Research on this subject has become much more time-consuming than planned. Although I was delightfully surprised to find out that Black actors are in fact flourishing as voice actors in animation, it is important to note that this list of individuals is not by any means exhaustive. These lessons only include what might only be a representative number of professionals who can also consider themselves to be trailblazers in the industry.
My preparation began with the thought that I would be able to focus on one or two actors here or a few there but that has not been the case at all. There are lots and lots of Black actors doing voice work in animation and in the entertainment business in general! The list of actors in The Lion King franchise alone is extensive enough for its own acting class. However, other film projects such as shows like The Proud Family and The Boondocks, and feature films like Bebe’s Kids and The Princess and the Frog, Black voice actors are successfully claiming their rightful places in the history of American cinema and audiences of all races are enjoying it.
As fans of animation and as aspiring future animators, lets have fun learning more about this segment of the animation industry. This information is being presented in chronological order beginning with Floyd Norman as the first Black animator to work at the Walt Disney Company.
Floyd Norman - Animator
In the 1950s, Black Americans began working behind the scenes on animated films. Floyd Norman became the first African American to be employed as an animator on a long-term basis at the Walt Disney Company in 1957. He worked on the production of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, which was released in 1959. He also worked with many, many other animators at the following animation studios on the following films:
The Walt Disney Company Sleeping Beauty (1959) 101 Dalmatians (1961) The Sword in the Stone (1963) The Jungle Book (1967) Josie and the Pussycats (1970) Robin Hood (1973) Mulan (1998) The Tigger Movie (2000) Godzilla The Hunchback of Notre Dame Hanna-Barbera Productions The Flintstones (1960) Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? (1969) Filmation Associates Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972) Pixar Animation Studios Toy Story (1995) Toy Story 2 (1999)
The Jackson 5
In 1971, Black Americans were represented on television in an animated cartoon show that featured one of the most popular singing groups in the nation. Jackson 5ive is a Saturday morning cartoon series that aired for two seasons on ABC from September 11, 1971 to October 14, 1972. Produced by Rankin/Bass and Motown Productions, it is a fictionalized portrayal of the careers of Motown recording group the Jackson 5.
Due to high demands on the group, the roles of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael were played by voice actors. Black voice actors on the show included Donald Fullilove as Michael, Edmund Sylvers as Marlon, and Mike Martinez as Tito. The show even featured a cartoonized version of Diana Ross who voiced herself in the pilot episode. The series was followed by The Jacksons, a live-action variety show, in 1976.
William “Bill” Cosby
In 1972, another television show that prominently featured Black characters premiered on the CBS network. Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids is an educational animated television series created, produced, and hosted by comedian William “Bill” Cosby, who also lent his voice to a number of the characters, including Fat Albert himself. Filmation was the production company for the series, which premiered in 1972 and aired until 1985. Characters on the show included Fat Albert and the Brown Hornet.
Little Bill is an American animated children's television series also created by Bill Cosby for Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block. It is based on the Little Bill book series, written by Cosby with illustrations by Varnette P. Honeywood. The show's main character, Little Bill, is a fictionalized younger version of Cosby and his late son, Ennis Cosby. The series originally aired from November 28, 1999, to February 6, 2004.
Phylicia Rashad
The next Black voice actor, Phylicia Rashad, voiced the role of Brenda Glover in the animated television series Little Bill. Brenda Glover is one of the main characters on the show. She is Little Bill’s mother along with his siblings April and Bobby, and the wife of Big Bill Glover.
Cree Summer
Cree Summer began working as a voice actor in animated television shows and on film in 1983. Although she is probably best known for portraying the role of Winifred “Freddie” Brooks on the television sitcom A Different World, she is a voice actor for characters such as Penny in the Inspector Gadget animated television series, which debuted in December 1982, Elmyra Duff in Warner Bros. Tiny Toon Adventures (1990), as well as Angelica Pickles and Susie Carmichael in Nickelodeon’s The Rugrats, which premiered in 1991. She is also the voice of Peabo, Penny Proud’s meddling neighbor who has a crush on her in the Disney television series The Proud Family. She currently plays the librarian Rosalyn Inez in the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary.
The Cast of Bebe’s Kids (1992)
The first animated film to feature an entirely African-American main cast is Bebe’s Kids. Bebe's Kids is a 1992 American adult animated comedy film produced by Hyperion Studio for Paramount Pictures. Directed by Bruce W. Smith in his directorial debut, it is based on a stand-up routine by comedian Robin Harris. Harris died two years prior to the film's release; in the film, he is voiced by Faizon Love in his acting debut. The film co-stars Black voice actors Vanessa Bell Calloway, Marques Houston, Nell Carter, Tone Lōc, and George Wallace. It was released on July 31, 1992, the film grossed $8.4 million at the box office against a budget of $10 million.
The Cast of The Lion King Franchise
The Lion King franchise began with the original animated musical drama film, which was released in 1994. It was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, produced by Don Hahn, and written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton. Produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, it follows a young lion prince, who is exiled from his kingdom after his father is murdered by his uncle to seize the throne. As he grows up, he must decide whether to return home to confront uncle and reclaim his place as king. The film grossed $$988 million worldwide at the box office against a budget of $79.3 million
The multibillion-dollar Disney media franchise includes a Broadway adaptation, two direct-to-video follow-ups, two television series, and a photorealistic remake, which itself spawned a prequel. The ensemble voice cast of the original film includes Black actors James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robert Guillaume.
James Earl Jones as Mufasa
Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi a hyena
Robert Guillaume as Rafiki
Phenomenally successful, it is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Also, the franchise as a whole has EGOT-ed, meaning it has won the four biggest awards of American show business – an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.
The Lion King (2019) is an American musical drama film that is a photorealistically animated remake of the traditionally-animated 1994 film. It was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Fairview Entertainment. It was released on July 19, 2019, and grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide against a budget of $260 million. Black voice actors in the film include Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, John Kani, Keegan-Michael Key, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and others with James Earl Jones reprising his voice role as Mufasa for the final time.
Donald Glover as Simba
He also voices the role of Simba in Mufasa: The Lion King (2024).
Alfre Woodard as Sarabi
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar
John Kani as Rafiki
Beyonce Knowles-Carter as Nala
Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari a hyena
Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), is a follow-up to The Lion King’s 2019 remake. It is an American musical drama film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. Also photorealistically animated, it serves as both a prequel and sequel to The Lion King (2019). It was released on December 20, 2024.
Black voice actors in the film include Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and John Kani reprising their roles from the remake, and new cast members that include Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, and Blue Ivy Carter in her feature film debut. The story features Rafiki recounting to Simba and Nala's cub, Kiara, the history of Mufasa, including how he first met Scar and other allies, his battle against a renegade pride of white lions, and the journey that led him to become King of the Pride Lands. The film grossed $723 million against a budget of $200 million and is dedicated to James Earl Jones, who died three months before it was released. As a tribute, his voice is heard briefly during the opening titles.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka/Scar
Thandiwe Newton as Eshe
Anika Noni Rose as Afia
Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara
Have fun learning!
(Sources - Daily Express, Fandom, People Magazine, Pinterest, Screen Rant, Pop Sugar, The Direct, The Numbers, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, YouTube)