Buzz
Creating a standout cartoon hinges on two critical factors: exceptional storytelling and captivating voice performances. Even with subpar animation, like the simplistic styles seen in 1970s Hanna-Barbera productions, unforgettable character personalities can save the day. Historically, voice actors received little recognition or fair compensation for their contributions. Thankfully, modern advancements have improved working conditions and pay, and the release of classic shows on DVD has finally brought these talented individuals the acknowledgment they deserve.
10. Nicole Jaffe - Velma, Scooby Doo, Where Are You?
Jinkies! Most fans would agree that the original portrayal of a character often remains the most beloved. Velma Dinkley, the intelligent, petite, glasses-wearing crime solver with a penchant for turtleneck sweaters, has been voiced by six different actors. Yet, Nicole Jaffe’s rendition stands out as the definitive voice of Velma. Jaffe first brought the character to life in the 1969 series “Scooby Doo, Where Are You?”, which aired for two years. She continued the role in the follow-up series, “The New Scooby Doo Movies,” which ran until 1974. After the show’s cancellation, Scooby returned in 1976 with a new format, and Jaffe, having moved on with her life, was replaced. However, she reprised the role in several videos earlier this century, cementing her legacy as the iconic Velma.
Trivia: Mindy Cohn, known for her role in the sitcom “The Facts Of Life,” currently voices Velma. She received an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of the character. Fun fact: The photo of Nicole Jaffe is from the 1969 Elvis Presley film “The Trouble with Girls.”
9. Cree Summer - Penny, Inspector Gadget
At just 14 years old, Cree Summer landed the role of Penny, the clever and resourceful niece who often outsmarted her bumbling uncle, Inspector Gadget, to thwart the plans of the villainous Dr. Claw. After the first season, production shifted from Canada to the US, leading to Summer being replaced for the show’s less acclaimed second and final season. With nearly 150 voice acting credits, Summer has brought life to diverse characters, including Elmyra Duff from “Tiny Toon Adventures” and Foxxy Love from “Drawn Together.” She has also voiced characters of various nationalities and even male roles.
Trivia: Cree Summer played Freddie in the late-1980s comedy “A Different World,” produced by Bill Cosby.
8. Lucille Bliss - Smurfette, The Smurfs
Smurfette, the first female character, was introduced into a world dominated by 100 blue men, each standing just three apples tall. Lucille Bliss, despite having only a few cartoon credits to her name, secured the role at the age of 65. She gave Smurfette a distinctive high-pitched yet raspy voice that became iconic. The character was even referenced in the cult classic film Donnie Darko. A planned Smurfs movie trilogy is rumored to feature Hayden Panettiere, known for her role in “Heroes,” as the voice of Smurfette. Bliss continued her prolific voice-acting career well into her nineties, with recent work including “Invader ZIM.”
Trivia:
7. Jean Vander Pyl - Wilma, The Flintstones
Yabba Dabba Doo! “The Flintstones” originally targeted adults when it premiered as a prime-time animated series in 1960. The show revolved around the hilarious misadventures of Fred Flintstone and his best friend Barney. Wilma, Fred’s wife, often played the voice of reason, helping Fred see the light or rescuing him from his own blunders. Jean Vander Pyl, who had prior experience in radio and television, became the voice of Wilma and later lent her talents to other cartoons, including Rosey the Robot in “The Jetsons.” In a financial misstep, Vander Pyl accepted a one-time payment of $15,000 instead of residuals, missing out on millions as the show continues to air globally, particularly on the Boomerang Network. She remained active in her career until her passing in 1999 at the age of 79 due to lung cancer.
Trivia: “The Flintstones” remains a lucrative brand, with merchandise ranging from vitamins to the iconic Fruity Pebbles cereal.
6. Bea Benaderet - Granny, Looney Tunes
For me, the Looney Tunes/Merry Melodies cartoons from the 1940s and 50s are unmatched. The vocal performances of legends like Mel Blanc, Arthur Q. Bryan (Elmer Fudd), and Stan Freberg (Pete Puma) were extraordinary, and one female voice actor seamlessly complemented them. Bea Benaderet voiced most of the female characters during that era, including Granny (from the Sylvester/Tweety shorts), Ma Bear (from the Three Bears shorts), and Prissy the Hen (in the Foghorn Leghorn shorts). Around 1955, she was replaced by June Foray for reasons that remain unclear. A few years later, Benaderet joined “The Flintstones” as Betty Rubble but left the show to focus on her acting career, notably in the popular sitcom “Petticoat Junction.” Sadly, she passed away shortly after at the age of 62.
Trivia: Benaderet missed out on two iconic TV roles: she was Lucille Ball’s first pick for Ethel in “I Love Lucy” but couldn’t break her contract with another show. Additionally, she was initially chosen to play Granny in “The Beverly Hillbillies” but was later deemed too “busty” by producers to portray an elderly grandmother.
5. Tress MacNeille - Mom, Futurama; Agnes Skinner, The Simpsons
Tress MacNeille is arguably the most prolific female voice actor of the last three decades. On “The Simpsons,” she voices around twenty recurring characters, including Crazy Cat Lady and businesswoman Lindsey Naegle. With over 200 credits, she has also voiced Daisy Duck (since 1999) and Dot Warner from the underrated gem “Animaniacs.” Recently, she has taken on roles like Mom and Linda (one half of the newscast duo alongside Morbo) in the new Futurama movies. She will also appear in the upcoming sequel to Hoodwinked.
Trivia: MacNeille showcased her vocal talents in “Weird Al” Yankovic’s song “Ricky,” a tribute to “I Love Lucy,” and even appeared in the music video as Lucy.
4. June Foray - Rocket “Rocky” J. Squirrel, Rocky and His Friends; Granny, Looney Tunes
June Foray is widely regarded as one of the greatest voice actors of all time, regardless of gender. Animation legend Chuck Jones once praised her by saying, “Mel Blanc is the male June Foray,” a testament to her unparalleled talent. She joined the Looney Tunes ensemble in the mid-1950s, voicing Granny and new characters like Witch Hazel. However, her most iconic roles came from the 1960s “Rocky and Bullwinkle” series, where she voiced Rocky and Natasha Fatale. Foray’s prolific career spans over five decades, with contributions to classics like “The Flintstones,” “Garfield and Friends,” and “DuckTales.” She remained active in the industry through 2007.
Trivia: Despite her legendary status, June Foray has been underutilized in modern voice acting. Both “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy,” two of the most prominent platforms for voice talent, have only featured her once each: a minor role in a first-season episode of “The Simpsons” and a single line as Rocky in “Family Guy.” This oversight is particularly disappointing given that Foray, at 91, still possesses her remarkable voice and presence.
3. Lillian Randolph - Mammy Two Shoes, Tom and Jerry
In the classic Tom and Jerry shorts from the 1940s and 50s, the sole human character was an unnamed woman constantly chasing Tom (initially named Jasper), the cat, to catch Jerry, the mouse. Lillian Randolph, a seasoned radio and film actress, provided the voice for this character. The portrayal has sparked controversy due to its resemblance to the “Mammy” stereotype—a depiction of African-American maids as overweight, loud, and heavily accented. However, the cartoons never explicitly identified her as a maid, and it’s suggested she owned the large house with a fully stocked refrigerator. The name “Mammy Two Shoes” was coined later by the media, as only her feet were typically shown. In the 1960s, edits were made: some replaced Randolph’s voice with a more neutral tone, while others substituted her with a thin white woman (voiced by June Foray). Recent DVD releases have partially restored the original character.
As a child watching these cartoons, I was unaware of the racial implications. I simply found the character hilarious, especially when she threatened to throw Tom “O-U-W-T Out!” It would be a shame to see this character entirely erased, particularly since talented performers like Randolph and others of her era are often overlooked, having been limited to such roles.
Trivia: The Tom and Jerry cartoons won seven Academy Awards, surpassing the five won by Merrie Melodies/Looney Tunes.
2. Mary Kay Bergman - Sheila Broflovski, Sheila Marsh, South Park
Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s groundbreaking and irreverent show “South Park” premiered in 1997, with Mary Kay Bergman voicing most of the female characters, including the mothers of the four main boys. Initially credited under the alias “Shannen Cassidy” to avoid conflicts with her Disney commitments, Bergman brought life to memorable roles like Ms. Crabtree, the bus driver with a bird’s nest in her hair, known for her iconic lines, “Sit down!” and “What did you say?!” She also reprised these roles in the 1999 film South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. Tragically, Bergman took her own life later that year after battling mental illness. While several actresses have since filled her roles, Bergman’s contributions to the show’s early, groundbreaking episodes earn her a place on this list.
Trivia: Bergman lent her voice to hundreds of commercials, including the beloved pancake syrup character “Mrs. Butterworth.” She was also the official voice of Snow White for various videos, games, and toys.
1. Nancy Cartwright - Bart, Ralph Wiggum, The Simpsons
Nancy Cartwright, a standout talent from the greatest animated TV show ever, is renowned for voicing young male characters. Besides the iconic Bart Simpson, she brings life to Nelson, Kearney, and Todd Flanders on “The Simpsons,” as well as Chuckie from “Rugrats.” Her career began when she sought advice from legendary voice actor Daws Butler (Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound), eventually becoming his protégé and close friend. Reflecting the industry’s evolving economics, Cartwright and her “Simpsons” co-stars now earn $400,000 per episode, with around 22-24 episodes produced annually.
Trivia: Cartwright is a prominent member of the Church of Scientology. In 2007, she made headlines by donating an astonishing $10 million to the church, surpassing contributions from even Scientology’s most famous advocate, Tom Cruise.
