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?

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

Wait wait... Laurie Faso?? The girl that hosted I'm Telling! ??

No, him.

Yeeeeep, same person...that's a GUY?? I thought Laurie was a girls name only!!

i have a friend who's name is jesse.

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.

yeah pretty much.

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

Leonardo's 1987 and 2003
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

not to criticize, but you would want Donnie and Raph's voices to be identical.

alright, its you're list