You most definitely know their voices – now meet the people pioneering what’s next in voice acting and beyond.
With video games and animation becoming some of our favorite entertainment mediums – and new media creating more opportunities for top voice artists – here are the voice acting world’s top vanguards.
1. Mela Lee
A voice acting career that started in anime has blossomed into so much more for voice artist / musician Mela Lee, whose playful approach to her craft has enthralled us with characters such as Jade (Mortal Kombat 11), Yuki Cross (Vampire Knight, English), Rin Tohsaka (the Fate Series), Kikimora (The Owl House) and Tikki (Miraculous: Ladybug) for Disney.
If you play Apex Legends, (along with 100 million other players), you’ve likely heard the now iconic lines “Mozambique Here!” and “Here’s your Birthday Present” on at least a few occasions. The actress voices and sings for the beloved Legend, Lifeline – a healer with a complicated history explored further in Apex’s Stories From The Outlands.
Lee is a beacon for BIPOC voices in the industry, as the first leading black anime actress. A multicultural human, the artist continues to use her position in the industry to advocate for diversity and representation in the arts. An award winning narrator, she has also become the go to voice for Best Selling BIPOC Authors including Tia Williams (Seven Days In June), Shirlene Obuobi, MD (On Rotation), and Britney S. Lewis (The Undead Truth of Us).
A steward of what’s next in the world of voice acting, Lee is known to host expansive workshops where she shares her advice on both improving your craft and succeeding in the industry.
Pulling her forward is the love she’s received from the fans of her wide-spanned resume and a desire to give back the good vibes.
Giving back the good vibes is exactly what Lee does, in a debut single produced by the legendary Keith Harris with an accompanying animated music video by artist Eddie Apollo. If you think Lee sounds amazing in your favorite anime, show, or video game, wait until you stream “Another Hallelujah.”
2. Phil LaMarr
If you check out Phil LaMarr’s IMDb page, get ready to scroll, because LaMarr has been at the top of this game for a while. LaMarr’s well-studied approach to his craft continues to give us characters we will laugh and cry with for years to come.
Futurama. Justice League. Mortal Kombat. These are only a few of the beloved cartoons and video games that LaMarr has given his voice to. He’s by no means close to finished – but will no doubt leave the world of voice acting better than he found it.
Coming out of Yale’s theater program, and having established a stunningly-wide range on the stage before diving into voice work – LaMarr brought an acumen that elevated the craft, as well as the comedic and dramatic flair we’ve now come to expect out of modern animation.
Simply put, when Phil LaMarr broke into the game, everyone just had to get better.
3. Anjali Bhimani
Anjali Bhimani’s voice has done a whole world of good. We’re not just talking about the performances she put into the characters Symmetra and Rampart in the powerhouse video game franchises Overwatch and Apex Legends, respectively – but also for how this voice acting star has used her platform to drive awareness to the issues closest to her heart.
A true vanguard, Bhimani is outspoken when it comes to supporting the mental health of her many fans – and has drawn together communities through her roles in TV, movies, and video games with her generous, grateful, and positive spirit. This translated well into her book, I Am Fun Sized, an exploration on overcoming challenges which allowed Bhimani to add best-selling author to her long list of accolades.
It’s not just her voice that you know Bhimani for. On-camera work is the latest in the actress’ journey. Catch her as Auntie Ruby in Ms. Marvel and in special appearances on Critical Role.
4. The Entire Cast Of Critical Role (Because We Couldn’t Just Pick One)
Back row (left to right): Sam Riegel, Taliesin Jaffe, Marisha Ray, Mathew Mercer. Front row: Liam O’Brien, Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, Travis Willingham.
Speaking of Critical Role – this list would not be complete without the cast that turned their prolific voice acting abilities into the top earning stream on Twitch.
The premise is simple: a gang of animation and video game’s top voice actors come together to play Dungeons & Dragons. The ensuing result is anything but: hours of twists, turns, and laughs as orcs, tieflings, and elves come to life through the cast’s imagination-fueling voices, explosive chemistry, and improvisational instincts.
Emerging from Youtube and Twitch phenomenon Geek & Sundry, Critical Role quickly became a must-watch (and listen) broadcast – for long-time D&D devotees and newcomers alike.
It’s electric content – affirmed when one of the most successful kickstarters in history got them collaborating with Amazon to produce their breakout animated series, The Legend of Vox Machina, bridging new and old media like never before.
The size of their platform has not been taken for granted – the team uses their talents to raise funds for causes they believe in – through their Critical Role Foundation and thrill-a-minute charity streams.
5. Vince Zampella & Respawn Entertainment
Vince Zampella may not be a voice actor per se, but his contributions to the craft and the opportunities he has created for top artists gets him recognition as a vanguard in the space.
Zampella is the co-founder and head of Respawn Entertainment – the team that has brought gamers Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the ongoing Star Wars Jedi series. Zampella’s passion for storytelling and building player-to-character connections defines Respawn games.
Take Apex, for instance. It’s a juggernaut – Over 120 million players have selected Legends and dropped into the queue for a loot-grabbing, squad-wiping, championship-clutching good time. Four years after its release, Apex’s player base remains steadfast.
It’s not just the high-tempo gameplay that’s kept people coming back for more. It’s the deep and continuing lore – expressed in-game through quips from our favorite Legends, and through the cinematic Stories from the Outlands online series.
There’s a humanity and liveliness to Vince Zampella’s games because they are inhabited by the best voices in the business.
Conclusion
With vanguards like these – who are just getting started – the voice acting world is experiencing its greatest renaissance to date. In animation, video games, and new media alike, fun, joy, and emotional connection await everyone who listens.
