Some voices are more than just sounds. They’re part of the furniture of our lives. We heard them on the car radio, coming from the TV in the other room, or booming from a movie theater screen. For years, we might not have been able to put a face to the name, but we knew that voice instantly. It could be a trusted newsman, a cartoon character, or the guy telling us about the next big movie. These are the voices that stick with us, a soundtrack to our memories.
#1: James Earl Jones
His voice has the kind of authority that can command a galaxy or rule a kingdom. As Darth Vader in the original Star Wars films, James Earl Jones created the most memorable villain in movie history without ever showing his face. Then he gave us the wise and loving father Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King (1994). That incredible range wasn’t just for movies. On Broadway, he was a giant, winning Tony Awards for plays like The Great White Hope in 1968. He was a true master of his craft.
