Top 10 Celeb Guests in Avatar & Legend of Korra
#10: Lisa Edelstein Kya
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Lisa Edelstein is perhaps best known for her role as Lisa Cuddy on “House,” where she frequently sparred with the titular maverick doctor and occasionally romanced him. However, you don’t have to be a brilliant doctor to recognize her voice as Aang and Katara’s middle child, Kya, on “The Legend of Korra.” Kya is a waterbender, so she’s able to fight as well as heal. Also, her attitude is a nice balance of her silly older brother, Bumi, and her serious younger brother, Tenzin. Edelstein’s performance captures Kya’s ability to balance quite well, being able to balance serious moments with comedy.
#9: Ron Perlman Fire Lord Sozin
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Made famous for many roles across the big and small screen, such as the title role in “Hellboy,” Ron Perlman plays another character with affinity with fire on “Avatar.” In a flashback episode, Perlman plays the famous, or infamous, Fire Lord Sozin, ruler of the Fire Nation. Although initially a kind man who is best friends with the then current Avatar, Roku, Sozin displays a lust for power; desiring to expand his country’s influence over the whole world, leading to Roku’s death and Sozin beginning a hundred year war against the rest of the world. Perlman is able to capture both Sozin’s warmth and his fiery temper in equal measure.
#8: Daniel Dae Kim General Fong and Hiroshi Sato
Daniel Dae Kim rose to fame through roles on TV shows like “Lost” and “Hawaii Five-O.” He’s also one of the few actors on our list to appear on both “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “The Legend of Korra.” On “Avatar,” Kim plays General Fong, and Earth Kingdom general who seeks to help Aang unlock the Avatar state – by whatever means necessary. Meanwhile, on “Korra,” Kim portrays Hiroshi Sato, Asami’s genius inventor father, whose desire to see non-benders be equal to benders leads him to support the wrong cause. Both characters are men who want the best, but whose methods go too far, and Kim plays both with enough pathos to be relatable.
#7: Zelda Williams Kuvira
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The daughter of the late Robin Williams, Zelda Williams has appeared in a number of film and TV parts, including doing commercials for the video game series she was named for with her dad. As personable and nice as she seems in real life, it’s hard to believe that she plays a dictator on “The Legend of Korra,” but it’s true! Zelda plays Kuvira, a metalbender who quells a rebellion in the Earth Kingdom, before eventually conquering it, and setting her sights on Republic City. As bad as Kuvira’s actions are, Zelda’s performance is very charismatic and often menacing, so it’s not hard to see why people follow her.
#6: Serena Williams Ming and Female Sage
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Zelda wasn’t the only famous Williams to appear in the franchise - famed tennis player Serena Williams also starred on both shows. Her first appearance on “Avatar” was as Ming, a prison guard who guards Iroh when the general is imprisoned by his brother. During Iroh’s imprisonment, the pair bond over tea, and the fact that Iroh reminds Ming of her father. Meanwhile, Serena’s part on “The Legend of Korra” is fairly minor, voicing a female sage during the flashback episode that details the origins of the first Avatar. Not only has Serena appeared on both shows, but she’s evidently a hardcore fan, at least if her in-depth lore conversations on Twitter are anything to go by.
#5: Jason Isaacs Admiral Zhao
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Most people probably recognize Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy from the “Harry Potter” franchise. Given that he speaks with an English accent in those films, it’s understandable that fans may not recognize him in “Avatar.” But while his voice may sound different, he certainly plays a similarly antagonistic character. Isaacs plays Admiral Zhao, an ambitious Fire Nation commander who conflicts with Prince Zuko in pursuit of the Avatar. Arrogant, self-obsessed, and intelligent, Zhao is a villain that we love to hate, and Isaacs manages to make Zhao very hateable indeed.
#4: George Takei Warden
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Oh myyyyy! The legendary “Star Trek” actor and gay icon George Takei has a long list of screen credits and many of them are animated. Takei’s role on “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is that of a Fire Nation prison warden. The unnamed warden administrates a prison designed for earthbenders and he appears to relish his job; making the prisoners’ lives as miserable and hopeless as possible. Despite the character being thoroughly despicable, Takei’s hammy performance still manages to make a bad guy fun to watch before he finally gets his comeuppance.
#3: Rami Malek Tahno
That’s right – Emmy and Oscar winner Rami Malek, in addition to being one of the most celebrated Freddy Mercury lookalikes in the world, also lent his voice to “The Legend of Korra!” Prior to his big break, Malek voiced Tahno, the captain of a pro-bending team that were rivals to Korra’s team. Tahno is a smarmy, egotistical bully whose skills in the arena are augmented by his willingness to cheat. However, after his bending is taken away, Tahno is humbled somewhat, in a change that feels very natural, thanks to Malek’s performance.
#2: Aubrey Plaza Eska
Aubrey Plaza can’t play every deadpan character on TV, but she’s certainly trying! The actress made famous by her part on “Parks and Rec” played a similarly stoic character on “The Legend of Korra.” Eska is Korra’s cousin and an identical twin, though she’s definitely the more vocal of the pair. Initially cold and willing to follow her father, she eventually betrays him and aids team Avatar in saving the world several times. Plaza’s dry delivery makes Eska’s domineering romance with Bolin absolutely hilarious…when she isn’t being terrifying, at least.
#1: Mark Hamill Fire Lord Ozai
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Whaaat?! Luke Skywalker is Fire Lord Ozai?! It may be hard to believe, but search your feelings, you know it to be true! Mark Hamill has plenty of experience as a voice actor and in villainous roles, having also voiced Batman’s nemesis, the Joker for decades. Hamill’s chilling and commanding performance helps make Ozai an incredibly menacing and evil villain, as well as a terrible father and a worthy big bad for the whole series. After all, Hamill knows all about evil overlord fathers right?
