The best cartoon characters that changed the animation world

Whether you’re rebooting old cartoons with a modern twist or creating new animated characters for streaming, studying the best cartoon characters can help inspire your next video project.

At Voice123, where you can hire professional cartoon voice actors, we’ll explore the best cartoon characters of all time, icons like the Looney Tunes characters, the most famous cartoon voice actors, and tips on how to make cartoon characters that captivate.

Why are cartoon characters so popular?

Cartoon characters are still popular because they mix exaggerated visual design, emotionally clear personalities, and iconic vocal performances. From kids cartoon characters to complex heroes, they make storytelling fast, expressive, and universal. 

From old cartoons to Disney characters or Looney Tunes characters, their simplicity, humor, and emotional consistency make them relatable. For example, the first Looney Tunes cartoon was released in 1930, and a new Looney Tunes film was released in 2025, making this one of the longest-running cartoons. 

The best cartoon characters of all time

Disney characters

Mickey Mouse, voiced by Walt Disney and later by Bret Iwan, is one of the most iconic cartoon characters, starring in everything from Steamboat Willie to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, with an optimistic personality that has inspired countless famous cartoon characters.

Donald Duck, voiced by Tony Anselmo, is a globally loved Disney character known for his short temper and trademark voice that made him a standout among old cartoon characters.

Goofy, voiced by Bill Farmer, has remained a heartwarming character whose clumsy charm in shows like Goof Troop continues to influence new kids cartoon characters today.

Looney Tunes characters

Bugs Bunny, brought to life by Mel Blanc, is a witty, confident, and endlessly clever hero whose impact makes him one of the most famous cartoon characters ever created.

Daffy Duck is a wildly expressive rival whose chaotic personality helped define comedic animation and shape many male cartoon characters that followed.

Porky Pig became iconic through his gentle charm and signature stutter, making him a fan-favorite Looney Tunes character.

Scooby-Doo characters

Scooby-Doo, voiced by Frank Welker, is a goofy, lovable cartoon character whose cowardly bravery and fun vocal style powered one of the most enduring mystery franchises in animation.

Shaggy Rogers, voiced by Matthew Lillard, is a relaxed, food-loving, popular character whose comedic fear reactions shaped the tone of the entire franchise.

Velma Dinkley, voiced by Mindy Cohn, stands out as a brainy, confident female cartoon character whose intelligence defines the Mystery Inc. team.

Sonic characters

Sonic, voiced by Roger Craig Smith, is an action-driven cartoon character known for his confident attitude, super-speed, and long-running multimedia success.

Tails, voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey, is a loyal, intelligent Sonic character whose warmth and inventiveness make him an essential part of the franchise’s emotional core.

Amy Rose, voiced by Cindy Robinson, is a determined and optimistic Sonic character whose confident personality and signature hammer-wielding style add energetic charm and heartfelt loyalty to the Sonic universe.

How to make cartoon characters

1. Build a clear personality framework

Start by defining what drives your cartoon character emotionally—fear, excitement, curiosity, mischief—so their reactions remain consistent. Strong internal motivation makes characters engaging and believable.

2. Design recognizable cartoon characters

Silhouette is everything in animation. When fans can identify your character by shape alone, like Mickey’s ears or the trademark spikes on Sonic, you know the design has the potential to become one a famous cartoon character. 

3. Define a movement style

Movement expresses personality—fast and sharp, slow and floppy, bouncy and exaggerated. This is crucial for animated characters, especially when targeting high-energy styles like Looney Tunes characters or Sonic characters.

4. Craft a signature voice

A strong voice actor gives your character emotional depth and instant memorability. Professional cartoon voice actors from Voice123 help shape your timing, humor, and vocal identity.

5. Add emotional range and repetitive hooks

Catchphrases, gestures, and signature quirks stick in the audience’s mind. The best characters have behaviors that become part of their identity—just like “What’s up, doc?”

Famous cartoon voice actors

• Mel Blanc: The legendary voice behind most Looney Tunes characters, known as “The Man of a Thousand Voices.”
  
• Frank Welker: Best known as the voice of Scooby-Doo for decades and the voice actor for Megatron in Transformers Prime.
  
• Tara Strong: The queen of female cartoon characters, from Powerpuff Girls like Bubbles to superheroes like Raven.
  
• Tom Kenny: The voice of SpongeBob and one of the most versatile cartoon voice actors who’s renowned for his iconic voice style.
  
• Cree Summer: A powerhouse performer behind dozens of female cartoon characters in franchises like Rugrats.
  
• Nancy Cartwright: The voice of Bart Simpson and an expert in youth-driven vocal styles for popular cartoons.
  

Want legendary-level voice acting for your show? Hire professional voice actors who specialize in cartoons to bring your animated characters to life.

Final thoughts on cartoon characters

From Disney characters to Looney Tunes characters, these icons don’t just entertain—they’ve shaped how animation is made. Now you know how to make cartoon characters! So, when you design your next cartoon character, focus on a bold personality, clean silhouette, and an unforgettable voice identity. 

And when you’re ready to bring them to life, hire the best cartoon voice actors on Voice123. Post your next project today!

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