I decided this morning that today I would assemble a list of my top 10 favourite cartoon character voices. I later decided that I would write about them, add some links, and post it on this blog. I hope you enjoy it and that you have had the pleasure of hearing these characters. Put your (stupid) opinions in the comments if you (are foolish enough to) disagree with me.

These are grouped together by loose associations, but are not ordered in any way. I was judging them by how much I liked their voices, not by the characters or the shows nor the voice actors themselves. These voices are really freaking great. No anime (subbed or dubbed) characters were considered. And now…

Optimus Prime
by Peter Cullen
from Transformers
He’s going to reprise this role in the 2007, CGI laden Transformers movie from Michael Bay. Whatever happens with that movie at least Prime is going to sound like the badass hero that he is. Hopefully he won’t die this time.
Quote: “You, who are without mercy, now plead for it? I thought you were made of sterner stuff!”

Starscream/Cobra Commander
by Chris Latta
from G. I. Joe
from Transformers
What a horrible voice! Both of these characters share the same voice (and personality for the most part) so I included them both. If you ever wanted to get stabbed in the back by your #2 guy, get this dude to do the voice over.
Quote: “Megatron has fallen! I Starscream and now your leader. DECEPTICONS FOLLOW ME!”

GIR
by Rosearik Rikki Simons
from Invader Zim
Simply the most adorable robot in a world full of adorable robots. For my money it doesn’t get any better than when Gir starts screaming and running around and dancing like a monkey. Zim yelling at Gir is the stuff my dreams are made of.
Quote: “I love the little tacos, I love them goooood!”

Zim
by Richard Steven Horvitz
from Invader Zim
Somehow this guy found the perfect voice for a completely inept, school-age planetary invader. When he was angry (at Earth, at Dib, at Gir, whoever – he was angry a LOT) he was at his absolute finest.
Quote: “Shut your noise tube, Taco Human!”

Meatwad
by Dave Willis
from Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Do you know what a disgusting piece of sentient meat sounds like? He hit the nail on the head with this one. Meatwad has a number of moods and styles of speech, but my favorite is when he’s telling people about his wife.
Quote: “Just take the meat bridge! It’s right here!”

Master Shake
by Dana Snyder
from Aqua Teen Hunger Force
What an a-hole. He’s a first class douche and he knows it. No one has been meaner and funnier at the same time ever. This guy spits out nothing but quotable quotes. Watch “Broodwich” and tell me it didn’t change your life. I dare you.
Quote: “You are the gayest monster since gay came to Gaytown!”

Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth
by Billy West
from Futurama
He’s not always a major character in the show, but every time he says “Good news, everyone!” you know something great will follow. Of all Billy West’s great voices on this show, the Professor comes out of left field with weirder, funnier stuff than anyone.
Quote: “With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg!”

Captain Hazel “Hank” Murphy
by Harry Goz (1932-2003)
from Sealab 2021
Nobody has ever played a demented bastard quite like Howlin’ Mad Murphy. If the phrase “fignuts” doesn’t alternately bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye then you are a retard. When he died Sealab 2021 went down the toilets because he was the heart and soul of that fantastic show.
Quote: “I’ll bet your lymph nodes are as big as cats!”

Coach John McGuirk
by H. Jon Benjamin
from Home Movies
McGuirk’s best friend is an 8 year old on the soccer team he coaches and he gives him some of the finest life lessons I’ve heard. The ad-libbing this guy does is beyond compare. Coach is funnier than Jason, but H. Jon is hilarious in everything he does.
Quote: “Of course you’re stupid, Brendon, all kids are stupid.”

Bugs Bunny
by Mel Blanc
from Looney Tunes
He’s a classic and he had to make my list. My entire mode of speech is based on Bugs’s unique speech pattern. If you’ve ever mis-pronounced “hors d’oeuvres” on purpose, you know what I mean. He’s the king.
Quote: “What’s all the hubbub, bub?”