When you watch animated movies, it’s easy to get lost in the colorful worlds and memorable characters without thinking about the voices behind them. Surprisingly, some of the biggest names in Hollywood have lent their voices to animated roles—often without fans even realizing it. Here are five famous actors you probably didn’t know voiced animated characters.
1. Scarlett Johansson – Mindy (SpongeBob SquarePants Movie)
Before becoming widely known as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Scarlett Johansson voiced Mindy, the daughter of King Neptune, in The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004). Her voice work blended seamlessly into the quirky underwater world, making her performance easy to miss if you weren’t paying close attention.
2. Brad Pitt – Metro Man (Megamind)
Brad Pitt took on the role of Metro Man in DreamWorks’ Megamind (2010). While the character is a spoof of Superman, Pitt’s smooth and confident voice added a layer of humor and charm. Despite his star power, many viewers didn’t immediately recognize him behind the animated superhero.
3. George Clooney – Dr. Fox (Fantastic Mr. Fox)
George Clooney didn’t just voice the lead character in Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)—he also brought to life the quirky scientist Dr. Fox. His distinct voice fits perfectly into the film’s dry humor, yet it’s not always obvious that it’s Clooney in multiple roles.
4. Vin Diesel – The Iron Giant (The Iron Giant)
Vin Diesel is known for his deep, commanding voice in action films like Fast & Furious, but in The Iron Giant (1999), he used that same voice to portray a gentle, childlike robot. Interestingly, Diesel only speaks a handful of words in the film, but his emotional delivery made the character unforgettable.
5. Emma Stone – Eep (The Croods)
Emma Stone brought energy and personality to Eep, the adventurous daughter in The Croods (2013). While her voice is expressive and lively, it doesn’t immediately scream “Emma Stone,” which makes her performance a pleasant surprise for fans who later discover her involvement.
Final Thoughts
Voice acting often flies under the radar, even when A-list celebrities are involved. These performances show how talented actors can transform their voices to fit entirely different worlds, sometimes becoming unrecognizable in the process. Next time you watch an animated movie, you might want to stay through the credits—you never know which famous voice you might have missed.