The Legendary Voice: Maurice LaMarche's 10 Most Iconic Characters

Maurice LaMarche, a highly talented voice artist from Canada, has established himself as one of the industry's most notable and productive figures. Initially recognized for his exceptional ability to imitate others, LaMarche began his career as a successful stand-up comedian. However, he eventually discovered his true passion as a voice actor. Interestingly, he had the privilege of being both neighbors and classmates with renowned Canadian actor and comedian, Mike Myers.

LaMarche's remarkable talent for impressions has allowed him to portray a multitude of well-known personalities, often lending his voice to multiple characters within the same show. His iconic vocal performances effortlessly demonstrate his expansive range, oftentimes making it difficult to discern that they all come from a single individual. While he may not possess the same level of name recognition as other voice actors, a quick glance at his impressive portfolio unequivocally establishes his status as one of the industry's most esteemed performers.

10. Big Bob Pataki

Robert "Big Bob" Pataki, the head of the Pataki family, is the main provider as he successfully manages a beeper store. His ambition drives him to constantly find new ways to make money at the expense of others, making him the most antagonistic adult on the show. However, his relationship with his youngest daughter, Helga, is strained as he often compares her unfavorably to her older sister, Olga.

Despite his flaws, Big Bob is a multi-dimensional character like many others in Hey Arnold!. While he can be hot-tempered and neglectful, he genuinely cares for his family in his own unique way. Maurice LaMarche's portrayal of Big Bob perfectly captures his gruff and straightforward demeanor, while also displaying moments of vulnerability. Hey Arnold! stands as one of the best Nicktoons of all time, largely due to its diverse and complex cast of characters, including the memorable Big Bob.

9. Father

Codename: Kids Next Door is an underappreciated show that both kids and adults can enjoy, thanks to its intricate storyline. The series revolves around the Kids Next Door, a group of children who battle against teenagers and adults to protect the world's children. Their greatest adversary is Father, the foster father of the eerie Delightful Children from Down the Lane. Father possesses the ability to rally other villains and control fire, making him a formidable opponent even for the renowned Sector V team.

Father embodies all the negative stereotypes of a father in one irritable package. He despises children and is constantly attempting to either turn them into compliant servants or ruin their fun. LaMarche skillfully portrays this character, delivering lines that always teeter on the edge of an explosive outburst, emphasized by his strategic emphasis on certain syllables.

8. Mr. Freeze

To save his dying wife, Victor Frieze placed her in suspended animation until he could find a cure for her ailment. Unfortunately, a laboratory mishap forced him to rely on freezing temperatures to survive, leading to his confinement in a specialized suit that hardened his heart. With a freeze ray in hand, he turned to a life of crime to fund his research.

LaMarche's portrayal of Freeze in the Batman Arkham games captures the character's inner conflict. When angered, Freeze's voice takes on a robotic and cold tone, thanks to the modulation caused by his suit. However, LaMarche also taps into the small remnants of Freeze's humanity during scenes where he desperately pleads with Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy) to save his wife. LaMarche's performance beautifully complements Conroy's iconic portrayal of Batman, resulting in one of the most compelling hero-villain dynamics in the Arkham series.

7. Toucan Sam

Toucan Sam, the beloved mascot of Kellog's Froot Loop cereal, is known for his charming and friendly nature. Accompanied by his nephews Puey, Susey, and Louis, Sam embarks on exciting adventures to discover new and vibrant flavors of Froot Loops. In times of trouble, he always reminds everyone to trust their sense of smell, as it never fails.

With an impressive tenure as the voice of Sam, LaMarche's portrayal has become synonymous with the character. His cheerful and witty delivery, coupled with an elegant demeanor, sets Sam apart from other cereal mascots. LaMarche's contribution has elevated Sam to the status of a true cultural icon, a rare achievement for a product mascot.

6. Calculon

Futurama boasts numerous robot characters, as they have become just as common as biological species in the 31st century universe. Calculon, Earth's prominent robotic talent, is a renowned actor within the sitcom "All My Circuits." Often, he crosses paths with the crew of Planet Express Delivery, resulting in unfavorable consequences.

Calculon serves as a hilarious parody of actors who possess an excessive ego and take themselves too seriously. He flawlessly delivers each line in an exaggerated manner, even when the cameras are not rolling, and adamantly refuses to film second takes. LaMarche's joyful portrayal adds to the character's memorability, embracing the over-the-top style.

5. Lrrr

Lrrr, the ruler of Omicron Persei 8, boasts control over a formidable army, making him a force to be reckoned with in the galaxy. When not engrossed in sitcoms from a millennium ago, he frequently launches invasions on Earth for the simplest of reasons. Despite his intimidating appearance, Lrrr possesses a softer side that ultimately won over his wife, Ndnd (voiced by the talented Tress MacNeille).

Lrrr's portrayal as one of the most memorable villains in the show is largely attributed to LaMarche's delivery. His powerful voice attempts to exude intimidation but also carries a hint of comedic flair, striking the perfect balance between menace and humor that aligns seamlessly with Futurama's overall tone.

4. Kif Kroker

The belligerent assistant to General Zap Brannigan, Lieutenant Kif Kroker, often finds himself performing degrading tasks for his superior's benefit. However, he lacks the confidence to defend himself, so he resorts to making cynical remarks whenever possible. When he's not under Zap's control, he enjoys a romantic relationship with Amy Wong, an intern at Planet Express.

Kif is one of the most likable characters in Futurama, offering Maurice LaMarche the opportunity to showcase his talent for portraying reserved and soft-spoken characters. It's easy to relate to Kif's predicament, which makes the moments when he can let loose and escape from Zap all the more enjoyable. His relationship with Amy is incredibly heartwarming, especially now that they have children together in the latest season.

3. Morbo

Morbo the Annihilator, one of Earth's most recognizable news anchors, co-hosts Channel √2 alongside Linda van Schoonhove (Tress MacNeille). While reporting on current events, he never fails to remind Earth's inhabitants that his people will eventually conquer them. However, until that moment arrives, he remains satisfied with gathering information, hosting various talk shows, and even moderating presidential debates.

Morbo has become an iconic supporting character in Futurama. His gimmick, though simple, effectively captivates viewers due to the clever pacing, his questionable friendship with Linda, and the outstanding performance by LaMarche. With his aggressive delivery and frequent outbursts, Morbo consistently keeps audiences entertained and relevant to the storyline. Undoubtedly, Morbo's presence in numerous hilarious episodes further solidifies his status as one of the show's standout characters.

2. Orson Welles

Orson Welles, a prominent figure in Hollywood, achieved great success as both a director and actor. He is well-known for his work in films such as Citizen Kane and his memorable narration of the 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast. In his later years, Welles became involved in numerous food and wine commercials, and even today, people still recall the amusing outtakes from those advertisements. He made his final performance as the voice of Unicron in The Transformers: The Movie.

Maurice LaMarche has frequently portrayed Orson Welles in various projects throughout the years, including The Critic, The Simpsons, and Futurama. LaMarche flawlessly captures Welles' distinctive mannerisms, adding just the right amount of exaggeration to give his portrayal a slightly unhinged quality. As a warm-up routine, LaMarche often recites Welles' famous Frozen Peas rant, which was famously parodied in an episode of Animaniacs.

1. The Brain

Image via Fox Kids

After the scientists at the ACME lab finish their work for the day, two lab mice named Pinky and the Brain manage to escape from their cages. Pinky, who is beloved by the voice actor Rob Paulsen, and the Brain, who is highly intelligent, join forces in an attempt to conquer the world. Despite their failed plans, the Brain always comes up with a new strategy by the following night.

In this role, the Brain allows Maurice LaMarche to showcase his impressive Orson Welles voice, portraying a more serious character. The Brain tends to approach problems with logical reasoning, which contrasts perfectly with Pinky's enthusiastic and childlike reactions. Due to their popularity, the duo has been featured in several shows throughout the years. Both LaMarche and Paulsen happily lend their voices to official projects and engage with fan panels.