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Ths true voices of the TMNT
Well, something I always love doing (because I'm a huge nerd), is coming up with the definitive voice for various comic book characters. I figured that there would be people here interested in those kinds of things too; so here's how I usually go about this, like, when I'm with my friends: first off, we pick 1 character at a time, and look at every voice actor they've ever had, in order to decide the definitive voice. There needs to be a clip or sound bite of some kind, so, no going off of memory, I want it to be somewhat, shall we say, scientific. Any of them that I miss, if someone can produce a clip of it, is eligible to be voted on. For instance, don't the Fred Wolf Turtles technically have about 4 actors apiece, between the regulars, fill-ins, Turtles Forever cast, and I think the Red Sky seasons had new actora too, didn't they? Anyway, if I, or anyone else can find a clip of it, its eligible. Even things like Turtle Tunes and Coming Out of Their Shells, if anyone actually wants to. Though I'm going to assume that nobody does. I figure once I (or someone else) gets ahold of all the necessary clips, I can start a poll; incidentally, can I edit a poll into this thread, or will I have to start another? Also, can multiple polls be put in the same thread, or will I have to make other ones? Also, and I always have this argument with my friends when we do this, for human characters, should we count live action actors? I tend towards no, because live-action acting and voice acting are very different things, and being good st one doesn't always mean you're good at the other, but if someone can convince me that, say, Ellias Koteas is a better voice of Casey than any of the others, I'm willing to change my stance on that. So, assuming we just start at the top and go with Leonardo first, I'm gonna need to track down examples from Fred Wolf, the first movie, Next Mutation, the 2k3 series, the 4th movie, and the Nick series, and I'll need to check if he was voiced by the same guys in the second and third movies, and the possible fill-ins from the FW series... Anyone actually on board with this?
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Man, you need to break that up a bit. It's like 2 giant run on sentences with a lot of unnecessarily confusing details.
tldr; "Who do you feel are the definitive voice actors for each of the turtles?" For Donatello, Barry Gordon always comes to mind. To me, he gave Donny more range of emotion than anyone else. Great timing & delivery, always on point. His pitch was higher than all other Donatellos too, which to me definitely added to the geek persona he was given in the original cartoon. Often, that sort of thing isn't done justice either, but in this case it was. I can't really elaborate more, it was just spot on for me. When it comes to Leonardo, I have to cheat a bit. I realize it's a sort of pointless answer, but it's practically a three way tie between Cam Clarke, Brian Tochi, & Michael Sinterniklaas. I'm sure in part that my decision on that is due to Leonardo being my favorite turtle. I hold the majority of his voice actors above others. Though in my own defense, as the leading turtle, the character really does require a voice with a strong and noble presence that can go from prideful and courageous to soft and vulnerable. With that said, they've seldom failed to provide him with one. All in all, I have a soft spot for Brian Tochi, as his Leo was like Barry's Donatello, the one that conveyed the most convincing emotion. Raphael- This may come as a surprise to some, but I actually think I like Laurie Faso (of Secret Of The Ooze) best. Josh Pais is pretty closed behind him, though. I just think that Laurie's performance was a perfect blend of Raphaels wisecracking and grumpyness. His portrayed in the first film was spectacular, as a brooding loner, but it lacked the humor of the most known Raphael of that era, Rob Paulsens. I realize of course the scripts are responsible for that, but Laurie had put on such a great smartass New Yorker voice that while crude still felt easy-going. Come to think of it, I actually reeeeeeally like Sean Astins Raphael too! He's tough but not in an annoying 'bad-boy' way, as he has been done before. & there's a lot of judgement in his voice, if that makes sense. Like you know this guy's got an opinion about everything, and he's gonna tell the world. With Michelangelo, I've always been torn between Townsend Coleman & Robbie Rist. For one, they're arguably the voice actors most synonymous with the role. Townsend set the bar for all future Mikey's with his youthful surfer slang infused spiccoli voice. It's just classic. If you were to play various characters clips for the casual/novice TMNT fan, his would be the one most recognized by far. It's the base model, the archetype. Robbie's on the other hand, carries the same tune but adds a child-like wonder and innocence, that make the character even more relatable and lovable. & just the same, he gave him edge without making it feel forced or generic. He could get mad, but he did it Mikey's way. A very fair tie, I think. To briefly expand upon this topic I'll briefly list who I feel most fits with other notable characters. Shredder- By far, James Avery. Bumbling fool or not, 1987 Shredder could be one imposing SOB, and that's thanks to James' acting chops. That deep, bellowing, bassy yet sharp voice could really penetrate. True skills. A perfect villain voice. Splinter- Hate to keep going back to the Fred Wolf series, but I give this one to Peter Renaday. Kevin Clash is 2nd runner up, no question. I just think Peter really nailed the old wise sensei bit. When he delivered those lessons, you knew (Splinter) really knew what he was saying, and believed it truly. You did too. He was convincing, & bold. That aside, he had great range. When Splinter got mad, he was ANGRY. Very powerful. A rare treat when it took place. Hoon Lee is REALLY growing on me too, so major props to him as well. |
Donatello: 1987 voice.
Raphael: 1987 voice. Michelangelo: 1987 voice. Leonardo: 2003 voice. |
Leonardo - James Arnold Taylor
Donatello - Sam Riegel Raphael - Nolan North Michelangelo - Wayne Grayson Splinter - Mako/Greg Baldwin Shredder - Scottie Ray |
Leonardo: Brian Tochi for the same reasons as Powder, he just seems to have a great leader presence while still being young and portraying the emotions well.
Donatello: Sam Riegal (he helped move Donatello up my list to 2nd fave behind Raph) and Rob Paulsen is really growing on me of course. Raph: Oddly enough, I may have to give it to Sean Astin. Sure the others get the Brooklyn attitude down, but Astin seems to keep the Teenage aspect there too. Mikey: Rough choice. I don't think I've ever disliked a Mikey voice...thought 4Kids characterization might make poor Wayne Grayson on the bottom. Really like Cipes...and Rist...and Townsend... Splinter: Will always be Kevin Clash in my brain when I read him. Shredder: James Avery really had a great blend of menace and goofiness. EDIT: And for science sake: http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/voice-compare/TMNT/ |
Mikey- 2k12
Donnie-2k12 Leo-2003 Raph- 1987 |
Leo- James Arnold Taylor, mostly out of default. I've never really paid attention to Leo's voice, since he isn't a character I like but, after watching the fourth movie, I really like how Taylor portrays Leo.
Donnie- Sam Regal. He sound like a middle ground between OT Donnie and 2k12 Donnie. Raph- Rob Paulsen. Mikey-Townsend Coleman. His Mikey is a classic and any time I read something as Mikey I use that voice. Splinter- Darren Dunstan was the perfect Splinter in my eyes. Hoon Lee is also very good. Shredder- Kevin Michael Richardson has a deep, powerful, threatening voice, perfect for Shredder. |
Leo: Nick
Raph: Nick Donnie:.....4kids or Nick <-- I liked both!! :D Mikey: Nick (Cipes nails Mikey down!!) |
Leonardo- no doubt Michael Sinterniklaas from the 2k3 show. His voice really sounded like that of a leader, struck the perfect balance in my opinion. Honorable mention to James Arnold Taylor from TMNT.
Donatello-Sam Riegel 2k3 show. Donnie became my second favorite turtle because of this show and his voice. His voice was soft and thoughtful but didn't sound weak or nerdy. Raphael- This one is tough since Raph is my favorite. I enjoyed the 1990 (Josh Pais), 2k3 (Gregory Abbey) and 2k7(Nolan North) voices. If I had to choose betwen the three I'd give Nolan North the edge just barely followed by Abbey. Sorry but Sean Austin's voice doesn't work for Raphael's character. Rob Paulsen's voice is better suited for Donnie. Michelangelo- Wayne Grayson or Robbie Rist. Splinter-Kevin Clash but I do like Hoon Lee, his voice is very commanding and stern. Shredder-David McCharen 1990 film followed by Scottie Ray 2k3 Casey Jones-Elias Koteas April O'Neil-Veronica Taylor 2k3 |
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Yeeeeep, same person...that's a GUY?? I thought Laurie was a girls name only!!
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O...k...
And the point is that Jesse is a gender neutral name? |
Leo and Mikey - 2003
Don and Raph - OT |
Whenever I read the later Archie & Mirage and the current IDW comics, these are the voices I usually hear in my head:
Leonardo = Cam Clarke Donatello = Corey Feldman (for Don's edgier and more mechanic-esque work), Sam Riegel for when his brain needs to get more technical and sci-fi inclined. Michelangelo = Wayne Grayson Raphael = Josh Pais and/or Gregory Abbey, but Sean Astin is on his way op the list; Rob Paulsen is still my personal favorite, however. All in all, good job 4Kids for actually earning the right to have the most representative voices for the turtles in my mind. I think part of that is due to the fact that the Mirage stuff started to draw intentionally from the series. When I read the Archie Comics, I do have a tendency to lean more towards the live-action movie voices. |
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when it comes to voices one always stands out to me and that was Mako's Spilnter.
to me it felt like we finally got the splinter we had been missing out on, Mako brought his own Japanese traditions and quirks into him, and yes I have always Considered Splinter Japanese, i know you can aruge he is a pet rat he gets to nationality but Splinter was raised in a Japanese home. the Current Splinter ,Hoon Lee, is a close second and i almost look at him as a prequel to Mako's Splinter |
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Michelangelo's 1987 Donatello's 1987 Raphael 's 1990 movies,2003, and 2012 Master Splinter's 1987,1990 movie and 2003 April's 2003 Shredder 1987 and 2012 |
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alright, its you're list |
I think the Turtles have been lucky with all the different people that have voiced them throughout history and each of the Turtles' voices fit their personality and the universe they're part of. The only VA I haven't liked so far was Cory Feldman, and I don't even count the terrible Donatello's and Raphael's replacement VAs in the OT since they only voiced them in a few episodes.
That being said, I'll just list my favorite VAs for each turtle: Leonardo: Michael Sinterniklaas gets my vote. Never been a fan of Cam Clarke as Leonardo. He sounded fine in the first 5 episodes, but from the 2nd season on he sounded a bit high pitched and whiny or my taste. One of the reasons why Leonardo was my least favorite turtle in the OT. Raphael: This is the hardest one for me. Raphael's character in the OT is so different from his character in most of his other incarnations that's hard to pick a favorite. I think both Rob Paulsen and Josh Pais are equally great. Michelangelo: I don't have a particular favorite, but I guess I'll have to go with Towned Coleman. OT Michelangelo has such an iconic voice that it's hard not to think of Coleman's voice when you think of Michelangelo. I guess he is the onyl turtle I'd say that has a "true voice". Donatello: I'll have to go with Sam Regal here. While his voice wasn't anything special, it fit Donatello's character perfectly in the 4Kids series. Barry Gordon deserves a mention too, but his voice acting was a bit, how should I put it, "annoying" or "exaggerated" at times. Donatello's voice was a tad bit too geeky in the OT, which is a shame since it's my favorite incarnation of the character. |
Leo - I like both 1987 and 2012 but Jason Biggs just pips it because he sounds more like an actual teenager.
Raph - 1987 / 2012 even tie. Rob and Sean are both brilliant. Donnie - 1987 / 2012 even tie. Barry Gordon made Donnie my favourite turtle in the 1987 series and is the only one that actually sounds genuinely teenger-ish. However again, I love what Rob's doing right now. Mikey - 2012 BOOYAKASHA. Greg Cipes is da man. Shredder - 1987 Splinter - 2012 April O'Neill - 2012 Krang/Kraang Prime - I'm only going on the trailer we saw but 1987 at the moment. Might be worth pointing out I didn't like ANY of the voices from the 2007 film. At all. Except for Patrick Stewart and I'm biased because he's local to where I live. |
i would say:
Leo - 2k3 or 2k7 Raph - 2k3 or first movie Don - 2k3 Mikey - 2k12 or first movie Shredder - 2k3 Splinter - 2k12 April - 2k3 |
Raphael- Movie 1 voice
Leonardo- Movie 1 voice Donatello- 1987 Michelangelo- 1987 Shredder- Movie 1 voice Splinter- 1987 April- 1987 Casey- 2k3 |
Leo: 4kids. He had a humble yet youthful voice and by sometimes calling the Turtles by full name, knew how important he was to them. Brian Tochi is a nice runner up.
Raph: 1st movie, had the most natural sounding Brooklyn accent, with 4kids Raph right behind. No problem with Rob Pauslen though it was too unique of a character to get the "true Raphael". Though if you think of Raph as being both fearful/brave and a wisecracker, then the 2nd movie makes a good compromise. Nick's Raph just doesn't sound "Brooklyn enough" to have the true voice despite being written like most Raphs. Don: 4kids/Nick tie. The former was nicely calm and collective to focus upon figuring things out, while Nick's has a nice compromise between the overgeekiness of 1987's and skillfulness of 4kids. Mike: 1987. He was the face of the original series, and the surf lingo/pizza talk, which is still what he's most famous for, can only be imagined with an excited voice. The '90s movies are closely behind. 2003 sounds too cocky and at times annoying, 2007 lacks flair, and 2012 sounds a bit too young (though I'm not as annoyed as I was at the beginning). Splinter: Most of them are really good, especially 1987's, the '90s movies, and 2012's. I guess paparazzi/image hurts Kevin Clash's Splinter, but I'd give the slight edge to Nick's, with a more natural Japanese-American accent. Shredder: I'm starting to view 1987's Shredder much like that show's Raphael, in which outside of some earlier episodes, he wasn't taken too seriously and the insults became just recurring humor. I give the first movie's Shredder as the real voice, with the natural Japanese accent, sinister tone, and disbelief when he gets killed. April: People still view April as the TV reporter, so 1987 gets my vote, even though Nick's April is just as good with a teenage sounding voice that sounds very loyal and determined. Casey: Too early to judge Nick's, but Movie I by far. 1987's was TOO badass and never feels any soft spots; 2003's was too gentle. |
I don't care if this is bias or not, I would like all of the 2K3 voices as the true ones except for Shredder, who should be James Alvery.
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Favorite Ninja Turtles Voice Actors?
I don't know if this topic's been done before, but I was curious to know who everyone thinks is the best voice for each Ninja Turtle.
So, if you were going to do your ultimate TMNT voice cast, who would get the nod? Leonardo Cam Clarke (1987 Animated Series) David Forman (1990 Film) Mark Caso (1991 & 1993 Films) Michael Sinterniklaas (2003 Animated Series) James Arnold Taylor (2007 Animated Film) Jason Biggs (2012 Animated Series) Donatello Barry Gordon (1987 Animated Series) Corey Feldman (1990 & 1993 Films) Leif Tilden (1991 Film) Sam Riegel (2003 Animated Series) Mitchell Whitfield (2007 Animated Film) Rob Paulsen (2012 Animated Series) Raphael Rob Paulsen (1987 Animated Series) Josh Pais (1990 Film) Kenn Scott (1991 Film) Matt Hill (1993 Film) Gregory Abbey (2003 Animated Series) Nolan North (2007 Animated Film) Sean Astin (2012 Animated Series) Michelangelo Townsend Coleman (1987 Animated Series) Michelan Sisti (1990 & 1991 Films) David Fraser (1993 Film) Vinnie Penna (2003 Animated Series) Mikey Kelley (2007 Animated Film) Greg Cipes (2012 Animated Series) |
For me, it'd be --
Leonardo: Cam Clarke (1987 Animated Series) |
Can I do two separate list, One of who I think is the most suited voice for the turtle and the other being which voice I liked the most?
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Do whatever you want!
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Townsend Coleman, Rob Paulsen, and Cam Clarke! And James Avery as Shred-Head forever
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Leonardo: Michael Sinterniklaas
Donatello: Sam Riegel Raphael: Josh Pais Michelangelo: Michelan Sisti or Vinnie Penna/Wayne Grayson [the latter name is just who I know him as] Mikey's was a bit tougher for me because I think I like Michelan Sisti's voice better, but Wayne Grayson plays Mike's emotions better and does that unforgettable scream. I can't unhear Leo and Don's 2k3 voices, nothing else works better for them for me [but I will say I really love Cam Clarke's Leo and Rob Paulsen plays Don well] and for Raph I just like the fact that Josh Pais had a naturally thick accent and didn't have to put one on for the character. |
Um....Michelan Sisti was the non-stunt suit actor for Mike in the movies. Robbie Rist was the voice.
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Welp. Blame the list. :P
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Also, here's a handy site with clips of most of the VAs of the Turtles and other characters with multiple actors who've done the role. http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/voice-compare/TMNT/ |
You know what? I had this same kind of idea earlier! Guess you beat me to it. :P
Leonardo Michael Sinterniklaas Donatello Barry Gordan Raphael Nolan North Michaelangelo Greg Cipes |
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Leonardo Michael Sinterniklaas (2003 Animated Series) Donatello Mitchell Whitfield (2007 Animated Film) Raphael Josh Pais (1990 Film) Michelangelo Robbie Rist. (1990'a films) |
This is rough for me. Rob Paulsen's Raph is why I'm a Raph fan, but it's soooo far away from the other Raphs...all of whom ae great. Sam Riegal's Donnie moved him 2 second on my TMNT list, but I love Paulsen's interpretation, too. Brian Tochi and Robbie Rist were the only constants in the 90's movies...and they did a stellar job, but I also like Cam Clarke, Townsend Coleman and Michael Sinterniklaas.
PASS! |
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Mikey is the only one I'm hard core for. Rist is perfect. About the only time he doesn't sound like he's on crack or has some sort of ADD. I think the 80's toon would be the closest second. |
Depends on the incarnation. Some of the voices fit that particular style of turtle better than anyone else.
I'll think on this, but this is going to be a hard list to make for me. |
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