Top 10 Child Stars Who Became Amazing Voice Actors

Best known as Barney from “How I Met Your Mother,” Harris began acting at a young age, winning a Golden Globe nomination for “Clara’s Heart[a][b],” his first movie. Since then, he’s had a wildly successful acting career, performing in movies, television shows, theater, and video games. While voice acting isn’t his main focus, he does it frequently. He’s been in two “Saint’s Row” games, “Adventure Time,” “Robot Chicken,” and has voiced several DC characters. He’s also voiced Spider-Man twice, once in 2003 and again in 2010. Harris has an immediately recognizable voice, and he excels at playing a variety of characters from heroes to villains, and anything in between.

As a baby, Keaton starred in an OshKosh B’gosh[c][d] commercial and later went on to perform in the boy band No Authority during the 90s. He began voice acting in this decade, which has since become his primary profession. Some of his most famous television roles were Peter Parker in “The Spectacular Spider-Man” and Shiro[e][f] in “Voltron: Legendary Defender.” He also provides the voices for numerous “Arcane” characters, an extremely well-received Netflix anime, based on “League of Legends.” Keaton has also featured in a plethora of games, his most famous roles being Revolver Ocelot in “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater” and the great King Anduin Wrynn[g][h] in “World of Warcraft.”

The actress for the widely beloved vampire slayer Buffy Summers has since dabbled in voice acting. While playing Buffy propelled her into stardom, it wasn’t her first role, as she first began acting at four years old. Her earliest roles were often in commercials, and she even starred in the first fast food attack ad. In it, she claimed Burger King had better burgers than McDonalds, and has since been banned from the food chain. In the past couple of decades, she’s become a successful voice actress, lending her talents to numerous characters on “Robot Chicken.” She’s also been in “The Simpsons,” “American Dad,” and even the game “Call of Duty: Black Ops.”

Ricci became a child star during the 90s, with her most famous role being Wednesday Addams. She turned into a teen idol, starring in a variety of popular movies. Later on in the decade, she moved on to more adult roles and eventually dipped her toes into voice acting. It’s not her specialization, but she’s certainly skilled at it. She first voice acted in “The Simpsons” in 1996, and her most recent role was as Catwoman in 2024, for “Batman: Caped Crusader.” As a seasoned actress, she can excellently portray emotionally complex characters using nothing but her voice.

In the 2000s, Stoner starred in a range of Disney Channel programs, as well as appearing in their most iconic role in “Cheaper by the Dozen.” Alongside onscreen acting and dancing, they’ve also done an assortment of voice acting duties. One of their most famous roles was as Kairi[k][l], one of the main characters in the “Kingdom Hearts” franchise. They also provided the voice for Isabella in “Phineas and Ferb,” the neighbor of the titular brothers who always had a crush on Phineas. Their consistent, high-quality work earns them a spot on this list, and we also need to give them credit for their career’s impressive versatility.

Raven’s most famous role was the titular character of “That’s So Raven,” one of Disney Channel’s most popular shows of the 2000s. Her natural charisma and energy propelled her into stardom. She worked in an assortment of media as a child, including voice acting. The character she’s voiced the most is Iridessa[n][o], a light fairy from Tinker Bell’s movies. She also played the charming Monique[p][q] from “Kim Possible,” the lead character’s best friend. Her personality leaks into her voice, making her instantly recognizable. Her career has spanned decades, which is a testament to her talent, and her impressive ability to make all her performances memorable.

“Hook” was a children's adventure film about Peter Pan, released in 1991, which was Dante Basco’s big break. He masterfully portrayed Rufio,[s][t] leader of the Lost Boys, when he was still a teenager. Most people know him for giving his voice to Zuko[u][v], one of the central characters in “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” He also played Zuko’s grandson in the spin-off, “The Legend of Korra.” Basco has voice-acted for so many pieces of media, it would take ages to list them all. It’s not just cartoons, he’s also played video game characters, like Shingo[w][x] from the “Skate” trilogy, but none of his roles shine as brightly as Zuko.

Green’s contributions to voice acting have been extraordinary. His career took off in 1984, when he appeared in “The Hotel New Hampshire” while only ten. Since then, he’s become one of the world’s most prolific voice actors. He’s played the lovable Chris Griffin in “Family Guy” for 25 years. Not only this, but he co-created “Robot Chicken” and has provided countless voices in its sketches. His incredible range and voice-acting abilities are on full display here, alongside his hilarious comedy writing. Green’s portfolio looks even more impressive when you notice he’s played the ninja turtle Leonardo since 2014. He’s not just a voice actor, he’s a creative force.

Another titan among voice actors, Whitman’s child acting career began in the 90s, starring in a variety of films such as “Independence Day.” Her success didn’t end there, as nowadays she’s more well-known for her voice performances. Whitman’s most memorable role is easily Katara[aa][ab] in “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” one of the most critically acclaimed cartoons ever. That wasn’t her only major role. She has also voiced Tinker Bell in numerous films, defining the character for an entire generation. Her voice is equally distinctive and versatile, allowing her to play an impressive range of roles, from spunky teenagers to characters with more life experience.

Strong is one of the most acclaimed voice actors of all time, although she has had live action roles as well, including as a child. Her career is mindblowing, with countless iconic characters under her belt. A few of her most famous roles are Bubbles in “The Powerpuff Girls,” Ben Tennyson, Harley Quinn in various projects, Timmy Turner from “The Fairly OddParents,” and last but not least, Twilight Sparkle from “My Little Pony.” She began acting professionally at age 13, and not long after landed the role of Hello Kitty in 1987. Many of her characters have become cultural icons, and her passion for voice-acting is unrivaled. She is the ultimate voice acting superstar, easily deserving of the top spot.

Were there any talented voice actors we forgot to include? Let us know in the comments section!

[b]https://youtu.be/wKumudSfy24?si=9C_TZndEMXBp46XO&t=78
[c]OSH-KOSH Buh-GOSH
[d]https://youtu.be/Lla-VJX54g0?si=dX0cEj2uBkyw9mCS
[e]SHEE-roh
[f]https://youtu.be/Vt-S471wfJc?si=d382o-KGsGt1IVEG&t=3
[g]AN-doo-in RIN
[h]ANDA-win (not ann-DOO-win) https://youtu.be/8X0kNLgKypk?si=7NZTcWHArqa2w1DI&t=2871

[i]Kris-TEE-nuh REE-chee
[j]https://youtu.be/H4MmNeEcn2s?si=YmcwvJ87A9hngYCA
[k]KYE-ree
[l]https://youtu.be/WOcmwsf6_zQ?si=bzeJgHWXMu2n2rVo&t=6
[m]RAY-vin sim-moan-AY https://youtu.be/pCr_ItcW9LA?si=quUGt8Nq5xvqcnsb&t=296
[n]EAR-ih-DESS-uh
[o]https://youtu.be/0Js5AgdZoDc?si=r_pgZWzfSfD9m8Ae&t=382
[p]MOH-neek
[q]https://youtu.be/od2EsyBNatA?si=CrPhUarRjcSqTNc_&t=19
[r]DAWN-tay Bosco https://youtu.be/Ntykx5zSqfE?t=8
[s]ROO-fee-oh
[t]https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/26cec39d-2537-446f-8dad-ea22ef57e17b
[u]ZOO-koh
[v]https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/92bbced8-d347-4be1-83f9-6af4965ea693
[w]SHIN-goh
[x]https://youtu.be/en-v1SXDpZM?si=xm_OpWImT7tiBfrc
[y]MAY WHIT-man
[z]https://youtu.be/-8v8NIjohQA?si=tzc9JuRj4IB0a7LK&t=3791
[aa]Kuh-TAR-uh
[ab]https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/6190e6a6-d1ca-4842-9c9e-5fc5984b4843