Voice Actors Who Sing Theme Songs

Theme songs are an essential part of the television experience as they set the tone for the entire program. While many shows hire professional musicians to record these tracks several animated series rely on their own voice cast to provide the vocals. This approach creates a sense of continuity between the musical introduction and the characters that audiences know and love. These talented voice actors often possess extensive musical backgrounds that allow them to transition seamlessly from dialogue to song.

Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane is the creator of the long running animated sitcom ‘Family Guy’ and provides the voices for many of the main characters. He performs the opening theme song alongside Alex Borstein who voices Lois Griffin. The Broadway style musical number features the characters Peter and Lois singing at a piano before the rest of the family joins in. MacFarlane also uses his vocal talents for the opening themes of his other shows including ‘American Dad!’ and ‘The Cleveland Show’ where he sings in character.

Alex Borstein

Alex Borstein provides the voice for Lois Griffin in the animated comedy ‘Family Guy’. She performs the show’s opening theme song at the piano with Seth MacFarlane who voices Peter Griffin. Borstein is a trained comedic actress and singer who brings a theatrical flair to the musical numbers in the series. Her participation in the theme song has become a staple of the show’s identity since it first premiered on television.

Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen is a prolific voice actor known for his work in the hit series ‘Animaniacs’ where he voices Yakko Warner. He leads the cast in the energetic opening theme song that introduces the Warner brothers and their sister Dot. Paulsen also provides the vocals for the ‘Pinky and the Brain’ theme song where he plays the dim witted laboratory mouse Pinky. His musical background allows him to perform complex songs within these shows that have become staples of Saturday morning television.

Jess Harnell

Jess Harnell voices the character Wakko Warner in the popular animated show ‘Animaniacs’ and contributes to its famous opening track. He joins his fellow cast members to deliver the fast paced lyrics that explain the history of the characters. Harnell is a professional singer outside of his voice acting career which helps him handle the various musical requirements of the series. He often performs live versions of these songs at fan conventions across the globe.

Tress MacNeille

Tress MacNeille provides the voice for Dot Warner in ‘Animaniacs’ and completes the trio that sings the show’s theme. Her high pitched character voice is a key component of the harmony found in the opening sequence. MacNeille has a long history of voicing diverse characters in animation and frequently contributes to musical numbers in ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Futurama’ as well. Her performance in the theme song remains one of the most recognizable parts of the animation era.

Maurice LaMarche

Maurice LaMarche is well known for voicing the highly intelligent mouse Brain in ‘Pinky and the Brain’ and ‘Animaniacs’. He performs the opening theme of ‘Pinky and the Brain’ alongside Rob Paulsen to set the stage for their nightly attempts at world domination. LaMarche uses his deep and authoritative voice to contrast with the high energy vocals during the song. This theme has remained a fan favorite due to its orchestral arrangement and comedic lyrics.

Jeremy Shada

Jeremy Shada provided the voice for Finn the Human in the hit series ‘Adventure Time’ for its entire ten season run. He sings the brief and whimsical opening theme song that introduces the land of Ooo and its many inhabitants. Shada was quite young when he started the role and fans watched his voice mature through the show’s musical numbers. His performance of the theme song became a symbol of the show’s lighthearted and adventurous spirit.

Olivia Olson

Olivia Olson is the voice of Marceline the Vampire Queen in ‘Adventure Time’ and is known for her incredible singing ability. She performs the ending theme song of the show which is titled ‘Come Along with Me’ in several special episodes. Olson often writes and performs her own music which added a layer of depth to her character in the series. Her vocal contributions have made the musical landscape of the show highly regarded by critics and fans alike.

Jim Cummings

Jim Cummings is the legendary voice actor who has portrayed Winnie the Pooh and Tigger for several decades. He performed the theme song for ‘The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh’ which aired throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. Cummings brings a warm and comforting tone to the song that fits the gentle nature of the characters. He has also contributed his singing voice to various Disney films including ‘The Lion King’ and ‘The Princess and the Frog’.

E. G. Daily

Elizabeth Daily is a voice actress and singer who voiced Buttercup in the original ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ series. She performed the vocals for the show’s end credits theme which is an upbeat track that celebrates the superhero trio. Daily also voiced Tommy Pickles in ‘Rugrats’ and has had a successful career as a pop singer under the name E.G. Daily. Her distinctive raspy voice is easily identifiable in the many theme songs and soundtracks she has contributed to over the years.

Grey DeLisle

Grey DeLisle is a versatile voice actress who voiced Mandy in ‘The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy’. She participated in the show’s opening theme alongside her castmates to establish the dark and comedic tone of the series. DeLisle is also a professional singer and songwriter who has released several albums in the folk and country genres. Her ability to switch between character voices and professional singing makes her a valuable asset in the animation industry.

Dan Povenmire

Dan Povenmire is the co-creator of ‘Phineas and Ferb’ and provides the voice for the villainous Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz. He wrote many of the songs for the series and contributes his own vocals to various musical numbers and the show’s music tracks. While the main theme is performed by a rock band Povenmire is heavily involved in the musical direction of the entire project. He often sings the catchy jingles associated with his character’s evil inventions.

Jeff Marsh

Jeff Marsh is the other co-creator of ‘Phineas and Ferb’ and voices the character Major Monogram. Like his creative partner he is a musician who contributes to the songwriting and vocal performances throughout the series. Marsh helps provide the background vocals and character voices found in many of the show’s montages and theme variations. His work ensures that every episode features a high quality musical element that appeals to all ages.

Tara Strong

Tara Strong is one of the most recognizable voices in animation and portrays Raven in ‘Teen Titans Go!’. She lends her voice to the show’s theme song and the numerous musical parody tracks featured in each season. Strong also voiced Timmy Turner in ‘The Fairly OddParents’ where she frequently sang in the show’s opening and closing themes. Her massive range allows her to sing in a variety of styles while staying perfectly in character.

Hynden Walch

Hynden Walch voices Starfire in ‘Teen Titans Go!’ and provides the high energy vocals required for the character’s songs. She joins her fellow cast members in singing the theme and various other tracks that celebrate the team’s bond. Walch also voiced Princess Bubblegum in ‘Adventure Time’ and contributed to the musical atmosphere of that series as well. Her background in theater and music helps her deliver consistent and entertaining vocal performances.

Cree Summer

Cree Summer is a veteran voice actress who voiced the character Susie Carmichael in the popular series ‘Rugrats’. She performed the theme song for the spin off series ‘All Grown Up!’ which follows the original characters as teenagers. Summer has a successful career as a singer and has released her own solo albums in addition to her extensive voice work. Her soulful vocal style brought a fresh and contemporary feel to the theme of the updated series.

Brina Palencia

Brina Palencia is a prolific voice actress known for her work in the English dub of ‘Rosario + Vampire’. She performs the English version of the opening theme song for the series which showcases her professional singing background. Palencia has also provided vocals for themes in ‘One Piece’ and ‘Dragon Ball Kai’ while voicing major characters in those franchises. Her ability to match the energy of the original Japanese tracks has made her a popular choice for musical roles in anime.

Jodi Benson

Jodi Benson is the iconic voice of Ariel in ‘The Little Mermaid’ and reprised her role for the animated television series. She performed the show’s theme song which is titled ‘Sea Kingdom’ in several markets. Benson is a celebrated Broadway performer whose vocal abilities have defined the character for generations of fans. Her contributions to the Disney musical library include numerous songs that have become themes for various media projects.

Vic Mignogna

Vic Mignogna is a veteran voice actor who voiced Edward Elric in the ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’ series. He recorded the English version of the show’s first opening theme song which is titled ‘Melissa’. Mignogna has contributed his singing voice to several other anime titles including ‘One Piece’ and ‘Dragon Ball Kai’ over the years. His musical performances are often featured at anime conventions where he performs for fans who recognize his work across the industry.

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