List of voice actors
Overview
Voice acting is the art of performing voice-overs to represent a character or provide information to an audience. Performers are called voice actors or actresses, voice artists, or voice talent. In the UK, voice acting is recognized as a specialized dramatic profession, primarily due to the BBC's long tradition of radio drama production.
History
Voice acting has a rich and varied history that spans many different countries and periods. The profession came into existence with the advent of radio broadcasting in the early 20th century. Early pioneers of voice acting included Mel Blanc, who is often referred to as "The Man of a Thousand Voices" for his work on numerous animated series, including Looney Tunes and The Flintstones.
Techniques
Voice actors use various techniques to convey their characters' emotions and personalities. These techniques can include pitch, tone, volume, and pacing changes, as well as the use of accents or dialects. Some voice actors may also use physical gestures or facial expressions to help them get into character, even though these elements won't be seen by the audience.
Notable Voice Actors
Mel Blanc
Mel Blanc was an American voice actor and radio personality, best known for his work with Warner Bros. as the voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian, Pepé Le Pew, Speedy Gonzales, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, and many of the other characters from the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoons.
June Foray
June Foray was an American voice actress who was best known for her work in animation. Some of her most famous roles include Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Natasha Fatale in The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Granny in the Looney Tunes franchise, and Jokey Smurf in The Smurfs.
Frank Welker
Frank Welker is an American voice actor best known for his role as Fred Jones from the Scooby-Doo franchise, Megatron in the Transformers franchise, and as the voice of many Disney and Looney Tunes characters. He has also provided animal sound effects for many films, including the roars of the lion in The Lion King.
Training and Education
While there are no strict educational requirements for becoming a voice actor, training in areas such as acting, speech, and voice are highly beneficial. Many voice actors have a background in theatre and have received training in voice and speech. Additionally, many voice actors take classes or workshops in voice acting and may work with a voice coach.
Voice Acting in Different Media
Voice acting can be found in a variety of media, including radio, television, film, video games, and audio books. Each medium requires different skills and techniques from the voice actor. For example, voice acting for radio or audio books may rely more heavily on the actor's ability to convey a story or character through their voice alone, while voice acting for animation or video games may require more versatility to portray a wide range of characters.