Famous voice actors are talented artists who bring unique characters and personalities to life. Whether it’s the famous cartoon voice actors who made your childhood unforgettable or the famous female voice actors who redefined modern characters, these are the voices that power storytelling.
At Voice123, the most trusted network for hiring professional voice actors, we know the importance of understanding the voice styles of famous voice actors and what makes them iconic. In this post, we’ll explore 20 of the most famous voice actors who shaped the industry.
What are famous voice actors?
Famous voice actors are skilled professionals who voice iconic characters in popular commercials, audiobooks, animated television shows, films, and video games. They infuse these fictitious personalities with unique traits and emotions that are globally recognized. From charismatic heroes in animated films to beloved mascots in commercials and dynamic villains in video games.
What makes famous voice actors so iconic?
Famous voice actors are the powerhouses behind some of the most iconic cartoon characters, such as Bugs Bunny, movie heroes like Darth Vader, and video game voice actors like Master Chief from Halo. These talented voice over artists make audiences feel emotions and connect with characters through their voices.
If you’re a casting director or producer, studying the best voice actors helps you direct with nuance. If you want cartoon voice actors like Mel Blanc or a villain voice actor like Mark Hamill, you can find voice over artists on Voice123 who deliver that same energy and character precision.
The 20 most famous voice actors every producer should know
1. Mel Blanc
The “Man of a Thousand Voices” and perhaps the most famous voice actor ever. From Bugs Bunny to Daffy Duck, Blanc’s unmatched creativity built the foundation for modern cartoon voice actors.
2. Tara Strong
An icon among famous female voice actors, Tara has voiced Harley Quinn and Raven in the DC animated universe, as well as Bubbles in My Little Pony. Her vocal range inspires casting for playful yet emotionally layered characters.
3. Mark Hamill
Known for playing Luke Skywalker in front of the camera and voicing the Joker behind the mic. Hamill’s maniacal laughter and chilling voice style earned him a place among the best voice actors in animation history.
4. Jennifer Hale
The most prolific female voice over actor in video games, Hale’s Commander Shepard in Mass Effect and Ashe in Overwatch, showcases her adaptability and emotional strength.
5. Jim Cummings
From Pooh Bear’s warmth to Darkwing Duck’s serious tone, Cummings is one of the most iconic voice actors in Disney’s history.
6. Troy Baker
Baker is one of the best video game voice actors, particularly for his roles as Joel (The Last of Us) and Booker DeWitt (BioShock Infinite). He’s also a well-known superhero voice actor, known for voicing Batman, the various Robins, and the Joker.
7. Nolan North
North brought his signature charm and wit to Nathan Drake in the Uncharted franchise and Deadpool in various games and animated projects.
8. Nancy Cartwright
Her unique voice styles as the mischievous Bart Simpson and tenacious Kim Possible made Cartwright one of the most famous female voice actors in TV history.
9. Frank Welker
From Megatron to Scooby-Doo, Welker is one of the most credited famous voice actors in Hollywood, with over 800 voice acting roles.
10. Seth MacFarlane
As the creator of Family Guy and the voice of Peter, Stewie, and Brian. MacFarlane’s comedic brilliance redefined adult cartoon voice acting.
11. Tom Kenny
Best known as the voice of SpongeBob, Kenny’s expressive style and impeccable timing set the bar for famous cartoon voices.
12. Laura Bailey
Her skillful performances in The Last of Us Part II and DC’s Injustice highlight why Bailey is one of today’s best voice actors for emotion and drama.
13. Peter Cullen
Cullen’s iconic voice as Optimus Prime gave life to one of the most famous cartoon characters of all time, creating a voice style that set the pattern for inspiring leaders.
14. Phil LaMarr
LaMarr’s versatility across genres and projects like Samurai Jack and Futurama makes him a favorite among producers looking for adaptive voice over artists.
15. Kevin Michael Richardson
His commanding bass voice powers well-known characters in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Lilo & Stitch. He is considered one of the best American voice actors for animated characters.
16. Cree Summer
As Susie Carmichael (Rugrats) and Kida (Atlantis), Summer’s energetic style made her one of the most famous female voice actors of the 1990s and beyond.
17. Morgan Freeman
Freeman’s calm, wise narration made him one of the most recognizable voice actors in cinematic history, and he’s brought his legendary voice to various films, documentaries, and commercials.
18. Keith David
His deep, commanding tone in Halo and Gargoyles cements him among the famous voice over actors who embody strength and gravitas.
19. Matt Stone
As the South Park co-creator and one of the main voice actors on the show, Stone is one of the richest voice actors, worth hundreds of millions.
20. Trey Parker
Parker’s comedic tone for the main characters in South Park shows how famous cartoon voice actors use timing and tone to drive humor.
How famous voice actors can influence your audio projects
The most famous voice actors created unique styles and skills that shaped the voice over industry. But hiring big names like Mark Hamill or David Attenborough isn’t possible for every project. So, you need the best voice actors with similar vocal styles for character portrayals that resonate with target markets – like fantastic video game voice actors or narrators on Voice123. You can direct a voice actor to read a script in ‘the style of Tara Strong or Mel Blanc. Instead of a direct impersonation, this gives the voice actor a complete idea of the style, tone, inflection, characteristics, and intonation they must employ to deliver a top-quality performance.
Final Thoughts
From famous cartoon voice actors like Mel Blanc and Nancy Cartwright to cinematic legends like Morgan Freeman and Keith David, these 20 famous voice actors shaped generations of storytelling.
Ready to bring that level of excellence to your next project?
Hire world-class voice actors at Voice123 to elevate your next voice over project. Post your project today!
FAQs
It’s Mel Blanc, The Man of a Thousand Voices, who voiced various iconic Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig.
James Earl Jones and Morgan Freeman are often cited as the most recognizable voice actors for their deep, resonant tones.
Mark Hamill’s Joker, Tara Strong’s Harley Quinn, and Peter Cullen’s Optimus Prime are iconic, famous voices recognized worldwide.
Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park, are the richest voice actors, with net worths of about $1 billion each.
