All actors work hard to give stellar performances, but voice actors have different challenges than traditional actors. Voice actors aren't able to use their expressions to bring fan-favorite animated characters to life. Their voice performances alone make or break the likability of the character they portray.
Over the years, Cartoon Network has featured countless voice actors. At their best, these actors have made their respective characters memorable, lovable, and funny. On the other hand, there are other instances where Cartoon Network voice actors miss the mark, delivering performances that left something to be desired by fans.
8 Nailed It: Jeff Bennett As Johnny Bravo
Johnny Bravo was one of the most-loved shows in Cartoon Network's early 2000s animated lineup, and it's easy to see why. The self-absorbed teen got himself into hilarious misadventures in every episode, but always found a way to make things right. The show initially premiered in 1997, and voice actor Jeff Bennett expertly brought Johnny to life for the show's entire four-season run. Bennett captured the ditzy-but-endearing nature of this cartoon pretty-boy and consistently delivered Johnny's signature one-liners at just the right time, and in the perfect tone.
7 Fell Short: Tom Kane As Him
The original The Powerpuff Girls series featured some truly bizarre villains, but none was stranger than the devilish nemesis simply known as Him. Tom Kane provided this colorful character's high-pitched, ethereal voice, but his performance often left something to be desired.
Him is supposed to sound eerie and evil, but there are many instances where he is difficult for viewers to understand. In addition, many would-be funny lines get lost in the peculiar, singsong tone Kane uses. While funny in its own way, it lessens the diabolical villain's impact.
6 Nailed It: Thea White As Muriel Bagge
Courage The Cowardly Dog was another lovable but weird Cartoon Network show from the early 2000s. The ironically named purple dog lived with an elderly couple, Eustace and Muriel Bagge. Thea White brilliantly lent her voice to the loving matriarch, giving her a warm and grandmotherly demeanor. White's performance as a voice actor brought Muriel to life in the exact ways the viewers would expect. Her delivery was convincing and made it easy for fans to understand why scaredy-cat Courage felt so protective of her.
5 Fell Short: Peter Browngardt As Uncle Grandpa
Uncle Grandpa was full of zany characters, but the eponymous main character was the most outlandish of them all. Although Uncle Grandpa's voice somewhat fits his personality, it can be challenging for audiences to continuously listen to it.
Peter Browngardt provides Uncle Grandpa with his signature voice, but there are times when the tone is downright annoying for fans. Despite his good nature, Uncle Grandpa is supposed to be a little irritating. However, Browngardt's voice performance takes this quality a little too far.
4 Nailed It: Tara Strong As Raven
There are many lovable characters on Teen Titans Go! but demon-turned-hero Raven is a standout. Her personality can sometimes be dark, but she's just as funny as the rest of the Titans and blends well with the group. This harmony is partly due to Tara Strong's great voice acting performance. Strong gives Raven a respectable balance between her demonic inheritance and her average teenager side. Additionally, Tara Strong expertly captures the dry sense of humor which sets Raven apart from the rest of the titans.
3 Fell Short: David Paul Grove As Jonny
It's hard to have high expectations for a boy who talks to a plank of wood, but the greatness of the other characters in Ed, Edd, n Eddy provides stiff competition for Jonny. Some fans find Jonny endearing. Unfortunately, he's just not as strong of a character.
David Paul Grove's voice acting performance gives Jonny an easily recognizable voice, but it's a little too babyish — even for a boy with an imaginary friend. Jonny is supposed to be immature, but he'd be more believable with an age-appropriate voice.
2 Nailed It: Kathryn Cressida As Dee-Dee
Kathryn Cressida's voice acting performance in Dexter's Laboratory perfectly matches the character she portrays. Dee-Dee is the quintessential annoying older sister, but she still manages to be a whimsical and lovable character. Cressida adds a very enthusiastic, high-energy quality to Dee-Dee's voice. That character trait is an excellent fit for a girl who dances and scampers around a top-secret laboratory. Kathryn Cressida's performance also gives audiences a nice contrast to the more serious boy scientist's personality and behavior, adding to the humor of the sibling's interactions.
1 Fell Short: Amanda Leighton As Blossom (2016)
The 2016 version of The Powerpuff Girls is a relatively unpopular reboot of the original show. Part of the reason it doesn't quite catch on is that it includes none of the original voice actors. Fans find this change jarring overall, but Amanda Leighton's voice acting performance as Blossom particularly misses the mark. It's always challenging to stack up to someone else's outstanding performance, giving Leighton a disadvantage from the start. Her rendition of the pink-clad ringleader leaves much to be desired in terms of personality, and leaves fans missing the original voice actor.