Black History Month 2026
You know their characters. You’ve quoted their lines from top anime series and award-winning games. But do you know their names?
Black voice actors have been the unsung heroes of animation and gaming for decades, bringing depth, personality, and soul to characters that defined our childhoods—and continue to shape pop culture today. Yet while the global animation market is projected to reach $587 billion by 2030, the artists behind the voices often don’t get their flowers.
Let’s fix that. Here are ten Black voice actors who dominate the industry, complete with those “wait, THAT was the same person?!” moments that’ll blow your mind
Table of Contents
1. Keith David — The Voice of Authority and Swagger
You Know Him From:
- Goliath (Gargoyles)
- Dr. Facilier (The Princess and the Frog)
- Captain David Anderson (Mass Effect trilogy)
- President Andre Curtis (Rick and Morty)
- Spawn (Todd McFarlane’s Spawn)
- Commander Zavala (Destiny 2)
- King Andrias (Amphibia)
Recent Role: Husk in Hazbin Hotel (2024-present)
The “You Didn’t Know” Moment: That bass-heavy, commanding voice you’ve heard narrating Ken Burns documentaries? That’s Keith David. The same man who voiced Disney’s smoothest villain also won three Emmy Awards for narrating The War and Muhammad Ali. He’s been in everything from The Thing and Platoon to Nope and American Fiction, proving he’s as powerful on screen as he is behind the mic.
Keith David isn’t just prolific—he’s a cultural institution. At 68, he’s still crushing it with recent roles in Hazbin Hotel and an upcoming Rick and Morty spinoff centered on President Curtis. His voice has that rare quality: you trust it immediately, whether he’s playing a hero, a villain, or the President dealing with interdimensional nonsense.
Fun Fact: In Saints Row IV, he literally plays himself… as Vice President Keith David. Meta doesn’t even begin to cover it.
2. Cree Summer — The Queen of Voice Acting
You Know Her From:
- Susie Carmichael (Rugrats and All Grown Up!)
- Numbuh 5 (Codename: Kids Next Door)
- Princess Kida (Atlantis: The Lost Empire)
- Penny (Inspector Gadget)
- Foxxy Love (Drawn Together)
- Elmyra Duff (Tiny Toon Adventures)
- Valerie Gray (Danny Phantom)
- Blackarachnia (Transformers)
Recent Role: Rosalyn Inez in Abbott Elementary (2024-present)
The “You Didn’t Know” Moment: Cree Summer has voiced over 100 characters since the 1980s. That’s not a typo. One. Hundred. From playing Winifred “Freddie” Brooks on A Different World to voicing Penny when she was just 14 years old, Summer’s range is absolutely unmatched. She can go from sweet and innocent (Susie) to seductive and sassy (Foxxy Love) to fierce warrior princess (Kida) without missing a beat.
She continues to dominate video games—including Baldur’s Gate, Diablo III, Fallout, and Mass Effect—while also bringing her talents to live-action television with a recent recurring role on Abbott Elementary.
Fun Fact: Cree didn’t just voice Susie Carmichael’s singing in All Grown Up!—she’s also a singer-songwriter who released an album produced by Lenny Kravitz. Multi-talented doesn’t even cover it.
3. Phil LaMarr — The Man of 1,000 Voices
You Know Him From:
- Samurai Jack (Samurai Jack)
- John Stewart/Green Lantern (Justice League and Justice League Unlimited)
- Static/Virgil Hawkins (Static Shock)
- Hermes Conrad (Futurama)
- Vamp (Metal Gear Solid 2 and 4)
- Kit Fisto (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
- Sig (Jak and Daxter series)
Recent Roles: Multiple characters across Big City Greens, The Simpsons, and Futurama (2023-present)
The “You Didn’t Know” Moment: Before becoming one of the most respected voice actors in the industry, Phil LaMarr was the guy who got shot in the face in the car in Pulp Fiction. Yeah, that guy. He was also an original cast member of MADtv from 1995-2000.
But his voice work? Chef’s kiss. LaMarr doesn’t just voice characters—he inhabits them. From the stoic warrior-poet Samurai Jack to the bureaucratic Hermes Conrad, his range is staggering. He’s worked on Futurama, Family Guy, The Simpsons, Star Wars, Batman, Spider-Man, and practically every major animated franchise you can name.
Fun Fact: Phil LaMarr went to Yale University, where he was part of the Purple Crayon improv comedy group. He’s also a massive comic book fan with an impressive collection—which explains why he brings such authenticity to superhero roles.
4. Zeno Robinson — The Rising Powerhouse
You Know Him From:
- Hawks (My Hero Academia) – Won Best VA Performance at 2021 Anime Awards
- Goh (Pokémon Journeys)
- Hunter/Golden Guard (The Owl House)
- Cyborg/Victor Stone (Young Justice)
- Junpei Iori (Persona 3: Reload)
- Dee Jay (Street Fighter 6)
- Sethos (Genshin Impact)
- Remy Remington (Big City Greens)
Recent Roles: Upcoming major roles in Zootopia 2 and Pixar’s Elio (2025)
The “You Didn’t Know” Moment: Zeno Robinson started voice acting at just 14 years old as Alan in Ben 10. Now at 31, he’s one of the most in-demand voice actors in anime, Western animation, and video games. His Hawks performance earned him an award, but he’s equally impressive as the earnest Goh in Pokémon or the conflicted Hunter in The Owl House.
What makes Zeno special is his versatility—he can voice laid-back, comedic characters just as easily as intense, dramatic heroes. With major Disney projects on the horizon, he’s proving that he’s just getting started.
Fun Fact: Zeno has over 245 acting credits on IMDb despite being only 31 years old. The man stays booked and busy.
5. Kevin Michael Richardson — The Deep Voice Legend
You Know Him From:
- The Joker (The Batman)
- Captain Gantu (Lilo & Stitch)
- Shredder (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012)
- Trigon (Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go!)
- Jerome (Family Guy)
- Cleveland Brown Jr. (The Cleveland Show)
- Principal Lewis (American Dad!)
- Dr. Hibbert (The Simpsons – current voice)
- Goro (Mortal Kombat)
Recent Role: Returning as Captain Gantu in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remake (upcoming)
The “You Didn’t Know” Moment: Kevin Michael Richardson’s voice is so iconic that he’s become the go-to actor for taking over beloved characters. When Harry Shearer stepped back from Dr. Hibbert on The Simpsons, Richardson stepped in seamlessly. He was also the first Black actor to voice the Joker, earning two Daytime Emmy nominations for the role.
With over 1,300 voice acting credits, Richardson is one of the most prolific actors in the industry. His deep, commanding voice has brought life to villains, comedic sidekicks, and everything in between. He’s been nominated for a Primetime Emmy for his work on F Is For Family.
Fun Fact: Born in the Bronx to Jamaican parents, Richardson was one of only eight U.S. high school students selected for the National Foundation for the Arts’ “Arts ’82” program. He later earned a drama scholarship to Syracuse University.
6. Khary Payton — The Dual Threat
You Know Him From:
- Cyborg (Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go!)
- Aqualad/Kaldur’ahm (Young Justice)
- King Ezekiel (The Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live)
- Wasabi (Big Hero 6: The Series)
- Killer Croc (Batman: Arkham series)
- Grimlock (Transformers: Robots in Disguise)
Recent Roles: Killer Croc in Batman: Arkham Shadow (2024), Black Panther/Azzuri in Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra (upcoming), and Black Samson in Invincible (ongoing)
The “You Didn’t Know” Moment: Khary Payton has been voicing Cyborg for over 20 years across multiple DC animated series, movies, and video games—but most people also know him as the charismatic King Ezekiel on The Walking Dead. He seamlessly moves between live-action and voice work, proving his range extends far beyond the recording booth.
His recent return to voice Killer Croc and his upcoming role as Black Panther showcase his continued dominance in both superhero genres and video games.
Fun Fact: Khary won Showtime’s first annual Kid Talent Quest at age 14. He also co-wrote, produced, and starred in the indie sci-fi film Astronaut: The Last Push, which won 13 festival awards.
7. A.J. Beckles — The Anime Gen Z Breakout
You Know Him From:
- Okarun/Ken Takakura (DAN DA DAN)
- Takemichi “Takemitchy” Hanagaki (Tokyo Revengers)
- Matt Ishida (Digimon Adventure:)
- Kaname Tōsen (Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War)
- Sugilite (Honkai: Star Rail)
- Shiki Tademaru (Kemono Jihen)
- Michizou Tachihara (Bungo Stray Dogs)
Recent Roles: Azibo in Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), and lead roles in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX and Bleach Rebirth of Souls (2024-2025)
The “You Didn’t Know” Moment: At just 26 years old, A.J. Beckles is dominating the anime voice acting scene with lead roles that established voice actors wait years to book. He’s an Afro-Latino (Puerto Rican and Nigerian-American) voice actor who started his journey voicing Tokyo Revengers‘ protagonist Takemichi, and he hasn’t slowed down since.
Beckles is part of the new generation of Black voice actors breaking barriers in anime—an industry that historically relegated Black performers to supporting roles. His performance as Okarun in DAN DA DAN has earned him massive fan love. He’s also engaged to fellow voice actress Anairis Quiñones, making them a power couple in the anime VA world.
Fun Fact: A.J. studied under voice acting legends Crispin Freeman, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, and Richard Horvitz. When he’s not in the booth, he’s probably demolishing a cheeseburger and playing video games.
8. Gina Torres — The Live-Action Star Who Dominates Animation
You Know Her From:
- Airachnid (Transformers: Prime)
- Vixen/Mari McCabe (Justice League Unlimited)
- Superwoman (Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths)
- Wonder Woman (DC Universe Online)
- Keeper Yennen (The Legend of Vox Machina)
- Ketsu Onyo (Star Wars Rebels)
Recent Roles: Tommy Vega in 9-1-1: Lone Star (2021-2025), Keeper Yennen in The Legend of Vox Machina (2022-2024), and Ms. Moreno in Kindergarten: The Musical (2024-present)
The “You Didn’t Know” Moment: Most people know Gina Torres as the fierce Zoë Washburne from Firefly and Serenity, or as Jessica Pearson on Suits—but her voice work is just as legendary. Torres is an Afro-Cuban actress with a mezzo-soprano voice that brings commanding presence to every character she plays.
Her recent work spans multiple genres, from the gritty animated fantasy of The Legend of Vox Machina to children’s programming on Disney Jr. Whether she’s playing heroes, villains, or complex antiheroes like Airachnid, Torres brings gravitas and depth.
Fun Fact: Gina Torres was married to Laurence Fishburne, and they played a married couple on Hannibal. She’s also a trained opera singer who attended New York’s LaGuardia High School of Music & Art.
9. Jaleel White — The Iconic Voice You Forgot
You Know Him From:
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic SatAM, Sonic Underground)
- Steve Urkel (Family Matters and Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?)
- Gene the Genie (DuckTales reboot)
Recent Roles: Gunter in Skeleton Crew (2024-2025), hosting Flip Side game show (renewed for season 2 in 2025), and voice work in American Dad! and Teen Titans Go!
The “You Didn’t Know” Moment: Before Ben Schwartz or Roger Craig Smith, Jaleel White was the original voice of Sonic the Hedgehog. From 1993 to 1999, White voiced the Blue Blur across three different animated series, plus he voiced Sonic’s siblings Manic and Sonia in Sonic Underground.
While most people remember him as Steve Urkel—the nerdy breakout character from Family Matters who became a cultural phenomenon in the ’90s—White has quietly maintained a voice acting career spanning decades. His recent role in the Star Wars series Skeleton Crew and his game show hosting gig prove he’s still very much in demand.
Fun Fact: Jaleel White graduated from UCLA with a film and television degree in 2001. He released a memoir in November 2024 called Growing Up Urkel, reflecting on his career and the challenges of typecasting.
10. John “Beau” Billingslea — The Veteran’s Veteran
You Know Him From:
- Jet Black (Cowboy Bebop)
- Ay, the Fourth Raikage (Naruto)
- Leroy Smith (Tekken 7 and Tekken 8)
- Ogun (X-Men)
Recent Role: Leroy Smith in Tekken 8 (released January 2024)
The “You Didn’t Know” Moment: At 79 years old, Beau Billingslea is still working—and thriving. He’s been in the industry since the 1970s, with on-camera roles in The Atlanta Child Murders, MacGyver, Star Trek Into Darkness, and more. But his anime work earned him an international fanbase, particularly his role as the wise, fatherly Jet Black in Cowboy Bebop.
Billingslea started voice acting almost by accident—a friend asked him to dub foreign films into English, and when asked if he’d try anime, he replied, “Sure, what’s anime?” Decades later, he’s one of the most respected voices in the industry. His character Leroy Smith in the recent Tekken 8 helped the game sell over 2 million copies within its first month.
Fun Fact: When Billingslea started in the ’80s, there weren’t many characters of color in animation, so he often voiced white characters. He credits the industry for not holding his race against him, even as he fought for more representation behind the scenes.
Why This Matters
Black voice actors have been shaping animation and gaming for decades, yet they often face erasure, harassment, and tokenization. Despite the undeniable artistry these performers bring, they’re frequently relegated to “supporting roles” or face racist backlash when cast as leads—particularly in anime, where some fans wrongly believe only white actors should voice pale-skinned characters.
This mindset isn’t just ignorant—it’s historically inaccurate. Voice acting is about talent and range, not matching a character’s perceived race. These ten actors prove that Black voices have always been at the heart of the stories we love.
The anime and gaming industries are finally beginning to shift, with more Black voice actors like Zeno Robinson and A.J. Beckles landing lead roles in major franchises. But recognition is long overdue. These performers aren’t just “diversity hires”—they’re legends who’ve been holding down the industry for years.
So next time you watch My Hero Academia, play Destiny 2, binge Rick and Morty, or hear Sonic’s iconic voice, take a moment to appreciate the Black voices that make those experiences unforgettable.
Ready to Level Up Your Marketing?
At Blerd.com, we specialize in authentic, culturally competent marketing that reaches diverse audiences—from anime fans to gamers to cosplay communities. Whether you’re looking for content creation, event marketing, or strategic media placement, we know how to speak to the audiences that matter.
Let’s talk. Hit us up at Blerd.com to see how we can elevate your brand.
Which of these voice actors surprised you the most? Drop a comment and let us know your favorite performance!
