Considering Futurama had such an eclectic collection of characters, you may be surprised that eight core cast members played many roles, with various guests over the years.
The principal cast’s talent created the illusion that certain characters were played by completely different people, especially when they didn’t sound alike.
Futurama has now made its triumphant return on Hulu.
Let’s take a look at the faces behind some of the prominent characters in the series.
Billy West
Billy West has had a long, distinguished voice acting career.
You might have heard him on Ren and Stimpy (initially just as Stimpy, later also Ren), Doug (as the title character) or as Bugs Bunny in Space Jam.
His most notable Futurama characters include Philip J. Fry, Professor Farnsworth, Dr. Zoidberg and Zapp Brannigan.
However, West also voices:
- Richard Nixon’s head
- Enos Fry
- Lars Fillmore
… as well as many incidental/sider characters.
whose voice you may recognise from Space Jam (Bugs Bunny) or Ren and Stimpy (initially Stimpy, then both title characters) played many characters including Philip J. Fry, Professor Farnsworth, Doctor Zoidberg, Zapp Brannigan, Richard Nixon’s head and Leo Wong.
In fact, West voices so many characters, both primary and peripheral, that he often ends up having conversations with himself (in character) while recording the series.
Katey Sagal
Katey Sagal is something of an anomaly among the Futurama cast.
Unlike her colleagues, Sagal can not necessarily be defined as a ‘voice actor’ by trade. Rather, an actress who happens to work on an animated show.
In live action, Sagal has starred in hit TV shows including Married… with Children and Sons of Anarchy, to name a couple.
An on-camera actress by trade who is recognisable for Married With Children (Peggy Bundy) and Sons of Anarchy (Gemma Teller).
Much like her Simpsons counterpart Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Sagal only voices one character on Futurama: Leela.
In some cases, Sagal voiced other versions of Leela such as Alternate Leela and Leelabot.
John DiMaggio
John DiMaggio is a highly prolific voice actor who has starred in Gears of War (Marcus Fenix), Kim Possible (Doctor Drakken) and Adventure Time (Jake the Dog), to name just a few.
On Futurama, his biggest role is Bender, though he has also played, among others:
- Elzar
- Flexo (obviously)
- Yancy Fry Sr. (Fry’s father)
- Mr Panucci,
- Igner
- Randy
- URL (robot police officer)
Maurice LaMarche
Maurice LaMarche has lent his voice to The Brain on both Pinky and the Brain and Animaniacs as well as providing various voices for The Simpsons since 1995.
His most prominent Futurama character is Kif Croker, the often put-down first mate of Zapp Branning.
LaMarche also voices, in addition to multiple minor characters:
- Calculon
- Donbot
- Walt
- Morbo
- Lrr
- the Anthology of Interest continuity announcer
Read More: 10 Cartoon Characters You Didn’t Know Were Recast
Lauren Tom
You may recognise Lauren Tom’s face from live-action appearances on Friends (Julie) or Disney’s Andi Mack (Celia, the title character’s grandmother).
On Futurama, she primarily voices Amy Wong, the ditzy, spoiled intern at Planet Express.
Tom also voices:
- Inez Fry (Amy’s mother)
- Jrr
- Pramala
- Sam
- Philip J. Fry II
Phil LaMarr
Phil LaMarr has played the title character on Samurai Jack, appeared on MadTV and voices both Ollie Williams and the African-American judge on Family Guy.
On Futurama, his biggest role is as the voice of Jamaican bureaucrat Hermes Conrad.
LaMarr’s supporting characters include:
- Ethan ‘Bubblegum’ Tate
- Hermes’ son Dwight Conrad
- Ben Rodriguez
- Billionaire Bot
- Multiple Heads in Jars such as Carl Weathers, Billy Crystal and Kurt Russell
Tress MacNeille
MacNeille has voiced multiple Simpsons characters such as Agnes Skinner and Crazy Cat Lady.
On Futurama, MacNeille’s biggest role is Mom, head of MomCorp and former love interest of Professor Farnsworth.
A prolific voice artist, her other Futurama roles include:
- Linda (newsreader)
- Dr Cahill
- Turanga Munda (Leela’s mother)
- Sherri Fry (Fry’s mother)
David Herman
Herman is probably best known for his live-action role as Michael Bolton in Office Space and has worked prolifically in animation on King of the Hill, Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers
He became a regular on Futurama after making guest appearances as various characters.
Herman’s roles include:
- Scruffy
- Ogden Wernstrom
- “Sweet” Clyde Dixon
- Larry
- Turanga Morris
- Nudar.
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