These 10 famous actors have been hiding in plain sight as the voices behind your favorite superheroes

Sayan
"The Surfer" Photocall - The 77th Annual Cannes Film Festival - Source: Getty
Nicolas Cage (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

You’ve heard these voices more times than you can count, but you probably never stopped to think about who was behind them. The guy playing Batman in your favorite cartoon isn’t just some random voice actor. It’s someone you’ve seen in movies and shows for years. These are big names who stepped into the world of animation without making a big deal out of it.

Some of them did it before they became famous, and some slipped into these roles while juggling blockbuster careers. You might know them from sitcoms, superhero films, or even Oscar-winning dramas. What you might not know is that they were also shaping how fans saw these animated heroes. From the unshakable tone of Omni-Man to the wild energy of the Joker, these performances helped define how those characters sounded and felt.

They brought personality to roles that fans still talk about today. A few of these actors are now forever tied to the characters they played. Others quietly moved on while fans stayed focused on the capes and powers. Here’s a closer look at ten famous actors who played your favorite superheroes without most people ever noticing.


These 10 famous actors have been hiding in plain sight as the voices behind your favorite superheroes

1. Diedrich Bader – Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Diedrich Bader (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Hallmark Media)
Diedrich Bader (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Hallmark Media)

Diedrich Bader played Batman in The Brave and the Bold and gave the character a solid presence without going too dark. His voice had control and ease, and it matched the lighter tone of the series.

He brought out Batman’s serious side without sounding grim. That made the humor land better and still kept the hero believable. His return in Harley Quinn showed he could still hold the role with the same balance. He became the Batman for a generation of viewers who didn’t grow up with brooding silence but still wanted someone who stood firm in any situation.


2. Yuri Lowenthal – Spider-Man in Marvel’s Spider-Man (2017)

Yuri Lowenthal (Photo by Kevin Winter/WireImage)
Yuri Lowenthal (Photo by Kevin Winter/WireImage)

Yuri Lowenthal voiced Peter Parker in Marvel’s Spider-Man (2017–2020). His take balanced emotional depth and quick wit without feeling forced. He sounded young without being immature. Peter struggled with school and saving the city, but never lost his optimism.

Lowenthal’s performance added vulnerability during losses and brought energy to every action scene. He didn’t sound like someone pretending to be a hero. He sounded like someone trying to live up to that title. Fans appreciated how grounded and steady his version felt across several seasons. It gave the show a consistent heart throughout all the arcs.


3. Neil Patrick Harris – Spider-Man: The New Animated Series

Neil Patrick Harris (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Neil Patrick Harris (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

Neil Patrick Harris played Spider-Man in the MTV animated series in 2003. He gave Peter Parker a grounded tone that made the show feel more serious than fans expected.

He didn’t crack jokes constantly. He sounded like someone trying to balance life while dealing with loss. The series had a sharp look, and his voice helped smooth out the pacing. He added calm to a character often played as frantic. Although his version didn’t last long, it felt right for that moment. People who saw it still remember how different it sounded from the usual Spider-Man voice work.


4. Kevin Conroy – Batman: The Animated Series

Kevin Conroy (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)
Kevin Conroy (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)

Kevin Conroy voiced Batman for over three decades, starting with Batman: The Animated Series. He was the first actor to use separate voices for Bruce Wayne and Batman. That choice made the dual identity feel more real. His delivery stayed steady even in chaos and gave weight to every scene.

His Batman didn’t need to yell. He just needed to speak with control. Fans still consider his version the most definitive in animation. Every animated Batman that followed was compared to him. His work shaped the standard for what people expect from the voice of Batman across media.


5. Keri Russell – Wonder Woman (2009)

Keri Russell (Photo by Shannon Finney/Getty Images for Netflix)
Keri Russell (Photo by Shannon Finney/Getty Images for Netflix)

Keri Russell voiced Wonder Woman in the 2009 animated film and brought a calm and steady tone to the character. She didn’t force anything. She let the words carry the strength of her character.

She made Diana sound confident but not distant. Her performance stayed grounded even when the story leaned into myth. That balance made the action and the romance feel real. She didn’t need to shout to be heard. She sounded like someone who led without question. Her take gave the movie a focus it needed. She made Wonder Woman believable as both a warrior and diplomat in every scene.


6. Josh Keaton – The Spectacular Spider-Man

Josh Keaton (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for ReedPOP )
Josh Keaton (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for ReedPOP )

Josh Keaton voiced Peter Parker in The Spectacular Spider-Man, which aired from 2008 to 2009. He gave the character a youthful voice with just enough emotion to ground it. He didn’t go over the top but let Peter sound like a real teenager. His voice cracked under pressure, but he kept the humor that defines Spider-Man.

That contrast worked well in scenes where Peter faced real danger but still had to get through high school. The show ended too soon, but Keaton’s performance left a mark. His take is still praised by fans as one of the most balanced ever.


7. Nathan Fillion – Green Lantern: Emerald Knights

Nathan Fillion (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
Nathan Fillion (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

Nathan Fillion gave Hal Jordan a confident and easygoing voice that matched the character’s role as a space cop. He sounded calm in danger and sure of himself throughout the movie.

He didn’t try to make Hal sound like a perfect hero. He sounded like someone who had made mistakes and kept going. That gave the stories more weight. His voice became a favorite for fans of the animated Green Lantern movies. It helped make Hal more than just a guy with a ring. He sounded like someone who had seen everything and still chose to keep showing up.


8. Grey DeLisle – Wonder Woman: Justice League Action

Grey DeLisle (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
Grey DeLisle (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)

Grey DeLisle took on the role of Wonder Woman in Justice League Action. Her version had a sharp tone that worked well in fast-paced scenes. She didn’t soften Diana’s edges. She made her sound like someone who’d seen war but still believed in peace.

She brought authority to short scenes without sounding stiff. Her voice had clarity that made the action easier to follow. She stepped into a role many had played before and still made it her own. Her version held up in a show built around speed and variety. That made her performance stand out more.


9. Rosario Dawson – Justice League: War and others

Rosario Dawson (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)
Rosario Dawson (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

Rosario Dawson voiced Wonder Woman in several DC animated films. She gave the character authority without sounding distant. Her tone stayed strong and focused across multiple appearances.

She didn’t add anything extra. She let the words carry weight. That made her version feel natural and real. She didn’t try to sound larger than life. She sounded like a person who was worthy of being followed. Her performance helped hold the team dynamic together. She gave the Justice League movies the strength it needed. Fans still see her as one of the most grounded Wonder Woman voices.


10. Nicolas Cage – Teen Titans Go! To the Movies

Nicolas Cage (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images)
Nicolas Cage (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images)

Nicolas Cage finally got to play Superman in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies. He had almost played the character in live action, but this time he got to finish the job.

His version didn’t try to make the superhero sound too serious. He leaned into the awkward mentor energy and made it work. He sounded like a hero who didn’t quite get the kids but still wanted to help. The film used his voice as a nod to fans who remembered the failed Superman Lives project. That made his appearance more than just a cameo. It became a clever piece of closure.


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Edited by Sangeeta Mathew