I’ve had the idea for this new series of features for a while. In fact I had a very extensive list of great voice actors and their repertoire, but one of my laptop’s many “I hate you, human oppressor! AHAHA!!” fits destroyed that and many other files of mine. My computer’s a jerk sometimes.
It goes like this: Each of these articles will feature one great voice actor who worked in the past and though, no longer with us, will never be forgotten. Also I’ll pick one actor who is still working today. The actors I place side by side in each article are in no way being compared to each other or necessarily even seen as equal. I take into account many factors when choosing the greats, such as voice talent, how memorable or recognizable the voice is, how versatile the actor is, how many different voices they’ve done….I’ve got my own convoluted set of rules for inclusion.
Now without further carryings-on and stalling I present our first two great voice actors:
Past: Walt Disney
The perfect example of a man who needs no introduction. Disney certainly wasn’t a renowned voice actor. Except for a couple of incidences he only ever voiced one character, but that character is the most recognizable cartoon figure in the world. Walt Disney created the iconic character of Mickey Mouse and was the sole voice of Mickey from his first speaking role in 1929’s Karnival Kid until 1946’s Mickey and the Beanstalk, where he ultimately handed to job over to Jimmy MacDonald. That was the end of his regular voice work, although he did a few segments and introductions as Mickey in the 50’s. The official reason for his stepping down is that he became too busy running his studio, though it has been speculated that his cigarette habit had severely affected his voice. Because of Walt the art of animation (and subsequently the profession of voice acting) exploded into our culture as a force to be reckoned with.
You’ve Also Probably Heard Him In:
Well nothing else, really. Though he did voice Minnie early on.
Present: Wendee Lee
Wendee Lee is surely best known by our resident anime fans (yours truly included). Wendee started her career performing with the Ambassador Dance Theater, becoming known as a lyricist and singer, until her first breakout role as Vanessa Leeds in 1985’s Robotech. Her voice is distinct and yet she can and has filled the shoes of multiple character types ranging from sweet schoolgirls to old ladies, teenage boys and sultry, intoxicating rebels like Cowboy Bebop’s Faye Valentine (one of her most notable roles). Wikipedia credits her as having more voice-over credits than any other voice actor as of April 2009. I’m just too lazy to double check on that but, Wiki’s sometimes dubious reliability aside, there’s no denying that her 300+credits list is a daunting one. If you’ve ever watched any anime or played a video game in your life you’ve most likely heard her voice as either a lead role or supporting, uncredited character. She even had the role of Scorpina and Stag Beetle in Power Rangers, something most of us either watched willingly or were forced to watch due to our sibling threatening to beat us up otherwise.
The art of re-dubbing anime or any other entertainment medium is just that: an art. An untalented voice actor can take what is a fantastic, moving piece in one language and turn it into unwatchable crap when trying to get it right in his/her own language. I generally don’t watch dubs for this reason, but Wendee Lee is that rare actress who can make me consider listening to the English version just because of the depth and realism she lends to her characters. In the case of those like Faye Valentine it’s easy to forget they’re just “cartoons”.
You’ve also probably heard her in:
- Outlaw Star
- Fist of the North Star
- The Soul Caliber video game series
- Katamari Forever
- A minor role in Castlvania: Lament of Innocence
Mutant Reviewers 
Will you consider doing members of the Rocky and Bullwinkle gang in future installments (which consist of Bill Scott, June Foray, Paul Frees, William Conrad, Walter Tetley, Daws Butler, and Hans Conreid)?
Wendee Lee was also in Scrapped Princess.
That must be a really old picture, because she looked a lot worse for wear in the Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door Extras.
I definitely encourage you guys to give me ideas on voice actors you’d like to see featured here. I once had an extensive list of actors, but that was destroyed by my computer’s hiccup, so I’m totally receptive to suggestions.
With a credits list of over 300 I figured I would probably miss mentioning something Ms. Lee was in that is special to someone. There was a lot more I wanted to add, but in the interest of saving space and time I tried to pick the roles most recognizable to everyone. I consider myself a casual anime fan and if I haven’t heard of something I generally assume most of our readers (you being one of three serious anime fans around here that I know of)haven’t. I suspect this is something that will come up often as the series goes on.
I didn’t see any information on the age of the picture, but apparently Ms. Lee hasn’t done any good head shots in a while as that one is the only one I saw in the midst of some mighty slim pickin’s. There are two or three other pictures of her in the first three pages of Google Image Search, but the picture shown here is by far the best quality one and truthfully is the most flattering.
Here are a few more voice actors who come to mind, as well as their associated shows:
Johnny Yong Bosch (Trigun, Last Exile, GunXSword)
Colleen Clinkenbeard (Fullmetal Alchemist, Ghost Hunt, Kiddy Grade, RomeoXJuliet, Samurai 7)
Beau Billingslea (Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, Last Exile)
Luci Christian (The Galaxy Railways, Gunslinger Girl, Princess Tutu, Samurai 7)
Steven Jay Blum (The Big O, Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell: SAG)
Michelle Ruff (GunXSword, Scrapped Princess, Last Exile)
May I just say that I think this is a great idea for a series, since voice actors tend to go unrecognized. As someone who has made a few tries at entering the field himself, I can attest to the fact that they work just as hard (if not harder) than regular actors, and yet they keep getting passed over for celebrities who are only hired so that the publicity department can put a few impressive names on the posters. (For example, in the recent ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’ movies, they actually got celebrities to voice the title characters, despite the fact that the voices WERE SPED UP AND DISTORTED BEYOND RECOGNITION! I mean, I ask you!) Therefore, anyone who can manage to make a good living as a voice actor deserves our admiration.
In regards to those greats who have passed on, may I suggest Mel Blanc, June Foray and Hans Conreid. For those who are still with us, good ones might be Jim Cummings (who, among lots of others, did the voices of Darkwing Duck, Don Karnage from ‘Talespin’, Fat Cat and Monterey Jack from ‘Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers’, and Ray the firefly from ‘The Princess and the Frog’) and C.W Wolfe (I think that’s how you spell his name) who taught a voice acting class I did once – he’s the current voice of Bugs Bunny and the Hamburgler (or rather, he was at the time – this was a few years ago; I don’t know if he still is) and is a really nice guy to boot.
@SD: Steven Jay Blum; you just said the three magic words. Also, I shall second your endorsement of Luci Christian.
Excellent article, Heather. You know what a nut I am for this stuff; simply say the word, and I shall vomit up a boiling torrent of notable voice actors for review, like a mighty nerd volcano.
I thought the three magic words were please and thank you.
SPOILER ALERT: Steve Blum, Mel Blanc and Jim Cummings are and have always been planned to make an appearance in this series.
One voice actress you should highlight and write on is Tara Strong. She has some of the widest range I’ve ever heard in a voice actor/actress. She can be serious with characters like Batgirl and Raven from Teen Titans. She can do goofy and fun like Timmy (Fairly OddParents) and Bubbles (Powerpuff Girls). She also does Toot and Princess Clara on Drawn Together. She’s even done the Huntress in Batman: Brave and the Bold. She’s done voice work for many movies like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. She’s done many video games such as Final Fantasy X, Xenosaga II, and Killer 7. A huge talent in today’s voice-acting industry.
Hey Heather
Great new idea to do reviews on voice actors. You are doing some great work.
Thanks for all the positive feedback, everyone! I’m glad to see so many other people are interested in this profession. You guys have been coming up with some great ideas for other voice actors to feature,as well. Thanks!
I don’t know if you would except these as suggestions (keeping in mind most of my gut reaction picks have been taken), but I’d like to throw ’em out there:
Mark Hamill
Frank Oz and Jim Henson. Okay usually known as puppeteers, but they put so much feeling into their voices.
How do I inquire about becoming a character voice for Disney?
Carefully.
Sorry, that’s a bit of a cop-out answer. Like any acting job, I would imagine that you audition for a part, do your best and hope that it leads to good things – I think the only other way you’re likely to end up working for Disney is if you become a big enough name that THEY ask YOU. Remember they’ve already got thousands of people working for them; if you want to be part of that number in any significant way, you’ve got to get their attention, and that ain’t easy. (Getting an agent wouldn’t hurt – as I understand it, a good agent can do a lot of the work for you.)