Top 10 Actors With the Most Beautiful Voice
#10: Julie Andrews
Known for her roles in beloved musicals like “The Sound of Music” and “Mary Poppins”, Julie Andrews’ crystal clear diction has graced both stage and screen for decades. However, in 1997, a flawed throat surgery caused irreversible damage to the Academy Award winner’s vocal chords. While this forced Andrews to be much more selective with her singing projects, her speaking voice remains as clear and pronounced as ever. And she isn’t afraid to use it! Andrews continues to grace audiences with her creativity by co-writing children’s books and providing the voice of “Bridgerton’s” mysteriously delightful narrator, Lady Whistledown.
#9: Angela Bassett
With a voice so smooth you could skate on it, there’s no one quite like Angela Bassett. Her illustrious career has seen her portray everyone from royal figures to music icons, and throughout it all, her voice has played an important part. With a soothing texture and rich tone, it has a powerful and commanding quality that’s simply unmatched. It’s no wonder why Bassett is frequently behind the mic for animated films, television series, and video games. In fact, she even voiced former First Lady Michelle Obama on “The Simpsons.” There’s truly no voice that is too big for Angela Bassett!
#8: Tom Hiddleston
From Spanish to French to Greek all the way to his native, English tongue, this MCU actor sounds divine in every language. Most of the time, though, you’ll catch Tom Hiddleston speaking with his traditional British accent. That being said, he’s also known for his impeccable ability to slide into different dialects. Of course, we also can’t talk about Hiddleston without mentioning his onstage work in various Shakespearean productions. Honestly, we could listen to him stress syllables all day. Clear as a bell and effortlessly posh, Hiddleston's voice is music to our ears.
#7: Matthew McConaughey
Hailing from Uvalde, Texas, Matthew McConaughey’s Southern drawl has been a staple in his career. Rarely heard onscreen without his distinct twang, McConaughey has brought his Texan charm to flicks like “How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” His mellow tempo and elongated vowels have also garnered him a reputation for being one of Hollywood’s most chilled and laidback figures. McConaughey’s speech is so recognizable, it’s impossible to think of the word “alright” without hearing it said in his voice - and that’s more than “alright” with us!
#6: Salma Hayek
Whether she is in front of a camera or behind a mic, Salma Hayek’s voice ensures she always nails a line read. Born in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, the actress has been vocal about Hollywood’s aversion to her native accent. But, if you ask us, they were missing out on one of the most melodic and distinctive voices in all show biz! Whether in Spanish or English, Hayek is a treat for the ears. That’s probably why her talents were put to such good use in voiceover roles such as Kitty Softpaws in the “Puss in Boots” films and Kamila in “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.”
#5: Emily Blunt
As a child, Emily Blunt struggled with speaking due to a stutter. But, by stepping onstage and growing as an actress, she managed her speech impediment and turned her voice into something to marvel. Although she admits to occasionally stuttering when stressed, most of Blunt’s professional work is full of flawless tone. Between her natural British accent and her impeccable imitation of American English, she’s got most Hollywood dialects down pat. Plus, she can sing! Honestly, there’s no one else who could have picked up Julie Andrews’ floating umbrella to play Mary Poppins. After all, Emily Blunt’s perfect diction is downright magical.
#4: Scarlett Johansson
If you want to hear about impressive vocal performances, back in 2013, some wondered if Scarlett Johansson deserved an Oscar nomination for her voice alone. The role in question is Samantha in “Her,” an AI operating system who forms a complicated relationship with a lonely man. Even though Johansson is never seen onscreen, it’s undoubtedly one of the most outstanding performances of her career. She uses her signature raspy tone to navigate the emotional story with aplomb. Although Johansson didn’t end up getting an Oscar nomination for “Her,” there’s no denying her voice is astonishing, line after line. Outside of “Her”, the Marvel star has lent her voice to several animated projects, continuing to astonish audiences line by line.
#3: Kate Winslet
When you watch this actress work, she either warms your heart or breaks it. Who could forget the vulnerability in Winslet’s delivery of that soul crushing “Titanic” ending? The shakiness and husky tone of her repeating “Jack” over and over again is truly gut wrenching. That being said, she can also tap into fierce and fiery places, like when she tore into Leonardo DiCaprio in “Revolutionary Road.” And then of course, there’s Winslet’s sweet and gentle side, which shines in “The Holiday.” Packed with emotional depth and an earth shaking volume, her voice knows no bounds!
#2: James Earl Jones
From Pride Rock to a galaxy far, far away, James Earl Jones' voice has been a fixture of some of cinema's greatest moments. His iconic deep bass delivery famously pitched at approximately 85 Hz. A rarity, this allowed him to reach a deep and powerful tone that turned him into one of Hollywood’s most celebrated voices. That’s part of the reason why, whether he was portraying a protective father or galaxy-conquering villain, Jones was unmistakable to the ear. No matter the time, no matter the day, you could always count on Earl Jones to not only complement the text, but also truly elevate it.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Dan Stevens
Refined & Elegant, His Voice Is A Class Act
Cate Blanchett
Her Unwavering Tone Always Delivers
Paul Mescal
This Irish Actor's Voice Is Pure, Sultry Perfection
Alan Rickman
There Will Never Been a Voice Quiet Like Alan Rickman’s
Cynthia Erivo
Her Voice Can Defy Gravity
#1: Morgan Freeman
This voice is one of a kind. Calm yet strong, Morgan Freeman’s vocals can soothe and command in the same breath. As a result of his low-pitched timbre, he’s played everyone from a United States President to God. Not only that, he is also one of the film industry’s go-to actors for narration and voiceover work. Freeman wasn’t born with his unique inflection, though. While studying theatre at Los Angeles Community College, “The Shawshank Redemption” star took a speech class to workshop his enunciation. Thanks to his training and hard work, Freeman created the voice we all know and admire today.
Which one of these actors' voices do you think is the most iconic? Let us know in the comments!