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Home · News

Black Voices Behind TV Cartoon Characters

Black Voices Behind TV Cartoon Characters
By · October 16, 2009October 29, 2020
01
Sanaa Lathan (Donna Tubbs of ‘The Cleveland Brown Show’)

Black folks have always made it happen on Hollywood’s big and small screens. Many African-American actors have provided their instruments to give voice to some of America’s top cartoon characters. ESSENCE.com examines some of our favorite celebs who are not always seen but heard.

“The Cleveland Brown Show”’s queen of the night is Donna Tubbs, who does her darndest to keep her blended family happy.

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02
Regan Gomez-Preston (Roberta Tubbs of ‘The Cleveland Brown Show’)

Regan Gomez-Preston brings to life sassy P.Y.T. Roberta Tubbs, the eldest daughter of Donna and Cleveland’s stepdaughter.

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03
Nia Long (Roberta Tubbs of ‘The Cleveland Brown Show’)

The original Roberta Tubbs was voiced by Nia Long.

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04
Phill Lamarr (Judge of ‘The Family Guy’)

The former “Mad TV” star lays down the law as the ornery Judge on “Family Guy.”

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05
Regina King (Huey and Riley Freeman of ‘The Boondocks’)

She’s known for playing strong Black women, so it’s only befitting that Ms. King would voice militant rebel teen and his younger brother, Riley, of Aaron McGruder’s comic strip turned cartoon animation “The Boondocks.”

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06
John Witherspoon ( Robert ‘Grandad’ Freeman of ‘The Boondocks’)

If ever there were a more ornery senior citizen than “The Boondocks” resident gramps, the world would be a much more miserable place. Between the Old G’s explicit musings and shameless ogling of young tenderonis, we can’t help but be tickled.

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07
Gabby Soleil (Jazmine Dubois of ‘The Boondocks’)

Biracial neighbor Jazmine Dubois was often the brunt of Huey and his young bro’ Riley’s jokes.

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08
Isaac Hayes (Chef Ro of ‘South Park’

The late legendary Isaac Hayes used his smooth vocals to add flavor to the head chef on the zany and politically incorrect “South Park.”

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09
Kyla Pratt (Penny Proud of ‘The Proud Family’)

Pride goes a long way in this close-knit family, but it never stops sassy teen Penny from finding her own way by any means necessary.

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10
Tommy Davidson (Oscar Proud of ‘The Proud Family’)

This comedic actor plays Oscar, father, hubby and proud businessman who always has something new under his sleeve.

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11
Paula Jai Parker (Trudy Proud of ‘The Proud Family’)

As the lady of the house, Mrs. Trudy keeps things in order with a strong but gentle hand.

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12
Eddie Murphy (Thurgood Orenthal Stubbs of ‘The PJs’)

As the chief superintendent or “super” of the Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs projects, Thurgood O. Stubbs did his best to maintain order throughout his drama-filled days. The three-time Emmy Award-winning show endured much criticism and controversy throughout it’s three-year run. Thurgood is short-tempered, impatient, not very bright, and usually gets himself into trouble. He is often called “The Super” (or just “Super”) by all of the people.

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13
Loretta Devine (Muriel of ‘The PJs’)

Devine is still heavenly as she remains the calm in many of her husband’s storms as the superintendent of public housing.

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14
Faizon Love (Robin Harris of ‘Bebe’s Kids’)

Comedian and actor Faizon Love immortalized the late great funnyman Robin Harris whose stand-up routine about misbehaved kids inspired the cartoon series “Bebe’s Kids.”

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15
wanda Sykes (Bessy the Cow of “Back at the Barnyard”

The comedian made beautiful moo-sic as the sassy frassy cow on this hilarious animation.

16
Bill Cosby (Fat Alber of ‘Fat Albert’)

The funnyman’s signature husky tone suited the neighborhood’s hefty good fella’s warm greeting: “Hey, Hey Hey,”

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17
Cree Summers (Penny of ‘Inspector Gadget’)

The former “Different World” star and Canadian-born Summers was perfect as this curious preteen. Penny’s inquiring mind kept Inspector Gadget on his P&Q’s and even helped him solve a mystery or two.

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18
Lillian Randolph (Mammy Two Shoes of ‘Tom & Jerry’)

Despite the stereotypes associated with the Mammy character, we only got to see her shoes and her hard at work to chase that mouse Jerry out of her house.

19
bebes kids

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