A surprising number of famous actors have made major contributions to Marvel and DC from behind the microphone. Voice acting in superhero animation has attracted top-tier talent for decades. While some names like Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are well known for their animated personas, other major actors have quietly built impressive résumés voicing comic book characters.
Many Hollywood stars have left their mark on the superhero genre with iconic live-action roles in the MCU timeline and DC’s cinematic history. Yet some of the most thrilling castings have been in animated projects or as CGI characters. These performances often fly under the radar, especially when they come in ancillary projects not directly connected to mainstream movies.
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Morena Baccarin
Talia Al Ghul, Black Canary, Cheetah, Gideon
Known for playing Vanessa in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool and Leslie Thompkins in Gotham, Morena Baccarin has also voiced a surprising number of DC icons. She brought poise and danger to Talia al Ghul in Son of Batman and Batman: Bad Blood. She perfectly captured the conflicted loyalty of the League of ᴀssᴀssins’ heiress.
In Justice League Unlimited, Baccarin portrayed Black Canary with fierce determination, holding her own among heavy-hitters like Superman and Batman. She later flipped the script by voicing the villainous Cheetah in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. This showed her vocal range across heroic and villainous roles.
Most recently, she’s been heard as Gideon, the AI in The Flash, adding a futuristic twist to her superhero resume. Baccarin’s vocal work proves she’s more than just a live-action presence. She has cemented her place in both live-action and animated superhero media.
9
Giancarlo Esposito
Ra’s Al Ghul, Black Spider, Lex Luthor
Giancarlo Esposito’s cool intensity made him perfect for roles like Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and, more recently, the villainous Sidewinder in Captain America: Brave New World. Yet his voice acting history is just as intimidating. Esposito took on the role of Ra’s al Ghul in Son of Batman, giving the Demon’s Head a calm, menacing authority.
In Batman: ᴀssault on Arkham, he voiced the ᴅᴇᴀᴅly ᴀssᴀssin Black Spider, adding a modern edge to a lesser-known character. Perhaps most impressively, he took on the role of Lex Luthor in the adult animated series Harley Quinn. Esposito managed to deliver a version of Superman’s nemesis that is both calculating and comedic.
With each character, Esposito brings gravitas and complexity. This makes him one of the most underrated voice actors in superhero animation today. With his imposing and commanding voice he will surely voice more.
8
Mark Hamill
Joker, Hobgoblin, Gargoyle, Maximus, Klaw, Solomon Grundy, Trickster, Tony Zucco, Spectre, Kavaxas
While Mark Hamill is legendary for voicing the Joker in everything from Batman: The Animated Series to Arkham Asylum. However, his animated comic book roles extend far beyond Gotham. On Marvel’s side, Hamill lent his voice to Hobgoblin in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Gargoyle in The Incredible Hulk, and even Maximus in Fantastic Four.
Hamill played the villain Klaw in The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and took on multiple roles in Ultimate Spider-Man. In the DC Universe, Hamill voiced Solomon Grundy and the Trickster in Justice League Unlimited. He also played gangster Tony Zucco in The Batman.
His performance as Spectre in Batman: The Brave and the Bold was chilling. Meanwhile, his portrayal of the demonic Kavaxas in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles added mythic weight. Indeed, Hamill’s prolific voice acting portfolio is a masterclass in versatility.
7
Clancy Brown
Lex Luthor, Surtur, Red Hulk, General Wade Eiling, George Stacy, Savage Opress
Clancy Brown’s deep baritone makes him a go-to actor for powerful villains and commanding figures. Best known for voicing Lex Luthor in Superman: The Animated Series, Brown defined the character for a generation with his composed menace. He later voiced Surtur in Thor: Ragnarok, showing up in live-action with godlike power.
In animation, he’s played Red Hulk in Avengers ᴀssemble and General Eiling in The Flash. Even more surprising is his turn as George Stacy in The Spectacular Spider-Man, a rare heroic role. Certainly, Brown’s presence across the superhero universes is immense.
In total, Clancy Brown has played over 28 comic book characters. With each, his immediately recognizable voice brought a huge amount of gravitas. Whether it’s commanding armies or outwitting superheroes, Brown has carved out a legacy as one of the genre’s greatest and hardest working vocal performers.
6
Kevin Conroy
Batman, Thomas Wayne, Joe Chill, John Grayson, Phantom Stranger
While Kevin Conroy is universally recognized as the definitive voice of Batman, his vocal talents extend beyond Bruce Wayne. In Batman vs. Robin, he portrayed Thomas Wayne, offering a layered performance as the Dark Knight’s father. In Justice League Unlimited, Conroy voiced the chilling Joe Chill, the man who murdered Bruce’s parents.
These roles truly expanded his ᴀssociation with Batman, becoming even more intimately acquainted with vital characters in Bruce’s legacy. Conroy also played John Grayson in The Batman, giving life to Dick Grayson’s ill-fated father. He also appeared as the Phantom Stranger in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, offering cryptic guidance to heroes in need.
Each of these characters helped expand Conroy’s emotional range. They proved he was far more than just a one-role wonder. His work across the DC multiverse only solidifies his legacy as one of the most important voices in superhero history.
5
David Warner
Ra’s al Ghul, Sunturion, Herbert Langdon
David Warner brought classical gravitas to every role he played, and superhero animation was no exception. While he might be remembered for portraying Jor-El in live-action in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, his most iconic animated role remains Ra’s al Ghul. Warner played the villain in Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, and Batman Beyond.
Warner’s aristocratic voice gave Ra’s an eerie timelessness, balancing charm with menace. On the Marvel side, Warner voiced Sunturion in Iron Man: The Animated Series, bringing high-tech villainy to life. He also played Herbert Langdon in Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
Warner was especially effective in conveying the villain who was rooted in human prejudice. Warner’s vocal range and gravitas made him a perfect fit for characters with larger-than-life ambitions. His roles contributed to the serious, Shakespearean tone that many animated superhero shows aspired to in the ‘90s and early 2000s.
4
Linda Cardellini
Lylla, Elizabeth Bates, Nasthalthia Luthor
Best known to MCU fans as Laura Barton, Hawkeye’s wife, Linda Cardellini, has also left her mark in animated superhero roles. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, she voiced the genetically enhanced otter Lylla, Rocket Raccoon’s gentle and tragic companion. In the DCU’s Creature Commandos, she voiced Elizabeth Bates, Weasel’s defense lawyer.
Cardellini also lent her voice to Nasthalthia “Nasty” Luthor in All-Star Superman, portraying Lex Luthor’s niece. Cardellini brings a mix of warmth, wit, and strength to her roles, whether she’s playing a freedom-fighting animal or a morally ambiguous Luthor. Her transition between live-action and voice work is seamless, making her a valuable, and often unrecognized, talent in superhero media.
3
Malcolm McDowell
Merlyn, Arkady Duvall, Abraham Whistler, Metallo, Mad Mod, Baxtory
With his unmistakable voice and storied career, Malcolm McDowell has popped up in several major superhero cartoons. He voiced Merlyn, the ᴅᴇᴀᴅly archer, in DC Showcase: Green Arrow, and took on Arkady Duvall, Ra’s al Ghul’s wayward son, in Batman: The Animated Series. He later voiced Abraham Whistler, Blade’s faithful ᴀssistant, in Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
Perhaps most memorably, McDowell became the voice of Metallo in Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited. As Metallo, McDowell delivered the perfect cold menace of a cyborg villain. As the trippy villain Mad Mod in Teen тιтans, he brought groovy chaos to young heroes.
McDowell even returned for the comedic Teen тιтans Go! as Baxtory. McDowell’s refined villainy and unique vocal tone make him a staple of animated superhero storytelling. Frankly, it’s about time he stepped into a live-action superhero role.
2
Alfred Molina
Doctor Destiny, Jor-El, King Gustav, Mr. Freeze
Alfred Molina is best known to superhero audiences as the live-action Doc Ock in Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Yet his voice acting ventures are equally compelling. Molina voiced Doctor Destiny in Justice League Dark, embodying the twisted wielder of dreams with eerie calm.
In DC’s League of Super-Pets, Molina portrayed Jor-El, Superman’s father, offering a brief but powerful performance. In Justice League (2001-2004), he played the minor but regal King Gustav. Most recently, he voiced a chillingly cool Mr. Freeze in Harley Quinn, putting a darkly comedic twist on the classic Batman villain.
Molina’s commanding voice and emotional range make him a versatile talent in animation. His portrayals shift seamlessly between menace and gravitas. Combined with his scene-stealing turn as Otto Octavius, Molina has left a lasting mark on the superhero genre.
1
John Rhys-Davies
Brine King, Waclaw Jozek, Thor, Hades
John Rhys-Davies, best known for Indiana Jones and The Lord of the Rings. Yet he has also lent his thunderous voice to numerous superhero projects. In live-action, Rhys is most recognizable for playing Kingpin in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk.
Since then, he has voiced the Brine King in Aquaman and its sequel Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom. In Batman: The Animated Series, Rhys-Davies portrayed Waclaw Jozek in a poignant tale of redemption. He also voiced the Norse god Thor in both The Incredible Hulk and Fantastic Four animated series from the ‘90s.
In Justice League (2001-2004), John Rhys-Davies took on the role of Hades, embodying the god of the underworld with commanding power. Rhys-Davies’ booming voice and theatrical delivery have made him a go-to actor for mythic and larger-than-life characters. He is one of the most recognizable stars who many didn’t realize had a lasting impact on DC and Marvel for decades.
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Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Created by
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Kevin Feige
- First Film
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Iron Man
- First TV Show
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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Cast
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Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Edward Norton, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Brie Larson, Chadwick Boseman, Sebastian Stan, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Pom Klementieff, Josh Brolin, Karen Gillan, Clark Gregg, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Simu Liu, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Angelina Jolie, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Barry Keoghan, Gemma Chan, Ma Dong-seok, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Lia McHugh, Jonathan Majors
- Upcoming Films
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ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, Blade (2025), The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday (2026), Avengers: Secret Wars
- Upcoming TV Shows
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Agatha: Coven of Chaos, Ironheart, Daredevil: Born Again, Wakanda, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Marvel Zombies, Wonder Man, Vision Quest
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
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DC Universe
- Created by
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Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
- First Film
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Man of Steel
- First TV Show
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Peacemaker
- Cast
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Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Zachary Levi, Dwayne Johnson, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor, Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Xolo Mariduena
- Movie(s)
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Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Brave and the Bold
- Character(s)
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Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, ᴅᴇᴀᴅsH๏τ, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
