The world of voice acting is rich with talent, and African American voice actors have made an indelible mark on the industry. Their voices have brought to life some of the most iconic characters in animation, video games, and films, becoming an integral part of our collective memories. Success, awards, and a long list of credits make them staples in the world of voice acting.
We often recognize our favorite actors when we see them. The same goes for voice actors, registering their identity and incredible talent as soon as we hear their voices. Let’s put faces to some of these phenomenal talents, discover their work, and discuss the attributes that earn them so much success in the voice over industry.
Here are a few successful voice actors that we want to highlight for their incredible performances and grounded status as the best in the business.
Iconic Voice Actors
James Earl Jones
One of the most well-known Black actors with a distinctive voice is James Earl Jones. Jones has lent his voice to countless memorable characters over the years, but perhaps his most famous role is that of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise. In addition to his work in Star Wars, Jones has also provided his voice for other notable roles.
He provided one of Disney’s most iconic voices, The Lion King’s Mufasa, as well as King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America and the narrator in CNN’s The Story of Us. Talk about an icon. Jones famously lent his commanding, gravelly voice to Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” franchise. It’s no wonder why, at the 2002 Kennedy Center Honors, George W. Bush told him, “Your voice is so good, you could get away with charging tolls on the interstate."
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Keith David
Unsurprisingly and undeniably, this list kicks off with Keith David. Born June 4, 1956, Keith David is a three-time Emmy winner who is most notably known for his roles in The War, Unforgivable Blackness, and Greenleaf. He has also narrated several audiobooks and documentaries.
In 2005, he won the Outstanding Voice-Over Performance Emmy for his voice role in Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall Of Jack Johnson. In 2008, Keith won the same Emmy for his performance in A Necessary War. Lastly, in 2016 he won Outstanding Narrator for his narration of Jackie Robinson. Keith David plays an Iconic role in the voice acting world with three wins and one nomination across a decade of Emmy accomplishments.
With his deep, commanding voice, Keith David has become a go-to choice for roles that require a powerful presence. He has provided his voice for numerous films, television shows, and video games, including Goliath in Gargoyles, Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog, and Spawn in the acclaimed HBO series.
He even ventured into gaming by providing his deep voice to franchises like Halo, Saints Row, and Mass Effect. Viewers can also hear David in documentaries, commercials, and audiobooks. They might recognize him from live-action work like Platoon, Greenleaf, There’s Something About Mary and American Fiction. David can be heard in high-profile projects like Krapopolis, Hazbin Hotel, and Kite Man: Hell Yeah!
Keith David as Goliath in "Gargoyles"
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Cree Summer
A list of iconic Black VO artists would be invalid without animation’s go-to It girl Cree Summer. She has been among the most successful and recognized Black actors for the last four decades. Summer was the most prominent Black female (or just Black in general) voice artist, with multiple animation classics under her belt for years.
Cree Summer’s distinct voice has graced countless animated projects, making her one of the most recognizable voices in the industry. Summer was the most prominent Black female (or just Black in general) voice artist, with multiple animation classics under her belt for years.
Of course, Summer kicked off his VO career as the original voice of Penny on the 1980s animated TV classic Inspector Gadget. Even in her first outing, viewers can recognize her signature raspy voice as a young girl. Working since the early 1980s translates to a resume filled with notable and iconic roles in memorable shows, including Elmyra Duff on Tiny Toon Adventures, Susie Carmichael on Rugrats, Miranda on As Told by Ginger, and Numbuh Five on Codename Kids Next Door.
Her voice work extended to video games as her trademark voice can be heard in classic gaming franchises like Fallout, Star Wars, and Final Fantasy. While generations grew up on her trademark rasp, they may remember Summer as Freddie Brooks from the classic black 1990s sitcom A Different World. The actress still appears in live-action work, her signature raspy voice can be heard in The Patrick Star Show and The Legend of Vox Machina.
Phil LaMarr
The Voice Behind 250 of Your Favorite Cartoons
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Phil LaMarr is a powerhouse in the voice-over industry, lending his talents to a wide range of characters in animated series, video games, and films. Phil LaMarr’s voice work has been a staple over the last four decades. Since starting in the voice acting field, he has been a prominent and dependable Black actor. LaMarr is among animation’s most versatile performers, appearing in multiple animation classics.
Notably, he has lent his voice to portray captivating characters such as the enigmatic Shadow King, adding depth and intrigue to the role. He is best known for dubbing Samurai Jack in the animated series of the same name.
LaMarr began his VO career as Woody Daniels on the underrated 1980s animated TV series Mister T. While his voice acting career started in the 1980s, his true breakthrough came in the 19990s as his filmography quickly filled up with memorable roles in iconic shows, including various voices on Family Guy, Hermes Conrad on Futurama, Virgil Hawkins/Static on Static Shock, and the one and only Samurai Jack.
Like most voice actors, he can be heard in video games with versatile VO performances. Viewers may recognize his voice in classic gaming franchises like Metal Gear, Star Wars, and Mortal Kombat. While viewers have enjoyed hearing him, they may remember LaMarr as his sketch comedy work on the Fox series MAD TV. The actor appears in live-action works, but he can be heard in Star Trek: Lower Decks and the upcoming series Among Us.
Kevin Michael Richardson
“I love Panthro, so to play him, yeah, I’m very very happy.” Born on October 25th, 1964, Kevin Michael Richardson is primarily famous for his voice-narrating of villainous characters in animation and video games. According to critics, his “King-Sized” acting and deep voice are most notable whenever he enters a role.
Kevin Michael Richardson’s rich and versatile voice has made him a sought-after talent in the voice-over realm. He has played several parts in kids and adult animation like Lilo & Stitch and The Cleveland Show. He is also a big name in the industry, with hundreds of high-profile credits.
Many voice actors can’t say they have the same career as Kevin Michael Richardson. He has been one of animation’s most prominent and successful Black voice actors in film and TV. Richardson is known for his trademark deep voice and villainous role.
Brooks started her voice acting career as Goro in the 1995 game-to-screen adaptation Mortal Kombat. His career soon took off as he appeared in classic projects, including Captain Gantu on Lilo and Stitch, various roles on Family Guy, American Dad, The Simpsons, and Futurama, Monster Girl on Invincible, and The Joker on The Batman. Richardson’s booming voice became an animation staple in the 1990s and 2000s.
He extended his voice work into video games with classic franchises like Star Wars, Fallout, and Skylanders. Brooks’ voice is present in projects like The Simpsons and the preschool series Ariel.
Other Notable Voice Actors
- Uzo Aduba: Known for her live-action roles, Uzo has also lent her voice to characters in "Lightyear," "Steven Universe," and "My Little Pony: The Movie."
- Shameik Moore: Gained fame for voicing Miles Morales in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."
- Marsai Martin: Started her voice acting experience in "Nina" and has voiced characters in "Goldie & Bear" and "The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show."
- Romany Malco: Known for his voice roles in "Unsupervised" and "American Dad."
- Deven Mack: Is a versatile voice actor known for voicing Sonic the Hedgehog, Chef Hatchet, and Wynton Styles.
- Clash: He is widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of Elmo, one of the most beloved and recognizable characters from “Sesame Street."
- Keith Ferguson: Is a highly skilled voice actor known for his impressive body of work.
- Gary Anthony Williams: Is an incredibly talented voice actor with a remarkable career spanning numerous notable roles.
- Khary Payton: dynamic voice has captured the hearts of audiences in various animated projects.
- Mela Lee: Is a talented voice actress with an impressive body of work.
- Dave Fennoy: Is a powerhouse in the world of voice acting, known for his unforgettable performances.
- Bumper Robinson: While Bumper Robinson is widely recognized for his acting skills, it’s worth noting that he has also made significant contributions to the world of voice acting.
- Michael Dorn: Michael Dorn, known for his iconic portrayal of Worf in the “Star Trek” franchise, has also showcased his incredible talent as a voice actor.
- Ogie Banks: Ogie Banks is a renowned voice actor recognized for his impressive portrayals in the industry.
- Beau Billingslea: Beau Billingslea is a celebrated voice actor recognized for his remarkable contributions to the industry.
- Debra Wilson: Debra Wilson is an exceptional voice actor with a noteworthy presence in the industry.
- Mathis III: Mathis III is a seasoned voice actor recognized for his exceptional talent and versatile performances.
- Greg Eagles: Greg Eagles is a highly acclaimed voice actor who has made a significant impact in the industry.
The Importance of Diversity
Diversity is crucial in any industry, and the voiceover industry is no exception. Voiceover work has the unique ability to reach a wide audience, and it is important for that audience to hear a variety of voices and perspectives. In recent years, there has been a growing push for greater diversity and inclusion in the voiceover industry.
Many Black voice actors are making their mark on the industry and paving the way for future generations. We have a responsibility to push for diversity and representation in the voiceover industry. As consumers, we can support diversity by seeking out and enjoying the work of Black voice actors and other diverse voices in the industry.
The 2024 movie and TV schedules have featured notable Black voice actors in popular and acclaimed projects, including Inside Out 2, Kung Fu Panda 4, and The Garfield Movie. The next generation of Black voice talents like Estelle, Zeno Robinson, Anairis Quiñones, and Lee George have continued the legacy by taking on roles across multiple genres. Hopefully, more Black voice actors will get their shine across screens and platforms in 2025 and beyond.
| Voice Actor | Notable Roles |
|---|---|
| James Earl Jones | Darth Vader (Star Wars), Mufasa (The Lion King) |
| Keith David | Goliath (Gargoyles), Dr. Facilier (The Princess and the Frog) |
| Cree Summer | Susie Carmichael (Rugrats), Penny (Inspector Gadget) |
| Phil LaMarr | Samurai Jack (Samurai Jack), Hermes Conrad (Futurama) |
| Kevin Michael Richardson | The Joker (The Batman), Captain Gantu (Lilo & Stitch) |
