What is the heartbeat of animation? Is it the face? The catchphrase? Or the theme song? It is the voice. The voices behind the heroes, villains, and sidekicks bring the animation to life. In animation, these well-known Black voice actors were behind the mic providing the voices for some of our favorite characters, yet are not recognised.
For years, animated Black characters were voiced by non-Black actors, but recently, with conversations around race and equity in entertainment, the industry has begun to reckon with this imbalance. Voice actors bring animated characters to life by giving them power, presence, and personality. There have been various Black voice actors who, despite their beloved or legendary performances, have rarely received the spotlight they deserve.
Representation in voice acting is slightly increasing, but it remains an area where Black talent is often overlooked or miscast. However, that hasn’t stopped these Black voice actors, whom you definitely know, from changing the game.
7 Black Voice Actors You Didn’t Know You Know Voiced Your Favorite Characters
1. Cree Summer
The chances that you’ve heard Cree Summer in animations over the last 30 years are astronomically high, she has, voiced many favorite characters. Recognised by her raspy and energetic voice, she lent her voice, in popular characters, making herself a staple of childhoods across different generations. We’re talking about hundreds of roles under her belt, and she’s definitely one of the most prolific Black voice actors of all time.
Some of her notable roles include:
- Susie Carmichael (Rugrats)
- Number 5 (Codename: Kids Next Door)
- Foxxy Love (Drawn Together)
- Elmyra Duff (Tiny Toon Adventures)
2. Phil LaMarr
Phil LaMarr’s voice sounds like a strong and smart Black animated hero, and he has helped with the complexities of such roles, especially with his portrayal of John Stewart (Justice League) in the early 2000s.
His legacy goes beyond Legacy or Mad TV and lies in animation and video games. With his incredible vocal range, here are some of his notable roles:
- Samurai Jack (Samurai Jack)
- Hermes Conrad (Futurama)
- Static Shock (Static Shock)
- John Stewart/Green Lantern (Justice League)
3. Kevin Michael Richardson
Richardson has a booming bass that brings gravity and depth to every character or role. With his commanding delivery, he became the go-to for roles that needed a menacing and magnetic voice.
Villains are so cool in animations, and Richardson has voiced some of the memorable villains and authority figures in modern animation:
- Gantu (Lilo & Stitch)
- Trigon (Teen Titans)
- The Joker (The Batman)
- Captain Gantu (Lilo & Stitch)
- Cleveland Brown Jr. (The Cleveland Show)
4. Regina King
An Oscar-winning actress, but before that, Regina King had been making waves with her roles in The Boondocks. Yeah, roles. King King is primarily known for her work in The Boondocks, where she voiced both Huey Freeman and Riley Freeman. Surprisingly, she is one of the black actors behind famous characters and many didn’t know she is the voice behind them.
That work is regarded as a masterclass in character distinction as she captured both the revolutionary insight of Huey and the chaotic energy of Riley so seamlessly in a way rarely seen.
Notable Roles:
- Huey & Riley Freeman (The Boondocks)
- Dynamite (Planes: Fire & Rescue)
- Mom (The Snowy Day)
5. Keith David
You just had to sit up and listen when you heard Keith David’s voice. His voice just has that ‘presence’. His voice is deep, rich, and authoritative, and he has helped define how Black masculinity and gravitas could sound in fantasy and sci-fi spaces.
Notable Roles:
- Goliath (Gargoyles)
- The Cat (Coraline)
- Spawn (Spawn: The Animated Series)
- Arbiter (Halo)
6. Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer has grown from a child star on Nickelodeon to a powerhouse in both live-action and animation on Netflix by bringing style, wit, and heart to her roles. Keke is one of the most in-demand Black actresses in voice acting for Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences, and her energetic voice and comedic timing have helped her land these roles:
- Peaches (Ice Age)
- Aisha (Winx Club)
- Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins (The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder)
- Izzy Hawthorne (Lightyear)
- Rochelle the Lovebub (Human Resources)
- Crystal Tortoise (Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare)
7. J.B. Smoove
Smoove’s voice is unmistakable. He is known for his eccentric and loud delivery that brought humour to every character he played in live-action comedy. He would easily translate that bold vibe and energy to his animated characters, doing it with swagger and making every role unforgettable:
- Frank the Plant (Harley Quinn)
- Lincoln Loud’s dad (The Loud House)
- Vance Maximus (Rick and Morty)
- Bebop/Anton Zeck (TMNT/Spider-Man: Maximum Venom)
These voice actors may not always be the popular names you know, but they’ve helped raise generations; by voicing your favorite characters. Their work has helped shape the sound of animated storytelling, and their impact is simply undeniable.
Who is your favorite black voice actor from our list? Share your thoughts in the comments
