artists. Wilson’s unique and adaptable performances have solidified her as a cornerstone in the voiceover industry.

Back in the day, my very first foray into voice acting was on the kids’ show starring Mr. Potato Head, puppeteering and giving life to the diva Queenie. My diverse vocal skills allowed me to transition smoothly across different animated projects. The 90s were just the beginning, but the 2000s really saw my career take off, with roles in Family Guy, Clone High, Black Dynamite, and even the iconic Daisy Duck – becoming the first Black woman to voice that legendary character. I’ve also lent my talents to documentaries and commercials along the way.

She was hired to deliver powerful vocal acts in the gaming world, including titles such as “God of War,” “Call of Duty,” and numerous Marvel and DC games. Notably, she’s also known for her roles on the Fox comedy sketch show “MAD TV.” Frequently, listeners will recognize her from voice acting work on shows like “Monster High,” “My Adventures with Superman,” and the upcoming series “Among Us,” a project that reunites her with fellow “MAD TV” cast member Phil LaMarr.

The above list is just a sliver of the Black voice actors who’ve made TV, film, and video games. Maybe audiences will finally heap praise and recognition on these outstanding and trailblazing voice talents. As animation grows across various mediums, viewers will hear more Black voice artists on their screens in the coming years.

2024’s lineup for films and television series has showcased prominent African-American voice actors in hit and critically-acclaimed projects such as “Inside Out 2”, “Kung Fu Panda 4”, and “The Garfield Movie”. Emerging talents like Estelle, Zeno Robinson, Anairis Quiñones, and Lee George have followed suit by assuming roles spanning various genres. Here’s hoping that even more African-American voice actors will receive their due recognition on screens and platforms in 2025 and beyond. In the interim, take a look at the top 75 animated shows ever made!

2024-09-27 23:08