Top 10 Best Celebrity Voice Actor Performances

Following a long-standing career as a stage and television star, this Bronx-born actor adopted a French accent to play a mischievous candlestick in this Disney flick. Not to outshine Angela Lansbury and her beautiful rendition of the film’s signature song, but Jerry Orbach is the only character to channel the French roots of the original story - whether he’s arguing with the pompous Cogsworth or flirting insistently with other household items. The uncrowned champion of comic relief characters, Orbach’s performance really drives home the sensation of Lumière.

He’s the man synonymous with the phrase ‘movie star’, so we had to constantly remind ourselves that he is the one playing the lead in this stop-motion flick. Described as a ‘natural choice’ by Wes Anderson, Clooney’s charm adds a certain gentlemanly quality to the already fantastic titular fox. Unlike other animated films, the voices were recorded on-location in an old farmhouse to get the most natural performances and as an attempt to replicate the movie’s mood. As a result, the comedy boasts the suave nature of Clooney’s character, recounting the group’s bizarre heist capers. It’s almost like the remake of “Ocean’s Eleven”… hey wait a minute.

#8: Steve Carell as Felonious Gru “Despicable Me” franchise (2010-)

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Top 10 Steve Carell Performances

Known for his live action roles in romantic comedies and as an awkward manager on TV’s “The Office,” what better choice is there to play a gruff and foolish jelly manufacturer-slash-supervillain? Almost indistinguishable as his previous forty year old virgin, Steve Carell’s Russian-like accent is dead-on and presents a mad cartoon doctor perfectly in these 3D computer-animated comedies. His performance channels the great Mel Blanc in Gru’s outlandish reactions to his failures and come-uppances, but also provides a softer quality for his more sympathetic moments. Weaving in and out of his tones, Carell never loses the cartoon taste of his performance and that can only be a great thing.

#7: Kevin Spacey as Hopper “A Bug’s Life” (1998)

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Top 10 Kevin Spacey Performances

He’s one of the most versatile actors on this list, having played a malicious politician and a mythological serial killer, but now, in this comedy adventure, he plays a villainous grasshopper. We know from “House of Cards” and “American Beauty” that Spacey is no stranger to living a role in his vocal patterns, but Hopper was the first time he’d really done so ONLY through his voice. The Oscar-winning actor mixes cold, almost hoarse textures to bring out a shadowy tension in his performance as Hopper, making it one of Pixar’s most intimidating voice performances to date.

#6: Billy Crystal as Michael ‘Mike’ Wazowski “Monsters, Inc.” franchise (2001-)

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Now for the flipside of Pixar performances with one of the best uses of comedic voice acting when it comes to the good guys of a film. Upon first look, Billy Crystal seems out of place as the one-liner spouting, one-eyed monster, but upon closer inspection, his performance actually brings a much needed balance to John Goodman’s kind yet deep voice as Sulley. The energy and excitement theactor brings is not just what makes him good though; when leading the 2013 prequel, Crystal digs out a lighter and softer tone for his more sympathetic moments. In whichever circumstance Mike Wazowski finds himself, Crystal adapts to put forward that best possible chemistry.

#5: Ellen DeGeneres as Dory “Finding Nemo” (2003)

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Speaking of chemistry, how do you make an uptight clownfish and a mind-numbing fool work this well together? Obviously most known for her talk show these days, Ellen DeGeneres uses a playful innocence to combat the harsher tones of Albert Brooks’ Marlin the clown fish in this Pixar flick. Her lighter optimism is so unique to the tone of the film that, when thinking of DeGeneres’ big screen work, she is practically synonymous with her character of Dory, which has led to a sequel being developed.

#4: Mike Myers as Shrek “Shrek” franchise (2001-)

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While his previous characters were eccentric yet one-dimensional, Shrek is a package of vicious loneliness and sarcasm, yet also a kinder soul all effectively demonstrated through the actor’s voice. Not to say that his performance isn’t helped by Eddie Murphy as the dim-witted Donkey, as the pairing’s mishaps are only complemented by their bond as talented voice actors. Shrek is not only one of the best voice performances by a celebrity, but also one that enhances Mike Myers' career rather than simply being a side gig.

#3: Jeremy Irons as Scar “The Lion King” (1994)

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This Britain-born actor presents a brilliant gravitas to the greedy brother of Mufasa in this musical epic. The foppish villain of the animal kingdom has a voice talent more in common with a Shakespeare tale than a Disney film, much like the story itself actually. But it’s the quarrels between Jeremy Irons and his on-screen brother James Earl Jones that propel our ears to bliss, both presenting a strong clash of bellowing and snarly voices. We love Jeremy Irons particularly for the way his voice almost dances through his plotting nature, especially when he informs dear Simba of his most famous ‘surprise’.

#2: Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear “Toy Story” franchise (1995-)

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Clearly this voice performance will go sailing to infinity and beyond. These favorites of the Pixar films are highlighted by the delusional space ranger turned heroic children’s toy with Tim Allen at the microphone. Another performance that’s almost indistinguishable from his real life counterpart, Buzz Lightyear’s deep, charming voice is only enhanced with the help of Tom Hanks as his cowboy best friend. Hanks’ upbeat and friendly performance complements the more gentlemanly vigor of Tim Allen to the point where they’ll both have a friend in us any day. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few voices that didn’t quite sound good enough. - Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien “Madagascar” franchise (2005-) - Woody Allen as Z-4195 ‘Z’ “Antz” (1998) - James Woods as Hades “Hercules” (1997) - Mel Gibson as John Smith “Pocahontas” (1995) - Jack Black as Po “Kung Fu Panda” franchise (2008-)

#1: Robin Williams as The Genie “Aladdin” (1992)

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Top 10 Robin Williams Performances

Ali Baba had forty thieves and Sheherazade had a thousand tales, but there will only ever be one Robin Williams. In “Mrs. Doubtfire,” the comedian states that he ‘does voices’, and he’s correct. His ecstatic performance is such a powerful addition to this musical fantasy that it almost changes tone entirely once the Genie is introduced. Not only that but his high octane manner drives the second half so much that Disney aired the movie on TV in tribute to Williams following his 2014 death, and there’s no arguing the actor and comedian deserved all the honor and praise he has received. Do you agree with our list? Which movie voice performances are your favorite? For more vocal top10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.