Top 10 Celebrity Voice Acting Cameos in DC Animation
#10: Weird Al Yankovic as The Dollmaker “Batman Vs. Robin” (2015)
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This parody musician certainly wasn’t singing familiar tunes in this cameo. Weird Al has made many on-screen appearances across his long career. But given his talents, you might think he’d sway more towards musical characters, not a psychopathic strongman who turns innocent children into chainsaw wielding cyborgs! This criminal is a traumatised maniac who’s trying to keep children safe in his own special and creepy way. The King of Parody portrays this villain just right, with his voice a surprisingly perfect fit for the unhinged character. Even though the character’s presence was short lived, he still surprised us all with this fantastic cameo.
#9: Kevin Smith as Kevin Smith “Superman: Doomsday” (2007)
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A Superman movie where we never actually see the titular hero fly, he nevers wears the classic red and blue tights, and has to fight off a giant spider? As ridiculous as it sounds, that was a possibility that Clerks director Kevin Smith was privy to. Back in 1996, he was hired to help write the script for “Superman Lives”, which was to be produced by Jon Peters. While it never saw the light of day, Smith recounted the story in 2002. His description of the project became viral throughout the DC fandom. As a nod to this weird experience, you can see Kevin Smith among the crowd during “Superman: Doomsday”, where he scoffs after Superman defeats The Toyman’s giant mechanical spider.
#8: Rob Zombie as Icthultu “Justice League” (2001-04)
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This cameo is so terrifying, we’re surprised it was even included in a kids cartoon! A bloodthirsty god, worshipped by the people of Thanagar, Ichthulu travelled to Earth after being rejected by his previous people. In the episode “The Terror Beyond”, the Justice League worked together to banish him from Earth. Rob Zombie is well known for his horror inspired work, and he portrayed this character with haunting power and modulated intensity. If you were to give a voice to a character based on H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu, who better to get than the iconic heavy metal singer?!
#7: Nicholas Cage as Superman “Teen Titans Go! To The Movies” (2018)
Few could have predicted this casting move. The documentary “The Death of Superman Lives” details the story of how Cage was chosen to be Tim Burton’s Superman. Producer Jon Peters said it was because he was something no one expected. Seeing him as the suited up Kyptonian is definitely a surreal and memorable experience. You can decide whether it’s good that the film had the plug pulled. Still, this background made it all the better when viewers heard his voice behind the role in “Teen Titans Go! To The Movies”! An amazing callback and easter egg to what could’ve been, this inclusion made the movie all the better.
#6: Jensen Ackles as Jason Todd “Batman: Under the Red Hood” (2010)
“Batman: Under the Red Hood” has a fantastic cast of voice actors. Ra's al Ghul is played by Jason Isaacs, the man behind Lucius Malfoy! But it was the voice actor behind the resurrected Robin who had the biggest boots to fill. Fortunately, Jensen Ackles, best known as Supernatural’s Dean Winchester, pulled out a stellar performance as the ruthless but sympathetic Red Hood. You feel Ackles’ layered performance as he and Bruce argue over killing the Joker. The tension is palpable in their delivery as Jason tries to force Bruce into a corner, making this a must watch scene for anyone who’s a fan of DC.
#5: Stan Lee as Stan Lee “Teen Titans Go! To The Movies” (2018)
If there were a Marvel-DC crossover, you’d expect someone like Iron Man, Captain America or the Hulk to show up. But “Teen Titans Go! To The Movies” gave us none other than the late Stan Lee! In this incredible and hilarious appearance by the famous comic book writer, the self-aware Stan Lee forces himself into the movie as “subtly” as possible. While other appearances in superhero movies see him taking on many different characters, this appearance makes waves as he plays his own exaggerated persona. While he initially panics after finding out he’s in a rival movie, he then jumps back in, proclaiming he “just loves cameos!”.
#4: Neil Patrick Harris as The Music Meister “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” (2008-11)
Who knew the Dark Knight could carry a tune? And we’re not just talking about “Holy Musical B@tman!” This isn’t the first time Neil Patrick Harris has provided his voice to a DC cartoon, lending his talents to the villain Replay in Static Shock among others. With the power to make anyone sing and dance, the Music Meister required someone with a powerful set of lungs. While Harris made his name on “How I Met Your Mother”, he also has many Broadway credits. This made him the perfect fit for the character, who delivers an outstanding performance as this theatrical and villainous vocalist.
#3: Michael B. Jordan as Cyborg “Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox” (2013)
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Before the actor was taking on Black Panther as Killmonger, he was trying to prevent World War 3 in an alternate animated universe of DC. In “The Flashpoint Paradox”, Cyborg attempts to gather together superheroes to keep his country safe from the Atlantean and Amazonian conflict that’s engulfed the world. The cybernetically enhanced hero has had many different voice actors over his time in animation. But even before Jordan became a household name, his performance as Cyborg stood out, providing a darker and layered look at a conflicted, post-apocalyptic version of the character.
#2: Conan O’Brien as The Riddler “The Lego Batman Movie” (2017)
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The Lego movies spared no expense recruiting A-list talent, including Ralph Fiennes as Alfred, Jonah Hill as Hal Jordan, and Zach Galifanakis as Joker. But the talk show host playing the small, yet notable Edward Nigma took everyone by surprise. As one of Batman’s many villains, he teams up with Joker hoping to take the caped crusader down. With his limited screen-time, he still makes an impression, delivering funny responses to the main cast and haunting laughter. Who knew that O’Brien had acting chops on top of his mountains of charisma? Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Mark Hamill as Tony Zucco, “The Batman” (2004-06) The Voice Behind The Joker Is a Lot More Serious in This Cameo Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face,“The Lego Batman Movie” (2017) A Callback to the Actor’s Role as Harvey Dent in Tim Burton’s “Batman” J.K. Simmons as General Wade Eiling, “Justice League: Unlimited” (2004-06) In Between Running the Daily Bugle, He Was Trying to Take Down DC’s Superheros Channing Tatum as Superman, “The Lego Movie” (2014) & “The Lego Batman Movie” (2017) Channing Tatum Brings a Different Vibe to DC’s Champion Rosario Dawson as Artemis, “Wonder Woman” (2009) Before Playing Claire Temple in “Daredevil”, She Was Sparring with DC’s Amazonian Princess
#1: Adam West as The Gray Ghost “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992-95)
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In a nod to one of the most notable Batman on-screen performances, Adam West returns in cartoon form as “The Gray Ghost”. While trying to solve the Mad Bomber case, Bruce links the explosions with an old TV show called “The Gray Ghost”! In his investigation, he finds the old actor from the TV show and they team up to stop Ted Dymer. What’s even better is that the caped crusader looks up to The Grey Ghost as part of his inspiration for becoming a superhero, mirroring how actor Kevin Conroy might have felt stepping into the shoes of The Dark Knight.
