10 Voice Artistes Who Got Their Starts As Child Stars

In entertainment, some stars are born while others are made. But a select few manage to do both, rising to fame as child actors only to later surprise us by lending their voices to some of our favorite animated characters. Here are ten of them!

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster’s early career began in the gritty “Taxi Driver” role at 14 years old, where her raw talent impressed critics and audiences alike. However, her talent extended well beyond the silver screen, as she quickly began lending her voice to animated films, including her prominent role in “Tale of Despereaux,” which stands as her most notable film voice work.

Kristen Bell

“Do you want to build a snowman?” This iconic line from “Frozen” solidified Kristen Bell as a voiceover star. Although she wasn’t a widely recognized child star, she had minor stage and TV roles in “Raggedy Ann and Andy” at the age of 12. Beyond Frozen, Bell continues to shine in roles like “Zootopia” and “Teen Titans Go! To The Movies.”

Mae Whitman

Mae Whitman, known for her role in “Parenthood,” didn’t just stop at being a teen actress—she dove headfirst into the world of voice acting. From voicing Katara in “Avatar: The Last Airbender” to playing Amity Blight in “The Owl House,” Whitman proved she was a force to be reckoned with in animation.

Neil Patrick Harris

Do you remember Neil Patrick Harris as the lovable “Doogie Howser, M.D.?” That role made him a household name, but Harris quickly proved his versatility when he ventured into animation, such as the Quirky “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs” and his portrayal of the music meister in “Batman: The Brave And The Bold.”

Tress MacNeille

If there’s one thing Tress MacNeille is known for, it’s her unmatched ability to voice a wide range of characters. Starting as a child actor, MacNeille became an animation legend with roles in “The Simpsons” and “Futurama.” With Dot Warner in “Animaniacs,” she has voiced iconic characters that span generations.

Tara Strong

Remember that child from “The First Day of School?” Tara Strong quickly made a name for herself before transitioning into one of animation’s most iconic voices. Strong became Timmy Turner’s beloved voice in “The Fairly Odd Parents” and countless other characters, including Raven in “Teen Titans” (2003–2006).

Frank Welker

Often overlooked as a child star, Frank Welker is the voice behind nearly every animated animal you’ve ever heard. As Fred in “Scooby-Doo” and creator of many animal sounds in “The Lion King,” Welker’s talent is unmatched. He’s voiced everything, and his ability to create lifelike animal noises sets the standard for animation.

Sarah Jessica Parker 

Best known as the fashionable Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah was also a young star before her iconic role. She graced our screens in the 1980s teen series “Square Pegs,” where her charm first shined through. Fast-forward and Parker ventured into animation, voicing roles like in “Escape From Planet Earth.” 

Charlie Sheen

“Winning!” Charlie Sheen’s infamous catchphrase became synonymous with his larger-than-life persona, but his talents extend far beyond live-action roles. Sheen started animation with hilarious voiceover roles in “All Dogs Go To Heaven 2” and “Foodfight!!” His distinct voice and comedic timing added an unexpected yet delightful layer to his career.

Danica McKellar

You might know Danica McKellar as that kid in “The Wonder Years,” but she’s far more than a nostalgic face from the ’90s. She smoothly transitioned into voice acting, bringing characters like Miss Martian in “Young Justice.” With her talent for blending emotion with storytelling, McKellar turns every role into something special.