Did you love cartoons when you were a kid?

Same!

My favorite part was the funny voices of the characters. Some voices were not only funny at times but also just straight up cool.

You see… I grew up in the 90’s, and now that I’m a full-time voice actor and voice over talent, I’ve come to realize that there are actual PEOPLE behind those awesome characters and funny voices (many of those people voicing multiple characters in the same show).

But WHO are the real people behind those funny voices?

That’s why I decided to research and write this post.

To give a face and name to the people behind these funny voices and characters.

But before we dive in…

Are you interested in figuring out how to become a voice actor yourself?

If so, I strongly suggest heading over to my voice over career advice website where I give you actionable advice on how to grow a successful and sustainable career in voice over.

Here’s a video going over the 7 pillars of a successful pro voice over career:

Back to the funny voices we were talking about.

I did my best to find interviews of them talking about their careers, why they got into voice acting, as well as some live-action examples of their work.

And yes, I know that these people have done A LOT of stuff since the 90’s or even before the 90’s and that 20 voices isn’t nearly enough to give full credit to all the other wonderfully talented voice actors out there. (I hope to highlight some more names in future blog posts.)

Unfortunately, not all of them have good interview videos readily available online, so some of them just have clips from some of those awesome cartoons.

Dang…we have to watch some cartoons…

(Side note: My primary focus in my voice over work right now is in the commercial realm (TV and radio ads, in-show narration, corporate videos, explainer videos, etc.). Feel free to check out my voice over portfolio here. One day, I hope to focus more on animation work, but until then, join me in living vicariously through these legends.)

In no particular order, enjoy this blast from the cartoon past!

20. Charles Adler – Buster Bunny (Tiny Toon Adventures), Ickis (Aaahh!!! Real Monsters), Ed Bighead (Rocko’s Modern Life), and many more

Charles discusses the many characters he has voiced.

19. Jim Cummings – Darkwing Duck (Darkwing Duck), Officer Bonkers D. Bobcat (Bonkers), Winnie the Pooh And Tigger (Winnie the Pooh, late 80’s – current) and many more

Wonderfully fun interview with the talented Jim Cummings

18. Kevin Conroy – Batman/Bruce Wayne (Batman, 1990’s – current)

Kevin in a recording session with a massive Mark Hamill (Joker) cameo

17. Jaleel White – Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog) => I really just loved this show, even though he hasn’t done much voice acting beyond it.

Jaleel (Urkel) interviewed about his voice acting experience on Sonic the Hedgehog

16. Townsend Coleman – The Tick (The Tick), Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, late 80’s – 90’s) and more

Townsend interviewed about his voice acting career and how he got into it, including his work in TV promos

15. Kath Soucie – Linka (Captain Planet and the Planeteers), Mom/Computer (Dexter’s Laboratory), Daisy Duck (Quack Pack), Phil, Lil and their mom (Rugrats) and many more

Kath and her fellow “Rugrats” voice cast discuss their characters.

14. Richard Horvitz – Daggett Doofus Beaver (The Angry Beavers), Alpha 5 (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – not technically a cartoon) and more

Richard interviewed about his voice acting career

13. Christine Cavanaugh – Dexter (Dexter’s Laboratory), Chuckie Finster (Rugrats) and more – Sadly, Christine passed away in 2014. She was SO talented.

Someone made a really cool tribute to her voice and career.

12. Howie Mandel – Bobby’s World (Bobby Generic)

Howie doing stand-up talking about voicing Bobby from Bobby’s World (Kind of NSFW)\

11. Carlos Alazraqui – Rocko (Rocko’s Modern Life), Carlos / Chas / Delivery Man (Hey Arnold!) and more

Part 1 of a really fun interview with Carlos about his funny voice career

10. Paul Rugg – Freakazoid / Paul Harvey / Animal Psychiatrist (Freakazoid!), Mr. Director / Einstein (Animaniacs) and more

An interview with Paul talking about how he got into the business and his voicing career

9. Keith David (personal favorite) – Goliath (Gargoyles)

Keith voicing Goliath and many of his other great roles

8. Jess Harnell – Wakko Warner (Animaniacs), Fatso (The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper), Sewer Urchin (The Tick) and various voices on Pinky and the Brain, Recess, Cow and Chicken, and many more

Really fun interview of Jess behind the scenes at Disneyland where he voiced many of the animatronics and character announcements in the park

7. Tara Strong – Bubbles (Powerpuff Girls), Dil Pickles (Rugrats), Spot / Two-Tone / Vendela (101 Dalmatians: The Series) and many more

Great video compilation of all the voices Tara has voiced over the years (I went straight to Dill Pickles)

6. Jeff Bennett – Johnny Bravo (Johnny Bravo), Dad / Main Title Narrator (Dexter’s Laboratory), Lt. Pug / P.H. DeVil / Roger Dearly / Sgt. Tibbs (101 Dalmatians: The Series) and more

Interview with Jeff talking about his career and voicing many of his characters

5. Frank Welker – Bronx (Gargoyles), Suchi / Lead Suit / Tank Flusher III (Captain Planet and the Planeteers), and various voices on Aladdin (TV Series), Bonkers, The Cartoon Cartoon Show, Freakazoid!, The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest, and many more

This is amazing. Who knew one person could make such a realistic lion roar?

4. Rob Paulsen – Yakko Warner (Animaniacs), Pinky (Pinky and the Brain), Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Stanley Ipkis (The Mask) and many more

Rob interviewed about his voice acting career while also showing off some of his iconic funny voices

3. Tress MacNeille – Charlotte Pickles (Rugrats), Dot Warner (Animaniacs), Babs Bunny (Tiny Toon Adventures), and many more

Compilation of many of her legendary voices over the years

2. Billy West – Stimpson J. Cat (The Ren & Stimpy Show), Doug Funnie / Roger Klotz (Doug), Jeebs (Men In Black: TV Series), and many more

Billy West talking about voice acting and showing off his iconic characters

1. Nancy Cartwright – Bart Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum, Todd Flanders, Maggie Simpson (The Simpsons), Chuckie (Rugrats)

These videos are the best. Here’s Nancy Cartwright, the legend herself, voicing all of her Simpsons characters.

Who is your favorite funny cartoon voice actor? Comment below.

Interested in becoming a voice actor?

Be sure to hop over to my VO career advice website:

https://fulltimevoicetalent.com/

The Top 20 Funny Voices Behind Your Favorite 90’s Cartoons [Updated]