Animation is like no other, and at its core is the voice that drives the characters. Female actors have helped create the narratives that we adore, adding subtlety, depth and all-time charm to our favorite animated films. These voices are not just entertaining – they’re inspiring. Women characters in animated films have long shaped culture, identity and even the hopes of children.
In everything from the soothing voice of a maternal grandmother to the bold defiance of radical heroines, female voice actors have helped shape characters on and off the screen. Let’s take a look at some of the best female voices in animation and the legacy they’ve left behind, particularly in the UK, alongside some British fans and influences.
June Foray – The Mother of Animation June Foray
One couldn’t talk about women who voiced icons of animation without talking about June Foray. Though American, her impact swept the world, including the UK, where her writing was admired by generations. The “First Lady of Voice Acting,” June brought to life an incredible roster of roles, from the coy Rocket J Squirrel in The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show to the gruesome Granny in Looney Tunes. This versatility and talent set the precedent for voice acting in animation, inspiring millions of women to try their hand at it.
For the British who had grown up watching US imports on TV, Foray’s work opened a new world of insight into how voice actors could affect a character’s character. Her versatility to bounce from comedic to dark roles made her both a pioneer and an inspiration to future voice actors around the world.
Kath Soucie – Mother of A Thousand Little Children
Kath Soucie’s voice rang throughout most UK children’s television shows in the 1990s. She worked on a variety of characters, from Phil and Lil DeVille in Rugrats to Dexter’s mum in Dexter’s Laboratory. Soucie’s likability, comedy and nuance rendered these characters believable.
Her multi-role performances in the same show showed her versatility as well, and helped to encourage children to embrace voice-based storytelling. To many voice-over actors aspiring in the UK, Soucie’s work is still a testament to the power of a single voice to embellish so many character types.
Tress MacNeille – The Queen of Range
The name Tress MacNeille evokes animated classics. From the UK cult hit Danger Mouse to the global sensations The Simpsons and Futurama, MacNeille is an iconic figure. Her appearances as Daisy Duck, Agnes Skinner and Mom in Futurama illustrate how widespread her influence is. Her signature voice offered quirky humour and enduring lines to UK viewers who’d grown up watching imported American cartoons.
MacNeille’s range from clean and dignified characters to outlandish, crazy ones has galvanised an entire generation of female voice actors in the UK and beyond. Her work teaches us about diversity and character growth through imagination.
Julie Kavner – The Unheard Woman’s Advocate
Julie Kavner’s character Marge Simpson on The Simpsons had an incredible influence on animation and culture. For the matriarch of one of the most recognizable television families, Marge’s raspy, obliging voice is a classic. Kavner’s portrayal evokes the care and determination of a domesticated woman, making Marge relatable to millions (including in the UK).
The way that Marge grounded her sometimes jumbled family in kindness and patience has made viewers appreciate goodness and resilience in their own lives. Kavner’s work also shows that voice acting requires nuance – her soft but effective delivery is a lesson for voice actresses to learn.
Grey DeLisle – The Contemporary Myth
Grey DeLisle’s name appears on some of the greatest animated faces of the 2000s, and she continues to inspire. DeLisle’s vocals, whether she’s playing Daphne Blake in Scooby-Doo or Azula in Avatar: The Last Airbender, evoke the intensity and emotion that people across the globe associate with her. Brits whose childhood was spent watching Scooby-Doo reruns or learning about Avatar on streaming services are no doubt touched by her impact.
Her depiction of Azula, in particular, is unique in its nuance. In letting someone scary yet at ease take the voice of a villain, DeLisle demonstrated that villains weren’t monolithic. The complex act encourages young women to try the complicated in their own work as actors or storytellers.
UK Contributions to Classic Female Voices
Many of these above names are American, but the UK has had important advances in female voice acting in animation. Emma Tate, for example, who voiced Angelina Ballerina, made this popular children’s role seem likable and attractive, and enthralled millions of little girls with her style and beauty.
Another great example is Miriam Margolyes, who played Aunt Sponge in the animated version of James and the Giant Peach. Margolyes’ dark, stage-ready voice demonstrated the power of animated voice acting and offered a uniquely British edge to an international audience.
Their Stories Transformed Generations Using Their Voices
The women behind these voices weren’t merely entertainers – they influenced our self-conceptions and our perceptions of the world. Such voice actors have taught a generation of fans to believe in the power of narrative, imagination and connection. For so many young women in the UK and beyond, hearing these vibrant and diverse female figures was an affirmation that their own voices – in all ways – could be heard.
If you want to be a voice actress, these icons offer a pathway to the future. They prove that versatility, passion and dedication are paramount. They prove that a voice can carry a narrative, make worlds, and leave a lasting impression.
Animation’s most enduring female voices have created more than just characters – they’ve encouraged generations of viewers to fantasise, to invent, and to embrace the magic of storytelling. From a pioneer voice actress such as June Foray, to up-and-coming superstars such as Grey DeLisle, these voice actresses continue to demonstrate that their work matters just as much as the images they convey. Their performances are an example, both for UK audiences and those interested in becoming voice actors, of the transformational role of the human voice.
