Although it is more common for movie stars to voice act inanimated films, there are several animated TV shows that feature A-list actors among their cast. These shows can include Western cartoons, but also anime as well. In fact, some of thebest anime series of all timehave incredible voice acting performances and include talented actors among their casts.
Some cartoons are known for their funny characters, creating memorable stories that are meant to make people laugh.Other cartoons are based on violent movies, somehow transforming their narratives into something suitable for children to watch. Regardless, the addition of popular actors to any project brings a certain amount of notoriety to any project, animated or live-action.
Batman: The Animated Series
Cast
Batman: The Animated Series follows Bruce Wayne as he assumes the role of the masked vigilante Batman to combat crime in Gotham City. This acclaimed 1992 series explores his dual identity and features an array of iconic villains, while Bruce vows to avenge the murder of his parents.
The Joker is one of the most iconic villains of all time, appearing in several different Batman projects throughout the years. He has been portrayed in films by actors such as Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger, with decades of comic history to back up anything brought to the screen.Because of this history, the Joker is often played by famous actors in animation as well, the most famous of which being Mark Hamill’s version of the character inBatman: The Animated Series.
His voice is so recognizable that Hamill sounds completely unlike himself, completely assuming the character of the Joker with his voice.
Well-known for his many appearances in theStar Warsfranchise as the iconic Luke Skywalker, Hamill offered his voice to the role and crafted an instantly recognizable sound. His voice is so recognizable that Hamill sounds completely unlike himself, completely assuming the character of the Joker with his voice. Mark Hamill is a part of the reason thatBatman: The Animated Serieshas so many iconic moments, making the series one of the best in theBatmanfranchise.
Gravity Falls
When Dipper and Mabel Pines are dropped off to spend the summer with their uncle in Gravity Falls, they discover that all is not as it seems in this small town. When Dipper discovers a strange journal in the forest, the twins team up to solve the town’s mysteries.
Gravity Fallsfollows twins Dipper and Mabel through their various misadventures, investigating various paranormal mysteries and creatures in the town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. They do so with their great-uncle, who is often just as entertaining as the rest of the cast. While Dipper and Mabel are the main characters of the series, there are several instances in which popular actors play other characters along the way.
Gravity Fallshas been nominated for several Kids' Choice Awards and won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation.
For example, Linda Cardellini, who has appeared in massive projects such asMad MenandScooby-Doo,plays Dipper’s love interest Wendy.J. K. Simmons ofSpider-Maninfamy joins the cast in season two, lending his deep and imposing voice to the series.While all the voice actors in this series hold some acclaim, the inclusion of these two actors adds another layer to the series as a whole.
BoJack Horseman
Once the famous star of a hit sitcom, BoJack Horseman has fallen on tough times. Stuck in a major career slump and longing to relive his glory days, BoJack attempts to once more become relevant in an industry that has long since turned its back on him. With a few dysfunctional friends at his side, BoJack begins his long-overdue career comeback.
On the outside,BoJack Horsemaninitially seemed like it would be a funny adult comedy series in line withThe SimpsonsorRick and Morty.However,anyone who has watchedBoJack Horsemanwill tell you that underneath the thin veneer of the series' comedy stylings is a passionate series about depression and growing older.This comes in spite of outrageous characters and situations, making a statement about mental health as often as it tries to make viewers laugh.
This heartfelt story is only amplified by Will Arnett’s genuine performance as the titular character, playing the one-time actor with all the emotion that someone would bring to a live-action performance. Though he was first so recognizable for his performance inArrested Development,the role of BoJack has shown that he has great range. This, coupled with the inclusion ofBreaking Bad’s Aaron Paul, makes for perfect casting for a wonderful show.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
Based on the famous graphic novel by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is an animated adaptation of the comedic action-adventure series. The series will see the titular Scott Pilgrim living a routine life until he falls for a delivery girl named Ramona Flowers - but before they can date, he’ll have to battle with her seven evil exes. The series will see several returning talents, such as the cast of the 2010 film by Edgar Wright, all reprising their roles, and musical partners Joseph Trapanese and Anamanaguchi.
WhenScott Pilgrim vs. the Worldoriginally released in 2010, the film not only gained a dedicated cult following, but also brought even more popularity to the comic series it was originally based on. Detailing Scott’s journey to defeat the exes of Ramona Flowers, he attempts to win her hand in a colorful, video-game-styled film.Scott Pilgrim Takes Offtreads similar ground to the original, but ultimately follows its own story.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Offwon a Critics' Choice Award for Best Animated Series and has a score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is most interesting aboutScott Pilgrim Takes Offis that the cast from the original film has returned for the animated series.Massive actors such as Michael Cera, Chris Evans, and Brie Larson reprise roles they played a decade ago. Not only do they give great performances throughout, but their inclusion in a series that could have recast the roles adds a sense of nostalgia that few series can match.
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated follows a teenage group of detectives and their talking Great Dane, Scooby-Doo, as they solve mysteries in the haunted town of Crystal Cove. The series explores supernatural occurrences and hidden secrets while delving into the friendships and familial bonds of the main characters.
TheScooby-Doofranchise has been around for decades, counting several animated series and live-action films among its repertoire. Because of this, several actors have played these supernatural detectives.There is perhaps none more iconic than the actor Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, who made the jump from live-action to animation after portraying Shaggy in bothScooby-DooandScooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.
Scooby-Doo: Every TV Series (In Chronological Order)
Hanna-Barbera’s Scooby-Doo has been around since 1969 and is still going strong. Here are all of the franchise’s TV series in chronological order.
Previously known for his role in the horror satireScream,Lillard is now best known for playing the role of Shaggy. His performance was so iconic in the live-action films that he has become synonymous with the role, returning to play the character several times over the years. His acting perfectly captures the switch between laid-back and cowardly that Shaggy embodies, and this is the case with his voice-acting as well.
Over the Garden Wall
Over the Garden Wall is a miniseries that follows brothers Wirt and Greg as they navigate the mysterious Unknown, a timeless and enigmatic forest. Accompanied by a wise Woodsman and a bluebird named Beatrice, they embark on a journey filled with unexpected challenges to find their way home.
Over the Garden Wallis a beautiful fantasy series, following two brothers as they journey through a fantasy forest in an attempt to find their way home.Over the Garden Walleven parallels Dante’s Circles of Hell in many ways, adding an atmospheric element of horror many cartoons lack. The series is haunting and dramatic with great writing, even winning an Emmy Award for being an Outstanding Animated Program.
A comic book adaptation ofOver the Garden Wallhas since been published by KaBoom!
The voice cast has some surprising appearances, as Elijah Wood plays the main character, Wirt.Wood is most famous for playing the role of Frodo Baggins inThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy, and his experience in fantasy echoes through his performance. The show is a beautiful one, being one of many great shows to come out of Cartoon Network over the years.
Hazbin Hotel
Hazbin Hotel is an adult animation series created and directed by Vivienne Medrano. Hazbin Hotel centers on Lucifer’s daughter, who opens a hotel for misfit demons she thinks can be redeemed to reduce Hell’s overpopulation. The first season of Hazbin Hotel premiered on Prime Video on August 11, 2025.
First beginning as a series on YouTube, this animated musical comedy has been given a second home and an official premiere through the platform Amazon Prime.Hazbin Hotelprimarily focuses on Hell’s princess, Charlie, as she attempts to rehabilitate Hell’s sinners in an attempt to ferry their souls to heaven. Many of the moments in the series are told through song, with much of the cast comprising of Broadway stars such as Erika Henningsen and Alex Brightman.
Hazbin Hotel Season 2: Cast, Story & Everything We Know
Prime Video’s surprise hit animated musical series Hazbin Hotel has already been renewed for a second season, and there are tons of exciting updates.
However, one addition to the cast adds some instant star-power to the series.Keith David, who has appeared in countless films and shows throughout his decades-long career, such asThe ThingandThe Princess and the Frog, plays the voice of Husk.His singing is perfect for the role, notably deeper than the other singers in the project and causing the character to stand out in a way that is immediately satisfying.
Arcane
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, debuting in 2021. It explores the conflict between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. Central to the story are two sisters whose allegiance to opposing sides of a technological and ideological war strains their bond.
Another series that details the struggles shared between two siblings,Arcaneshows the lives of sisters Vi and Jinx as they find themselves on opposite sides of a massive conflict.Known for its incredible animation and acting, the show has been critically acclaimed by fans and critics alike. Now thatArcaneseason 2 has finally concluded, Netflix’s adaptation of theLeague of Legendsvideo-game property is now available to audiences worldwide.
Among the incredible actors included throughoutArcaneare Ella Purnell and Hailee Steinfeld, who play Jinx and Vi, respectively. Purnell is best known for her role as Lucy MacLean in Amazon Prime’sFalloutseries, which actually came out after the first season ofArcane,but she has also appeared in projects such asArmy of the DeadandYellowjackets.Steinfeld, on the other hand, has appeared in various big-budget films such asThe MarvelsandEnder’s Game.
Invincible
Based on the comic book character by Robert Kirkman, Invincible follows Mark Grayson, a seventeen-year-old who leads a seemingly average life save for the fact that he lives behind the shadow of his superhero father, Omni-Man. Mark goes on to develop superhuman abilities, but he must also learn that his father’s legacy isn’t as glitzy and glamorous as he’s been led to believe.
Being a more adult take on the superhero genre,Invincibleshows the darkness that lies behind the heroes that people idolize. The series tells the story through the eyes of Mark Grayson, the son of the superhero Omni-Man. Despite growing up to idolize his father, once he becomes a hero himself, Mark realizes that his father’s legacy is one that has been tainted and hidden from the public.
The entire cast is full of massive names, with Mark being played by Steven Yeun and his father being played by J. K. Simmons.Yeun, who has appeared inThe Walking DeadandOkjaamong others, brings incredible emotion to the character of Mark as his life seemingly falls apart around him.Other notable actors that make appearances throughout the series include Sandra Oh, Mark Hamill, Ben Schwartz, and even Zachary Quinto.
Afro Samurai
Afro Samurai follows Afro, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, as he seeks vengeance against Justice, who killed his father. Set in a futuristic feudal Japan, the series blends elements of Western and samurai films with stylized action and unique animation.
Taking place in an alternate-reality Japan,Afro Samuraiis a dynamic action series that portrays a samurai named Afro who strives to claim a headband that will give him god-like powers after one of the headbands' current wearers kills his father.The series itself is incredibly stylish, and though it does not have a particularly complex story, it doesn’t need to. It is well told from beginning to end, with a stunning performance from famous actor Samuel L. Jackson.
A sequel film to the series titledAfro Samurai: Resurrectionwas released in 2009 and includes performances from even more stars, including Lucy Liu and Mark Hamill.
Jackson himself is well-known for his love of anime, and so his appearance in an amazing anime is hardly surprising. Theanimated seriesoriginally caught Jackson’s attention after the studio created a test trailer, and he was then signed onto the project. He brings a certain excitement and passion to the role that really encompasses the character of Afro, and his presence is notable as an A-list actor in an anime production.
