Some of the most iconic voices from Marvel’s 1990s animated universe later transitioned into Marvel movies. The 1990s were a golden era for animated Marvel shows, with interconnected series like X-Men: The Animated Series, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, and The Incredible Hulk. Some of the talented voice actors would later make their way into Marvel’s live-action films and shows.

From voice actors who found new fame in on-screen roles to Marvel legends who played themselves across mediums, this crossover history highlights how enduring the Marvel brand has been. Many of these actors embodied completely different characters in animation and live-action. This showcased their impressive range and helped keep Marvel storytelling fresh across decades.

8

Tara Strong

Tara Strong is one of the most prolific voice actors in animation, with hundreds of credits. Marvel audiences may remember her earliest Marvel role as Illyana Rasputin in X-Men: The Animated Series. Illyana often appeared during the episodes featuring her older brother Colossus, often serving as his emotional motivation in each narrative.

Though it was a small appearance, it was part of a landmark show that shaped how many viewed the X-Men. Years later, Strong joined the MCU in a very different way. She voiced Miss Minutes, the eerily chipper AI mascot of the Time Variance Authority in Loki.

Strong’s Miss Minutes performance was playful yet unsettling, perfectly fitting the show’s mix of humor and tension. Strong’s Marvel journey from a mutant sister in the 1990s to an omnipresent clock in a multiversal Disney+ series is a testament to her versatility. She may not appear physically in the MCU, but her voice work has been just as memorable.

7

Neal McDonough

Before becoming a recognizable on-screen Marvel presence, Neal McDonough’s first brush with the brand came through animation. In The Incredible Hulk animated series of the 1990s, McDonough voiced Bruce Banner. He gave the character a softer, more conflicted tone compared to the raging Hulk.

Years later, McDonough made his Marvel live-action debut as Dum Dum Dugan in Captain America: The First Avenger. He brought charisma and humor to the loyal Howling Commando. McDonough reprized the role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter, helping maintain continuity within the MCU’s World War II storyline.

McDonough’s animated and live-action Marvel roles couldn’t be more different. One’s a tortured scientist, the other a wisecracking soldier. Both show his ability to embody vastly different personalities. His connection to Marvel stretches over decades, giving him a rare place among actors who have served the franchise both behind a microphone and in front of the camera.

6

Lou Ferrigno

Lou Ferrigno is synonymous with the Hulk thanks to his live-action portrayal in the 1970s Incredible Hulk TV series. In the 1990s, he continued his ᴀssociation with the character by providing Hulk’s voice in The Incredible Hulk animated series. Ferrigno contributed a familiar growl to the animated adventures.

Ferrigno later became a recurring presence in Marvel movies, making cameos in Hulk, The Incredible Hulk (2008) and even providing Hulk’s voice for several MCU entries. His cameos were affectionate nods to his legacy, while his voice work helped bridge the gap between different portrayals of Hulk.

Ferrigno’s long-standing relationship with the character across live-action, animation, and voiceover makes him one of the most enduring Marvel actors in history. His continued involvement reflects both fan nostalgia and the lasting cultural impact of his original Hulk performance.

5

Stan Lee

Stan Lee, the legendary co-creator of countless Marvel heroes, didn’t just appear in Marvel comics. Lee became a character in Marvel animation, too. In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Lee played himself in the show’s memorable finale. He met Spider-Man in a delightful, meta crossover where Web-Head learned how beloved he was.

Lee also played himself in two episodes of Fantastic Four and voiced She-Hulk’s father in The Incredible Hulk. This foreshadowed his now-iconic run of live-action cameos in nearly every Marvel movie. Lee’s first MCU cameo was actually in the television movie, The Trial of the Incredible Hulk.

However, it was with the 2000 X-Men movie that his cameo career truly took off. Since then, Lee has appeared in every movie based upon the character he created, and each MCU movie from Iron Man until Avengers: Endgame. Whether he was a clueless bystander, an unlikely flirt, or simply delivering a wink to the audience, Lee’s cameos became a signature Marvel tradition.

His appearance in the animated Marvel Universe and his later film cameos serve as reminders that Lee was more than just a writer – he was the face of Marvel. His presence linked generations of fans across different mediums, solidifying his role as Marvel’s ultimate ambᴀssador. Even after his death, Marvel movies found ways to subtly reference Lee’s legacy.

4

Joan Lee

Joan Lee, wife of Stan Lee, made her own unique mark on Marvel animation by voicing Madam Web in Spider-Man: The Animated Series. Her portrayal of the mysterious, cryptic mentor to Spider-Man became one of the show’s most intriguing performances. She gave Madam Web a commanding yet warm presence that remains the quintessential version of the character.

Lee also voiced Miss Forbes in the influential Fantastic Four: The Animated Series, the irate renter in charge of the Baxter Building. She appears throughout the first season, perpetually frustrated at the damage and danger the team’s presence brings upon the building. Decades later, Joan Lee made a surprising on-screen Marvel appearance in X-Men: Apocalypse.

Lee played a bystander alongside Stan Lee during the film’s nuclear missile launch sequence. It was a sweet, personal Easter egg for those who knew her Marvel connections. While Joan Lee’s live-action cameo was brief, her voice as Madam Web remains a standout example of how casting can elevate an animated character.

3

Clancy Brown

Clancy Brown’s deep, commanding voice made him a natural fit for superhero animation. While he’s best known for voicing Lex Luthor in Superman: The Animated Series and beyond, he also appeared in The Incredible Hulk. Brown voiced Sasquatch, the Canadian superhero and Alpha Flight member.

Brown eventually joined the MCU in Thor: Ragnarok as the voice of Surtur. He played the fiery giant destined to bring about Ragnarok itself. The role allowed Brown to unleash his full vocal power, delivering a performance that was equal parts menacing and dryly comedic.

Brown is known for playing imposing figures in both animation and live-action, particularly within the superhero genre. Brown’s leap from a Marvel hero in the ’90s to one of Thor’s most destructive enemies in the MCU highlights his versatility. Whether portraying a towering monster or a heroic mutant, Brown brings an unmistakable gravitas that makes his characters stand out.

2

George Buza

George Buza is best known as the voice of Beast in X-Men: The Animated Series. His refined yet warm delivery gave Beast a distinctive blend of intellect and humanity. This made the character one of the most beloved parts of the show.

Years later, Buza appeared in the first X-Men live-action film in 2000. Rather than Beast, Buza had a small role as a truck driver. He gives Rogue a lift near the beginning of the movie when she’s on the run.

It was a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but for fans of the animated series, it was a clever nod to his earlier Marvel work. Buza’s cameo was one of the earliest examples of an animated Marvel actor crossing over into live-action. Even without playing Beast on screen, his contribution to the character’s legacy remains unmatched.

1

Adrian Hough

Adrian Hough voiced Nightcrawler in X-Men: The Animated Series, bringing a gentle, spiritual quality to the mutant teleporter’s voice in one of the show’s most heartfelt episodes. His portrayal helped cement Nightcrawler as a fan-favorite character. He neatly balanced compᴀssion with an undercurrent of sadness.

Over a decade later, Hough returned to the Marvel universe in live-action. He appeared in X-Men: The Last Stand as John Grey, Jean Grey’s father. While it was a completely different role, the appearance was a fun Easter egg for those aware of his earlier Marvel connection.

Hough’s ability to step into two vastly different corners of the X-Men world demonstrates his range. Though his on-screen Marvel moment was small, his voice work in the ’90s animated series left a lasting impression on one of the X-Men’s most iconic characters. Hough’s cameo was one of the most thrilling examples of Marvel animation stars leaping to live-action.