As a lifelong animation enthusiast and voice acting connoisseur, I must say that each of these talented individuals has truly brought their characters to life in a remarkable way.
If you’re familiar with me, it’s no secret that I have a deep affection for animation. I’ve been captivated by this art form since time immemorial, from the newest animated films slated for release in 2024 to timeless classics that never fail to enthrall me. Moreover, I find myself equally enamored with animation on television – a medium that has been an integral part of my upbringing and continues to captivate me even more as the years pass. However, there are certain characters voiced by actors whose performances I cannot envision being replicated by any other individual – and today, we’ll delve into those exceptional talents.
Robin Williams As Genie (Aladdin)
In this scenario, Robin Williams’ portrayal of the Genie in “Aladdin” stands out as one of his finest performances, and remarkably, he achieved this without physically appearing on screen. His energetic, witty, and entertaining take on the animated character made Genie feel more like a companion than just another sidekick.
Tim Allen As Buzz (Toy Story Franchise)
Without a doubt, “Toy Story” stands among Pixar’s finest productions, largely due to the organic bond between characters Buzz and Woody. It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Tim Allen voicing Buzz, even though Chris Evans delivered an impressive performance in the “Lightyear” cast.
Dante Basco As Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
As a long-time fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender, I have cherished the character of Zuko since I was just a kid, and Dante Basco’s portrayal of him remains iconic in my mind. It’s no secret that Basco is not only an ardent fan of the series himself but also brought both Zuko and another character to life within the ATLA universe.
Bryce Papenbrook As Eren Yeager (Attack On Titan)
Let me preface this by saying that yes, I know the primary voice roles for anime are the Japanese voice actors but have you ever heard an English dub actor who is just so good that it makes it almost impossible to watch it in Japanese? That’s Bryce Papenbrook with Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan. As one of my favorite anime, I started this series listening to Papenbrook, and I ended it with him, too, when I watched the finale again with the dub. He does Eren so well, and it’s hard to picture anyone else but him.
Eddie Murphy As Mushu (Mulan)
Eddie Murphy often seems to embody his own personality in the voice roles he plays, and Mushu is a prime example of this. In fact, I frequently find myself quoting this character. “Dishonor on you! Dishonor on your cow!” It’s amazing how Murphy can deliver lines like that.
Tara Strong As Timmy Turner (The Fairly Oddparents)
In my opinion, certain voice actors significantly shaped my cherished memories of childhood, and Tara Strong is undeniably one of them. If I were to list numerous characters she voiced across various television series, it would be extensive. However, I believe the most memorable role she brought to life is Timmy Turner from The Fairly Oddparents. It’s challenging to conceive of Timmy with a voice other than Strong’s, as her interpretation breathed such life and personality into his iconic character.
Seth MacFarlane As Stewie Griffin (Family Guy)
The long-running animated series “Family Guy” continues to thrive, with its original voice actors remaining consistent since its debut. Notably, Stewie Griffin, a character voiced by the show’s creator Seth MacFarlane, has been a constant presence throughout. It’s hard to imagine anyone else playing this role, as Stewie is undeniably one of the show’s most memorable characters. This is largely due to MacFarlane’s unique delivery and the side-splitting lines attributed to Stewie.
Tom Hanks As Woody (Toy Story Franchise)
It’s no surprise to see Tom Hanks here, considering his iconic voice roles. He’s like the voice acting grandpa of our time, and his portrayal of Woody in Toy Story is destined to be remembered for generations. Whether it’s already a classic or not, it certainly will be one day. Hanks’ talent is undeniable, and I could listen to him as Woody repeatedly.
Ellen DeGeneres As Dory (Finding Nemo)
Ellen DeGeneres is not particularly recognized for her film roles due to her long-standing tenure as a daytime talk show host, but her voice acting in the movie “Finding Nemo” is exceptional. The character Dory, whom she voiced, gained immense popularity alongside the clownfish characters we followed in the movie, and became a beloved figure for children worldwide. This popularity can be attributed to DeGeneres’ impressive vocal abilities.
Jay Baruchel As Hiccup (How To Train Your Dragon)
Despite an upcoming live-action version of “How To Train Your Dragon,” the animated films remain unsurpassed, with Jay Baruchel lending his voice to Hiccup, the central character. Frankly, I believe it would have been challenging to portray Hiccup convincingly if not for the perfect voice actor. Baruchel had the task of striking a balance between a courageous warrior and a somewhat timid teenager across three films, and he pulled it off brilliantly.
Eddie Murphy As Donkey (Shrek)
Eddie Murphy’s portrayal of Donkey is simply unmatched. Can you imagine anyone else playing this role? It’s tough for me to picture someone else in that part, given how perfectly Murphy has brought the character to life with his comedic timing and delivery. The memorable lines, memes, and cultural impact are all thanks to him. Now it’s time for me to whip up some waffles.
Kaiji Tang As Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)
As a devoted anime enthusiast, I must admit that Kaiji Tang’s performances are nothing short of exceptional. In the English dub of Jujutsu Kaisen, he absolutely shines as Gojo, elevating the show to new heights for me. His impeccable line delivery is simply extraordinary – it’s no surprise that the character has become a heartthrob in the anime community. With that velvety voice, it’s hard not to find oneself smitten.
Trey Parker As Eric Cartman (South Park)
In many episodes of South Park, you’ll find yourself feeling uncomfortable yet intrigued, wondering who’s responsible for such outrageous content. It turns out that one of the creators lends his voice to the mischievous character, Eric Cartman. Given his troublemaking nature, it’s no surprise he’s a menace to society. Trey Parker, known for his wit and humor, is the perfect fit to voice Cartman. After all, only someone as imaginative as him could come up with the most absurd and appalling lines for a character supposedly in fourth grade.
Billy Crystal As Mike Wazowski (Monsters Inc.)
As a dedicated fan, I pondered over the possibility of casting John Goodman as Sully, but upon deeper reflection, I came to the conclusion that Mike is undeniably more emblematic. After all, Mike possesses an engaging backstory, a rich personality, and a humor that is nothing short of side-splitting. But what truly makes him hilarious? It’s the brilliant portrayal by Billy Crystal. To be honest, I can almost sense Billy in every fib of Mike. In many ways, they are one and the same – Billy is Mike, Mike is Billy.
Shameik Moore As Miles Morales (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse)
In the blockbuster movie “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Miles Morales demonstrated that anyone can don the spider suit. The film was a massive success, leading to a sequel and another upcoming installment. A significant factor contributing to Miles’ appeal is the talented voice actor Shameik Moore, who lends his voice to the character. Since the initial release, Moore has infused Miles with humility as well as an effortless coolness that only he can pull off. His performance is outstanding, and I eagerly anticipate more of his work.
Tom Kenny As Spongebob (SpongeBob SquarePants)
It’s hard for me to imagine not featuring Tom Kenny as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants from the “SpongeBob SquarePants” series in this context. He was a significant part of my childhood, and while there are actors who try to imitate SpongeBob, none can do it quite like Tom Kenny, and I firmly believe that.
Kaley Cuoco As Harley Quinn (Harley Quinn)
There have been multiple people who have voiced Harley Quinn in Batman TV shows and animated movies, but I’m sorry. Kaley Cuoco takes the cake, and I want her to be the animated version of Harley Quinn from now on. Her take on Harley in the TV show Harley Quinn is hilarious, on-brand, and unforgettable, and if you haven’t had the chance to watch her voice the heck out of his classic DC villain/antihero, then you have to.
Mike Myers As Shrek (Shrek)
It’s clear that Mike Myers deserved a spot on this list. Although I believe Donkey is slightly more renowned, Mike Myers as Shrek is like bread and butter, Oreos and milk, or popcorn and movies – you understand the comparison. Essentially, Myers as Shrek set the bar high for celebrities lending their voices to animated characters, and it’s tough to find someone who can surpass him in this role.
Dakota Fanning As Coraline (Coraline)
As a devoted enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises for the stop-motion masterpiece that is “Coraline.” Despite its eerie aspects that may unsettle others, this film serves as a source of comfort for me. Truly, it’s impossible to envision anyone else lending their voice to Coraline other than Dakota Fanning. At such a tender age, she infused the character with an irresistible blend of sass and curiosity, making me adore Coraline even more as the fearless explorer that she is.
Dan Castellaneta As Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
It’s no secret that Homer Simpson, from the legendary TV series “The Simpsons,” which debuted in the ’80s and has been a cultural phenomenon ever since, is one of the most recognizable characters on television. Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer, has become synonymous with the show’s success, much like his fellow cast members. However, there’s no denying that Homer Simpson stands out as an icon in television history. In other words, you could say it’s a given that Homer would be here, being such a defining figure of the series.
Christy Carlson Romano As Kim Possible (Kim Possible)
Growing up, I used to watch the television series “Kim Possible” on Disney Channel, which fueled my dream of becoming a spy. Occasionally, it resulted in some minor accidents like falling off trees while imitating Kim’s cool stunts. Despite that, my fascination with Kim stemmed from her amazing abilities as a spy and the fact that she was an exceptional teenager. The superb voice acting by Christy Carlson Romano added to this admiration, making the character even more appealing.
Christian Bale As Howl (Howl’s Moving Castle)
Among my favorite Studio Ghibli films is “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and I must confess that I prefer the English dub for this reason: there’s simply no competition when it comes to Christian Bale voicing Howl! His voice is as silky as butter, and you’ll be smitten by the character in no time due to his enchanting delivery. Just thinking about it gives me butterflies.
Antonio Banderas As Puss (Shrek 2)
Shrek is famous for its distinctive voices, but let me tell you about an actor whose voice stands out among them all: Antonio Banderas. Interestingly, he didn’t appear in the Shrek franchise until the second movie. Yet, his voice was so well-received that it led to not just one, but two spin-off films! One of these spin-offs even introduced one of DreamWorks Animation’s most memorable villains. So, you can clearly see how iconic Banderas’ portrayal is in the Shrek series.
Jeff Bennett As Johnny Bravo (Johnny Bravo)
To put it straightforwardly, Johnny Bravo might not be the most admirable character due to his questionable behavior and strong misogynistic tendencies. However, there’s something hilarious about watching him receive his comeuppance in various scenarios. It’s mainly because of Jeff Bennett’s exceptional voice acting that makes Johnny so amusing, despite being a bit twisted. I find it absolutely entertaining.
Matthew Mercer As Levi Ackerman (Attack On Titan)
In my opinion, I usually prefer the English dub over the original Japanese version for “Attack on Titan,” particularly due to certain voice-acting decisions, and the English voice actor Matthew Mercer as Levi Ackerman is absolutely exceptional (it’s like a chef’s kiss). That being said, Hiroshi Kamiya delivers an outstanding performance in the Japanese version, but when it comes to Levi, I can only visualize Matthew Mercer’s voice – it’s become so ingrained that I struggle to imagine anything else.
Jack Black As Po (Kung Fu Panda)
As a devoted fan, I must admit that Po the Panda has truly made a significant impact in the world of DreamWorks Animation. What many people might not realize is that behind that microphone, it’s none other than the talented Jack Black bringing Po’s hilarious moments to life. At times, it feels as if I’m watching an extended performance by Jack Black himself, such is the comedic brilliance of Po.
Helena Bonham Carter As Emily (The Corpse Bride)
As someone who has always been captivated by the macabre and the unusual, I must say that “The Corpse Bride” stands out as one of my favorite stop-motion animated films. Every year during Halloween, I eagerly rewatch this Tim Burton masterpiece, and it never fails to delight me. While Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Victor is undeniably charming, it’s Helena Bonham Carter’s performance as Emily that truly steals the show for me.
Chris Rock As Marty (Madagascar)
Chris Rock’s portrayal of Marty in the Madagascar series is quite delightful. Despite there being only three films, he lent his voice to Marty in each one and managed to make him meet a premature end every time. I find myself yearning for an entire standalone film revolving around Marty. I crave more, Marty! Please treat us to more side-splitting lines such as “Oh, sweet tea made from sugar, honey, and ice!”
Bill Fagerbakke As Patrick Star (SpongeBob SquarePants)
In SpongeBob SquarePants, it’s impossible to imagine our favorite underwater friend without his trusty sidekick. Bill Fagerbakke has been the ideal choice to voice Patrick Star since day one, and I can’t help but wish for another chance to see him and Kenny reunite in the Super Bowl voiceovers next year. Frankly, their dynamic is just perfection!
Matthew Lillard As Shaggy (Scooby Doo)
Over time, several actors have stepped in to voice Shaggy, but without a doubt, Matthew Lillard has truly embodied the character. Since his portrayal of live-action Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo movies, we’ve been enamored with him as Shaggy. This was followed by his work on the animated series, which he’s been doing for quite some time now, except for Velma, but let’s not dwell on that. Suffice it to say, he’s been exceptional in the role.
Oscar Isaac As Miguel O’Hara (Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse)
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Idina Menzel As Elsa (Frozen)
I needed to find a spot for Elsa somehow, given that she’s a significant part of one of the largest animated franchises ever, largely due to her ice powers, the enchanting vocals of Idina Menzel, and the fact that there’s no other singer/actress on Earth who can deliver such powerful performances like she does.
Though there are numerous other animated characters worth talking about, these were a few that instantly popped up in my thoughts—now I’m inclined to embark on an animated film spree.
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2024-08-10 19:38