<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

A voice artist is an actor who performs roles where only his or her voice is heard. This could occur in a cartoon, game, narration, CGI character, and so on. Voice artists are often known for their versatility.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Famous Voice Artists 2.1 Jodi Benson 2.2 Mel Blanc 2.3 Rob Paulson 3 External Links

Overview

Perhaps the most famous was Mel Blanc, known as "The Man of a Thousand Voices," who got his start on the Jack Benny radio program before becoming world-reknowned for providing the voices of nearly all the major Warner Brothers cartoon characters, such as Bugs Bunny. Also known for his variety and versatility was Daws Butler, who created most of the voices for the Hanna-Barbera cartoon studio. Paul Frees, the voice of Boris Badenov on Rocky and Bullwinkle and Disney's Ludwig von Drake, also provided his resonant delivery for various science-fiction films and Disneyland theme park rides. June Foray was one of the leading female voice artists, although there have been many others (including Mae Questel and, currently, Cree Summer).

Prominent voice artists today include Rob Paulsen, who is said to have voiced over 250 different cartoon characters; Jim Cummings, who has provided many voices for Disney, including the uncanny mimicking of former voice actors who have died or retired; Frank Welker, who is famous for his ability to imitate nearly animal; and Don LaFontaine, "The Voice-Over Guy," whose deep voice is heard in thousands of commercials, narrations, and movie trailers.

Some well-known "face actors" have also had an active voice artist career. Tim Curry and Mark Hamill, for example, are both best known for their movie roles, but have done numerous voices as well.

While it has become particularly fashionable in recent years for famous actors to take on cartoon roles, they would not be considered voice artists unless they have done different voices in different films.

Famous Voice Artists

Jodi Benson

 Representative roles: Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Helen of Troy
 (Disney's Hercules Animated TV Series)

Mel Blanc

 Representative roles: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, 
 Marvin the Martian, Barney Rubble, Mr. Spacely,
 Twiki (Buck Rogers in the 25th Century)

Rob Paulson

 Representative roles: Pinky, Yakko Warner, Arthur (The Tick),
 Jack Fenton (Danny Phantom)

External Links

http://www.voicechasers.com/ Voice Chasers
Extensive searchable database.