I have a thing for voices. It’s in my blood, really. We are big voice people in my family, more specifically, being able to name the person who’s doing the voiceover in various TV commercials or documentaries. I remember one time a commercial came on (was it an Olay commercial?) and my mom looked at me and narrowed her eye and I said, “Christine Lahti” and she said, “That’s it.”
I get a mental itch when I hear a voice I know I know, but cannot place. It’s like solving a hard crossword puzzle clue. No Googling allowed! I’ll figure it out eventually.
There are those people whose voices are obvious: Morgan Freeman, to name one (would March Of The Penguins have been the same without that voice narrating? I think not.) Samuel L. Jackson, of course. Michael Douglas. George Clooney.
Sigourney Weaver is another (Planet Earth comes to mind, although I’m sure she’s done a lot more voiceover work in her day.) I am not sure I can always name when she’s doing a voiceover, but I do know Planet Earth was made all the more enjoyable by her voice.
Glenn Close! Glenn Close has a great voice. Something about the way she enunciates is just perfect. It’s like reading the perfect sentence in a book. I don’t even necessarily love her voice, just the way she speaks.
A voice I do love? Jason Lee. Jason Lee has got a great voice.
There are those whose voices aren’t as predictable. Tim Allen in the Pure Michigan and Campbell’s Soup TV commercials. Who’d have thought Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor would make it as a voiceover actor? Not me, but it definitely works. I would like to experience some Great Lakes action with a can of Chunky Beef Stew, okay? Stanley Tucci in Chase ads. I swear I signed up for cashback rewards because of that voice.
Matt Damon’s doing the voiceover circuit these days (some bank or investment ad) Julia Roberts is doing Nationwide Insurance ads. Jon Hamm is doing Mercedes ads, I think? I can’t say I find these three to be exceptional voiceover actors, but whatever. If it helps sells banking/cars/insurance, then they’re certainly not awful people to listen to for 30 seconds.
Tom Selleck is currently narrating North America on Discovery Channel (are you watching? GREAT soundtrack.) Tom Selleck, man. Great voice and a great beard. He’s got it all.
I was reading this and couldn’t wait to get to the end so I could comment and say, “OOOH Tom Selleck! TOM SELLECK TOM SELLECK TOM SELLECK!” But, well, you got that one, so well done, lady.
FTR, Jared and I have spent entire animated movies trying to figure out voices. Usually, if we’re totally stumped, it ends up being some random person we haven’t heard of, so I guess you could say we enjoy that game too.
This is awesome. Color me surprised that CA is getting the Pure Michigan ads. I figured they were just running here in the Midwest (I’m in Chicago). They are my favorite – so calm and relaxing! More importantly, I had no idea that was Tim Allen! Woah!
Is Paul Giamatti doing those insurance ads with the 80s song, “I’m only human…” etc? It sure sounds like him.