Voice acting isn’t simply normal acting without the camera—it’s a discipline in and of itself. Not every performer who excels on screen can translate to a microphone, and not all voice actors can transition easily into live-action. Yet some special gifts have done what few thought possible and blurred those lines, making their voices as iconic as their faces. These actors didn’t simply provide voices—they defined the way we experience animation, games, and more.
10. Cree Summer
Cree Summer has one of the most familiar voices in animation. She’s worked on everything from Susie Carmichael on Rugrats to Kida on Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Her expertise? Bringing to life strong, offbeat, and fiercely independent women. Summer has been a steady presence in the business for more than 30 years, and her voice continues to turn up on TV, film, and streaming productions—evidence that her range and personality never fade.
9. Phil LaMarr
Phil LaMarr is everywhere. Whether it’s Samurai Jack, Green Lantern John Stewart, Static Shock, or Hermes on Futurama, odds are you’ve heard him dozens of times without even realizing it. His background in sketch comedy (Mad TV) gave him a knack for quick improvisation and accents, making him one of the busiest voice actors alive. With hundreds upon hundreds of roles under his belt, LaMarr’s versatility speaks for itself.
8. Keith David
Few voices are as commanding as Keith David’s. He has added gravitas to Goliath in Gargoyles, authority as numerous generals and presidents, and menace in cult films such as The Thing. His baritone is so unique that it almost has its own presence on screen. When you listen to Keith David, you don’t just hear the character—you sense it.
7. Mark Hamill
Yes, he’ll always be Luke Skywalker, but Mark Hamill’s real legacy might actually be in his voice work. His stint as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series remains the gold standard, with manic intensity counterbalanced by real danger. Outside of Gotham, he’s appeared in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Robot Chicken, and dozens of video games, demonstrating that his vocal range is as extensive as the galaxy he helped save.
6. James Earl Jones
There are well-known voices, and then there’s James Earl Jones. Darth Vader’s menacing strength and Mufasa’s regal warmth couldn’t be more contrasting, yet both are irreplaceable because of him. Jones has recurred in his roles in reboots and spin-offs, his unique voice so iconic that technology has even been employed to lock it in for future endeavors. His voice isn’t acting—it’s film history.
5. Ashly Burch
Ashly Burch left her impression on gaming with the likes of Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn) and Chloe Price (Life is Strange), infusing both series with emotional truth. She’s done the same in animation as she’s dabbled in live-action with Mythic Quest. Not all skill translates directly from one medium to the next, but Burch has demonstrated storytelling ability in every part she’s played.
4. Tara Strong
Tara Strong is practically the voice of a generation. Bubbles in The Powerpuff Girls, Timmy Turner in Fairly OddParents, Twilight Sparkle in My Little Pony—her list of roles goes on and on. Her gift lies in creating voices so distinct you can instantly tell who’s talking. Strong’s range and reliability have made her an industry cornerstone for more than two decades.
3. Kevin Conroy
To countless fans, Kevin Conroy is Batman. His work on Batman: The Animated Series cemented the character for decades, and he brought that same level of intensity to video games and subsequent animated shows. Conroy even ventured into live-action once, playing an aged Bruce Wayne in the CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths. Although he died in 2022, his voice is still the go-to sound of Gotham’s Dark Knight.
2. Katee Sackhoff
Katee Sackhoff is among the rare actors to have a character completely inhabit both animation and live-action. In Star Wars: The Clone Wars, playing Bo-Katan Kryze, she infused the animated counterpart with depth and blaze. She took on the role again years later in The Mandalorian, effortlessly bringing that same presence into live-action. Few actors have transitioned so seamlessly or been so well-received by the fan base.
1. James Earl Jones (Again—Because He’s That Legendary)
Yes, he’s already here, but let’s be real—James Earl Jones deserves the number one ranking twice over. From sci-fi baddies to heroic kings, his voice has made the grade with generations. He’s the only actor whose vocal performances in and of themselves became cultural landmarks. To put it simply, nobody else has helped define both live-action and voice acting quite like him.
Voiceover and live-action might require varying skills, but the crème de la crème demonstrate that talent has no bounds. Such actors teach us that a tremendous performance is not merely about what we witness—it’s also about what we listen to.