10 Characters You Forgot Were Voiced by Tim Curry

As a huge fan, I can’t help but marvel at Tim Curry, an actor whose influence on our childhoods (and beyond) is more profound than we may have ever realized. With his exceptional acting skills, captivating voice work, and melodious singing voice, he truly embodies the term ‘triple threat’. From the unforgettable Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” to the enigmatic Wadsworth in “Clue”, Curry’s roles span a vast spectrum that leaves us spellbound. His unique acting style and distinctive voice make him truly stand out, but what might astound you is the array of animated roles he has brought to life. So buckle up and get ready for a nostalgic journey through time.

It’s no secret that Tim Curry is incredibly gifted and versatile when it comes to creative roles. He excels at breathing life into characters, and he’s particularly enjoyed playing villains – a fact he himself has acknowledged with great enthusiasm. This talent isn’t confined to live-action performances; even in animated roles, his voice work shines, especially when villainous characters get to belt out a tune. Unfortunately, we can’t possibly enumerate every role that Tim Curry has voiced, so if there’s one of your favorites that we might have overlooked, don’t hesitate to share it in the comments!

1) Nigel Thornberry (The Wild Thornberrys)

Does anyone recall the animated show ‘The Wild Thornberrys’? Running from 1998 to 2004, it told the story of the Thornberry family, who traveled around the world. The main character is Eliza (Lacey Chabert), who developed an extraordinary ability to talk with animals. However, for the sake of this discussion, we consider Sir Nigel Archibald Thornberry as the star. Famously voiced by Tim Curry, Nigel plays a significant role in their travels, as he and his wife produce wildlife documentaries.

Nigel Thornberry is well-known for narrating those documentaries, and his special voice likely attracted a big following. We’d also enjoy watching any documentary narrated by Tim Curry. Nigel is a caring and affectionate father who sometimes struggles to understand his daughters, yet he always makes an effort. He remains cheerful and positive, even in perilous situations. His happiness multiplies significantly when kippers are involved.

The Wild Thornberrys is available to stream on Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video.

2) MAL (Captain Planet and the Planeteers)

Coming up next is “Captain Planet and the Planeteers”, a show that many of us may recall, even if we didn’t actually watch it. This ’90s series focuses on the Planeteers, a committed team who strive to protect our planet in extraordinary ways. As you might expect, Captain Planet is their head, and he certainly stands out from the crowd. The team often faces various adversaries, with most serving as lessons about different threats (such as waste or resource scarcity).

This leads us to Dr. Barbara Blight, a typical mad scientist who invents technology without much regard for consequences. Accompanying her is MAL, her artificial intelligence partner and spouse (surprisingly enough). Initially, David Rappaport provided the voice for MAL, but Tim Curry assumed the role in 1991.

Captain Planet and the Planeteers is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

3) Hexxus (FernGully: The Last Rainforest)

In my perspective as a movie critic, “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” is an enchanting animated journey that hides a grim reality beneath its captivating exterior. At first glance, you’ll find endearing creatures and mesmerizing fairies, but they all face a dire threat – loggers intent on destroying the rainforest. To make matters worse, pollution has given birth to an ominous new adversary. The story revolves around two main characters: Crysta, the fairy, and Zak, the human, who stand against the menacing force of Hexxus.

It’s not too difficult to figure out: Hexxus is the villainous character voiced brilliantly by Tim Curry. This destructive entity originates from pollution. Despite his wicked nature, he has a soft spot for music. Tim Curry delivered an exceptional performance in “Toxic Love,” and this song remains as powerful today as it was back in 1992.

FernGully: The Last Rainforest is available to stream on Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

4) Zimbo (AAAHH!!! Real Monsters)

Oh my gosh! “AAAHH!!! Real Monsters” was a unique, odd, and let’s face it, somewhat disgusting animated series from the ’90s that kids couldn’t get enough of. The plot centered around a trio of monsters: Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm, who were students at monster school, learning to become perfect little monsters. They resided in a garbage dump, and they fully embraced the grungy style, even using toenail clippings as their currency.

In this world, Gromble serves as both mentor and sparring partner for his pupils, swift to correct them when necessary. This correction often takes the form of the Snorch. What makes the Snorch intriguing is its close companion, Zimbo – a peculiar creature that resembles a bee with a humanoid face and feet. It’s quite unusual. Known for his voice by Tim Curry, Zimbo is known to be envious and petty.

AAAHH!!! Real Monsters is available to stream on Paramount+ and The Roku Channel.

5) Drake (The Pebble and the Penguin)

The Pebble and the Penguin” (1995) is a timeless tale revolving around the courtship rituals of a specific penguin clan. A second viewing of this film evokes an unusual sense of nostalgia, as it features several well-known voices. The main characters are Hubie, a bashful and stammering penguin, portrayed by Martin Short, Marina, voiced by Annie Golden, and Jim Belushi in another role. This animated feature follows the heartwarming journey of Hubie, who goes to extraordinary measures to express his love for Marina.

It’s fortunate that Hubie is so devoted, as it seems Drake has his eye on Marina as well. If you figured out that Drake is voiced by the talented Tim Curry, congratulations, you’ve won! Drake, a large penguin who stands out among the rest, appears to have a less-than-friendly disposition. Tim Curry truly embraces the villainous role here, with his main song being “Don’t Make Me Laugh.

As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that you can now stream the delightful animated classic, “The Pebble and the Penguin,” on Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, and The Roku Channel! Enjoy this timeless tale of love and adventure at your convenience.

6) Leichliter (Hey Arnold!)

Hey Arnold! is another beloved show from the ’90s that continued until 2004. The main character, Arnold Shortman, also known as Football Head by some, lives in the city of Hillwood with his friends. They’re always finding themselves in various adventures, whether they’re happening around the neighborhood or at school.

Mr. Leichliter, a notoriously harsh critic and stage director, makes an appearance. Given that Tim Curry provides his voice, it’s clear he won’t be a paragon of kindness. He takes delight in critiquing children mercilessly, as evidenced by his attendance at a 4th-grade performance. Later, he would direct and produce another show (“Eugene, Eugene!”) and demand the same young performers to give their utmost effort. Quite ironic indeed.

Hey Arnold! is available to stream on Paramount+ and The Roku Channel.

7) Big Brother (Johnny Bravo)

Johnny Bravo is another success for Cartoon Network. This series first aired from 1997 to 2004. The main character is modeled after both Elvis Presley and James Dean, which is evident in his appearance and personality. Johnny is a muscular, blonde man who may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s incredibly determined.

In this version, I tried to maintain the original meaning while using more everyday language and a slightly different structure for the sentence about the character being based on Elvis Presley and James Dean. Additionally, I clarified that Johnny is both muscular and blonde to make it clear that he has two distinct physical characteristics.

You might find it surprising to learn that Tim Curry lent his voice to a character in Johnny Bravo. Specifically, he portrayed Big Brother, a world dictator known for his tyrannical rule. He also hosted his own show, The Big Brother Comedy Hour, which could be deliberately dull-witted to exert control.

Johnny Bravo is available to rent through Amazon Prime Video.

8) Mutro Botha (Batman Beyond)

Moving forward, we’ll be discussing “Batman Beyond“, a continuation of the cherished “Batman: The Animated Series“. This narrative takes place in the future when Bruce Wayne was compelled to step down from his role as Batman. In his absence, a new kind of Batman emerged, named Terry McGinnis. Although he may be smaller and less powerful, Terry’s agility is remarkable, and his advanced Batsuit compensates for any lack of strength. Moreover, he has the legendary Bruce Wayne to guide him from behind the scenes.

It’s not surprising that Terry encounters numerous new adversaries across his storyline, with Mutro Botha being one of them. Mutro Botha is the lone remnant of the original Society of Assassins. He’s a man who can survive as easily as he can kill, and his voice, provided by Tim Curry, will undoubtedly be distinctive among the others.

Batman Beyond is available to stream on HBO Max.

9) Slagar the Cruel (Redwall)

The animated show “Redwall,” which originally aired from 1999 to 2002, is based on a popular book series by Brian Jacques. Comprising three seasons, each season corresponds to a different novel in the series (Redwall, Mattimeo, and Martin the Warrior). While the original novels were extremely successful, some fans might not have realized that an animated version was produced.

Tim Curry doesn’t make his appearance until the third season, specifically during “Mattimeo”. He takes on the role of Slagar the Cruel, a clear adversary in this storyline. This masked fox character has a murky past that devoted fans of Redwall will recognize.

Redwall is available to rent through Amazon Prime Video.

10) Dr. Slicer (Recess)

The animated show titled “Recess” revolves around six elementary school students, and as you might have guessed, the title refers to the time when they are not in class – their recess periods. This is where most of the action and fun takes place. Interestingly, the series offers a more satirical perspective on various aspects of human society, such as government and social hierarchies, and even the school has its own unwritten rules and a king or queen among the students.

Rest assured, Tim Curry isn’t the ruler of the school. Instead, he plays Dr. Slicer, a stern and disciplinarian teacher who fits well with his acting style. This character appears just once in the series, but his confrontational demeanor left an indelible impression on viewers.

Recess is available to stream on Disney+.

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2025-08-03 20:43