20 Black Voice Actors Behind Your Favorite Cartoon Characters

Before we knew their faces, we knew their voices. Check out 20 Black voice actors behind some of your favorite cartoon characters. 

Some of us spent Saturday mornings watching cartoons, repeating every catchphrase and singing every theme song, never realizing that some of the voices coming through the television belonged to actors we already knew and loved.

From The Boondocks to The Proud Family, Rugrats to The Lion King, Black actors have been behind some of animation’s most unforgettable characters. As Backstage notes, Black performers have built impressive careers in voice acting across film, television and video games. From the A Different World star Cree Summer’s impressive voice acting resume to Regina King’s legendary Boondocks run, these actors’ voices are powerful beyond their onscreen time. 

Essence has also highlighted generations of Black actors whose voices helped shape some of television’s most recognizable animated characters. Many of these skilled actors fans may not have known were behind these legendary cartoons. 

Scroll below for 20 Black voice actors who helped make our favorite characters feel real.

20 Black Voice Actors In Animation

1. Cree Summer: Susie Carmichael, Rugrats

Summer became one of animation’s most recognizable voices, also playing Numbuh Five and Princess Kida.

2. Keith David: Goliath, Gargoyles

His notable voice has also brought Dr. Facilier, Flame King and countless other characters to life.

3. Regina King: Huey and Riley Freeman, The Boondocks

King somehow made two brothers sound completely different while voicing both characters.

4. Kyla Pratt: Penny Proud, The Proud Family

Pratt gave Penny her signature combination of curiosity, confidence and teenage attitude.

5. Eddie Murphy: Donkey, Shrek

Murphy’s hilarious delivery turned Donkey into one of animation’s most beloved sidekicks.

6. James Earl Jones: Mufasa, The Lion King

That unmistakable voice helped make Mufasa an unforgettable Disney icon.

7. LeVar Burton: Kwame, Captain Planet

Burton voiced the Earth-powered Planeteer and helped make the environmental cartoon memorable.

8. Phil LaMarr: Static, Static Shock

LaMarr brought Virgil Hawkins and his superhero alter ego Static to life.

9. Ayo Edebiri: April O’Neil, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Edebiri added her comedic timing and personality to the latest animated version of April.

10. Donald Glover: Adult Simba, The Lion King

Glover voiced Simba in Disney’s 2019 remake.

11. Eartha Kitt: Yzma, The Emperor’s New Groove

Kitt’s unmistakable delivery made Yzma a villain audiences could not stop quoting.

12. Ving Rhames: Cobra Bubbles, Lilo & Stitch

Rhames used his signature deep voice for the CIA agent turned social worker.

13. Sanaa Lathan: Donna Tubbs, The Cleveland Show

Lathan voiced the sharp and stylish matriarch of the Tubbs family.

14. Nia Long: Roberta Tubbs, The Cleveland Show

Long was the original voice of Roberta before Regan Gomez Preston took over the role.

15. Regan Gomez Preston: Roberta Tubbs, The Cleveland Show

Gomez Preston brought a younger energy and plenty of attitude to Roberta.

16. John Witherspoon: Granddad Freeman, The Boondocks

Witherspoon’s comedic timing made Granddad one of the show’s most quotable characters.

17. Gabby Soleil: Jazmine DuBois, The Boondocks

Soleil voiced the sweet and often misunderstood neighbor caught between Huey and Riley’s worldview.

18. Isaac Hayes: Chef, South Park

The legendary musician supplied the smooth vocals for the school cafeteria’s unforgettable chef.

19. Tommy Davidson: Oscar Proud, The Proud Family

Davidson brought big personality and plenty of comedic chaos to Penny’s father.

20. Paula Jai Parker: Trudy Proud, The Proud Family

Parker voiced Trudy, the family matriarch whose patience helped keep the Proud household together.

The next time a cartoon character sounds suspiciously familiar, check the credits. You might be listening to another Black performer who has been making animation feel a whole lot more like home.

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