Have you ever watched a movie and heard a distinct voice that you immediately recognized even before you saw the actor? Throughout movie history there have been certain voices that are undeniably memorable and they often times can add to the strength of the character or the movie. Sometimes they are just incredibly cool and are automatically associated with the actors themselves. Today I’m looking at five of the best and most recognized voices in cinema. These are five voices that I could recognize regardless of the role. Now with so many great ones I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But there is no denying that these five movie voices are phenomenal.
#5 – George Clooney
Some may scoff at this pick but I think Clooney’s voice is one of the most distinct in modern cinema. Clooney often gets hype for his good looks and sex symbol appeal. He’s also a really good actor with a voice that is undeniable. The gravelly voiced Clooney has used his voice in a number of ways from playing romantic pretty boys to dense-headed backwoods Southerners. But perhaps the best use of his distinguished voice came in Wes Andersons’ animated treat “Fantastic Mr. Fox”. Again, some may laugh at this choice, but I think it fits onto this list nicely.
#4 – Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson is an actor who has had an incredibly diverse career. But there has always been one constant – that amazing voice. The 63-year old Neeson has used his Northern Irish voice to portray men of high distinction as well as hard-as-nails tough guys. It simply doesn’t matter what film he is in, Neeson is almost always good. But along with good acting chops comes that voice which is simply one of the best. And I can promise you this, if I hear him telling me about his “particular set of skills” I’m certainly going to be intimidated.
#3 – Vincent Price
Whenever I think of Vincent Price a huge grin spreads across my face. Price is known as a horror picture icon but he actually started out as a character actor. He would soon find his true home in the horror and suspense genres and helmed many great classic horror films in the 1950s and 1960s. His most well known feature was his incredible voice. It was eerie and ominous and with it he was able to frighten audiences or at least make them squirm. He often played characters who were mysterious and slightly off and he would use that unforgettable voice to soak them with suspense. For me Vincent Price is a true film great who did more for a movie genre than some today realize.
#2 – James Earl Jones
Now c’mon folks, you had to know that the great James Earl Jones would have to be on any list mentioning great motion picture voices. The 83-year old Jones has had an incredible career winning Tony Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and garnering an Oscar nomination. But whenever I think of Jones I will always think of his voice. Armed with one of the most powerful and towering voices ever, Jones has played a huge variety of roles. He’s played small but pivotal supporting roles as well as iconic ones in landmark franchises. Remember, this is the man who voiced Darth Vader! James Earl Jones is a legend and that great voice is one reason why.
#1 – Jeremy Irons
I realize that this may sound utterly ridiculous, but Jeremy Irons has one of those rare voices that absolutely entrances me. It’s poetic, soothing, and pristine. But as with every great actor armed with an incredible voice, it can also be menacing, threatening, and unnerving. Irons’ English accent mixed with a graveled deepness is as distinguished as any other voice ever to grace the big screen. He has used it in such a wide range of ways while never once losing the qualities that makes it so recognizable. Irons is a stellar film actor and stage actor. He has also read a number of audio books. Just another testament to how magnetic his glorious voice is.
So there are my five phenomenal movie voices. See any you disagree with? Who would make your list? I would love to hear your selection in the comments section below.
keithandthemovies.com 
Hi Keith! Hmmm, I don’t know about Clooney, never found his voice to be all that memorable. But can’t argue w/ James Earl Jones, I mean he is Mufasa [shudder] 😀 I also like Liam Neeson and Jeremy Irons’ voices! For me, my 3 faves are Timothy Dalton, Gregory Peck and of course Toby Stephens!
Clooney’s is one I can recognize anywhere. I remember a commercial recently that featured his voice. You never see him but it was unmistakably kids. Peck is a solid mention. You can’t get his mixed up with any other. Love it.
No Morgan Freeman? I feel his voice is one of the most iconic of our time. Richard Attenborough too but not strictly a movie voice…
Morgan Freeman is a very good one. Glad someone mentioned it. I hated to leave him off because, as you say, it’s such an iconic voice in modern cinema. You always know Morgan Freeman when you hear him.
I like with the inclusion of Clooney. His is a distinctive and surprisingly recognizable voice. Neeson’s, too. Although, I’d not them in my top five, which would be Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, James Earl Jones, Sam Elliott, and Orson Welles.
Love that you mentioned Sam Elliot. He was very, very close to making my Too 5. What a great voice. And I completely forgot about Lee. Great mention.
Whoa, caught me off-guard there with #1 ! But such surprise is why I love these lists. The unexpected happens. Hmm. . .I’m not sure I’d put Irons above James Earl Jones, his booming voice is just sooo classic! 🙂 But some interesting choices, though.
Would u have also included female voices here? Or plan to do another? Cuz I think I’d put Aubrey Hepburn up there for sure.
Thanks Tom! My aim is to surprise and defy common sense sometimes! 😉
Irons may be ahead of JEJ on this list but only by a hair. As I mentioned I just find Irons’ voice to be hypnotic. And I think I put him slightly ahead of JEJ because of the range of things he does with his voice.
All of that said it does feel somehow wrong to put JEJ behind anyone!
Alan Rickman has quite a cool voice in things like Die Hard. And I’d like to add Scarlett Johansson ever since I saw Her. Oh and Richard Burton!
Ahh Rickman is certainly a good one! Forgot about him. I don’t know if he has a voice I would say I like, but there is no doubting that is incredibly unique.
Alan Rickman is a good one.
Yet another vote for Alan Rickman. It’s hard to argue against him for sure.
Although he doesn’t act much I always enjoy listening to Werner Herzog’s voice
He’s another with a very distinct one, for sure.
John Wayne, William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, and Sean Connery. I agree with Jeremy Irons, I melt!
Shatner is an interesting one. I love that you mentioned Sean Connery. I don’t think anyone would argue with that one. John Wayne is one that I didn’t really think about but it’s definitely a distinct voice.
For me, best movie voice has to go to Peter O’Toole. Great list though, and I agree with you about Clooney.
I did think of Peter O’Toole and you’re right. It’s hard to argue with anyone putting him on their list. If you think about it there are so many great voices that come to mind. This turned out to be a tougher list to do than I first thought.
Great post, I agree with your list because I could recall all of their voices in my head. I’ve always found Sean Connery and Harrison Ford’s voices to be distinct.
Another vote for Sean Connery. I definitely love his voice and you’ll never mistake it with anyone else’s. Great mention.
Love these Phenomenal 5s. I was surprised by two inclusions: Irons and Clooney. Irons makes sense to me, but not ahead of JEJ. That’s borderline blasphemous. I’m not so sure about Clooney. Its distinctive but I wouldn’t call it one of the great ones. Hate to go with the cliche pick but I’d have to swap him out for Morgan Freeman and then move Freeman up a couple spots.
Some others to consider: Marlon Brando, Laurence Fishburne, Charles Bronson, and the much less known Michael Wincott. Wincott hasn’t had the career any of the others have (I think he’s on the new 24 now), but he’s been around forever and has an amazing voice. I’ll always remember him as the villain in The Crow.
Thanks for the great comments. Always good to hear that people enjoy these things. It keeps me doing them.
Wincott definitely has a distinct and menacing voice. That’s a great one. Brando’s is definitely distinct but its not a voice I necessarily like. As for Irons and JEJ, they are both so close for me that I could interchange them and not be a bit upset.
Perfect list, although would’ve been nice to see Jack Nicholson in it. Can never forget his voice. 😀
Thanks a lot. Nicholson is another good one. I mean who could miss Jack’s voice?
Nice list, though I would disagree with Jeremy Irons. I think he has a good voice but not one I find very recognizable (though that may just be me). I’ll second Orson Welles and Marlon Brando, both very distinctive accents right there.
I’m entranced by Irons’ voice. I’ve never really thought of Welles voice. Maybe it’s because he has so many other great creative qualities. Brando is a little different. Definitely distinct but not a voice that I particularly like.
Very happy to see James Earl Jones up here! What about Morgan Freeman? Patrick Stewart too.
Freeman has been mentioned quite a bit. Very glad to hear so much love for him. I wouldn’t argue with anyone putting him on their list. It’s a voice that’s sooo easy to recognize.
Oh and Stephen Fry! He’s got a great voice worth listening to.
Nice post Keith. Love Jeremy Irons voice. A while ago he ranked first, along with Alan Rickman, in a study of perfect human voices. Check it out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7426923.stm
Wow that is cool. It almost justifies my goofy list, doesn’t it? 😉
I’d say it does 🙂
Morgan Freeman, Sean Connery, Michael Caine and from the newest actors Benedict Cumberbatch
I am surprised that you’re the first person to bring up Cumberbatch. What an amazing and fascinating voice he has.