AnimatedDisneycharacters are remembered for their large personalities, intricate designs, and unique voices. Whether it’s the pitch, the tone, the pronunciation, or enunciation, sometimes you may immediately recognize the actor behind the character.
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And sometimes, you can recognize them twice. Be itbeloved characters in Disney movies,Pixarfilms, or even someDisney Parkattractions, the magical company is known for keeping it in the family and leaving their characters with all-too-familiar voices.
Jodi Benson
Jodi Bensonis considered a Disney Legend for voicing a princess from a film that has stood the test of time:The Little Mermaid.Ariel’s portrayer has provided both dialogue and songs for the original film and its direct-to-video sequel, as well as theCBStelevision series and Ariel’s cameo inRalph Breaks The Internet.
Ariel isn’t the only strong female character Benson has voiced. Starting in 1999, Benson made her Pixar debut just asBarbiemade her Pixar debut, voicing the doll inToy Story 2and 3,then in theToy Story Toonsshort “Hawaiian Vacation.”
Idris Elba
WhenIdris Elbaisn’t playing Heimdall in theMCU, he can be heard voicing several animated characters. Elba’s first role came in the form of a CGI tiger named Shere Khan in the 2016 live-action remake ofThe Jungle Book.That same year, the actor voiced Chief Bogo inZootopia.
The most recent character Elba lent his voice to was Fluke, one of the cooky sea lions from Pixar’s Dory-centric sequel toFinding Nemo,appropriately titledFinding Dory.
Russi Taylor
Russi Taylor was a legendary Disney voice actor not only for being the official voice of Minnie Mouse in several shows and films from 1986 to 2019 but for being married to the third official voice actor to portray her character’s love interest,Mickey Mouse.
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Aside from giving a voice to one of Disney’s most iconic characters, the actress also provided the voice of several smaller characters, including Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby Vanderquack inDuckTales,Drizella and the Fairy Godmother in theCinderellasequel films, and Widow Tweed inFox and the House 2.
John Goodman
John Goodmanis best known for voicing the beloved Pixar character Sulley fromMonsters IncandMonster’s University,as well as the 2021Disney+seriesMonsters at Workand the Disney’s California Adventure ride “Monsters Inc: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue.”
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Aside from Pixar, Goodman has voiced a slew of other Disney film characters, most notably Pacha fromEmperor’s New Groove, Kronk’s New Groove,and the television seriesEmperor’s New School.The actor also gave a voice to Baloo inThe Jungle Book 2and Eli LaBouff inPrincess and the Frog.
Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kalingmade her Disney film debut in 2012’sWreck-It Ralphwhen she voiced the strawberry hard candy-themed character Taffyta Muttonfudge, a Sugar Rush racer who is also a rival of Vanellope’s.
Kaling went on to make her Pixar debut as the sickly-green emotion Disgust inInside Outand its subsequent short “Riley’s First Date?” The actress later joined another Pixar project, this time as Val Little in the Disney+ showMonsters at Work.
John Ratzenberger
John Ratzenbergermade his Pixar debut as Hamm in the animation studio’s first feature-length filmToy Story.Ratzenberger went on to reprise the role of Andy’s sarcastic piggy bank inToy Story 2, 3and4,as well as several shorts.
One of Pixar’s biggest Easter eggs is the way they’ve included Ratzenberger in every single film, his voice work ending withOnwardand his presence ending withSoul.While theactor was not heardinTurning RedorLuca,he did reprise hisMonsters Incrole in 2021 for the Disney+ seriesMonsters at Work.
Jason Marsden
While Jason Marsden is best known for voicing everyone’s favorite spooky-time cat Thackery Binx inHocus Pocus(and his potential return in thelong-anticipated Disney+ sequelHocus Pocus 2), he has also given a voice to dozens of notable Disney characters.
Marsden became the official voice of Max Goof in 1995, appearing in memorable movies likeA Goody MovieandMickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas.The actor also voiced Mungo inTarzan,Adult Kovu inThe Lion King II: Simba’s Pride,Kenai inBrother Bear 2,Flash Fleming in theToy Storytelevision spin-offBuzz Lightyear of Star Command,and Felix inKim Possible,to name a few.
Eleanor Audley
While the name Eleanor Audley may not ring any bells, her voice definitely will. Audley gave a voice to twonotable Disney villains:Lady Tremaine inCinderellaandMaleficentinSleeping Beauty,both of which were closely animated to represent the actress.
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Audley’s voice can also be heard in a fan-favorite Disney Park attraction. Next time you’re passing through the dark chamber in the midst of a séance on theHaunted MansioninDisneylandorDisney World,you can hear Audley voicing the famous floating head of Madame Leota.
Jeff Garlin
WhileJeff Garlinis best known for his comedic work, the actor has become a prominent voice in many Pixar films, starting with Captain B. McCrea inWall-E,its accompanying shortBurn-E,and Otis inCars 2.
Garlin’s most memorable Pixar character is Bonnie’s adorable plush unicorn Buttercup, who appears inToy Story 3and4,as well as theToy Story Toonsshort “Hawaiian Vacationand an episode of Disney+‘sForky Asks A Question.
Lea Salonga
Lea Salongais a notable name in Disney films for her portrayal of not just one, but two Disney princesses of the Disney Renaissance. Salonga first provided the singing voice for Jasmine inAladdin,then went on to lend her pipes to Mulan inMulanandMulan II.
The actress reprised both royal roles in two separate episodes of theDisney JuniorshowSofia the First,and later voiced the princesses again in the show’s hour-long series finaleSofia the First: Forever Royal.
