Top 10 Best Voice Acting Performances by Dramatic Actors
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at the most unexpected and impactful performances from esteemed dramatic actors, in animated or dubbed roles. What are your favorite performances or stunt casting for voice-only roles? Let your voice be heard in the comments.
#10: Ming-Na Wen
“Mulan” (1998)
A revelatory performance in “The Joy Luck Club” launched Ming-Na Wen as a consistent ensemble standout throughout the ‘90s. Her big break as a lead came with the groundbreaking Disney classic “Mulan.” Wen brings remarkable range to the voice of a quiet young woman who becomes a fearsome warrior. She clearly has a lot of fun impersonating crude male egos in the Imperial Chinese Army. This humor is still just part of Fa Mulan’s stern and occasionally heartbreaking rise to the occasion. The uniquely evolved Disney hero earned Wen an Annie Award, then a lucrative voice acting career. Disney continues to deliver some of her most memorable roles, including live-action. Of course, the pathos she bought to “Mulan” created a timeless icon.
#9: Bradley Cooper
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“Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise (2014-)
Bradley Cooper rose from irreverent comedies to become a prestigious Hollywood star. He practically repeated that arc in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Rocket Raccoon. The anthropomorphic, high-tech space outlaw was introduced in “The Guardians of the Galaxy” as an unhinged comedic highlight. Cooper’s almost unrecognizable voice is perfectly in-sync with Sean Gunn's energetic motion-capture performance. However, Rocket becomes the heart of a third installment that focuses on his tragic past and self-actualization. This portrayal won particular renown for the subtle emotion Cooper brought to the volatile action hero. It demonstrates the actor's ability to make even a talking raccoon a layered dramatic figure as much as a delightful comedic one.
#8: Philip Seymour Hoffman
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“Mary and Max” (2009)
Philip Seymour Hoffman was one of the most renowned and serious actors of his era. Even his sole animated feature was solemn, and beautiful. The claymated “Mary and Max” follows the relationship between two lonely pen pals over 20 years. The title roles demand uniquely layered acting, no matter the format of film. Toni Collette gracefully projects Mary’s pursuit of love despite personal trauma. And, of course, Hoffman is remarkably dedicated to the process of emotional connection despite Max’s anxiety and Asperger’s syndrome. These highly praised performances brought heartbreaking depth to a surreal animation style. “Mary and Max” particularly shows Hoffman’s transformative commitment to a role, even when he’s off-screen.
#7: Ewan McGregor
“Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio” (2022)
Pinocchio’s Talking Cricket conscience has been adapted in many memorable forms. Guillermo del Toro’s interpretation is one of the more surreal, but also one of the most lovable, thanks to the versatile Ewan McGregor. As his Sebastian J. Cricket tries to get attention, McGregor cleverly balances stuffy formality and self-deprecating humor. He also brings a poignant heart as Pinocchio’s guide. Plus, his vocal performance on the closing number “Better Tomorrows” is well worth the wait. The quirky Mr. Cricket ends up being the ideal vehicle for McGregor’s vast talents. McGregor, in turn, delivered the spirit of del Toro’s rich twist on a classic.
#6: Gael García Bernal
“Coco” (2017)
The beloved Gael García Bernal has taken his solemn charisma across the world. He finally won fans across generations with his lively performance in Pixar’s “Coco.” The mischievous spirit Héctor’s vibrant energy drives his and his descendant’s adventures in the Land of the Dead. Bernal really gets to flex his comedic chops in his voice acting breakout. He also gets to show off his singing with such numbers as the Oscar-winning “Remember Me.” Of course, Bernal’s portrayal of Héctor’s more heartbreaking or life-affirming turns are no less infectious. He skillfully brings that same soul to the movie’s Spanish dub. However the audience hears Bernal, his award-nominated performance is full of life.
#5: Robert Pattinson
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“The Boy and the Heron” (2023)
Hayao Miyazaki’s animes have drawn huge names for their English dubs, from Michael Keaton in “Porco Rosso” to Christian Bale in “Howl’s Moving Castle.” His latest masterpiece boasts such contemporary superstars as Florence Pugh. But many are already ranking Robert Pattinson’s performance among the most iconic in these ranks. The usually sullen dramatist brings a squawking energy and very gravelly voice to a talking Gray Heron. As he leads a child through a magical world, the creature comes to project authority and heart. Certainly, Masaki Suda’s more reserved performance deserves credit for shaping that role in the original dub of “The Boy and the Heron.” The English dub nevertheless further showcases Pattinson’s intense range in voice alone.
#4: Scarlett Johansson
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“Her” (2013)
Scarlett Johansson is known for her dramatic scope and one of Hollywood’s most alluring voices. This made her ideal casting in Spike Jonze’s daring romance “Her.” As the sophisticated virtual assistant Samantha, Johansson portrays AI with a comforting empathy that creates a chemistry with a lovelorn man. As he develops strange and ultimately heartbreaking feelings, so too does Samantha. This tricky love story was celebrated for pulling off the most poignantly human areas of artificial intelligence. Johansson’s profound voicework was essential to this emotional resonance. Besides blurring the lines between humanity and technology, her performance in “Her” created a new argument for placing voice acting on par with live-action.
#3: Jeremy Irons
Jeremy Renner Bio: Star of The Hurt Locker and The Bourne Legacy
“The Lion King” (1994)
Jeremy Irons brought prestige to a variety of roles throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. It was definitely a shock when he took a Disney animated film, albeit one based on “Hamlet.” But all bowed before the might of “The Lion King”’s Scar. Irons’s cool, calculating charisma added a new layer to the villain’s vicious pursuit of his brother’s throne. Scar marked a new low in animated bad guys, with Irons taking such evil to Shakespearean heights. It was the perfect performance to win the very first Annie Award for feature film voice acting. And to this day, many rank Irons among the most compelling performances and villains in Disney history.
#2: Ralph Fiennes
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“The Prince of Egypt” (1998)
By the end of the ‘90s, Ralph Fiennes was one of the UK’s most renowned screen actors - and the most surprising name in the all-star cast of the Exodus adaptation “The Prince of Egypt.” Less surprising was his commanding portrayal of Rameses, Moses’s adopted brother-turned-nemesis. Underlying the Pharaoh’s authoritative stature was a vulnerable relationship with his lineage and brother. Fiennes realized a uniquely complex antagonist for an animated movie. It was the kind of depth that eventually earned “The Prince of Egypt” recognition as a masterpiece. The whole cast has gained glowing reappraisal. Fiennes’ Annie Award-nominated performance, however, was the instant standout that fans hoped for.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
James Gandolfini, “Where the Wild Things Are” (2009)
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Brad Dourif, “Child's Play” Franchise (1988-)
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Joaquin Phoenix, “Brother Bear” (2003)
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Vincent Price, “The Great Mouse Detective” (1986)
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Douglas Rain, “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968)
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#1: James Earl Jones
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“Star Wars” original trilogy (1977-83)
David Prowse gave imposing form to Darth Vader, but the role required an equally overpowering voice. James Earl Jones brought much more than that. The veteran of stage and screen has long been revered for both his massive presence and his unmistakable deep tone. Jones still disappears into the Sith Lord with great menace. And as the “Star Wars” saga reveals the tragic backstory of Anakin Skywalker, Jones captures the compromise of a remorseful father. Vader is considered one of the greatest villains of modern fiction, largely for Jones’s performance. It was just the first of his many iconic voice roles, including Mufasa in “The Lion King.” Now many consider Jones the ultimate example of what a great actor is capable of off-screen.
