Buzz
Voice acting is a true craft. From the golden days of radio to the surge in animation, voice talent has been a key element of entertainment. The evolution of technology with CGI, animatronics, and puppetry has brought even more innovative voice work to the screen, making it a crucial part of modern filmmaking. In this list, you'll find 10 remarkable performances from animation and 10 from other areas of voice acting, such as puppetry, animatronics, and CGI. These selections are presented in no particular order, showcasing the best of the field.
20. Brother Theodore Gollum – Rankin/Bass The Hobbit
Brother Theodore, a dark comedian and philosopher, performed his one-man show for years in New York. His eccentric and often bizarre perspective on life both entertained and intrigued his audience. His interpretation of Gollum is a standout performance. As a child, this version of Gollum sparked my interest in Tolkien's expansive work. While the animation may seem a bit offbeat, the voice work is truly exceptional.
19. Eddie Murphy - Donkey – Shrek Franchise
Eddie Murphy has truly found his sweet spot. His live-action films have struggled over the years due to poor scripts and lackluster choices, leading to disappointing box office returns. However, place him behind the voice of a CGI Donkey, and we are reminded of why we loved him in the first place. The classic Eddie Murphy (minus the raunchy humor) shines brightly in the Shrek movies.
18. Suzanne Pleshette - Yubaba – Spirited Away
I can't speak from personal experience, but it must be incredibly tough to do voice work for a film that has already been animated in another language. Timing is everything. Suzanne Pleshette does an outstanding job as the wicked witch who manages the bathhouse in Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning film, Spirited Away. I would never have guessed who was behind the voice. Even after seeing the credits, I was still taken aback. She truly delivers an amazing performance.
17. George Clooney - Title Character – The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Sharp, quick on his feet, and even quicker in his mind, Mr. Fox steals the loot before the farmers even know what hit them. Clooney channels the essence of Danny Ocean for the role, bringing a smooth and cunning personality to the character—well, as sly as a fox in this brilliant role.
16. Bob Peterson - Dug – UP
If you've ever wondered what a dog’s thoughts might sound like if they could speak, look no further than Pixar's classic, UP. Bob Peterson, though not having a long voice-acting history, delivers an outstanding performance here. To me, he perfectly captures the voice of a dog, as I imagine it would sound if it could talk. It's both hilarious and heartwarming.
15. Percy Rodrigues - The Locknar – Heavy Metal
Although Percy Rodrigues spent much of his career in smaller roles, his portrayal of the mysterious Locknar in Heavy Metal is both commanding and chilling. Even without a visible face or mouth, the emotions are perfectly conveyed through his voice, showcasing his mastery of the art of voice acting.
14. Boris Karloff - The Grinch/Narrator – How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Known for portraying monsters and madmen, Karloff begins as a villain in this cherished holiday special. His narration and voice performance are perfect. Although we’ve all seen it countless times, we still end up watching it again every holiday season. Everyone loves the moment when the Grinch gains the strength of ten Grinches plus two and becomes the hero. It’s one of the rare occasions where Karloff’s character transforms from naughty to nice.
13. Cliff Edwards - Jiminy Cricket – Pinocchio
A star of Vaudeville and Broadway, Cliff Edwards was a beloved performer long before he became Jiminy Cricket. He likely never anticipated how significant voicing Jiminy would turn out to be. Edwards ended up lending his voice to the golden-voiced cricket in no fewer than 25 Disney films and animated shorts. His rendition of 'When You Wish Upon a Star' remains one of the most iconic songs in children's cinema—and in film history as a whole.
12. Phil Hartman - Jiji – Kiki’s Delivery Service
We all miss you, Phil Hartman. He delivered remarkable performances as Troy McClure and other memorable characters on The Simpsons. He also had a long, successful run on SNL. His portrayal of Kiki’s sarcastic cat, Jiji, is nothing short of spectacular.
11. Mel Blanc - just about everyone – Various Looney Tune movies and shorts
It’s nearly impossible to compile a list about voice-over work without mentioning this legend. A true virtuoso of voices, Mel Blanc voiced nearly every character in Warner Brothers’ animated movies and shorts. Bugs Bunny, Foghorn Leghorn, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam, Tweety Bird, Porky Pig—the list is endless. More adaptable than a chameleon, Blanc transitions seamlessly from character to character. Such versatility in voice acting is a rarity.
10. Frank Oz - Yoda, Chamberlain – Star Wars franchise, The Dark Crystal
I was thinking of including both these iconic characters and, as fate would have it, they are both brought to life by the same distinguished individual. Frank Oz has an impressive resume, ranging from Sesame Street and The Muppet Show to Star Wars. His journey began with the legendary Jim Henson, and he has since reached great heights. Yoda, with his memorable backward speech, is unforgettable for anyone who has seen Star Wars. In The Dark Crystal, a dark fantasy film from the mid-80s that used puppetry and animatronics, Oz’s portrayal of Chamberlain—the whining, wimpish Skeksi bird/man—was a key standout. For me, that character made the movie.
9. James Earl Jones, the voice behind Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, is iconic for his powerful and instantly recognizable vocal performance.
Don’t complain about Star Wars appearing twice on this list—originally, it could've appeared three times. Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO, doesn’t count since he was physically inside the suit. But there's no denying the sheer power of James Earl Jones' voice. While I almost added him for his role as Mufasa in The Lion King, I refrained from repeating actors. Darth Vader remains his defining role and an unforgettable voice.
8. Fiona Hogan, the voice of V.I.K.I. in I, Robot, brings to life a pivotal character in the world of artificial intelligence.
Fiona Hogan, a relatively unknown voice talent, does an impressive job voicing the supercomputer-turned-evil V.I.K.I. in I, Robot. Her cold, emotionless delivery of lines like "Your efforts are futile" is eerily effective. It's surprising she hasn’t had more opportunities in voice acting.
7. Christine Cavanaugh, the voice behind the title character in Babe, brings an unforgettable warmth to the role of the little pig who becomes a sheepherder.
The heartwarming journey of a sweet little pig turned sheepherder in Babe is made all the more memorable by its excellent voice-over performances, especially Christine Cavanaugh as Babe. Having already been a familiar voice on Nickelodeon’s Rugrats, Cavanaugh brings a delightful charm to the role of the lovable pig.
6. Toby Jones, the voice of Dobby in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, perfectly captures the eccentric and endearing character.
Toby Jones, a highly respected British actor, took a surprising turn voicing Dobby the House Elf. Dobby’s mission is to warn Harry Potter about the looming dangers in his second year at Hogwarts. While Dobby can sometimes be a bit annoying, as he is in the books, Jones does a brilliant job of highlighting this trait and bringing the character to life.
5. Liam Neeson, the voice behind Aslan in the Narnia franchise, perfectly embodies the majestic and commanding presence of the lion king.
A king requires a powerful voice, and Liam Neeson delivers it superbly in the film adaptations of C.S. Lewis' Narnia series. Although Neeson has lent his voice to various projects, none have been as impactful as his portrayal of Aslan. Short of James Earl Jones, it’s hard to imagine anyone with a more fitting ‘lion-like’ voice in Hollywood.
4. Peter Cullen, the iconic voice of Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, brings unmatched depth and authority to the character.
The decision to retain the original cartoon's voice for Optimus Prime was pure brilliance. Whoever made this choice deserves high praise. It's hard to imagine anyone else bringing the character to life in the same way. I'm so thankful they didn’t opt for big-name Hollywood stars like Tim Allen or Kelsey Grammer, despite their talent—they simply wouldn't have captured the essence of Optimus Prime.
3. Andy Serkis, renowned for his portrayal of Gollum/Smeagol in the Lord of the Rings franchise, truly transformed the character into a haunting and unforgettable presence.
Before The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, I had never imagined that Oscar buzz for Best Supporting Actor could apply to voice-over work. What Andy Serkis achieves in these films is truly revolutionary. I've never witnessed anything like it before, and I can't wait to see what they do with the upcoming Hobbit movies. Serkis deserves an honorary Oscar or something to recognize his immense contribution. He’s the gold standard for anyone advocating for a Best Voice Acting Oscar. Simply flawless.
Pat Welsh’s portrayal of the title character in E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial remains iconic, even though she only had a few lines.
Pat Welsh may have only spoken a few lines, but those lines have been etched in my memory forever. She appeared in just three films, all of which were uncredited. Her role as E.T. came about almost by chance when her voice was overheard in a camera store. A chain smoker with a raspy voice, Welsh's unique vocal quality added to the distinctiveness of the character, though it does make the illusion a little less believable.
Brad Dourif's voice acting as Chucky in the Child's Play series has become legendary, cementing the character as one of horror's most infamous icons.
As a child, these movies absolutely terrified me! The sinister doll with its knife in hand, running wild and taking out people, was enough to make anyone shudder. But it wasn’t just the doll—it was also the eerie voice of Brad Dourif coming from it. As an adult, it may seem ridiculous, but that voice still has the power to send shivers down my spine.
