Kevin Michael Richardson is among the many most acknowledged and prolific voice actors. Born within the Bronx, New York Metropolis, Richardson was chosen for the Nationwide Basis for the Arts’ “Arts ’82” program, and in 1988, graduated from Syracuse College with a Bachelor of Fantastic Arts. From there, he acquired into voice performing by voicing in commercials earlier than transitioning to movie, tv, and video video games.
Richardson is distinguished by his deep, highly effective voice, which regularly results in him taking part in massive, imposing, villainous characters. Nonetheless, his versatility permits him to play many roles, together with sensible mentors and lovable heroes. A presence in quite a few animated hits, together with Invincible and Family Guy, Emmy nominee Kevin Michael Richardson is amongst animation’s finest voices, and these are his finest roles.
10 Cleveland Jr.
From ‘Household Man’ (1999-Current) and ‘The Cleveland Present’ (2009-2013)
The son of Cleveland Brown (Mike Henry) and Loretta Brown (Alex Borstein), Cleveland Brown Jr. initially grew up within the metropolis of Quohog as a neighbor to the Griffin household. As a younger child, he was hyperactive and shortly jumped from one exercise to a different, however as he aged, he mellowed out and have become extra soft-spoken. When his mother and father divorced, Jr. went together with his father south, the place Cleveland ultimately re-married, and Jr. grew to become the older brother to 2 step-siblings earlier than ultimately transferring again to Quohog.
Richardson is the second voice actor for Jr., taking on from Mike Henry after the character was redesigned. His take is by far superior, because the tender voice he goes with helps to make Jr. really feel like a three-dimensional character as an alternative of a one-note joke. For essentially the most half, Jr. is one in all the best characters in both Family Guy and The Cleveland Show, being a candy, harmless, and barely naive youth who is not afraid to resort to violence if essential.
9 Bulkhead
From ‘Transformers Prime’ (2010-2013)
Throughout the Cybertronian Nice Battle, Bulkhead leaves behind his job as a laborer to combat for the Autobots towards the Decepticons. He served in a specialist group referred to as the Wreckers earlier than becoming a member of Optimus Prime (the ever-reliable Peter Cullen) as a part of the squad that adopted the Decepticon chief, Megatron (Frank Welker), to Earth. There, Bulkhead ultimately befriends a woman named Miko (Tania Gunadi), one in all three younger people who discovered concerning the Autobots and joined the combat as allies.
Bulkhead is amongst Richardson’s most underrated voice roles but in addition a pleasant showcase of his best strengths as a performer.
Bulkhead is the group’s massive man, preferring to make use of his muscle tissues to unravel issues in essentially the most direct approach doable. Regardless of his measurement and his perchance for smashing issues, he is a somewhat empathetic particular person who hates bullies and all the time does what he can to attempt to defend these in want. Richardson’s voice is ideal for this, particularly when he interacts with Miko, the place his powerful however honest voice helps promote the big-brother relationship he develops together with her. Bulkhead is amongst Richardson’s most underrated voice roles but in addition a pleasant showcase of his best strengths as a performer.
8 Trigon
From ‘Teen Titans’ (2003-2006)
A demon whose evil intent was recognized throughout the universe, Trigon the Horrible’s struggle of conquest was stopped by the Order of Azar, who imprisoned him. Nonetheless, by sacrificing his human daughter, Raven (Tara Robust), Trigon can escape his jail and switch the Earth right into a miniature hellscape. Raven tries her finest to stop this, however because the day of reckoning attracts close to, she is compelled to simply accept her future to guard the lives of her associates, the Teen Titans.
Trigon is essentially the most imposing villain the group ever confronted and he’s linked to a number of of Teen Titans‘ most emotional episodes. When he emerges and conquers the Earth, he treats the Titans as little greater than buzzing flies, barely well worth the time it might take to acknowledge them. Richardson’s booming voice helps to promote his certainty in his energy, making Trigon really feel like a larger-than-life pressure that the Titans shall be hard-pressed to beat.
Teen Titans
- Launch Date
- July 19, 2003
- Seasons
- 5
7 Kamek
From ‘The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film’ (2023)
The suitable-hand koopa to King Bowser (Jack Black), Kamek serves because the court docket wizard for the Koopa Kingdom and helps discuss Bowser by means of no matter challenge is plaguing his thoughts at any time. At current, he’s hyping Bowser up for his marriage ceremony to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Pleasure) and convincing him she’ll agree with out query. Sadly, the arrival of a mustached plumber named Mario (Chris Pratt) throws a wrench in that plan, as Peach groups up with him to battle towards Bowser’s tyranny.
Kamek’s position in The Super Mario Bros. film is restricted, however he is likely one of the movie’s most memorable characters. Richardson’s voice goes for a extra nasally pitch, which inserts properly for a toady-type character. His back-and-forth with Black’s Bowser can be stable and results in a number of humorous moments and references to the beloved Mario video games.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- Launch Date
- April 7, 2023
- Director
- Aaron Horvath , Michael Jelenic
- Runtime
- 105 minutes
- Writers
- Matthew Fogel
6 Captain Gantu
From the Lilo & Sew Franchise
A large alien who resembles a cross between a whale and an elephant, Captain Gantu is accountable for the Galactic Federation’s house fleet and serves as the correct hand to the Federation’s Grand Councilwoman (Zoe Caldwell). He was tasked with exiling unlawful experiment 626 (Chris Sanders) to a barren asteroid, however the creature escaped and crash-landed on Earth. In making an attempt to recapture it, Gantu was fired for reckless actions, main him to hitch forces with Dr. Hämsterviel (Jeff Bennett), the previous enterprise companion of 626’s creator, Dr. Jumba Jookiba (David Ogden Stiers).
Gantu is likely one of the most developed characters in Lilo & Sew and its subsequent initiatives. Although he normally serves as an antagonist, he isn’t evil: Gantu is a soldier who both follows orders in essentially the most direct approach doable or tries to get by and do his job to avoid wasting up for retirement. Richardson performs Gantu as no-nonsense and pushed and might play up his frustration to comedic ranges, particularly when he performs off his sidekick, Experiment 625, voiced by the iconic Rob Paulsen.
Lilo & Sew
- Launch Date
- June 21, 2002
- Director
- Dean DeBlois , Chris Sanders
- Solid
- Daveigh Chase , Chris Sanders , Tia Carrere , David Ogden Stiers , Kevin McDonald , Ving Rhames
- Runtime
- 85 minutes
- Writers
- Chris Sanders , Dean DeBlois
5 The Mauler Twins
From ‘Invincible’ (2021-Current)
In a world inhabited by all method of supervillains, two of essentially the most recognizable and lively are the Mauler Twins. This pair of superhumanly good and robust criminals have a enjoyable shtick as a result of one is a clone of the opposite, however neither is aware of which it’s. That is an intentional design as a result of each time one Mauler learns he’s the unique, he tends to go energy loopy.
The Mauler Twins are a number of the most entertaining and powerful characters in Invincible, thanks largely to their distinctive gimmick. Because the Maulers are on equal footing when it comes to energy and mind, they work completely in sync in fight, right down to establishing weapons out of little greater than spare elements. Richardson additionally seems like he is having a ball working off of himself, particularly when one twin tries to persuade the opposite that he’s the clone.
Invincible
- Launch Date
- March 25, 2021
- Creator
- Robert Kirkman
- Seasons
- 2
4 Robert Hawkins
From ‘Static Shock’ (2000-2004)
Earlier than beginning a household, Robert Hawkins lived an thrilling life, taking part in school soccer and becoming a member of the Marines till he met his spouse, Jean (Alfre Woodard and Michele Morgan). That they had two kids collectively, however sadly, Jean was killed by a stray bullet throughout a riot. This tragedy made Robert dedicate his life to serving to these in want: he grew to become the supervisor of the Freeman Neighborhood Heart, dedicating a lot of his time to serving to troubled youths keep away from a lifetime of violence.
Robert is likely one of the finest parental figures in any superhero challenge, and he has one in all the best father-son relationships with Virgil. Although he lacks superpowers, Robert is rarely afraid to face up for what is correct and takes an lively position in advocating for his group and native politicians to do their half in guaranteeing town is secure for everybody. Richardson is sensible within the position, injecting him with heat however dedication and making him inspiring but worthy of respect and admiration.
3 Tombstone
From ‘The Spectacular Spider-Man’ (2008-2009)
To the individuals of New York Metropolis, L. Thompson Lincoln seems as a benevolent philanthropist. Nonetheless, behind closed doorways, he is called Tombstone or the Large Man of Crime, sustaining the most important prison empire within the metropolis. Following the emergence of Spider-Man (Josh Keaton), Tombstone begins funding initiatives to create new supervillains to maintain Spider-Man distracted from common criminals.
Richardson took over the position of Tombstone from Keith David, who voiced him within the first episode of the beloved Spectacular Spider-Man. Regardless of the abrupt change, Richardson’s voice is an ideal match for against the law boss who has been on the sport for thus lengthy that just about nothing phases him anymore. Whether or not confronting Spider-Man, all types of super-criminals, and even his rival crime bosses, Tombstone all the time speaks in a peaceful, cool voice, exhibiting that he’s all the time accountable for the state of affairs.
The Spectacular Spider-Man
- Launch Date
- March 8, 2008
- Seasons
- 2
2 Demongo
From ‘Samurai Jack’ (2001-2017)
Regardless of the efforts of the demon Aku (Mako), Samurai Jack (Phil LaMarr) defeats each enemy despatched after him and continues to undermine Aku’s efforts. Annoyed, he turns to one in all his strongest servants, Demongo. Each warrior that Demongo defeats, he collects their essence and might summon them to combat for him over and over.
Demongo grew to become one in all Samurai Jack‘s most memorable characters due to his unbelievable design and Richardson’s voice work. His efficiency is tender, snakelike, and sounds fully unrecognizable from his standard work. It matches completely with Demongo’s character as a crafty but cowardly demon wanting to defeat and gather as many highly effective warriors as doable.
Samurai Jack
- Launch Date
- August 10, 2001
- Seasons
- 5
1 The Joker
From ‘The Batman’ (2004-2008)
Often called the Clown Prince of Crime, the Joker began as an everyday man till he fell right into a chemical tub that bleached his pores and skin and broke his sanity. Now, he terrorizes Gotham Metropolis with numerous crimes primarily based round twisted humor, utilizing a lethal toxin referred to as Joker Venom to pressure individuals into uncontrolled laughter. After he’s first thwarted by the vigilante referred to as Batman (Rino Romano), Joker swears revenge towards him, and the 2 grow to be everlasting rivals.
Whereas no person can match Mark Hamill‘s legendary run as the Joker, Richardson’s take on this underrated Batman present is a powerful contender for second finest. He mixes his standard deep voice and the next, extra manic pitch, which inserts the Joker’s unpredictable nature. It’s a spotlight of Richardson’s illustrious profession, and he obtained two Daytime Emmy Award nominations throughout the present’s run.
The Batman
- Launch Date
- September 11, 2004
- Seasons
- 5
