Disney's most recognizable character is arguably still Mickey Mouse, but the animation studio has created a breathtaking array of novel characters, many of who have gone on to embed themselves in the framework of cinema history. Very few people remember the origins of fairy tales like Snow White and Cinderella because they have become synonymous with their Disney adaptations.

RELATED: All Disney Renaissance Movies, Ranked

However, it is important to remember that the iconic value of these characters lies not only in their appearance but also in their vocal style. A prime example would be Robin Williams, who is irrevocably associated with Genie from Aladdin (1922), although Will Smith in the live-action reboot certainly merits a mention. Expecting every Disney character to be at Williams' level is an exercise in futility, but there are a few voice-actors with genre-defining roles under their belt.

10 Ellen DeGeneres' Won Multiple Awards For Dory — Finding Nemo (2003) & Finding Dory (2016)

Finding Dory

Dory's message of universal love is clear to anyone who watches Finding Nemo or its sequel, Finding Dory. She doesn't let her memory problems get in the way of helping others, even if her methods are occasionally fickle.

Ellen DeGeneres' performance as the adorably goofy Pacific Blue Tang earned her widespread recognition, but few people know that Dory's original gender was changed specifically because the director wanted DeGeneres in his movie. DeGeneres went on to win multiple awards for the role.

9 Gilbert Gottfried's Pitchy Nasal Twang Was The Perfect Choice For Iago — Aladdin (1992)

Iago and Jafar in Aladdin

Gilbert Gottfried's pitchy nasal twang was the perfect choice for Jafar's Scarlet Macaw sidekick in Aladdin. Iago displays the same level of callousness as his master, making their combination one of the most remarkable villain pairs ever created by Disney.

Iago's voice and mannerisms reflect Gottfried's on-stage and on-screen personality, to the point that it's impossible to separate the character from the voice-actor. More importantly, Gottfried's harsh brand of comedy helps highlight Genie's frenetic style of humor.

8 Jemaine Clement Might As Well Be The Human Version Of Tamatoa — Moana (2016)

Tamatoa on a pile of gold in Moana

Jemaine Clement achieved significant fame as one half of Flight of the Conchords, before moving on to equally brilliant comedies like What We Do In the Shadows (2014) and Humor Me (2017). In Moana, Clement voices Tamatoa, a comically enlarged coconut crab with a penchant for anything that glitters.

RELATED: 10 Mistakes That Still Haunt Disney

Tamatoa is a complex character — his behavior often conflicts with itself, given that he shifts between flippant and sadistic almost seamlessly. Clement also lends his musical talents to "Shiny," arguably one of the grooviest Disney songs of the last decade.

7 Eddie Murphy's Mushu Turned Mushu Into One Of Disney's Most Memorable Characters — Mulan (1998)

Mushu Disney Mulan

Mushu the dragon offers most of the comic relief in Mulan, a monumental task given the movie's mostly serious tone. While his character arc begins with self-centered intentions, Mushu realizes the value of helping Fa Mulan fulfill her destiny.

Disney initially wanted Richard Dreyfuss and Joe Pesci to play Mushu, but they fortunately settled on Eddie Murphy. Murphy's cheeky humor turned Mushu from a minor character to a memorable one, even if he doesn't sing a single song over the course of the movie.

6 Samuel E. Wright's Trinidadian Accent Defined Sebastian For An Entire Generation — The Little Mermaid (1989)

Sebastian in The Little Mermaid

Although a crab, Sebastian's role in The Little Mermaid is the exact opposite of the gem-studded villain in Moana. His character contains multitudes, ranging from gentle and breezy to stern and cantankerous.

Samuel E. Wright's Trinidadian accent defined Sebastian for an entire generation of Disney fans. Further, Wright's voice is the highlight of the masterfully composed "Under the Sea," a vibrant Caribbean orchestral piece that ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

5 Danny DeVito's Phil Shares His Facial Expressions And Physical Characteristics — Hercules (1997)

hercules and phil

Philoctetes agrees to train Hercules after some convincing, ultimately transforming the hero into a true warrior. This hilarious satyr might be overly grouchy in most scenarios, but his benevolent nature frequently proves that he's nothing more than a softie.

RELATED: The Strongest Disney Princesses, Ranked

Although Phil's external appearance takes its cues from Snow White's Grumpy and Fantasia's Bacchus, the film's animators decided to use DeVito's talent for producing "really different mouth shapes" for Phil's facial expressions. In addition, DeVito and Phil share several physical characteristics.

4 Tom Hanks' Woody Is Considered A Defining Animation Vocal Performance — Toy Story (1995)

Woody is shocked

Director John Lasseter insisted that Tom Hanks was the ideal choice for Sheriff Woody, largely because of the actor's "ability to take emotions and make them appealing," regardless of how loathsome the character might be. Hanks was initially hesitant to voice the role, requesting Pixar to hire his brother, Jim, instead.

The plucky Toy Story protagonist is generally considered among the best Pixar characters, with many critics citing Hanks' Woody as "one of the defining animation vocal performances."

3 Peter O'Toole Wields The Entire Gamut Of His Theatrical Brilliance Through Anton Ego — Ratatouille (2007)

Anton Ego surprised at Remy's food in Ratatouille

Peter O'Toole's claim to cinematic fame is the titular character in Lawrence of Arabia (1962), a role that made him a household name. His artistic oeuvre fits a wide range of palettes, incorporating Shakespearean characters, pessimistic hypochondriacs, Plantagenet monarchs, and Latin school teachers.

O'Toole wields the entire gamut of his dramatic brilliance in Anton Ego — a snide, self-important character who goes on a life-changing journey. Ego's presence is indispensable to the overarching message of Ratatouille: that critics rely on artists, and not the other way around.

2 Eartha Kitt's Whimsical Spirit Is Reflected In Yzma — The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

Emperors-New-Groove-Yzma

The Emperor's New Groove contains a number of extraordinary characters, from the spoiled Kuzco to the feebleminded Kronk, but the movie's whimsical spirit is heavily dependent on its antagonist. Yzma is voiced by legendary musician Eartha Kitt, best known for her racy songs like "Santa Baby" and "Just an Old Fashioned Girl."

RELATED: 10 Best Disney Princess Movies, Ranked According To IMDb

The actress' movements during the recording process apparently influenced Yzma's countless quirks and tics. The actress won the Annie Award for Individual Performance in Voice Acting, as well as two Daytime Emmy Awards for reprising Yzma in The Emperor's New School.

1 Jeremy Irons Transforms Scar Into A Truly Terrifying Villain — The Lion King (1994)

Scar amongst the green fog during "Be Prepared" (The Lion King)

The Lion King loosely follows the narrative set by Shakespeare's Hamlet — a young prince forced to reckon with his father's murder at the hands of his uncle. Uncle Claudius and Uncle Scar are equally ambitious and shrewd; the only difference is that Scar proves to be an inept ruler.

Jeremy Irons, a giant in the world of theater and film, transforms The Lion King villain into a truly monstrous entity without a drop of compassion in his veins. Further, there are very few voice actors who could have sung "Be Prepared" with the combination of smugness and savagery offered by Irons.

NEXT: 10 Best Animated Disney Characters, Ranked