The Ultimate Countdown: Unveiling the Definitive Top Cartoon Character Voices of All Time!

Summary

Creating iconic characters in animated series relies heavily on memorable cartoon character voices, such as those of Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck.

Sterling Holloway's unmistakable voice, brimming with gentle melancholy, breathed life into Winnie the Pooh, cementing it as one of the most instantly recognizable cartoon character voices.

Mark Hamill's portrayal of the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series is a testament to his brilliance in bringing the character to life. His lunacy and silliness resulted in an unforgettable voice that has secured its place in animated character history.

Certain animated characters leave a lasting impression not only because of their visual appearance but also due to their distinctive voices. Sound and spoken narrative have been integral components of animated storytelling since Max Fleischer's groundbreaking film, Come Take a Trip in My Airship, in 1924. Over time, advancements in sound quality allowed voice actors to explore more intriguing, comedic, and nuanced voices that perfectly embodied the essence of their characters. Some voices were inspired by famous actors or personal connections, while others were entirely original and delightfully eccentric creations.

Beavis And Butt-Head

Some of the most iconic cartoon character voices have resulted in the recollection of memorable moments where audiences find themselves associating mundane words like "picnic" or "doc" with a specific character's voice. While Looney Tunes and The Simpsons undoubtedly have numerous funny characters worthy of mention, there exist countless other shows and characters that deserve recognition. Regardless of whether the animated series caters to adults or children, these distinct cartoon voices remain ingrained in the minds of viewers. From the earliest Disney productions to the latest Cartoon Network broadcasts, these voices are undeniably some of the most recognizable in the history of cartoons.

Mike Judge

Beavis and Butt-Head, iconic characters from the 1990s MTV series, are a package deal with equally iconic cartoon character voices. Created and voiced by Mike Judge, they are chuckling, cranky metalhead burnouts with low IQs and a love for potty humor. Judge recently revived the series and continues to voice both characters. However, their cartoon voices differ greatly. Beavis has a higher-pitched, growly voice with a slight lisp and minimal dialogue. Butt-Head, on the other hand, has a deeper, dopier voice and is more talkative. Both voices leave a lasting impression.

Winnie The Pooh

Sterling Holloway

Pooh embodies the essence of an endearing animated character who wouldn't harm the butterfly that gracefully landed on his delicate nose. Moreover, he possesses one of the most unforgettable voices in the realm of cartoons. This distinctive voice was brought to life by none other than Sterling Holloway, a renowned voice actor who also lent his talents to iconic animated characters such as Alice in Wonderland's mischievous Cheshire Cat, the slithery snake Kaa in The Jungle Book, and the beloved voice behind Purina Puppy Chow commercials.

Daria

: Holloway's gentle and slightly sad voice brought the honey-loving bear to life until 1977. Since then, Hal Smith and Jim Cummings, the two Pooh actors, have remained true to Holloway's original tone. Holloway was posthumously recognized as the first voice actor to be named an official "Disney Legend" just a year prior to his passing in 1992.

Tracy Grandstaff

Daria, a spinoff of Beavis and Butt-head, aired on MTV for five seasons from 1997 to 2002. The show revolved around Daria Morgendorffer, a high-school girl who shared only one thing with her classmates – a disdain for humanity. However, Daria was quite the opposite in every other aspect, possessing a sharp, sarcastic wit fueled by her fierce intelligence. What stood out even more was her deadpan cartoon character voice, expertly brought to life by Tracy Grandstaff, who, as a writer on the show, perfectly embodied Daria's low-key persona. With a monotone drone, Grandstaff effortlessly conveyed Daria's lack of interest in the world around her, as her face barely flinched while delivering caustic one-liners and relatable quotes.

Optimus Prime

Peter Cullen

Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen became synonymous with Optimus Prime in the original 1980s Transformers animated series. His portrayal of the Autobot leader is widely regarded as the definitive voice, resonating with viewers as a commanding yet compassionate presence. Cullen's vocal performance, though not overly expressive, exudes authority and sincerity that endears him to both Autobots and Transformers fans alike.

The Joker

Peter Cullen, the voice actor for Optimus Prime, found inspiration for the character's voice in his own brother. Cullen's brother, who served in Vietnam, provided him with the understanding of quiet leadership, making him the perfect model to emulate when giving voice to Optimus Prime. In addition to his iconic portrayal of the Autobot leader, Cullen is also recognized for his role as Eeyore, the gloomy donkey friend of Winnie the Pooh.

Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill, known for his iconic role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, is also highly regarded as the definitive voice of the Joker in various animated series. His journey as the Joker began with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. In an episode of the Nerdist Podcast, Hamill revealed that he initially felt uncertain about his chances of being cast, considering his association with Skywalker, a character known for his virtuous nature.

Hamill's concern was that studios might not perceive him as a suitable choice to portray Batman's unhinged adversary. However, he decided to go all out during the audition, believing he had nothing to lose. As it turned out, this bold approach is what ultimately secured him the role. Hamill's portrayal of the Joker is characterized by a perfect blend of madness and comedic elements. His vocal performance features seamless transitions from low to high pitches and distinct, maniacal laughter for different situations.

Most recently, Hamill lent his voice to the Joker in the animated film Batman: The Killing Joke. He is also fondly remembered for reprising the role in the Arkham video games.

Bullwinkle

Bill Scott

With the exception of those immersed in the world of National Lampoon's Vacation and their infatuation with Marty Moose, the most adored cartoon moose has to be Bullwinkle J. Moose from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. Bill Scott, one of the show's creators, not only contributed to its development but also bestowed upon us one of the most remarkable voices in cartoon history, that of Bullwinkle. In fact, he dedicated his career to voicing this beloved moose, starting from his initial appearance in 1959 until his passing in 1985.

Bullwinkle’s voice was tailor-made for comedy. Its very essence exudes humor; it's refreshingly simplistic, delightfully dim-witted, and possesses a slightly nasal quality with a subtle hint of a lisp. This starkly contrasts with his aviator squirrel companion, Rocky. Interestingly, in recent years, another renowned voice-over artist from the world of cartoons, Tom Kenny, known for his portrayal of SpongeBob SquarePants, has taken on the mantle of bringing Bullwinkle's character to life.

Bender

John DiMaggio

The most iconic grumpy cartoon robot of all time is undoubtedly Bender Bending Rodríguez from the Fox TV series Futurama. He doesn't seem to have many people he genuinely likes, except for the two individuals on his "Do Not Kill" list. Despite being designed to bend metal, Bender finds true satisfaction in indulging in human vices, and his distinctive cartoon character voice is easily recognizable.

Bender's voice is a perfect reflection of his disgruntled and crude personality. It is flawlessly delivered by the talented voice actor John DiMaggio, who manages to make him sound nothing like a robot. Instead, Bender's voice closely resembles that of a grumpy, wheezing resident of New York City. In a 2010 interview with The New York Times, DiMaggio describes Bender as "the intoxicated person you find at the end of every bar in the Northeast."

Yogi Bear

Daws Butler

The renowned duo of animation producers William Hanna and Joseph Barbera introduced a steady stream of iconic characters and memorable cartoon voices to the world, such as Fred Flintstone, George Jetson, Tom and Jerry, and Scooby-Doo. However, it was Yogi Bear who truly achieved household recognition when he first appeared in 1958. His main obsession was pilfering visitors' "pic-a-nic baskets" at Jellystone Park while outsmarting the park's ranger.

Much like the later character Barney Rubble from The Flintstones, Yogi was inspired by actor Art Carney’s character Ed Norton from The Honeymooners. Throughout the first thirty years of Yogi's existence, Daws Butler captured Norton's exaggerated enthusiasm in his portrayal of Yogi's voice. Following Butler's passing in 1988, several other actors, including Dan Aykroyd in the 2010 live-action/computer-animated film, have voiced Yogi, all of them emulating Butler's iconic Norton-inspired voice.

Stewie Griffin

Seth MacFarlane

Stewie Griffin, the matricidal, evil genius baby on the Fox series Family Guy, has one of the most memorable cartoon character voices. Unlike other characters on the show, only Stewie's best friend Brian can understand him. Stewie is voiced by series creator Seth MacFarlane, who made the interesting choice of giving him an eloquent, arrogant British accent. It's unfortunate that none of the other characters can hear Stewie's hilarious voice, except for Brian.

While viewers may question how a baby from Rhode Island ended up with a British accent, MacFarlane revealed that he drew inspiration from British actor Rex Harrison's performance as Henry Higgins in the musical My Fair Lady. MacFarlane was intrigued by Harrison's ability to seamlessly transition between high and low tones, and he used this as the basis for Stewie's voice. In fact, MacFarlane even confessed in a 2010 interview at PaleyFest LA that he would use the Stewie voice to impress girls during his college days.

Eric Cartman

Trey Parker

The voice of South Park's narcissistic Eric Cartman, though slightly changed over time, is undeniably one of the most recognizable in the world of animated characters. It remains a constant enigma as to why Cartman's fellow characters Stan, Kyle, and Kenny choose to associate with him, considering his notorious penchant for unadulterated malevolence. The appalling acts of cruelty perpetrated by Eric Cartman throughout the extensive span of South Park's multiple seasons are truly shocking.

Betty Boop

His unforgettable voice, brilliantly portrayed by Trey Parker, exudes a profound sense of vileness. It possesses a high-pitched and grating quality with a razor-sharp intensity, particularly in moments of anger. Additionally, he has developed a peculiar pronunciation style for words like "cool," "authority," and "mom," instantly signaling to viewers who is speaking. During post-production, Cartman's voice is artificially raised slightly to enhance its piercing quality.

Mae Questel

Dating back to the 1930s, Betty Boop was a portrayal of flappers - young women in the 1920s who embraced short skirts, bobbed hair, and were fond of dancing to jazz. With her baby-like face, enormous head, and disproportionately large eyes, Betty stood out from the crowd, all while possessing a womanly figure. Notably, she was one of the first animated characters to be considered "sexy," a notion that sparked controversy as American society grew more conservative in the mid-1930s.

Max Fleischer, the creator of Popeye, was also responsible for bringing Betty Boop to life. Betty's youthful appearance was complemented by her childlike, high-pitched voice. Although Margie Hines initially provided the voice, it was Mae Questel who gained recognition for voicing the flirtatious cartoon character. Questel's portrayal, characterized by a high-pitched voice and occasional squeals, solidified Betty's identity and set the tone for future voice actors who would emulate her performance.

Homer Simpson

Dan Castellaneta

Originally created as short comedy sketches for The Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons has since become one of the longest-running and most iconic animated TV series in history. With its satirical portrayal of American suburban life, the show has retained its essence throughout its remarkable three-decade span. Although The Simpsons features a host of beloved animated characters, including Bart and Marge, Homer Simpson truly steals the spotlight.

Popeye

Throughout the entirety of the television series, Dan Castellaneta has exclusively provided the voice for Homer Simpson, the central character of the show. The portrayal of Homer's slow-witted and dimwitted speech is exceptionally fitting for the beloved and preferred goofball of the audience. It is nearly impossible to envision Homer sounding any differently. Initially, Castellaneta tried to emulate the renowned actor Walter Matthau during the earlier seasons. However, over time, Homer's voice developed and evolved, gaining strength and ultimately becoming recognized as one of the most iconic voices in the realm of animated characters today.

Jack Mercer

The character of Popeye the Sailor initially made his debut in a 1929 comic strip called Thimble Theater before being introduced as a central cartoon character in a series of productions led by animation pioneer Max Fleischer. In contrast to many other iconic cartoon character voices, Popeye does not have a single voice actor who can fully claim the role. However, William Costello laid the foundation for the character in 1933. Notable names such as Jack Mercer, with his gritty and gravelly yet somewhat high-pitched speech, intermittently portrayed Popeye from 1935 to 1984. Additionally, Mae Questel, known for her work as Betty Boop, lent her voice to the surly sailor in 1945 and 1961.

Shaggy Rogers

Casey Kasem

Scooby-Doo, the timid yet beloved dog, may be the main attraction in the various TV shows and movies dedicated to his adventures. However, it is the voice of his human companion, Shaggy, that truly captures attention and stands as one of the most iconic cartoon character voices. Shaggy, portrayed as a thin and carefree individual, can be categorized into two constant states: fear and hunger. Even when Scooby-Doo crossed over to live-action adaptations, the actor Matthew Lillard felt compelled to imitate Shaggy's instantly recognizable voice.

The late and renowned radio DJ, Casey Kasem, deserves credit for flawlessly personifying the range of emotions that Shaggy, also known as Norville "Shaggy" Rogers, experiences. His high-pitched voice always seems to be in a heightened state of emotion, whether it be from fear or excitement. There is a distinct quiver in his speech, frequently accompanied by the usage of words such as "like," "g-g-g-g-g-ghost," and "Scoob." Additionally, a uniquely Bohemian vibe is effortlessly delivered through his voice.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Tom Kenny

SpongeBob SquarePants from Nickelodeon embodies the boisterous charm of early rubber hose cartoon characters. His animated presence is unforgettable, with emotions cranked up to the max and exaggerated antics verging on parody. Tom Kenny's versatile vocal talents bring this character to life in a hilariously brilliant way.

Mickey Mouse

Tom Kenny is widely recognized as one of the animation industry's most accomplished voice actors, having lent his talents to numerous popular shows such as Adventure Time, The Clone Wars, and various superhero series. It comes as no surprise that SpongeBob's character exudes such infectious energy, as Kenny drew inspiration from the vibrant on-screen personas of famous entertainers like Jerry Lewis, Stan Laurel, and Pee-wee Herman. Interestingly, Kenny's iconic SpongeBob voice effortlessly emerged within seconds of familiarizing himself with the character's distinct personality. Fascinatingly, Kenny had previously showcased this same voice while playing a one-off character in Rocko's Modern Life.

Walt Disney

Mickey, arguably the most recognizable animated character worldwide, was created by Walt Disney himself. Dating back to 1928, Mickey is one of the oldest animated characters and is known for his iconic cartoon voice. When first introduced in the black and white short film "Steamboat Willie," which was the first to synchronize sound and picture in a cartoon, Mickey communicated non-verbally through whistling and high-pitched squeaks, foreshadowing his later vocalizations.

In his initial appearances with dialogue, Mickey was voiced by Walt Disney himself. Throughout the course of nearly ninety years, fifteen different individuals have provided Mickey's voice, all using the distinctive and somewhat timid falsetto originated by Disney. Former voice actor Jimmy MacDonald once told Wayne Allwine, who voiced Mickey in the 80s, 90s, and 00s, that he was merely filling in for the boss, referring to Disney. This notion seems to guide all the actors, including the current voice, Bret Iwan, who took over the role in 2009.

Bugs Bunny

Mel Blanc

Bugs Bunny is known for having more fun than any other character in the Loony Tunes series. His cocky attitude is perfectly complemented by his distinctive voice, which has become one of the most memorable in cartoon history. Every aspect of his personality is captured in his smarmy, Bronx/Brooklyn-accented voice. Despite his self-centered nature, Bugs is incredibly endearing, and this is the magic of both Bugs Bunny and the talented Mel Blanc, who provided the voice for Bugs from his official debut in 1940 until Blanc's passing in 1989.

Amazingly, despite initially doubting the remarkable voice, Blanc briefly experimented with a Jimmy Stewart-like tone for his second short before reverting back to the beloved voice cherished by fans. Although five actors have lent their voices to Bugs Bunny since Blanc’s passing, it was Jeff Bergman who assumed the mantle in 1990 and has remained the exclusive voice since 2011, striving to capture the essence of Blanc's original portrayal. Nevertheless, when it comes to Blanc's distinctive snark as Bugs Bunny, no one can rival his icon status.

Dexter

Christine Cavanaugh

Dexter's Laboratory, an iconic Cartoon Network original series from the '90s, is not only remembered for its outstanding animation but also for its unforgettable protagonist's voice. Dexter's voice is distinct, characterized by an exaggerated accent of unknown origin and a fluctuating volume that matches his mercurial nature. Every viewer will easily recall the moments when Dexter passionately shouts his sister's name, Dee Dee, whenever his plans are thwarted.

Voice actress Christine Cavanaugh brought life to Dexter's memorable voice, leaving a lasting impact on fans. Notably, she also lent her talent to another beloved '90s character, Chuckie Finster from Rugrats. Cavanaugh's portrayal of Chuckie extended to various Rugrats spin-offs and merchandise. However, in the middle of Dexter's Laboratory season 3, Cavanaugh retired from voice acting. Consequently, voice actress Candi Milo took over the role for the remainder of season 3 and the series' final fourth season.

Tommy Pickles

Elizabeth Daily

Rugrats, one of the remarkable cartoons from the '90s, has gracefully withstood the test of time. The main character, Tommy Pickles, possesses a voice that remains etched in our memories. Despite his tender age, his voice is remarkably high-pitched with a unique rasp, which enhances his endearing and curious nature. This distinct characteristic adds to the charm of the character.

Donald Duck

Tommy Pickles is portrayed by the famous voice actress Elizabeth Daily, also known as E.G. Daily. She has an impressive repertoire of voicing cartoon characters such as Buttercup in The Powerpuff Girls, Ruby Tabootie in ChalkZone, and Julius in Julius Jr. Additionally, Daily has also showcased her acting skills on-screen, notably as Dottie in Pee-wee's Big Adventure. It is said that Daily first developed Tommy's unique voice during her childhood and unknowingly created one of the most iconic cartoon character voices when auditioning for Rugrats.

Clarence Nash

Donald Duck, known for his distinct and frantic speech, is one of Disney's most memorable cartoon character voices, rivaled only by Mickey Mouse. He first appeared in the 1934 short film The Wise Little Hen and later became Mickey's hilarious comedic counterpart in Orphan's Benefit. This marked the beginning of their on-screen partnership. Over the years, Donald Duck has been given a backstory, a family, a significant other, and has even starred in his own wartime propaganda cartoon.

Clarence Nash, who developed Donald Duck's iconic voice, had a talent for imitating animals from a young age. He voiced Donald for numerous shorts and feature films, with his final cinematic portrayal in Mickey's Christmas Carol in 1983. Nash continued to lend his voice to Donald for commercials and promotional material until 1985. In 1985, Tony Anselmo took over as the voice of Donald Duck, accurately mimicking the voice that Nash originated. From 2017 to 2021, Daniel Ross also briefly provided the voice for Donald Duck in select projects like Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas.