Black Actors Who Have Voiced Some of the Most Iconic Characters in Animation

Animation has long relied on the distinct vocal talents of Black men to bring legendary figures to life on screen. These performers provide the depth and personality needed to make animated characters resonate across generations of viewers. Their contributions span across major film franchises and beloved television series in various genres from fantasy to science fiction. This list highlights several male actors who have left an indelible mark on the industry through their memorable voice work.

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones provided the authoritative voice of Mufasa in the classic Disney film ‘The Lion King’ from 1994. His deep and resonant tone established the regal nature of the character as the King of the Pride Lands. He returned to the role for the 2019 live action remake to maintain the continuity of the iconic character. Beyond the savanna he also voiced Darth Vader in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise which remains one of the most recognizable voices in cinematic history.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson played the role of Lucius Best who is better known as the superhero Frozone in ‘The Incredibles’ and its sequel. His performance brought a cool and composed energy to the character who serves as the best friend to Mr. Incredible. Jackson also provided the voice for the titular character in the anime series ‘Afro Samurai’ and its follow up film. He lent his voice to the character Whiplash in the animated movie ‘Turbo’ as well.

Keith David

Keith David is widely recognized for voicing Goliath in the hit 1990s animated series ‘Gargoyles’ where he portrayed the leader of a group of stone warriors. He also portrayed the villainous Dr. Facilier in the Disney animated film ‘The Princess and the Frog’ where he performed the song Friends on the Other Side. His extensive credits include roles such as Spawn in ‘Todd McFarlane’s Spawn’ on HBO and the Arbiter in the ‘Halo’ video game series. David has a prolific career in both animation and video games due to his unique vocal quality.

Phil LaMarr

Phil LaMarr is a versatile voice actor who is best known for portraying the lead character in the series ‘Samurai Jack’ across multiple seasons. He also voiced Hermes Conrad in the long running science fiction sitcom ‘Futurama’ where he played a bureaucratic accountant. His work includes the character John Stewart as Green Lantern in the ‘Justice League’ and ‘Justice League Unlimited’ animated series. LaMarr has contributed his voice to hundreds of projects including ‘Static Shock’ and ‘Family Guy’ over the years.

Kevin Michael Richardson

Kevin Michael Richardson is a veteran voice performer who took over the role of the Joker in the series ‘The Batman’ during the early 2000s. He provided the voice for Goro in the ‘Mortal Kombat’ movie and has played various characters in ‘Family Guy’ and ‘The Simpsons’ for decades. His deep voice is featured as Captain Gantu in ‘Lilo and Stitch’ and as the Shredder in the 2012 ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ series. Richardson is known for his ability to play imposing villains and comedic supporting characters alike.

Khary Payton

Khary Payton has voiced the character Cyborg in the original ‘Teen Titans’ series and the spin off ‘Teen Titans Go’ for nearly two decades. His energetic delivery helped define the half human and half robot hero for a generation of young viewers. Payton also voices Aqualad in the ‘Young Justice’ series and has appeared in various DC Universe animated projects. He has contributed his voice to numerous video games including ‘Batman: Arkham City’ and ‘The Sims’ franchise.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover provided the voice for the adult version of Simba in the 2019 remake of ‘The Lion King’ which utilized photo realistic animation. He also lent his voice to the character Miles Morales in the animated series ‘Ultimate Spider Man’ before the character moved to the big screen. Glover appeared in the series ‘Adventure Time’ as Marshall Lee who is the gender swapped version of Marceline the Vampire Queen. His diverse talents as a writer and musician help him bring a unique rhythm to his vocal performances.

Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy brought the character Donkey to life in the ‘Shrek’ franchise which started in 2001 and included several sequels and specials. His fast talking comedic style was a central element of the chemistry between Donkey and the titular ogre. Murphy also provided the voice for Mushu the dragon in the Disney film ‘Mulan’ where he served as a guardian to the main character. These roles helped establish him as a major force in modern animated feature films.

Chris Rock

Chris Rock voiced Marty the zebra in the ‘Madagascar’ film series which followed a group of zoo animals on a global adventure. His distinctive high pitched delivery added humor and personality to the character as he sought freedom from captivity. Rock also wrote and starred in the animated movie ‘Bee Movie’ as the character Mooseblood the mosquito. His voice work is characterized by the same comedic timing found in his stand up comedy specials.

Will Smith

Will Smith played the lead role of Oscar in the 2004 DreamWorks Animation film ‘Shark Tale’ which featured a star studded cast. His character was a small fish who claimed to have killed a shark to gain fame and respect in the reef community. Smith brought his signature charm and charisma to the role which was visually modeled after his own features. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature during its release year.

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne provided the voice for the Silver Surfer in the film ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’ released in 2007. He also voiced the character Thrax who served as the primary antagonist in the live action and animated hybrid film ‘Osmosis Jones’ in 2001. Fishburne has appeared as the Narrator in various animated projects and documentaries throughout his career. His deep and commanding voice has also been featured in several video games including ‘The Matrix Online’ project.

Shameik Moore

Shameik Moore rose to prominence by voicing Miles Morales in the groundbreaking film ‘Spider Man: Into the Spider Verse’ in 2018. He reprised the role in the 2023 sequel ‘Spider Man: Across the Spider Verse’ as the character navigated the multiverse. Moore provided a youthful and authentic performance that helped ground the superhero story in modern Brooklyn culture. His work on these films has been praised for bringing a new version of the iconic web slinger to a global audience.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali voiced the character Aaron Davis who is also known as the Prowler in ‘Spider Man: Into the Spider Verse’ alongside Shameik Moore. He portrayed the uncle of Miles Morales who struggles with his secret life as a criminal enforcer. Ali returned to provide the voice for the character in the sequel ‘Spider Man: Across the Spider Verse’ in 2023. His performance added a layer of emotional weight to the complex relationship between the hero and his mentor.

Brian Tyree Henry

Brian Tyree Henry voiced Jefferson Davis the father of Miles Morales in ‘Spider Man: Into the Spider Verse’ and its subsequent sequel. His portrayal focused on the protective and stern nature of a police officer who deeply loves his son. Henry also lent his voice to the character Belson in the series ‘Craig of the Creek’ and appeared in the film ‘Vivo’ as the character Dancarino. His voice work often emphasizes strong familial bonds and grounded emotional performances.

Tony Todd

Tony Todd is well known in the animation world for providing the voice of the villainous Darkseid in the DC Animated Movie Universe. He also voiced the character of Dreadwing in the series ‘Transformers: Prime’ where he played a powerful tactical commander. More recently he provided the voice for Venom in the ‘Marvel’s Spider Man 2’ video game which featured cinematic animated sequences. Todd is recognized for his naturally deep and intimidating vocal presence across multiple mediums.

Ving Rhames

Ving Rhames provided the voice for Cobra Bubbles the former CIA agent turned social worker in the Disney film ‘Lilo and Stitch’ in 2002. He reprised this role in the various sequels and the television series based on the original movie. Rhames also voiced the character of Thug in the animated film ‘The Hippo Adventure’ and has worked on several commercial campaigns. His calm and steady voice provided a perfect contrast to the chaotic energy of the alien characters in the franchise.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman voiced the wise character Vitruvius in ‘The Lego Movie’ which was released in 2014 to critical acclaim. His character served as a mentor to the protagonist Emmet and poked fun at the traditional wise old man archetype. Freeman also narrated the documentary ‘March of the Penguins’ which utilized his famous vocal style to guide viewers through the nature film. He has lent his voice to numerous commercials and historical programs throughout his lengthy career.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito voiced the iconic villain Lex Luthor in the animated series ‘Harley Quinn’ which airs on Max. He also provided the voice for Akela the wolf in the 2016 live action and CGI version of ‘The Jungle Book’ directed by Jon Favreau. Esposito has appeared as the voice of Baxter Stockman in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ in 2023. His ability to portray sophisticated and dangerous characters translates effectively from his live action roles into animation.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba voiced Chief Bogo the Cape buffalo police chief in the 2016 Disney film ‘Zootopia’ where he commanded the precinct. He also provided the voice for Shere Khan the tiger in ‘The Jungle Book’ which was released during the same year. More recently he took on the role of Knuckles the Echidna in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ and its subsequent spinoff series. Elba has also voiced characters in ‘Finding Dory’ where he played a sea lion named Fluke.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown voiced Lieutenant Destin Mattias in the 2019 Disney sequel ‘Frozen II’ where he played a soldier trapped in the Enchanted Forest. He also provided the voice for the character Garry in the ‘The Angry Birds Movie 2’ which was released the same year. Brown starred as the voice of the character Wolf in the Netflix animated series ‘Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts’ for three seasons. His voice work often captures a mix of authoritative leadership and sincere vulnerability.

Keegan-Michael Key

Keegan Michael Key has a prolific voice acting career including the role of Murray the mummy in the ‘Hotel Transylvania’ sequels starting with the second film. He voiced Kamari the hyena in the 2019 version of ‘The Lion King’ alongside Jordan Peele. Key also provided the voice for Toad in ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ in 2023 and Ducky in ‘Toy Story 4’ in 2019. His vocal range allows him to perform a wide variety of high energy comedic characters.

Jordan Peele

Jordan Peele voiced the character Bunny in ‘Toy Story 4’ where he performed as one half of a comedic duo of carnival prizes. He also voiced the character of Melvin in ‘Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie’ and played various roles in his sketch comedy show animations. Peele voiced Azizi the hyena in the 2019 remake of ‘The Lion King’ which updated the classic characters for a new audience. He also co wrote and starred in the stop motion horror comedy ‘Wendell and Wild’ on Netflix.

James Avery

James Avery is legendary for providing the voice of the Shredder in the original 1987 ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ animated series. He voiced the main antagonist for over one hundred episodes and defined the character for a generation of fans. Avery also provided the voice for War Machine in the 1990s ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Spider Man’ animated series. His deep voice and theatrical delivery made him a staple of animated television during the late twentieth century.

Dave Fennoy

Dave Fennoy provided the voice for Lee Everett the protagonist of the first season of ‘The Walking Dead’ video game by Telltale Games. He has also voiced Lucius Fox in several ‘Batman’ video games including ‘Batman: Arkham Knight’ and ‘Batman: The Telltale Series’. Fennoy voiced the character of Pong Krell in the animated series ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ during the fourth season. His extensive career includes work in hundreds of animated shows and video games as a premier voice talent.

Christopher Judge

Christopher Judge took over the role of Kratos in the 2018 ‘God of War’ game and its sequel ‘God of War Ragnarok’ which used performance capture. He also provided the voice for Magneto in the animated series ‘X Men: Evolution’ during the early 2000s. Judge voiced the character of Black Panther in the ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ video game expansion titled ‘War for Wakanda’ as well. His deep and booming voice has made him a popular choice for powerful and mythic figures in animation.

Bumper Robinson

Bumper Robinson provided the voice for Cyborg in the animated series ‘Justice League Doom’ and voiced Bumblebee in ‘Transformers: Animated’ during the 2000s. He also played the character of Dwight Conrad in the series ‘Futurama’ and voiced Falcon in ‘Avengers Assemble’ for several seasons. Robinson has been a consistent presence in animation since his youth and has worked on projects like ‘Static Shock’ and ‘Scooby Doo’ as well. His versatile voice allows him to transition between young heroes and supporting comedic roles.

Greg Eagles

Greg Eagles is most famous for voicing the character Grim in the Cartoon Network series ‘The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy’ for several years. He also provided the voice for the character Gray Fox in the ‘Metal Gear Solid’ video game which featured extensive animated dialogue. Eagles voiced Jax Briggs in ‘Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm’ and appeared in the ‘Afro Samurai’ series as well. His unique vocal delivery helped make the character of Grim one of the most memorable figures on the network.

Arsenio Hall

Arsenio Hall provided the voice for Winston Zeddemore in the first few seasons of the animated series ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ during the 1980s. He brought a distinct personality to the team as the common sense member of the paranormal investigation group. Hall also voiced characters in the animated film ‘Igor’ and appeared as a guest on various animated specials over the years. His work in ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ remains a nostalgic favorite for fans of the franchise.

Scatman Crothers

Scatman Crothers voiced the iconic character Jazz in the original 1980s ‘The Transformers’ animated series and the subsequent feature film. He also provided the voice for the titular character in ‘Hong Kong Phooey’ as the bumbling karate fighting dog. Crothers voiced Meadowlark Lemon in ‘The Harlem Globetrotters’ animated series and several ‘Scooby Doo’ episodes. His musical background influenced his vocal performances which often included a rhythmic and melodic quality.

Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac provided the voice for Zuba the father of Alex the lion in the 2008 sequel ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ which was one of his final film roles. He brought his signature comedic energy and fatherly authority to the character as they reunited in the wild. Mac also voiced the character Fruit Juice in the animated series ‘King of the Hill’ for a guest appearance. His work in the ‘Madagascar’ franchise helped flesh out the backstory of the main characters with heart and humor.

Cedric the Entertainer

Cedric the Entertainer voiced Maurice the lemur in the ‘Madagascar’ film franchise and its various television spin offs. He also provided the voice for Carl in the first ‘Ice Age’ movie and appeared as Bobby Pride in ‘The Proud Family’ series. Cedric voiced the character of Leadbottom in the Disney animated film ‘Planes’ as well. His voice work is known for a jolly and reliable quality that often provides a comedic foil to more high strung characters.

Tyler James Williams

Tyler James Williams voiced the character Firestorm in the ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’ animated series during its run. He also provided the voice for various characters in ‘The Boondocks’ and has worked on several animated shorts throughout his career. Williams is well known for his live action work but has consistently lent his voice to projects that require a youthful and energetic performance. His contribution to the DC animated universe helped introduce the character of Firestorm to a younger audience.

Wayne Brady

Wayne Brady voiced the character Clover in the long running Disney Junior series ‘Sofia the First’ where he also performed numerous songs. He provided the voice for King Dice in ‘The Cuphead Show’ on Netflix which utilized his skills as a singer and entertainer. Brady has also voiced characters in ‘Phineas and Ferb’ and appeared as the Microwavable Popcorn in ‘Foodfight’ as well. His background in improv and musical theater makes him a highly versatile voice talent for both children and adult animation.

Orlando Jones

Orlando Jones provided the voice for the 7-Up mascot Cool Spot in various commercials and voiced characters in ‘The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle’ film. He also lent his voice to the character of Snack in the animated series ‘Father of the Pride’ about white lions in Las Vegas. Jones has a distinctive vocal style that he has used in several video games including ‘Halo 2’ where he voiced a marine. His work often involves a fast paced and witty delivery that matches his comedic persona.

Zeno Robinson

Zeno Robinson is a rising star in voice acting who provides the voice for Hunter in ‘The Owl House’ and Hawks in the anime ‘My Hero Academia’ for the English dub. He also voices Cyborg in the ‘Young Justice’ series in its later seasons and appears in ‘Craig of the Creek’ as well. Robinson has worked on ‘The Casagrandes’ and ‘Baymax’ among many other recent animated projects. His work has quickly made him one of the most recognizable voices in modern television animation.

LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton voiced the character of Kwame in the environmentally conscious animated series ‘Captain Planet and the Planeteers’ in the 1990s. He also provided his voice for the character Geordi La Forge in various ‘Star Trek’ animated projects and video games. Burton has a long history with educational programming and lent his voice to ‘Reading Rainbow’ where he often narrated animated stories. His soothing and educational vocal style has become synonymous with learning for millions of viewers.

David Alan Grier

David Alan Grier provided the voice for the character Banzai the hyena in the original ‘The Lion King’ video games and various spin off projects. He also voiced the character of Jiminy Cricket in certain Disney specials and appeared in the animated film ‘Stuart Little’ as a voice talent. Grier voiced the character of Uncle Henry in the animated version of ‘The Wiz’ as well. His comedic background allows him to bring a sharp and energetic personality to every animated role he takes on.

JB Smoove

JB Smoove provides the voice for Frank the Plant in the adult animated series ‘Harley Quinn’ where he serves as a cynical companion. He also voiced the character of Bebop in the 2012 ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ series alongside Seth Rogen. Smoove lent his voice to ‘The Emoji Movie’ as the character Fire and has appeared in several ‘Ice Age’ specials. His distinct raspy voice and improvisational style make his characters stand out in any ensemble cast.

Avery Brooks

Avery Brooks voiced the character Captain Benjamin Sisko in the ‘Star Trek’ video games which featured cinematic animated sequences. He also provided the voice for the character of King Maximus in the animated series ‘Gargoyles’ during a guest appearance. Brooks has a very theatrical and powerful voice that he has used for several documentaries and narration projects as well. His work in the ‘Star Trek’ franchise remains his most significant contribution to the world of voice acting and animation.

Dennis Haysbert

Dennis Haysbert provided the voice for the character Master Ox in ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ where he portrayed a skilled martial arts master. He also voiced the character of Kilowog in ‘Green Lantern: The Animated Series’ providing a gruff but caring mentor figure. Haysbert is well known for his deep voice which has also been used in numerous commercials and video games like ‘Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell’. His authoritative vocal presence is often used to portray characters with high integrity and strength.

Ernie Hudson

Ernie Hudson provided the voice for the character Cyborg in the 1980s animated series ‘The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians’ which was one of the earliest portrayals of the hero. He also voiced the character of Lucius Fox in the animated series ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ for several episodes. Hudson has appeared in ‘Transformers: Prime’ as the character Agent Fowler who serves as the liaison between the government and the robots. His steady and reliable voice has made him a favorite for supporting roles in action animation.

Buster Jones

Buster Jones was the second actor to voice the character Winston Zeddemore in ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ taking over for Arsenio Hall. He also voiced the character Blaster in the original ‘The Transformers’ animated series and the 1986 film. Jones provided voices for characters in ‘G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero’ and ‘Captain Planet and the Planeteers’ as well. His career spanned several of the most popular animated franchises of the 1980s and 1990s.

Michael Jai White

Michael Jai White provided the voice for the titular character in the ‘Spawn’ video games and has appeared in several animated DC projects. He voiced the character Bronze Tiger in ‘Batman: Soul of the Dragon’ and appeared as Doomsday in the ‘Justice League’ series. White also voiced the character of Black Dynamite in the animated series based on his live action film of the same name. His martial arts background often influences the physically demanding vocal roles he takes on in action series.

Common

Common provided the voice for the character B.A. Baracus in the animated series ‘The A-Team’ and voiced the character of Armored Truck in the film ‘Smallfoot’. He also lent his voice to the character of Kiburi in ‘The Lion Guard’ which is a spin off of ‘The Lion King’ franchise. Common has worked on several musical animated projects where he contributes both his voice acting and his skills as a rapper. His smooth and rhythmic delivery brings a unique modern energy to his animated characters.

Courtney B. Vance

Courtney B. Vance provided the voice for the character of Roderick Kingsley in the animated series ‘The Spectacular Spider Man’ in the late 2000s. He also lent his voice to the character of the Narrator in various animated documentaries and historical shorts. Vance has a distinguished vocal style that is often used for characters that require a high degree of intelligence and sophistication. His work in the Marvel animated universe is remembered by fans for its professional and nuanced approach.

Phil Morris

Phil Morris provided the voice for Vandal Savage in the ‘Justice League’ animated series and reprised the role in several direct to video films. He also voiced the character of Silas Stone in the ‘Teen Titans’ animated projects and appeared as Jonah Hex in ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’. Morris has a long history of voicing both heroes and villains in the DC and Marvel animated universes. His versatile voice has been a staple of superhero animation for over two decades.

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