VOICE OVER: Emily Brayton
#50: Ilene Woods as Cinderella
“Cinderella” (1950)
Before she voiced probably the most recognizable Disney princess of all, Ilene Woods was a singer first and foremost. She recorded three of the movie’s most iconic songs (“Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo”, “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes”, and “So This Is Love”) and Walt Disney loved them so much, he cast Woods in the role of the title character. It’s not all that surprising given the stunning quality of her voice, but it is impressive that she got the part over 300 other auditionees. Woods brought such a warm, elegant quality to Cinderella – whether she was speaking or singing – and set the precedent for those who would go on to portray the princess after her.
#49: Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel
“Encanto” (2021)
Welcome to the family Madrigal, where all the people are fantastical and magical – including Mirabel. Our optimistic, determined protagonist drives the story of “Encanto,” as she rescues the Madrigals despite seemingly not having a magical gift. It’s impossible not to root for her – she’s so goofy, unique, and warmhearted. The voice behind the character is a huge part of what makes her so lovable, and it belongs to the inimitable Stephanie Beatriz. We knew the actress could play a badass cop thanks to “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” But it turns out she can also bring a relatable heroine to life – and sing – like nobody else. We may not talk about Bruno, but we’ll keep talking about Beatriz’s turn as Mirabel forever.
#48: Amy Poehler as Joy
“Inside Out” (2015)
In the 2015 Pixar film, Joy is a hyperactive emotion who goes the extra mile to try and keep herself and everyone happy. But Poehler manages to make what should be an unbearable character into someone with complexity and tons of endearing qualities. Similarly, Phyllis Smith’s Sadness is multidimensional and the heart of the story. Her exaggerated self-loathing even steals the show from Joy a few times. However, Amy Poehler’s enthusiasm and bubbly personality are just plain infectious. And her journey to accepting other emotions absolutely tugs on the heartstrings. Although we’re not surprised that the “SNL” star pulled off the comedy, we just can’t picture anyone else giving us such an incredible performance.
#47: Anika Noni Rose as Tiana
“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
When “The Princess and the Frog” came out in 2009, audiences were ready to see a more modern version of the classic Disney heroine. Anika Noni Rose completely nailed it as Tiana, basically giving us a master class in voice acting by crafting an ambitious, layered, and insanely talented protagonist. Whether she’s voicing the human version of our heroine or portraying her in frog form, the actress doesn’t ever lose sight of who Tiana is at her core. Her independence, love for cooking, perseverance, and heart shine through every scene she’s in, which turns this portrayal into one for the books. At the end of the day, it’s impossible to imagine anyone else as the Princess, which tells you everything you need to know.
#46: Steve Carell as Gru
“Despicable Me” franchise (2010-)
It’s hard to think of “Despicable Me” these days and not think of minions - also an impressive vocal performance, come to think of it. Still, there’s no star we love more and no character we’d rather see than Steve Carell and Gru. The ultimate bad guy turned good, Gru changes his supervillain ways with the advent of his unexpected love for his adopted daughters, and Carell is expertly suited to portray that dynamic. We knew he’d be likable, but it's the wacky energy and amorphous accent that endears him to us so.
#45: Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana
“Moana” (2016)
We love Dwayne Johnson’s work as Maui, but we have to talk about our protagonist. The ocean chose Moana, and we’d choose Cravalho to voice her every time. She gives the portrayal her all, bringing heart, humor, and infusing her delivery with endless personality. She convincingly embodies a character who longs for adventure and will do whatever it takes to find herself and restore her island to its former glory. We cheer Moana on as if she were our close friend, because that’s just how personable the performance is. And did we mention the actress sings like an angel?! As if that wasn’t enough, she beautifully voiced the voyaging character again for the film’s Hawaiian dub. No matter what language you watch in, Cravalho is mesmerizing.
#44: Tim Curry as Nigel Thornberry & Hexxus
“The Wild Thornberrys” franchise (1998-) & “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” (1992)
Theatre, film, television, and voice work, is there anything Tim Curry can’t do? While we couldn’t possibly list every occasion where he goes above and beyond, we’d be remiss not to single out his role as Nigel Thornberry in “The Wild Thornberrys” franchise. We don’t think anyone could’ve pulled off the eccentric, life-loving adventurer as convincingly or endearingly as Curry. Plus, since the actor typically plays villains, it was great seeing him break the mold and give his all to something entirely different. That being said, he also makes being bad look so good! Hexxus from “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” is such a brilliantly dramatic and creepy villain that he’s still giving us nightmares!
#43: Paige O'Hara as Belle
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
We can’t talk about iconic voices without discussing Paige O’Hara’s Belle. It’s an instantly recognizable performance that left an indelible mark on viewers everywhere. Belle is a fierce protagonist – a lover of books who desperately wants more than her provincial life, and finds it in the most unusual of ways. And her story is, of course, a quintessential fairy tale. Yet O’Hara adds something special to the character, forging a Princess who’s anything but predictable – a true original. Each line she speaks (or sings) is imbued with an intelligence and grace that we simply can’t get enough of. “Beauty and the Beast” may have come out in 1991, but in O’Hara’s hands, it’s a timeless classic.
#42: Kenneth Branagh as Miguel & Kevin Kline as Tulio
“The Road to El Dorado” (2000)
“The Road to El Dorado” is one of the most underrated animated movies of the ‘00s. However, we don’t think it would be the cult classic that it is today if it wasn’t for its two leading stars. Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh play a couple of loquacious con artists who discover the mythical lost “City of Gold” and are mistaken for gods. The duo had their recording sessions together, allowing them to build a genuine rapport and even adlib some of the dialogue. The polar opposite characters bring out the best in each other. And the fun, humor, and natural chemistry they shared behind the scenes can be felt throughout the movie. They sure struck gold with this casting!
#41: Susan Egan as Megara
“Hercules” (1997)
“Hercules” is one of those Disney movies where it seems like every name involved is a big one. After all, who doesn’t love Danny DeVito as grumpy old Phil? But for as many household names as were in the cast, there were actors like Susan Egan, who may have had lesser recognition, but even more skill. Egan was primarily a Broadway actress before landing the role of Meg, and that probably explains the professional level of theatrics in her performance. With more than enough sass to go with that Disney princess sweetness, Egan proves that she’s indeed the belle of the voice acting ball.
#40: Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel
“Tangled” (2010)
Donna Murphy has enjoyed a storied career on Broadway, even though “Tangled”’s younger target audience may not be aware of that. Still, Disney clearly knew what they were doing when they cast her as Mother Gothel in this reinterpretation of the Rapunzel fairy tale. Of course, there’s the masterful songwork on display, which we would expect nothing less from Murphy. Still, it’s the emotional nuance of a character who uses love as a means to an end that honestly makes Gothel one of the best Disney villains of all time, and that is in no small part thanks to Murphy’s refined performance outside of the songs, too.
#39: Kristen Schaal
Various
This actress has a distinct voice that’s tailor-made for animation; indeed, it’s served her well over the years. Her unique sound can be heard in “Bob’s Burgers,” “Gravity Falls,” and “BoJack Horseman,” among many others. Schaal seamlessly pairs her one-of-a-kind vocals with incredible comedic timing that never fails to breathe new life into her characters. With just a slight change of intonation, she can go from sweet and unassuming to wildly unhinged while still keeping her characters very likable. In fact, her performances are so exceptional that some casting directors are known to put out calls for “a Kristen Schaal type,” which sounds like a huge compliment if you ask us.
#38: Ming-Na Wen as Mulan
“Mulan” (1998)
Who could ever forget the incredibly brave Mulan? Disguising yourself as a man to fill your dad’s spot in the army isn’t for the faint of heart – but she has what it takes. Our warrior Princess is courage personified, and we have Ming-Na Wen to thank for that. Wen shapes the character into somebody multi-faceted – she’s bold and daring, but she’s also scared and unsure, especially at first. That nuance is intricate, yet the actress captures it flawlessly, and the story’s stakes feel real as a result. As for Mulan’s mesmerizing singing voice? Lea Salonga is the one responsible for that, and to say she delivers the goods is a vast understatement. When will our reflection show just how much we love this portrayal?!
#37: Dee Bradley Baker
Various
This multifaceted voice actor can really do it all! With credits in series like “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” “Gravity Falls,” and countless others, Baker was pretty much the voice of our childhoods whether we knew it or not. He’s also the voice behind several animated animals, perhaps most iconically “ Phineas and Ferb”’s Perry the Platypus. But if you want to see some major skill, we’d suggest switching on “Ben 10: Omniverse,” where he brought so many characters to life he reportedly overexerted his throat. And we’d love to have seen him record the voices for all those clone troopers in the animated “Star Wars” universe. Talk about bringing the Force and more!
#36: Ralph Fiennes as Rameses
“The Prince of Egypt” (1998)
1998’s “The Prince of Egypt” has a way more star-studded cast than you might remember. Beyond Val Kilmer as Moses himself, you’ve got Sandra Bullock and Jeff Goldblum as Moses’s siblings Miriam and Aaron, respectively. Not to mention Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart, Danny Glover, and Michelle Pfeiffer. We could go on! But among that incredible line-up, one actor stands out for his impeccable embodiment of the villain, and that is Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes voices Rameses, Moses’s adoptive brother and eventual adversary. The English actor is menacing in the role, but also brings a certain empathy to his performance that might be lost with a lesser-skilled actor. And to think he does all of that with just his voice!
#35: Rob Paulsen
Various
What do “Pinky and the Brain,” “Animaniacs,” and “Jimmy Neutron,” all have in common? If you said they all feature characters voiced by Rob Paulsen, gold star for you. While this barely scrapes the surface of his lengthy and impressive credits, it tells you all you need to know about the voice actor. He skillfully elevates his characters’ goofiness and heightens their entertainment value while nailing a plethora of accents. Paulsen’s expertise can unite generations, whether you’re a long-time fan of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” or are eager to catch him pop up in newer guest star roles. There’s no doubt he has a tremendous passion for his work; you can hear it in every character he brings to life.
#34: Daveigh Chase as Lilo Pelekai
“Lilo & Stitch” franchise (2002-)
If you were that kid who always marched the beat of their own drum, you probably related hard to Lilo. She could be messy, moody, and impulsive, but she was also loyal, loving, and immensely devoted to her loved ones. That’s a lot for a young actress to relay. But Daveigh Chase – also the voice of Chihiro in “Spirited Away” – does so impeccably in the 2002 flick, and in many of the franchise’s subsequent projects. She effortlessly captures what makes Lilo a real and complex individual while still making us laugh and melting our hearts. And what about her companion Stitch, voiced by none other than Chris Sanders? We don’t need to understand every word Stitch said to crack up at his goofiness or be moved by his vulnerability.
#33: Jack Black
Various
A character actor who also happens to be an A-lister and a gifted musician, Jack Black does it all - and does it with everything he’s got. That, of course, includes his voice acting, whether it’s supporting roles in films like “Ice Age” and “Shark Tale,” video game voices like his award-winning work in “Brütal Legend” or leading roles in franchises like “Kung Fu Panda.” However, the role that cemented Jablinski as a king of over-the-top voice acting AND the koopas was Bowser in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” An evil villain with a larger-than-life personality and the gruff, commanding voice to match, Bowser also has a softer side, as evidenced by the viral hit song Black himself helped pen for the film.
#32: Patrick Warburton
Various
Joe Swanson from “Family Guy,” Ken from “Bee Movie,” Buzz Lightyear from “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command” – we’d recognize that voice anywhere! Amazingly, the actor doesn’t consider himself a “chameleon” when it comes to voice acting, but we reckon his impressive list of credits would beg to differ. Perhaps no character of his is as marvelously and memorably out there as Kronk from “The Emperor’s New Groove.” Warburton plays the endearing dummy so brilliantly that we can almost forgive him for being Yzma’s henchman — especially as they share such an entertaining rapport. Is it any surprise he took center stage in the movie’s 2005 sequel spin-off? Warbuton’s performance is as delicious as Kronk’s signature spinach puffs.
#31: Josh Gad as Olaf
“Frozen” franchise (2013-)
This franchise does have its stellar performances from Idina Menzel. And we all know Kristen Bell brought her A-game to play Anna. However, we just can't get the films’ sidekick out of our heads. On paper, the bright-eyed snowman could easily come off as annoying. He talks people's heads off and is blissfully ignorant of the world around him. But Josh Gad's cheery voice and innocent delivery made Olaf perfect comic relief. But the actor did more than just play a funny mascot. In the scenes with more dramatic weight, he brought a gravitas to the character that we didn’t see coming. And did we mention that he absolutely nailed the solo numbers? Yeah, Olaf steals just about every scene he's in.
#30: Ellen DeGeneres as Dory
“Finding Nemo” franchise (2003-)
Yes, the 2003 film is titled “Finding Nemo,” but we sure are glad it helped us find Dory and continue our adventures with her in the 2016 sequel. Voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, this adorable blue tang won us over with her naivety, rose-tinted goggles, and an ever-present reminder to “just keep swimming.” DeGeneres is well known for her comedy; indeed, her sitcom role reportedly helped shape the character and even contributed to her casting. But this part allowed the actress to dive deeper and show audiences the warmth, heart, and emotion she could bring to a performance. We were instantly reeled in by Dory’s sincerity, humor, and all-around likeability. Plus, thanks to her, there’s at least one address we can all recite at the drop of a hat.
#29: John DiMaggio
Various
He’s such a mega talent in the voice acting world, it sometimes feels like John DiMaggio has been a part of every animation known to man. While he’s frequently lent his talents to various odd characters here and there, DiMaggio is best known for some of your favorite staple cartoons. Bender in “Futurama”, “Jake the Dog” in “Adventure Time” and Dr. Drakken in “Kim Possible” are some of his longest-running stints as primary characters. Aside from the unique quality of his voice, DiMaggio’s delivery is always on point and he seems to ooze this natural humor which has made him perfect for his comedic roles – of which there are many.
#28: Cree Summer
Various
Yet another talent that pretty much made up our childhoods, Cree Summer has had a hand in everything from “Rugrats” to “Atlantis: The Lost Empire”. She was completely underrated in that latter mention, as Princess Kida’s whole vibe would have been so much different without Summer’s sultry tones and playful cadence. If you get to learn the unique quirks of her voice, you’ll be able to pick her out as Elmyra Duff in “Tiny Toon Adventures” and its related media, Numbuh 5 in “Codename: Kids Next Door”, and Valerie Gray in “Danny Phantom”. Oh, and don’t even get us started on her laundry list of video game titles!
#27: James Woods as Hades
“Hercules” (1997)
This Academy Award nominee is known for playing villains, so his role in this Disney film of mythological proportions is definitely fitting. James Woods plays the primary antagonist in 1997’s “Hercules,” the king of the underworld, Hades. In traditional Greek mythology, Hades isn’t necessarily a bad guy, but in this rendition, he is our hero’s main adversary. Woods has said that he had such a good time acting as the voice of Hades that he’d take up the role again anytime. He went on to voice the character in an animated series, as well as several video games. We certainly never tire of his wonderfully evil performance.
#26: James Earl Jones as Mufasa
“The Lion King” (1994)
James Earl Jones' emblematic, soulful voice gave birth to a legendary performance. Simba’s wise and powerful (though ill-fated) father is played by this distinguished actor – who’s also proven how talented he is behind a microphone as the voice of Darth Vader. Naturally, fans of the original “The Lion King” rejoiced when it was announced that Jones would reprise his role in the classic’s 2019 remake. Honestly, there isn’t another actor in the business who could do Mufasa justice. Jones possesses a gravitas, depth, and extremely convincing wisdom in his voice that truly brings the lion to life like no other.
#25: Jerry Orbach as Lumière
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
Orbach was a world-class actor who tore Broadway up. Though sadly the star passed away in 2004, he left behind a legacy on-stage and on-screen that will never be forgotten. His performance as Lumière in “Beauty and the Beast”, like much of his work, is timeless. Through the candelabra, we get a taste of the actor’s immeasurable talent. He brings a theatrical sense to Lumiere that makes him impossible to ignore! Everything from his iconic rendition of “Be Our Guest” to his charming persona is executed perfectly. The fact that the character represents light is fitting, because that’s exactly what Orbach brings to the role.
#24: Gilbert Gotfried
Various
The late Gilbert Gotfried made his mark as a voice actor by putting 1000 percent effort into each and every role he got. He made a Beetle in “Thumbelina” sound like a fully formed character. Additionally, you can count on hearing his voice as an insurance loving duck for years. But Gotfried’s most iconic voice role was Iago. Although he was just meant to be Jafar’s talking parrot sidekick, the comedian went above and beyond to make him so much more than another bird. Outside of Genie’s improvs, Iago gets some of the movie’s best lines. And it’s easy to tell that Gotfried was having a great time going the extra mile to record every single piece of dialogue.
#23: Brad Bird as Edna Mode
“The Incredibles” franchise (2004-)
If you’re looking for an effortlessly cool voice-acting performance, look no further than Samuel L. Jackson’s Frozone. But if you’re after one that’s “Fabulous Dahling,” we need to talk about Brad Bird’s Edna Mode. Edna is a sassy, wild fashion designer specializing in super suits who livens up every moment she’s on our screens. Bird, who’s also the films’ writer and director, reportedly stepped into the role when they couldn’t find anyone else to do her justice. We know we couldn’t imagine anyone else nailing Edna’s dry wit and bluntness quite as spectacularly. Edna quickly became a stand-out character and won Bird an Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production. That’s fabulous, indeed!
#22: Grey DeLisle as Azula
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08)
Easily one of the best animated villains on TV, Azula is the character in “Avatar” we love to hate - hate because of her wickedness, but love because of Grey DeLisle’s captivating performance. Azula may be the daughter of Fire Lord Ozai, the ultimate big-bad of the series, but never does she feel overshadowed by him. In fact, she’s the baddie we most enjoy watching, and that’s greatly thanks to DeLisle. There’s an undercurrent of confident frivolity imbued in every scene, almost like Azula’s a predator playing with her meal. Still, DeLisle offers glimpses of how wronged Azula too has been as a result of her upbringing, a dynamic that plays wonderfully with her brother Zuko, voiced by Dante Basco, also a tremendous performance.
#21: Alan Tudyk
Various
Imagine being such an accomplished and versatile voice actor that folks at Disney reportedly dub you their “good luck charm”! Since lending his voice to King Candy in 2012’s “Wreck-It Ralph,” Tudyk has gone on to play some of the animation giants’ most eccentric characters. Duke Weaselton in “Zootopia,” “Frozen”’s Duke of Weselton, and Scroll in “Disenchanted” barely scratch the surface. Also, can we talk about how he didn’t even need to utter a single intelligible word to make Heihei one of “Moana”’s breakout characters? Now, that’s a real testament to his comedic skills. Naturally, Disney cast him as Valentino the goat in the 2023 animated musical “Wish.” After all, he’s basically the GOAT of voice acting.
#20: Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson
“The Simpsons” (1989-)
As far as recognizable cartoon characters go, it’s pretty challenging to beat out the patriarch of the Simpsons household. His somewhat lazy articulation belongs to Dan Castellaneta, a man who’s had roles in a few other iconic shows like “Hey Arnold!”, “Darkwing Duck” and “Earthworm Jim”. In addition to Homer, you’ll also be able to hear Castellaneta as Krusty the Clown, Grandpa, Barney, and a few other hilariously wacky “Simpsons” characters. He’s certainly a great chameleon in the vocal department and, as the main character on the longest-running animated series in America, the importance of his work cannot be overstated.
#19: Tony Anselmo as Donald Duck
“DuckTales” (2017-21)
There have been exactly three people responsible for Donald Duck’s voice over the years and, if you’ve ever tried to imitate his quacking speech, you’ll know why. There are a lot of things that go into a good Donald impression: the famous wheezing, the high-pitched tone, and at least an attempt at making his words somewhat understandable. Tony Anselmo, who’s been providing the voice of the duck since 1985, does it spectacularly. He was brought on for the 2017 “DuckTales” reboot, where he did a fantastic job with the more nuanced take on the character. We couldn’t mention this member of the Sensational Six without also giving credit to Bill Farmer. Since 1987, he’s brought life to everyone’s favorite hyuck-hyucking anthropomorphic dog.
#18: Tom Hanks as Woody
“Toy Story” franchise (1995-)
Like all the best comedy characters, Andy’s favorite cowboy doll is definitely a flawed hero. When Buzz comes into his life he quickly transforms from a completely nice-guy to a petty, jealous, and angry version of himself. Hanks plays the contrast with great skill and humor. Watching Woody get increasingly frustrated with the unflappable Buzz is always a ton of fun. Luckily, there’s plenty of other issues that stress the cowboy out along the way. Thankfully, Hanks never holds back whenever Woody flies off the handle. He manages to keep the character on the right side of like-able…even when he’s totally in the wrong. We’re not surprised – this is the man who flawlessly voiced many characters in “The Polar Express” – he knows what he’s doing!
#17: Mark Hamill
Various
Here’s another actor with a seemingly never-ending list of voice acting credits. Let’s start with the one he’s most famous for: the Joker. Pick out any pieces of animated “Batman” content – even video games – from the early ‘90s onwards, and there’s a good chance you’re hearing Mark Hamill’s voice coming out of the Joker. In addition to that, he’s put his vocal skills to use as Hobgoblin in “Spider-Man: The Animated Series”, Fire Lord Ozai in “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and Skips in “Regular Show”. If you’re a videogame connoisseur, you can also spot him in “Kingdom Hearts” games, “Call of Duty 2”, and some other superhero titles.
#16: Andy Serkis as Gollum
“The Lord of the Rings” franchise (2001-03)
Yet another one of those voices up for imitation, Gollum is a major fan-favorite. What’s always impressive is when you see the person behind a voice, and they look nothing like you imagined them. Andy Serkis is one of those people. It’s worse when he opens his mouth to speak, because he sounds even less like the character! Of course, this just speaks to how talented a performer the man is. He’s also rather known for his motion-capture performances. So when you see Gollum onscreen or, say, Caesar in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, those are Serkis’ facial expressions too! The age-old debate, of course, is Gollum versus Dobby, and while that’s for another list, we do want to shout-out Toby Jones for giving such a great performance as everyone’s favorite House-Elf.
#15: Tom Kenny
Various
If we say the name Tom Kenny, we hope you immediately think of the legendary Spongebob laugh. As iconic as that character is, we won’t spend too much time on him since Kenny has done so much work outside of that role. His higher-pitched register has made him perfect for characters like “Adventure Time’s” Ice King, Heffer Wolfe in “Rocko's Modern Life”, and the insane concept that is CatDog. He’s also a double-threat in “The Powerpuff Girls” as both the narrator and the mayor. With two Daytime Emmys and just as many Annie Awards, Kenny has certainly made his mark in the voice acting world.
#14: Pat Carroll as Ursula
“The Little Mermaid” (1989)
The late great Pat Carroll's performance as Ursula is nothing short of iconic, and has resulted in one of the most popular Disney villains ever. We love the whole gang, but it’s no secret that Ursula is the one who takes the movie to the next level. Without her, a lot of the story’s intrigue and humor would be lost. She is cruel and manipulative, yet her charm and wit makes us want to see more. That’s all thanks to Pat Carroll’s layered portrayal of the character. It is delightfully evil, terrifying, and hilarious all at once! Considering the actress’ extensive resume and storied career, it’s really no wonder she delivers such a commanding performance in “The Little Mermaid”.
#13: Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
When you have such wonderful songs from the likes of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, you need the vocal talent to match. So it makes sense that so many of the cast members of “Beauty and the Beast” come from the world of Broadway, and we have to talk about the truly heartwarming work of the late Angela Lansbury. The inherent warmth Lansbury brings to Mrs. Potts cannot be overstated. Her jovial British accent and motherly demeanor bring just as much comfort to us as they do to Belle. Plus, “Beauty and the Beast” would be nothing without her masterful delivery of the titular song.
#12: Seth MacFarlane
Various
The “Family Guy” creator is arguably one of the best voice actors of the modern era. Apparently, he had such a strong idea for how he wanted some of the show’s characters to sound that he decided it would just be easier to play them himself. You can hear his exceptionally versatile voice in Peter, Brian, and Stewie Griffin, as well as Glenn Quagmire. He also voices Roger and Stan Smith in “American Dad!” and Mike in “Sing,” among others. These roles are all so different that they require a talented performer who can effortlessly manipulate their voice to animate these larger-than-life individuals. Indeed, MacFarlane’s the perfect man for the job. Plus, have you heard him sing? Chills.
#11: Frank Welker
Various
With more than 860 credits to his name, you’ll most certainly be familiar with Welker’s voice, whether you know it or not. Are you a fan of “Scooby-Doo?” An avid viewer of “Transformers”? Or have a soft spot for Abu from “Aladdin”? Well, you can attribute Fred, Megatron, Soundwave, and Aladdin’s little sidekick to this voice actor. In addition to Abu, Welker brought a ton of other non-verbal animal characters to life through dynamic sound effects and immeasurable ingenuity. He’s also the only remaining original actor from the “Scooby-Doo” franchise. It’s a true testament to the actor that he can take his talents across such a wide range of roles and create so many remarkable characters. His skills truly know no bounds.
#10: Jodi Benson as Ariel
“The Little Mermaid” (1989)
Listen to this voice, isn’t it neat? No matter how many times we watch “The Little Mermaid” — and trust us, we’ve watched it a lot — Benson’s turn as Ariel always delights us. Whether she’s speaking or singing, every choice she makes behind the mic is the right one. And they all come together seamlessly to create an amazingly curious, endearing, and unforgettable Princess like no other. That’s why we were so excited when she gave fans a behind the scenes look at what went into recording “Part of Your World.” After all, nothing beats watching a legend meticulously working to master each detail. We’re forever grateful she shared her gift with us through the film, and let us be part of her dreamy world!
#9: Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski
“Monsters, Inc.” franchise (2001-)
Billy Crystal once called Mike Wazowski his “favorite character [he’s] ever played.” This endearing one-eyed green monster is an upbeat go-getter who never lets life knock him down. Crystal brings his comedic A-game and throws all his energy behind the character’s larger-than-life personality and quick-fire wit. Similarly to “The Road to El Dorado”’s Kenneth Branagh and Kevin Kline, Crystal and John Goodman, who voiced Sulley, worked together during the recording process. Indeed, Goodman’s portrayal perfectly balances Crystal’s excitable and jumpy Mike. That isn’t to say that the little guy is one-dimensional either; Crystal gives us glimpses of his tender side too. Still, he makes us roar with laughter so often that he could fill enough laugh canisters to last Monstropolis a lifetime.
#8: Jeremy Irons as Scar
“The Lion King” (1994)
In 1994, a host of Hollywood and theater legends joined forces to bring us one of the greatest animated films of all time. “The Lion King” features a slew of amazing performances from the likes of Rowan Atkinson and Nathan Lane, to name a few. But if there’s one thing this phenomenal cast proves, it’s that good guys really never win, because it’s the villain who completely steals the show. Even Darth Vader himself would be impressed with Jeremy Irons as the evil Scar. The character design of Scar is slinky and suspicious, and Irons perfectly matches his vocal tics to that blueprint. It’s voice acting at its finest and we couldn’t be more grateful to be spectators of it.
#7: Wayne Allwine & Russi Taylor as Mickey & Minnie Mouse
Various
If you’ve ever heard the story that the voice actors for Mickey and Minnie were married, that would be these two! Wayne Allwine was the third person to have the honor of giving life to the cartoon mouse, right after Jimmy MacDonald and Walt Disney himself! Although Allwine passed away in 2009, he’s the actor who’s voiced the character the longest – for 32 years, to be precise. Russi Taylor had him beat by one extra year, and was also the third actress to provide voice for her cartoon counterpart. If you’re a “DuckTales” fan, you’ll also know her as the original voices of Huey, Dewey, and Louie Duck!
#6: Jim Cummings
Various
Jim Cummings is a voice-acting icon with many hundreds of credits spanning various media. He’s portrayed over-the-top characters like “Aladdin”’s Razoul, the titular Winnie the Pooh and his bouncin’ pal Tigger, Ray from “The Princess and the Frog,” and Mickey Mouse’s antagonist Pete. But this actor doesn’t just give his all when he’s speaking. He’s proven that he can go harder than most while singing too. “In the Dark of the Night” from “Anastasia” is a delightfully excessive number elevated to new heights by Cummings’ vocals. He also helped out with the singing voice of Scar in “The Lion King” after actor Jeremy Irons fatigued his voice during “Be Prepared.”
#5: Tara Strong
Various
We couldn’t possibly forget about this queen! Throughout her career, Strong’s used her voice to bring countless beloved and outlandish characters to life across various mediums. We know her as Bubbles from “The Powerpuff Girls,” Dil Pickles in the “Rugrats” franchise, and Timmy Turner (among others) from “The Fairly OddParents,” to name a few. We mean it when we say she gives everything to those roles. She also goes above and beyond, giving an extra something to Raven in the “Teen Titans” world. Raven is such a multifaceted character, and Strong brings that to life by relaying a plethora of emotions without compromising the character’s badass, deadpan nature. That’s no easy task. In other words, Tara Strong basically is our childhood.
#4: Eddie Murphy as Donkey
“Shrek” franchise (2001-)
The “Shrek” movies boast an incredible voice cast, with Mike Myers and Antonio Banderas killing their respective roles of the title character and Puss in Boots. But Eddie Murphy – the same man who never fails to get us cackling as Mushu in “Mulan” – simply dominates this film series. Amidst a talented cast, his performance was singled out by many reviewers as a highlight of the first film, and he didn’t disappoint in the sequels either. In fact, Murphy received the first BAFTA Award nomination for a voice-over role. With a demeanor that’s half ray of sunshine and half nervous wreck, Donkey is instantly unforgettable. Indeed, Murphy made the sidekick not just one of DreamWorks’s best characters, but one of the best in any animated film.
#3: Eartha Kitt as Yzma
“The Emperor's New Groove” franchise (2000-)
The late Eartha Kitt was the beautiful and raspy voice behind “Santa Baby”. At the turn of the millennium, she added a new iconic performance to her resume when she played Yzma. The wicked and scheming character is determined to steal the throne from Emperor Kuzco — voiced memorably by David Spade. During her journey, she gets to aim a lot of her venom at her lovable assistant Kronk. Kitt’s incredible comedic timing made it easy for her to steal every scene she’s in. And the actress made us love how eccentric the character was no matter what sinister act she was trying to get away with. Thanks to Kitt’s commitment to the role, Yzma was one of the most memorable characters in the movie, and ultimately, franchise.
#2: Robin Williams as Genie
“Aladdin” (1992)
The late incomparable Robin Williams has voiced some of our favorite animated characters, such as Lovelace and Ramón from “Happy Feet” and Batty Koda from “FernGully: The Last Rainforest.” However, there’s one character that springs to mind who, above all, is wonderfully and magically over-the-top. Williams went above and beyond bringing Genie to life with his iconic arsenal of impressions and famous improvisation skills. He truly went wild while creating this larger-than-life character, and the payoff is tremendous. To this day, no one can compare to this magical being or the actor who voices him. We guess, after being trapped for 10,000 years, Genie really needed to let his freak flag fly, and Robins Williams was just the guy to help him do it.
#1: Mel Blanc
Various
Another member of voice acting royalty, Mel Blanc, a.k.a “The Man of a Thousand Voices,” left an unrivaled legacy. He voiced most of our favorite “Looney Tunes” friends, Barney and Dino from “The Flintstones,” Mr. Spacely in “The Jetsons,” the eponymous Woody Woodpecker, and hundreds of others. An actor who can seamlessly go from Bugs Bunny to Daffy Duck to Tweety more than deserves his spot on our list. He isn’t just the voice of our childhoods, but of our parents and even grandparents’ childhoods! The late star certainly got voice acting down to a fine art and still remains in a league of his own! What more can we say?
Which voice acting performance makes you forget there’s a person behind the character? Let us know in the comments!
