A great voice can make an animated character unforgettable. Some actors disappear into the role so completely that fans hear the character before they think of the celebrity behind it. Whether they were making audiences laugh, delivering emotional moments, or creating iconic catchphrases, these stars helped bring some of animation's biggest characters to life. Years later, many of those performances are still just as recognizable.
Robin Williams
Robin Williams turned the Genie into one of Disney's most unforgettable characters. His rapid-fire improvisation gave the role a level of energy that few animated performances have matched. It's still considered one of the greatest celebrity voice performances ever.
Tom Hanks
For generations of movie fans, Woody simply sounds like Tom Hanks. His warm, reassuring delivery helped make the cowboy the emotional heart of the Toy Story series. The character has remained one of Pixar's most beloved creations.
Eddie Murphy
Donkey wouldn't be Donkey without Eddie Murphy's nonstop energy. His fast-paced jokes and heartfelt moments stole scene after scene.
James Earl Jones
Mufasa wouldn't have had the same impact without James Earl Jones behind the microphone. His commanding voice made every line feel important, whether he was offering guidance or defending his kingdom. It's one of the defining performances of his career.
Ellen DeGeneres
Forgetfulness never sounded so lovable. Ellen DeGeneres gave Dory endless optimism and childlike curiosity. Her performance became so popular that the character eventually received her own movie.
Jack Black
Po's enthusiasm practically jumps through the screen every time he speaks. Jack Black balanced goofy comedy with genuine determination as the unlikely Dragon Warrior. That mix helped make Kung Fu Panda a huge success.
Mike Myers
A Scottish accent wasn't part of the original plan for Shrek, but Mike Myers completely reinvented the character. The change helped define the entire franchise. It's impossible to imagine anyone else behind the role.
Steve Carell
Gru's thick accent quickly became one of the highlights of Despicable Me. Steve Carell made the supervillain hilarious while still giving him plenty of heart. Audiences ended up rooting for him from the very beginning.
Dwayne Johnson
Natural charisma made Dwayne Johnson a perfect fit for Maui. He handled both the comedy and musical numbers with surprising ease. "You're Welcome" became one of Disney's biggest modern songs.
Billy Crystal
Billy Crystal's quick wit made Mike Wazowski impossible not to love. His chemistry with John Goodman helped drive the entire Monsters, Inc. franchise.
Scarlett Johansson
In Her, Scarlett Johansson never appears on screen, yet she's the heart of the film. As the voice of the artificial intelligence Samantha, she made the character feel emotional, witty, and human. It's one of the most unique voice performances ever put on film.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp completely disappeared into the role of Rango. The nervous chameleon constantly shifts between confidence and panic, and Depp sells every moment.
Chris Pratt
Emmet starts out as an ordinary construction worker before becoming an unlikely hero. Chris Pratt filled the role with enthusiasm, humor, and endless optimism. His performance helped make The LEGO Movie a hit.
Vincent Price
Vincent Price didn't need to appear on screen to steal the spotlight. His chilling performance as Professor Ratigan elevated one of Disney's most underrated villains. That unmistakable voice did the rest.
Idina Menzel
Idina Menzel's voice helped turn Elsa into one of Disney's biggest modern stars. She balanced the character's quiet struggles with moments of incredible power. Her performance of "Let It Go" quickly became a global hit.
Amy Poehler
Bringing Joy to life in Inside Out required much more than constant optimism. Amy Poehler made the character funny, energetic, and surprisingly layered as the story unfolded. She helped make Joy feel like a real person instead of just an emotion.
George Clooney
As the title character in Fantastic Mr. Fox, George Clooney brought effortless charm to every line. His laid-back delivery matched the clever, quick-thinking fox perfectly. The performance fits naturally with Wes Anderson's distinctive style.
Owen Wilson
Lightning McQueen's confidence and charm fit Owen Wilson perfectly. His relaxed delivery helped make the race car one of Pixar's most recognizable characters. Kids and adults alike connected with his journey throughout the Cars series.
Zachary Levi
Zachary Levi brought plenty of charm to Flynn Rider in Tangled. His playful chemistry with Mandy Moore became one of the movie's highlights. The performance helped turn Flynn into a fan-favorite Disney hero.
Jason Bateman
Nick Wilde's quick wit and smooth personality were a natural fit for Jason Bateman. He gave the sly fox plenty of charm while revealing the softer side beneath the sarcasm. His scenes with Judy Hopps became some of Zootopia's best.
Jason Sudeikis
Red spends most of The Angry Birds Movie trying to keep his temper under control. Jason Sudeikis leaned into the bird's sarcasm and frustration while making him surprisingly easy to root for. He returned to voice him again in the sequel.
Jamie Foxx
Joe Gardner's passion for music shines through every scene in Soul. Jamie Foxx brought warmth, ambition, and frustration to the aspiring jazz musician. His voice carried the emotional core of the movie.
Mandy Moore
Rapunzel's curiosity and optimism came naturally through Mandy Moore's performance in Tangled. She handled both the comedy and musical moments with ease. The role introduced a new generation to the classic Disney princess.
Patton Oswalt
Patton Oswalt gave Remy plenty of determination in Ratatouille. He made the ambitious little rat easy to root for from the very beginning.
Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin embraced the absurd humor of The Boss Baby from the very first line. His confident, businesslike delivery became the character's trademark. The performance launched a successful franchise.
Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais brought his trademark sarcasm to the pigeon Bugsy in Valiant. His quick wit fit naturally into the animated comedy.
John C. Reilly
John C. Reilly made Ralph feel like much more than a video game villain. Beneath the tough exterior was a character who simply wanted to belong. His performance gave Wreck-It Ralph plenty of emotional depth.
Rowan Atkinson
Zazu spends much of The Lion King trying to keep everyone in line. Rowan Atkinson's dry sense of humor fit the uptight hornbill perfectly. His performance added plenty of laughs to the Disney classic.
David Schwimmer
Always expecting the worst, Melman brought nonstop laughs to the Madagascar movies. David Schwimmer leaned into the giraffe's nervous personality from start to finish.
Sacha Baron Cohen
King Julien became an instant standout thanks to Sacha Baron Cohen's unpredictable performance. His exaggerated accent and nonstop energy stole scene after scene. The lemur ended up becoming one of DreamWorks' biggest stars.
