Ever watched an old cartoon and thought one of the voices sounded familiar? Chances are, it was a famous celebrity. You'd be surprised how many big-name stars have lent their vocal talents to animated shows and movies over the years. Whether it was a quick cameo or an iconic lead role, these celebrities helped bring some of the most memorable characters to life. Get ready to have your mind blown as we explore some of the famous voices behind your favorite cartoon characters. From action heroes to princesses, comedians to singers, the talent behind these animated personas just might surprise you. The next time you stream that childhood favorite, listen closely - you just might recognize a star.
Tom Hanks as Woody From Toy Story:
When you think of the voice behind the rootin’-tootin’ cowboy Woody from Toy Story, chances are you imagine Tom Hanks. One of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, Hanks voiced the pull-string sheriff in Pixar’s first full-length CGI film.
Released in 1995, Toy Story revolutionized animation with its stunning graphics and witty storyline. At the heart of it all was Hanks as the earnest and loyal Woody, who sees his status as top toy threatened by the arrival of Buzz Lightyear. Through four films spanning over 20 years, Hanks brought a depth of emotion and humor to the character that made audiences connect with and care about a toy cowboy.
Hanks has called the role “one of the greatest blessings of his film career.” And it’s easy to see why. Woody is the perfect fit for Hanks’s blend of likability, vulnerability, and dry comic timing. The actor’s performance, along with the fantastic scripts, are what give the Toy Story films their heart.
Of course, Hanks is no stranger to iconic roles, from Forrest Gump to Cast Away to Saving Private Ryan. But for multiple generations, he’ll always be the voice of the noble sheriff Woody. When a film franchise achieves that kind of timeless status and nostalgic connection, you know the actors behind the beloved characters have done something right. For bringing Woody to life and helping to create a true family classic, we tip our hats to you, Tom Hanks.
Vin Diesel as Groot From Guardians of the Galaxy:
Vin Diesel, the famous action star from the Fast and Furious franchise, voiced one of the most lovable characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy.
Diesel brought Groot to life, delivering one of the most memorable catchphrases in recent movie history: “I am Groot.” Even though those three words were the only ones the sentient tree creature ever spoke, Diesel’s tender and emotive inflections gave Groot a surprising amount of depth and personality.
The Creation of Groot:
When director James Gunn conceived of the Guardians of the Galaxy films, he wanted a character that was unlike anything audiences had seen before. He came up with the idea of a walking, talking tree who can only say “I am Groot.” Gunn knew that the success of the character hinged on finding the perfect actor to voice Groot and bring him to life.
Gunn immediately thought of Vin Diesel for the role. Diesel loved the character and signed on right away. Diesel approached voicing Groot like he would any other acting role. He gave Groot a backstory and motivations to help determine the right tone and inflection for each “I am Groot.” Diesel’s nuanced performance turned a character who only says three words into a fan favorite and the heart of the Guardians franchise.
Thanks to Vin Diesel’s skills and enthusiasm, Groot became a pop culture icon. Just goes to show you don't need a huge vocabulary to make it big in Hollywood. Three little words can go a long, long way.
Scarlett Johansson as Ash in Sing:
Scarlett Johansson has lent her voice to some memorable characters over the years, like Ash in the animated musical film Sing. Released in 2016, Sing features over 85 pop songs and stars an ensemble cast of famous actors providing the speaking and singing voices of anthropomorphic animals.
Johansson voices Ash, a porcupine who auditions for a singing competition. Ash is a punk rocker with a rebellious attitude and doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind. She belts out heartfelt rock songs like “Call Me” by Blondie and “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele during the film. Johansson’s raspy, husky voice is perfect for bringing the edgy porcupine to life and suits her independent spirit.
While Johansson is best known for her live-action roles in films like Lost in Translation, The Avengers, and Jojo Rabbit, she’s no stranger to voice acting. She’s lent her recognizable voice to other animated characters in films such as The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Robot Chicken, and Isle of Dogs. Voicing the feisty Ash in Sing allowed Johansson to show off her impressive singing chops in addition to her comedic timing and ability to craft quirky, compelling characters.
Ash proves that you don’t have to look a certain way to be a star. With her pink mohawk and rebellious attitude, Ash forges her own path in the music industry based on her talent and passion alone. Thanks to Johansson’s performance, Ash serves as an inspiration to anyone who feels like an outsider or misfit. Her memorable songs and charismatic personality demonstrate that you should never judge a book by its cover. Ash is a great role model for individuality, courage and staying true to yourself.
Conclusion:
So there you have it, a fun glimpse behind the scenes at the famous faces behind some of the most iconic cartoon characters. The next time you're enjoying a classic cartoon, picture the voice actor in the studio bringing that character to life. These talented performers have brought so much joy and laughter into our lives over the years through their memorable voices and performances. Even though you can't see the actors, their vocal talents shine through and transport us to different times and places, allowing us to reconnect with our inner child. The magic of animation combined with the skill of amazing voice actors has created characters that will live on forever.
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