20 All-Time Best Voice Actors

Great voice actors disappear into their characters and make animated worlds feel real, often shaping entire generations of shows and games. The names below have created iconic roles across film, television, and video games, building deep resumes through range, longevity, and sheer volume of memorable performances. From early cartoon pioneers to modern gaming powerhouses, they set standards for versatility, technique, and character work. Here are twenty standouts whose credits tell the story of the medium’s evolution.

Mel Blanc

Mel Blanc voiced a lineup of classic Warner Bros. characters that defined American animation for decades. His credits include Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and many others across hundreds of shorts. He perfected catchphrases and timing that animators designed to match his reads rather than the other way around. His work also extended to radio and early television, showing how a single performer could anchor a studio’s entire slate.

June Foray

June Foray brought sharp comedic instincts and precise character choices to roles like Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Granny from the Looney Tunes series. She worked across studios and genres, voicing witches, grandmothers, and heroes with equal credibility. Her performances helped establish women as essential leads in early American animation. Foray also advocated for the craft through industry organizations and awards recognition.

Frank Welker

Frank Welker’s career spans thousands of credits in animation and live action sound effects. He has voiced Fred Jones and Scooby-Doo across multiple series and films, often supplying creature and animal sounds that productions use as a signature. Studios rely on his ability to create distinct vocal textures without electronic processing. His consistency has kept long running franchises stable across reboots and cast changes.

Jim Cummings

Jim Cummings took over as the primary voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger in numerous projects while maintaining a large roster of other characters. He led ‘Darkwing Duck’ and contributed key villains and side characters across Disney television. His adaptable baritone can shift from warm to menacing within a single scene. Cummings also performs singing lines that match character voices, keeping musical continuity intact.

Tara Strong

Tara Strong has anchored multiple generations of children’s television and superhero animation. Her roles include Bubbles in ‘The Powerpuff Girls’, Timmy Turner in ‘The Fairly OddParents’, Raven in ‘Teen Titans’, and Dil Pickles in ‘Rugrats’. She uses clear character differentiation to play both leads and ensembles in the same episode. Strong also works in major game franchises, bringing animated precision to interactive storytelling.

Billy West

Billy West voices multiple leads in ‘Futurama’, including Fry, Professor Farnsworth, and Dr. Zoidberg, often conversing with himself in extended scenes. He also portrayed the Red M&M in long running advertising and took on classic characters like Bugs Bunny in select projects. His performance style balances caricature with grounded delivery so jokes land while stories stay coherent. West’s multi role sessions demonstrate advanced breath control and pacing.

Tom Kenny

Tom Kenny’s best known role is SpongeBob in ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’, where he sustains high energy vocal work over many seasons. He also voices the Ice King in ‘Adventure Time’ and numerous secondary characters that add texture to worldbuilding. Kenny’s background in sketch comedy helps him improvise reactions that animators can use for expressive facial beats. He frequently collaborates with casting teams to build complementary ensembles.

Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright voices Bart Simpson and several other kids on ‘The Simpsons’, maintaining character consistency across decades of episodes. Her youthful timbre and articulation let writers craft complex jokes around Bart’s rhythm and timing. She also handles incidental roles that fill out Springfield’s school and neighborhood scenes. Cartwright’s approach shows how a single performer can anchor a long running sitcom’s pace.

Dan Castellaneta

Dan Castellaneta voices Homer Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and many additional characters on ‘The Simpsons’. He fine tunes vocal placement to switch among personalities during rapid fire dialogue. His Homer performance supports both comedic set pieces and emotional episodes that require soft delivery. Castellaneta’s range allows production to cover guest shortfalls without altering scripts.

Maurice LaMarche

Maurice LaMarche is known for Brain in ‘Pinky and the Brain’ and Orson Welles inspired reads used across multiple series. He delivers intricate monologues with precise diction that animators can align to dramatic mouth shapes. His portfolio includes sophisticated villains and narrators that require controlled resonance. LaMarche also contributes ADR and looping that help unify sound across episodes.

Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen voices Yakko Warner in ‘Animaniacs’ and Pinky in ‘Pinky and the Brain’, demonstrating opposite ends of tempo and pitch. He has recorded extensive song material that blends wordplay with character clarity. Paulsen’s session work often involves fast switches between multiple characters within the same sketch. He also mentors newer performers through workshops that focus on mic technique and script markup.

Dee Bradley Baker

Dee Bradley Baker specializes in creature and nonverbal sounds while also handling complex dialogue roles. He voices every clone trooper in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ by assigning subtle tonal differences to each character. Baker created signature animal voices for ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’, including Appa and Momo, using layered breath and vocal fry. His methods are frequently referenced in sound design breakdowns for animation.

John DiMaggio

John DiMaggio voices Bender on ‘Futurama’ and Jake the Dog on ‘Adventure Time’, balancing sardonic humor with warmth. His gravelly range covers tough characters and heartfelt mentors without losing intelligibility. DiMaggio’s documentary appearances have highlighted the workflow of modern voice sessions and casting. He works across games and television, bringing consistent mic presence to varied recording environments.

Kevin Conroy

Kevin Conroy set the benchmark for Batman across ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ and many follow up projects. He developed a dual voice approach that separates Bruce Wayne and Batman without heavy processing. Conroy’s consistent portrayal spans television episodes, animated films, and video games, providing franchise continuity. His performance influenced later casting decisions for superhero adaptations.

Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill’s Joker is a cornerstone of DC animation, first introduced in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’. He uses dynamic pitch and rhythm to shift from playful to threatening within a single line. Hamill has returned to the role across films and games, ensuring a cohesive vocal identity. He also records for other franchises, showing range beyond his most famous villain.

Jennifer Hale

Jennifer Hale is one of the most prolific performers in video games, including the female Commander Shepard in ‘Mass Effect’. She brings consistent character reads across branching dialogue trees that require precise matching during edits. Hale also voices roles in animation and action titles where combat barks and cinematic scenes must align. Her performance training emphasizes stamina and vocal health during long recording schedules.

Laura Bailey

Laura Bailey’s credits include Abby in ‘The Last of Us Part II’, Nadine Ross in ‘Uncharted 4’, and major roles in anime and western animation. She handles performance capture and traditional booth work, syncing physicality with on mic delivery. Bailey navigates emotionally demanding scripts that require quiet realism as well as heightened action. Her versatility supports both ensemble casts and lead driven narratives.

Nolan North

Nolan North became widely known for Nathan Drake in ‘Uncharted’, blending improvisational timing with cinematic direction. He has recorded for numerous franchises where player choice changes tone and outcome. North’s reads often incorporate naturalistic breaths and overlaps that editors leverage for film like pacing. He also provides ADR for games that need dialogue to match evolving cutscenes.

Troy Baker

Troy Baker’s major roles include Joel in ‘The Last of Us’, Booker DeWitt in ‘BioShock Infinite’, and key characters in anime dubs. He adapts to performance capture stages and traditional studio booths, keeping continuity across technical setups. Baker’s vocal range supports heroes, antiheroes, and stylized villains without losing clarity. He collaborates closely with directors to align character arcs with gameplay beats.

Cree Summer

Cree Summer has sustained a long career in animation with roles like Susie Carmichael in ‘Rugrats’ and Numbuh 5 in ‘Codename: Kids Next Door’. Her voice print suits both grounded kids and confident teenagers, which helps shows balance casts. Summer records across comedy and adventure genres, contributing to series tone through ad libs and reactions. She continues to book work in new reboots that connect classic properties to new audiences.

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones provided the voice of Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars’ film projects and guided key lines that shaped the character across edits and re releases. He also narrated ‘The Lion King’ as Mufasa, delivering dialogue and brief songs that matched animated timing. His stage and microphone training supported sustained low register reads that remain clear over orchestral mixes. Jones recorded trailers and documentary narration that production teams used to anchor soundscapes across formats.

Peter Cullen

Peter Cullen is best known as Optimus Prime in multiple ‘Transformers’ series and films, maintaining consistent phrasing across reboots. He created the authoritative cadence that editors align to action beats and dramatic pauses. Cullen also voiced Eeyore in ‘Winnie the Pooh’ projects, showing a contrasting tone built on breath control and restraint. His work includes commercial narration where producers rely on reliable timing for tight broadcast slots.

Kevin Michael Richardson

Kevin Michael Richardson has voiced a wide range of characters in series like ‘The Cleveland Show’, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, and ‘Lilo and Stitch’. Casting directors use his deep register for villains, mentors, and comedic side characters that require clear articulation. He records ensemble scenes where quick switches and overlaps must stay intelligible for mixers. Richardson’s credits extend to games that need battle barks and cinematic reads recorded in long sessions.

Clancy Brown

Clancy Brown voices Mr. Krabs in ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ with a rhythmic delivery that fits the show’s fast comedic edits. He has also portrayed Lex Luthor across multiple DC animated projects, providing a steady vocal identity for crossovers. Brown records for video games where cutscenes and gameplay audio require matched energy and tempo. His live action background supports precise microphone placement that keeps gravel textures without distortion.

Steve Blum

Steve Blum holds extensive anime and game credits, including Spike Spiegel in ‘Cowboy Bebop’ and roles in ‘Naruto’ and ‘X Men’ animation. He maintains long form recording stamina for sessions that involve thousands of lines and variations. Blum’s reads often mix quiet realism with stylized emphasis to match imported animation timing. He also provides training materials and workshops that focus on protecting the voice during heavy workloads.

Grey DeLisle

Grey DeLisle has voiced Daphne Blake in ‘Scooby Doo’ projects for years while rotating through new ensemble characters in many series. She brings singing ability that lets productions handle musical episodes without separate vocal doubles. DeLisle records sharp comedic timing for sketch segments and shorts alongside dramatic roles in action shows. Her game credits cover fantasy and sci fi titles that need clear combat calls and narrative scenes.

Phil LaMarr

Phil LaMarr voices Samurai Jack in ‘Samurai Jack’ and Green Lantern John Stewart in ‘Justice League’, showing clean shifts between stoic and conversational reads. He is frequently cast for ensemble comedy like ‘Futurama’ where quick character swaps are required during table reads. LaMarr’s improvisation background helps with alternate takes that editors select for pacing. He also teaches voice performance fundamentals that emphasize script markup and microphone technique.

Keith David

Keith David’s resonant baritone anchors narration and character roles in projects like ‘Gargoyles’, ‘Mass Effect’, and ‘Rick and Morty’. He records narration that mixes smoothly under score without losing diction. David handles authoritative roles and grounded humor that help writers balance scenes. His film and theater experience informs breath support that keeps long sentences controlled and clear.

H. Jon Benjamin

H. Jon Benjamin leads ‘Archer’ as Sterling Archer and ‘Bob’s Burgers’ as Bob Belcher, delivering conversational reads that drive character driven comedy. He records natural overlaps and pauses that editors use to create a loose, realistic cadence. Benjamin’s distinct tone remains consistent across seasons, which helps animators plan facial timing. He also performs guest roles in sketch based shows that build jokes around his dry delivery.

Charles Martinet

Charles Martinet voiced Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi in ‘Super Mario’ games for decades, recording short reactive lines and expressive exclamations. His sessions required precise timing to sync with gameplay cues and short animation loops. Martinet’s work established recognizable vocal motifs that sound designers reused across titles and promotional materials. He also appeared at live events where he performed character voices in real time for fans.

Share your favorites in the comments and let us know which performances you think belong on this list.