Phil Hartman – Dennis the Menace
Most kids of the 1980s watched theDennis the Menacecartoon series at some point. It followed the adventures of the troublemaker kid nicknamed Dennis the Menace. Like the old black and white live action series of the same name, was based on the comic strip byHank Ketcham. Few realized that funny actorPhil Hartmanvoiced Mr. Wilson in the first season. Side note:Brennan Thicke, the oldest son ofAlan Thickewho avoids the spotlight, portrayed the title character Dennis in the series.
Phil Hartman rose to fame inSaturday Night Livein the same year he provided the voice of Mr. Wilson in the first season of the cartoon. Perhaps that is why he didn’t return for the second season ofDennis the Menace. He went on to appear in films such asHouseguest andJingle All the Way. Tragically, he was killed by his wife while he slept in 1998.
Mila Kunis – Family Guy
Meg Griffin is the teenage daughter on theSeth MacFarlaneseriesFamily Guy. She doesn’t look or act much of anything like the famous actress who portrays her. It’sMila Kuniswho provides the voice for Meg. Mila has enjoyed many starring roles in films such asOz the Great and PowerfulandBad Moms.
Mila Kunis wasn’t always the voice of Meg. She was first portrayed by Seth’s sisterRachel MacFarlanein the show’s original plot. Then, for the rest of the first season of the show, the character was voiced byLacey Chabert, the actress who rose to fame as the precocious youngest sister onParty of Five. Mila Kunis has been playing Meg most of the time since the show’s second season.
Michael Cera – The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bearswas a beloved children’s animal series that debuted in 2003 on PBS Kids. It had a child actor who would go on to be a celebrity among its cast members.Michael Cerawas the voice of Brother Bear, the oldest child of Mama Bear and Papa Bear.
Brother Bear was one of the give main characters in the show that’s based on the popular series of children’s books. Episodes ofThe Berenstain Bearscenter around many of the plots from the books, too. After providing the voice to Brother Bear in the series, Michael Cera would go on to act in such movies asJunoandNick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.
Fergie – Peanuts
SuperstarFergie, whose full name isStacy Ann Ferguson, has been a hardworking performing since she was a child star. She was in elementary school when she first graced television screens on the Disney Channel showKids Incorporated. She was also a child when she provided the iconic voice of Sally Brown, Charlie Brown’s little sister, in several specials from thePeanutsfranchise.
Fergie was the voice of Sally Brown in the television specialIt’s a Flashbeagle, Charlie BrownandSnoopy’s Getting Married, Charlie Brown. She also portrayed Sally in a season ofThe Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show. Fergie’s not the only famous person to portray Sally.Jodie Sweetin, who is once again playing Stephanie Tanner inFuller House,playedSally Brown inIt’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brownalong withMindy Ann Martin.
John Ritter – Clifford
Clifford the Big Red Dogwas a hit children’s television series produced from 2000 to 2003.John Rittervoiced the title character Clifford in every episode of the show. Best known for his iconic portrayal of Jack Tripper inThree’s Company, John Ritter also enjoyed a successful film career with films likeProblem ChildandNoises Off.
John Ritter may have been known as a comedic actor, but he also had a lot of depth and wide range as an actor. His portrayal of Clifford is different from other characters he has voiced, and the show stopped production after his tragic death in 2003. He died during surgery to repair an aortic dissection.
Cameron Diaz – Shrek
Princess Fiona fromShrekis a very different sort of princess. She was a beautiful princess who suffered from a unique curse: she was transformed into an ogress each night. She was determined to break the curse until she fell in love with an ogre named Shrek. Starting with the originalShrekfilm, Princess Fiona was voiced by a gorgeous Hollywood star.
Cameron Diazprovided the voice of Princess Fiona inShrek,Shrek 2,Shrek the Third, andShrek Forever After. Shrek himself is also portrayed by a well-known actor;Mike MyersofAustin Powersfame voiced Shrek in those four films. Cameron Diaz told The New York Times that she matured during her time voicing Princess Fiona, and she hopes to do it again.
George Clooney – Fantastic Mr. Fox
Fantastic Mr. Foxis aWes Andersonfilm that really is a departure from the type of films the quirky director is known for making. The stop motion animated movie was basedon Roald Dahl’s children’s book of the same name. The title character Mr. Fox is sometimes called Foxy, and he was voiced byGeorge Clooney.
George Clooney provided the voice to Mr. Fox in this film that was so well-received that it received two Academy Award nominations. He has recentlycalled for a boycottover the Brunei LGBT death penalty. George Clooney is becoming as well-known for his serious endeavors as an activist as he is for his starring roles as an actor.
Meryl Streep – Fantastic Mr. Fox
Who could hold her own as a voiceover actress against George Clooney’s charm and considerable talents? In Fantastic Mr. Fox, Felicity Fox, AKA Mrs. Fox, was portrayed byMeryl Streep. She calls her husband Foxy as an endearing nickname and adores him, yet she can be vicious when she realizes he has lied to her. She is courageous and a good mother.
Not surprisingly, Meryl Streep brings a special depth to the Felicity Fox character beyond the written words. Mrs. Fox is one of the few characters in the film who is female. Other celebrities who provided voices in the film includeJason Schwartzman,Bill Murray, andOwen Wilson.
Arsenio Hall – The Real Ghostbusters
Ghostbustersbecame a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s.The Real Ghostbusterswas an animated TV show that was a sequel to the box office mega-hit 1984 filmGhostbusters. It ran from 1986 to 1991. Winston Zeddemore fromThe Real Ghostbusterswas portrayed by an actor who would find fame as the host of his own late-night talk show in the 1990’s.
Arsenio Hallvoiced Winston Zeddemore inThe Real Ghostbustersin the first three seasons of the series. His career must have gotten too busy to allow him to continue to portray the character, andBuster Jonesplayed the part in the show’s last four seasons. Arsenio Hall is now best known forThe Arsenio Hall Showthat was widely watched and referenced in the early 1990s.
Hugh Jackman – Happy Feet
Happy Feetis a movie that can best be sincerely described as adorable. The 2006 computer-animated musical film is funny and sweet. It was directed, co-written, and produced byGeorge Miller. While many celebrities lend their voices to characters inHappy Feet, a lot of people don’t realize thatHugh Jackmanis the voice behind the character Memphis.
Memphis is an apt name for a character whose song is “Heartbreak Hotel” byElvis Presley. He first appears on screen singing that classic Elvis tune.Nicole Kidmanplays his wife Norma Jean in the film, andElijah Woodportrays his son Mumble. Other celebrities in the movie includeRobin Williams,Brittany Murphy, andSteve Irwin.
