47 Actors You Didn't Realize Were the Voices of Your Fave Animated Characters

October 17, 2024

Confession time: Back in the day, I totally had a childhood crush on Disney’s Aladdin and D.J.’s boyfriend Steve from Full House. Little did I know at the time, but they were actually the same person. Actor Scott Weinger played Steve and lent his voice to the magical movie Aladdin. Mind. Blown. Right?

And Weinger isn’t the only actor who’s appeared on screen as well as voiced cartoon characters. A ton of our beloved faves were actually brought to life by high-profile thespians, probably without us even realizing it.

This could explain why so many contemporary animated films are so memorable. The voices behind the characters belong to some seriously multitalented actors who we already love for their live-action work.

Here’s proof that famous actors are true chameleons and can make simple cartoon characters spring off the screen.

Originally published July 2016. Updated July 2017.

Kristen Wiig in ‘Despicable Me’
Wiig is the voice for Lucy in Despicable Me 2 and 3. She was also Miss Hattie in the first installment.
Cameron Diaz in ‘Shrek’
Cameron Diaz voiced the role of Fiona.
John Lithgow in ‘Shrek’
John Lithgow voiced Lord Farquaad in Shrek.
Mike Myers in ‘Shrek’
I think we all knew this, but Mike Myers was the voice of Shrek.
Eddie Murphy in ‘Mulan’ and ‘Shrek’
Eddie Murphy voiced both Mushu in Mulan and Donkey in Shrek.
Donny Osmond in ‘Mulan’
Donny Osmond was the singing voice of Shang.
George Takei in ‘Mulan’
George Takei was the First Ancestor in Mulan.
Mel Gibson in ‘Pocahontas’
Who knew John Smith was actually Mel Gibson?
Christian Bale in ‘Pocahontas’
Christian Bale played the role of Thomas.
David Spade in ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’
David Spade was Emperor Kuzco.
Eartha Kitt in ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’
Eartha Kitt was Yzma.
Ellen in ‘Finding Nemo’
Ellen played the lovable Dory.
Willem Dafoe in ‘Finding Nemo’
Willem Dafoe was Gill in Finding Nemo.
Fergie in ‘Peanuts’
Fergie was the voice of Sally Brown.
Billy Crystal in ‘Monsters Inc.’
Billy Crystal lent his voice as Mike Wazowski.
Jennifer Tilly in ‘Monsters Inc.’
Jennifer Tilly voiced Celia.
John Goodman in ‘Monsters Inc.’ & ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’
John Goodman was Sullivan in Monsters Inc. and Pacha in The Emperor’s New Groove.
Steve Buscemi in ‘Monsters Inc.’
Steve Buscemi’s Randall in Monsters Inc.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas in ‘The Lion King’
Yep, JTT was young Simba!
Matthew Broderick in ‘The Lion King’
Adult Simba? Yeah, that was Sarah Jessica Parker’s hubby, Matthew Broderick.
Whoopi Goldberg in ‘The Lion King’
Whoopi Goldberg was Shenzi in The Lion King.
Jeremy Irons in ‘The Lion King’
Scar was none other than Jeremy Irons.
Mandy Moore in ‘Tangled’
Rapunzel sound familiar? That’s because it was Mandy Moore.
Ron Perlman in ‘Tangled’
The Sons of Anarchy star was one of the Stabbington brothers in Tangled.
Glenn Close in ‘Tarzan’
Glenn Close played Kala.
Minnie Driver in ‘Tarzan’
Minnie Driver was the voice of Jane in Tarzan.
Rosie O’Donnell in ‘Tarzan’
Yep, Terk in Tarzan was Rosie O’Donnell.
Tony Goldwyn in ‘Tarzan’
Here’s one you probably didn’t realize; Scandal‘s Tony Goldwyn was the voice of Tarzan.
Ray Romano in ‘Ice Age’
Ray Romano’s the voice behind Manfred in Ice Age.
John Leguizamo in ‘Ice Age’
John Leguizamo was Sid in Ice Age.
Josh Peck in ‘Ice Age’
Eddie? Oh, that was Grandfathered‘s Josh Peck.
Denis Leary in ‘Ice Age’
Denis Leary plays Diego.
Seann William Scott in ‘Ice Age’
Crash in Ice Age? Seann William Scott!
Samuel L. Jackson in ‘The Incredibles’
Samuel L. Jackson was Lucious Best in The Incredibles.
Craig T. Nelson in ‘The Incredibles’
The Parenthood patriarch voiced Mr. Incredible in The Incredibles.
Tim Allen in ‘Toy Story’
As you probably remember, Tim Allen was the voice of Buzz Lightyear.
Tom Hanks in ‘Toy Story’
Tom Hanks was the beloved Toy Story character Woody.
Patton Oswalt in ‘Ratatouille’
Remy in Ratatouille was voiced by Patton Oswalt.
Will Arnett in ‘Ratatouille’
Horst is Will Arnett.
Ben Stiller in ‘Madagascar’
Ben Stiller was Alex in Madagascar.
Cedric The Entertainer in ‘Madagascar’
Cedric The Entertainer was Maurice in Madagascar.
Chris Rock in ‘Madagascar’
Marty was none other than Chris Rock.
David Schwimmer in ‘Madagascar’
David Schwimmer provided the voice of Melman in Madagascar.
Jada Pinkett-Smith in ‘Madagascar’
Jada Pinkett-Smith’s the Madagascar hippo, Gloria.
Sacha Baron Cohen in ‘Madagascar’
Sacha Baron Cohen was that pesky character Julien in Madagascar.
Mila Kunis in ‘Family Guy’
Family Guy isn’t a blockbuster movie, but it should be noted that Kunis has voiced Meg Griffin since 1999.