16 Celebrities Who Voiced Iconic Animated Characters
Many stars stepped into the recording booth and gave life to unforgettable animated characters.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Some of the most memorable cartoon voices actually came from Hollywood’s biggest names. Their voice work has shaped childhood favorites. Here are 16 celebrities who surprised fans by voicing beloved animated characters.
1. Robin Williams as Genie (Aladdin)
Eva Rinaldi on Wikimedia Commons
Williams exploded with humor and heart, creating a character so vivid he redefined voice acting itself. His rapid-fire delivery, emotional warmth, and endless improvisation made Genie one of Disney’s most unforgettable creations.
2. Eddie Murphy as Donkey (Shrek)
David Shankbone on Wikimedia Commons
Murphy’s high-energy charm and quick wit transformed Donkey from a sidekick into a comedy legend. His playful banter and genuine enthusiasm gave the film its unforgettable humor and heart, which made people love his character more.
3. Mike Myers as Shrek (Shrek)
Joella Marano on Wikimedia Commons
Myers’ iconic Scottish accent gave the ogre a rough exterior with surprising warmth underneath. His performance brought balance between grumpiness and vulnerability, turning Shrek into an unlikely hero, which made Shrek into one of the most beloved characters of all time.
4. Tom Hanks as Woody (Toy Story)
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Tom Hanks poured authenticity into Woody, making him both leader and flawed friend. His heartfelt voice captured the emotional backbone not only of the character but of the franchise as well, and made audiences deeply care.
5. Ellen DeGeneres as Dory (Finding Nemo)
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Ellen DeGeneres’ upbeat voice and comedic rhythm turned Dory’s forgetfulness into pure charm and made her unforgettable. She made the character lovable and inspiring, transforming a quirky fish into a Pixar icon.
6. James Earl Jones as Mufasa (The Lion King)
John Mathew Smith on Wikimedia Commons
James Earl Jones’ thunderous voice gave Mufasa regal power and timeless wisdom that the character needed. Every word he spoke carried emotional weight, making his performance one of animation’s most powerful moments.
7. Mila Kunis as Meg Griffin (Family Guy)
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Kunis stepped into the role after the first season and made Meg her own. She brought nuance to Meg with her dry humor and subtle vulnerability. Her grounded delivery gave life to a character often treated as the family’s punchline. Her dry delivery and subtle humor added depth to what was otherwise an overlooked character.
8. Mark Hamill as The Joker (Batman: The Animated Series)
John Sears on Wikimedia Commons
Hamill’s wild laugh and theatrical menace defined The Joker for an entire generation. He balanced menace with theatrical flair. His unpredictable energy made the character terrifying, hilarious, and deeply memorable. Many fans consider his version the definitive Joker.
9. Beyoncé as Nala (The Lion King 2019)
Sassy on Wikimedia Commons
Beyoncé brought power and elegance to the updated Nala. Her voice added strength to a character that played a larger role in the remake. Beyoncé’s performance added depth and emotion, breathing new life into a familiar Disney favorite.
10. Danny DeVito as Phil (Hercules)
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DeVito’s raspy, no-nonsense voice perfectly fit the grumpy satyr trainer. Plus, his gruff voice and sharp wit made Phil hilariously endearing. His comedic timing made Phil both funny and memorable. DeVito’s no-nonsense style brought energy and personality to Hercules’ eccentric mentor.
11. Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona (Shrek)
David Shankbone on Wikimedia Commons
Diaz brought warmth and relatability to Fiona. She balanced charm with toughness, making her more than just a fairy-tale princess. In addition, Cameron Diaz’s bright, expressive delivery made Fiona both strong and relatable.
12. Patrick Stewart as Avery Bullock (American Dad!)
David Shankbone on Wikimedia Commons
Stewart lent his commanding voice to the over-the-top CIA deputy director. Not only that, his commanding presence made every ridiculous line funnier. Stewart’s serious delivery in absurd situations made the character hilarious.
13. Scarlett Johansson as Ash (Sing)
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Johansson’s gritty, emotional performance gave Ash authenticity and heart, which made her character more memorable and relatable. Her mix of attitude and vulnerability made the porcupine rocker unforgettable.
14. Matthew Broderick as Adult Simba (The Lion King)
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Broderick’s gentle yet strong voice made Simba’s journey believable; from self-doubt to courage. He captured the mix of doubt, growth, and eventual leadership. His delivery added sincerity and hope, perfectly completing the character’s emotional arc.
15. Jack Black as Po (Kung Fu Panda)
Eva Rinaldi on Wikimedia Commons
Black’s playful energy and humor turned Po into a lovable hero. His balance of comedy and sincerity made the character’s journey inspiring. Jack Black’s energy turned an unlikely hero into one of DreamWorks’ most inspiring characters.
16. Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi (The Lion King)
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Whoopi’s wit brought sharpness and attitude to the hyena leader. Her comedic timing added flair to the villain’s sidekick role. Goldberg’s voice made the hyena far more entertaining than expected, and became more than just a side character.