Some actors become established for their mesmerizing performances, others captivate us with their voices alone. If you know the voice before seeing the actor, the chances are that you’re listening to one of the industry’s most iconic voices. We’ve created a list of 18 of the most iconic voices in film.
Morgan Freeman
Those deep, gravelly Southern US tones have led Morgan Freeman to be cast in numerous movies that require narration, such as The Shawshank Redemption, March Of The Penguins, and War Of The Worlds.
Holly Hunter
Known for her ability to alternate between vulnerability and ‘tough as nails,’ Hunter’s sweet Georgian accent is likely remembered from her vocal portrayal of Elastigirl in The Incredibles.
Anthony Hopkins
Swiftly alternating between a rich, commanding voice and soft Welsh tones, his gentle vocal prowess made Hannibal Lecter all the more menacing in Silence Of The Lambs.
Dame Judi Dench
With her distinctive gravelly tones, this once Shakespearean actress has become a household name on both sides of the pond. Her rich portrayal of M in the James Bond franchise offered us those nicotine-stained vocals that are as famous as the actress.
Melissa McCarthy
She’s best known as one of Hollywood’s funniest actresses. Still, her contribution to The Simpsons as a male character, Calvin, has proven that her vocals are as outstanding as her comedic performances.
Sir Ian McKellen
His Shakespearean training has prepared him well for a wide range of roles. Ian McKellen’s voice has become familiar in a variety of movies, such as Gandalf in The Lord Of The Rings and Magneto in The X-Men franchise.
Alan Rickman
If ever there was the voice of a villain, Alan Rickman would take the prize. His menacing tones have been a perfect fit for roles, including Hans Gruber in Die Hard and Severus Snape in Harry Potter.
Christopher Lee
Dracula megastar Christopher Lee became most prolific for his portrayal of Dracula in over ten Dracula movies. His deep, resonating voice quickly established him as a voice actor, and he’s often cast as a villain, though in Dracula: Prince Of Darkness, he didn’t utter a single word throughout the movie.
Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart’s voice possesses rich timbre and precise diction, making it a household favorite worldwide. His warm lipped British vocals have lent themselves to roles such as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Charles Xavier in The X-Men.
Whoopi Goldberg
With a voice that can only be described as deep and husky, Whoopi Goldberg has never ceased to amaze us with her ability to flit between serious and comedic acting. She’s also lent her voice to numerous cartoons, including Captain Planet And The Planeteers and The Pagemaster.
Michael Caine
While he hasn’t always been regarded as one of the greatest actors, he’s established himself as one of the most important, mainly due to his unique Cockney accent. He’s also become one of the most impersonated vocal actors.
Samuel L. Jackson
Certain lines likely come to mind, and it’s down to the commanding distinctiveness of this star of Pulp Fiction. He can deliver comedy and menace at the switch of a button.
Matthew McConaughey
Few actors have the distinctive and blissful Texan tones of the Dallas Buyer’s Club Oscar-winning actor. He’s well-known for his catchphrase and has even provided calming, meditative vocals for the leading relaxation app, Calm.
Marilyn Monroe
She was best known for her beauty, breathy voice, and racy rendition of ‘Happy Birthday,’ but Monroe’s vocals were derived from a childhood stutter. Decades after her death, we can still immediately recognize her famous delicate vocals.
Sean Connery
He’s the actor with the most imitated voice in the world, primarily based on his distinctive yet atypical Edinburgh accent. His deep, rich Scottish drawl gave us one of the greatest James Bond portrayals ever.
Jennifer Tilly
With a high-pitched squeaky voice that many considered ‘fake,’ Jennifer Tilly became regarded as an established actress throughout the eighties. She was often typecast as the ‘stereotypical bimbo,’ but her vocals have fought the odds with voiceover gigs for cartoons and video games.
Russell Brand
Love or hate him, there’s no escaping the distinctive cockney tones of Forgetting Sarah Marshall star Russell Brand. His intellectual Dickensian tones flawlessly alternate between working-class-advocate and academic intellect.
Lauren Bacall
With her deep, sultry tones, this fifties Hollywood great had an unusual voice for the times. Her husky and mature-sounding voice made her ideal for the femme-fatale roles for which she later became famous.
