Behind every great animated character is a talented voice actor. Sometimes, the two share similarities when it comes to characteristics, mannerisms, and facial features. Finding an actor who can play the part and look like their character is an added bonus for viewers and the producers.
When an actor resembles their animated counterpart, it feels like a more thought went into the casting. These similarities get fans excited about upcoming movies, TV series, and celebrity culture. Understandably, it also makes audiences wonder if the character designers purposefully include physical characteristics that resemble the actor portraying the animated role.
10 Wayne Knight Closely Resembles Al McWhiggin
Wayne Knight has played iconic characters in Space Jam, Jurassic Park, and the popular TV series Seinfeld. However, his first major role in the world of animated films was Toy Story 2. The legendary actor played Al McWhiggin, owner of Al's Toy Barn and one of the film's antagonists.
Wayne Knight's voice isn't just ideal for the character, but it's perfect considering the physical resemblance between both parties. Knight and McWhiggin share similar physical attributes, facial features, and glasses. It's even possible Al McWhiggin was designed with Wayne Knight in mind.
9 Jennifer Saunders Bears A Striking Resemblance To The Fairy Godmother
English actor and comedian, Jennifer Saunders, has a dry sense of humor that's usually evident in the characters she portrays. She voices the Fairy Godmother, the main antagonist in Shrek 2, with who she bears a striking resemblance.
Saunders and the Fairy Godmother share some identical facial features, including their nose structure and petite mouth. Both the actor and the animated antagonist also share a similar eye and eyebrow shape. If Saunders were to style her hair in the same way, she and the Fairy Godmother could look somewhat identical.
8 Danny DeVito Was The Best Man To Portray Philoctetes
In 1997, Disney gave the world Hercules, an animated movie based on Greek mythology that tells a tale of conflict between Mount Olympus and the underworld. Philoctetes, Hercules' mentor, is played by Danny DeVito, an actor easily recognized for his voice and iconic New York City accent.
Besides having the perfect voice for the role, Philoctetes has a physical shape similar to Danny DeVito's and sports a 5 o'clock shadow. While DeVito doesn't have horns, the hair on the side of his head sometimes mimics the shape. Philoctetes also comes across as a grumpy old man — characters DeVito has portrayed in the past — meaning the actor would be perfect for a live-action role.
7 Hiroshi Kamiya Has Voiced Many Anime Characters
Hiroshi Kamiya has a plethora of experience voicing anime characters, including the main character in the Monogatari series. Koyomi Araragi is a young high school student who discovers he has vampiric traits after surviving an attack. Although Kamiya looks nothing like a vampire, he resembles the protagonist in several other ways.
Besides having a similar complexion, the two share a smaller head shape and lean face, giving both individuals a youthful appearance. They also have the same color hair and style, which partially covers their forehead and usually one eye.
6 Sadness Mirrors Phyllis Smith's Manner
Phyllis Smith, known for her role in The Office, voices Sadness in the Disney Pixar film, Inside Out. She plays an important part in the movie and her voice is perfect for the role. Not only does Sadness look like Smith, but the character even mimics the actor's manner and body language.
Smith and Sadness have small lips and don't open their mouths very much when they talk. They share similar facial features and their glasses comfortably rest in the same position. Smith and Sadness have slightly different hairstyles, but their hairs shares the same length, hammering home their similarities.
5 Sylvester Stallone And Weaver Share Some Physical Appearances
Antz has an all-star cast including the likes of Woody Allen, Jennifer Lopez, and Christopher Walken. Weaver, the protagonist's friend, is voiced by Sylvester Stallone and the two share some similarities when it comes to physical appearances.
Weaver is a soldier ant and a strong, masculine character. Stallone not only has the perfect voice for the role, but he has the physique and facial expressions to match. His chisel chin and wide jawline are evident in Weaver's facial design. Weaver's eyes are clearly shaped to look like Stallone's as well, making it clear who's behind the voice.
4 Kevin Richardson Was Inspiration For Principle Lewis
Renowned voice actor Kevin Richardson has lent his voice to several characters from animated sitcoms and movies. However, his cartoon lookalike from American Dad! is Principle Lewis, the headmaster at Pearl Bailey High School.
Both burly individuals have the same body size and head shape as well as bald heads and nearly identical beards. Principle Lewis even has the sideburns that Richardson often sports. For an important recurring role, it's possible Principle Lewis was created with Kevin Richardson in mind.
3 Lola Is A Fishy Version Of Angelina Jolie
DreamWorks' animated release, Shark Tale, came out in 2004 and featured an impressive cast from Robert De Niro to Martin Scorsese. Angelina Jolie shared some specific characteristics with the female lead, Lola.
Angelina Jolie remains one of Hollywood's most bankable actors, and Lola has a similar celebrity status in the animated movie. Beautiful eyes and pouting lips are two physical traits the actor and animated character have in common. Sporting an attitude similar to other roles Jolie has taken on, Lola has an uncanny resemblance to the Hollywood star.
2 Jack Black Resembles Po With His Facial Expressions
The Kung Fu Panda protagonist is voiced by actor, comedian, and Rock musician Jack Black. The funny fellow has an enthusiastic acting style and unique voice recognizable to most of his fans. In the animated martial arts series, there are several scenes where Po closely resembles Black and mimics his iconic facial expressions.
Along with some typical Jack Black behavior, Po imitates the actor's stares and eyebrow movements. When Po breaks the fourth wall, his smiles echo those the actor has displayed on many occasions. Black and Po have almost-identical facial expressions which constantly reminds audiences who's portraying the beloved panda.
1 Jane Lynch Is A Spitting Image Of Sergeant Calhoun
Jane Lynch lent her voice to Sergeant Calhoun from the animated video game-inspired movie, Wreck-It Ralph. As the commanding officer of Hero's Duty, she played a confident and authoritative role. Lynch's voice was perfect for the part, and she shared some uncanny resemblances to Calhoun.
Along with their similar head shape, Lynch and Sergeant Calhoun have naturally blonde hair, matching jawlines, and a self-assured smile. Calhoun is very much a digital representation of the talented American actor, making many viewers wonder if Wreck-It Ralph's creative team designed Calhoun with Lynch in mind. If not, her co-star Jack McBrayer, who voiced Calhoun's love, Felix Fix-It, Jr., definitely jumps to mind as another heroic look-alike.