As a voice actor, enhancing your range is essential to stand out in the competitive world of animation, video games, and commercial projects. One valuable technique to expand your vocal toolbox is to learn from the greats. According to VO actor Michael Bell, who shared his insights in a masterclass, the Golden Age of Hollywood is a goldmine of inspiration for voice artists. In this blog post, we'll explore a fun list of famous celebrities from that era that every voice actor should consider imitating to boost their versatility and captivate their audience.
Cary Grant
Known for his suave, sophisticated charm, Cary Grant's voice is an excellent choice for characters that exude elegance, class, and charisma. Perfect for narrations, high-end commercials, and debonair animated characters.
Bette Davis
Bette Davis had a distinctive, smoky voice that conveyed authority and a touch of melodrama. Her voice can be channeled for strong, independent female characters in animation or to add gravitas to narration.
James Cagney
James Cagney's tough, street-smart voice is ideal for voicing gangsters, cops, and gritty antiheroes in video games or animation. It can also add a dash of excitement to commercials, making it an invaluable tool in a voice actor's repertoire.
Mae West
Mae West was known for her sultry, provocative voice and innuendo-laden dialogue. Her voice can be a great asset for characters that exude sensuality or humor in animated projects and advertisements.
Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey Bogart's gravelly, no-nonsense voice is perfect for voicing hard-nosed detectives, rugged adventurers, and world-weary characters in video games, animation, and commercials.
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn's distinct voice, with its upper-crust accent and unique cadence, is a fantastic choice for refined, independent female characters, especially in animation. It can also be used to create a sense of sophistication in commercials and narrations.
Jimmy Stewart
Jimmy Stewart's warm, affable voice is excellent for creating relatable, friendly characters in animation or adding sincerity to commercial voiceovers. His voice is synonymous with the 'everyman,' making it an invaluable asset for a voice actor.
Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx's quick-witted and comedic voice is perfect for voicing humorous characters in animation or injecting fun and personality into commercials.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe's breathy, playful voice is great for creating flirtatious, seductive, or endearing characters in animation or infusing a hint of allure into commercials.
Vincent Price
Vincent Price's distinctive, eerie voice is ideal for villains and macabre characters in video games, animation, and commercials with a dark twist.
The Golden Age of Hollywood produced some of the most iconic voices in the history of film. As a voice actor, learning to imitate these legendary celebrities can significantly enhance your range and versatility. Whether you're working on animation, video game projects, or commercials, these voices can serve as a valuable reference, helping you bring a touch of classic Hollywood magic to your performances. So, channel your inner Cary Grant, Bette Davis, or any of the other stars from that era, and let their timeless voices elevate your art in the world of voice acting.
If you live in the Louisville, Kentucky region and want to enhance your understanding of voice over techniques, recording equipment, and the VO entertainment industry, consider private coaching lessons with Everything Cinema Productions! To learn more about our current services and to book your next session online, CLICK HERE. Your future voice over career will thank you!