It usually comes as a surprise (to me anyway) when I come across an actor whose voice I instantly recognize as being that of a well-known cartoon character. I was watching an old 1949 Esther Williams film a few nights ago (Neptune’s Daughter), and a Mexican named Pancho (what else) opened his mouth and out popped ‘Bugs Bunny’. It was, of course, Mel Blanc, that master of a thousand voices. I won’t list his ‘voices’ here because there are simply too many, but he was an astonishing talent who will be sorely missed. I have put together a list of some of the fine actors who have leant their voices to cartoon characters down the years, not just in movies, but in TV series as well. I have tried to accompany each one with a picture of his or her alter-ego and one of the actor in question in one of his or her most recognizable performances. I hope you find it interesting. They are in no particular order.

Fred & Barney Rubble        Alan Reed (Fred’s voice)     Mel Blanc (Barney)

in The Flintstones

Just a few of Mel Blanc’s Looney Toon voices                    

Aladdin (1992)                                                                Toy Story (1995)

Garfield (2004)                                                    Shark Tale (2004)

UP (2009)                                                                  Shrek 2 (2004)

Finding Nemo (2003)                                                Corpse Bride (2005) 

The Lion King (1994)                                           Nathan Lane as Timon in The Lion King                             

Tim Allen                      Buzz Lightyear              Eddie Murphy        Donkey

 Toy Story (1995)                                                   Shrek (2001)

Mrs. Potts                     Angela Lansbury             Mickey Mouse            Walt Disney

Beauty & the Beast (1991)                                              Fantasia (1940)

Holly Hunter is Elastigirl            Brad Bird as Edna Mode in The Incredibles (2004)

Bobby Driscoll as Peter Pan (1953                          Hans Conreid as Captain Hook

George Sanders as Shere Khan            Phil Harris as Baloo

                                  Disney’s The Jungle Book (1967)