- 1 day ago
Ever wonder which Saturday Night Live legends lent their voices to iconic animated characters? We're diving into the most memorable and hilarious voice performances from your favorite SNL cast members in beloved movies. From grumpy ogres to fast-talking parrots and emotional core characters, these comedic powerhouses brought unique life to the big screen. Get ready to rediscover the magic behind these animated heroes and villains!
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're looking at the most standout animated roles voiced by SNL alums.
00:12You're coming with me.
00:13All right, that's what I'd like to hear, man.
00:16Shrek and Duncan, two stalwart friends off on a whirlwind big city adventure.
00:36It's almost as if Pixar intentionally roped in some of the most beloved but underrated SNL talents to give them
00:43the spotlight they deserve.
00:46Moynihan, Villasenor, Nwodum, and Bayer round out the cast of this animal-themed sci-fi adventure.
00:52Moynihan, in particular, is now greeted with an enthusiastic response from audiences with each guest appearance.
00:59As King George, Moynihan brings much more of the same warm, lovable energy from his SNL days into the world
01:05of Hoppers.
01:06You better learn pond rules.
01:08What are pond rules?
01:09Oh, I am clear in the rest of the day. Let's hear it from Mabel, everyone!
01:13Villasenor, Nwodum, and Bayer also shine as fellow members of the animal community, injecting just the right amount of comedic
01:21flair into their characters to bring out their individual quirks and feel-good charm.
01:26You're looking good, friend.
01:27Tom.
01:28Laquan.
01:28Tamara.
01:29Crudence.
01:29Pete.
01:29Peter.
01:30Petey.
01:31Yeah, it's crowded, but we're still alive.
01:35Number 9.
01:36Adam Sandler, Hotel Transylvania
01:38Fans may know him as the Sandman, but Adam Sandler plays none other than Count Dracula himself in this delightfully
01:45kooky monster comedy.
01:47Human 3 since 1898.
01:50Your safest destination.
01:51Take an itinerary.
01:52I have personally designed this spectacular schedule of events, all leading to my daughter's birthday extravaganza tomorrow.
01:59Like many of Sandler's live-action characters, Drac is mostly harmless, less concerned with haunting humans, and more worried about
02:07who's dating his daughter.
02:08With his silly, warm, and family-friendly comedic style, Hotel Transylvania is tailor-made for Sandler's signature antics.
02:16What is this?
02:17A torture device?
02:19A secret mind controller?
02:21You won't read my thoughts.
02:23I won't let you.
02:24Dude, it's just music.
02:26Here, try it.
02:27Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.
02:30It's taking my soul!
02:33While the film is largely defined by over-the-top humor, Sandler also brings a tender layer to his performance,
02:40capturing the protectiveness of a devoted father, even as a centuries-old vampire.
02:46Equally notable is fellow SNL alum Andy Samberg, who shines as the human love interest of Drac's daughter, throwing the
02:53pair into a silly but altogether wholesome rivalry.
02:57So, wow, you're like the real Count Dracula, like, I'm Dracula, blah, blah, blah.
03:03I've never said that in my life, blah, blah, blah. I don't know where that comes from.
03:08Number 8, Chris Rock, Madagascar.
03:11Marty!
03:13Alex?
03:15Marty!
03:19Oh, sugar honey iced tea!
03:21Marty!
03:22Hey, hold up!
03:23I'm gonna kill you!
03:24Hold up, whoa!
03:24At a time when heartfelt animated storytelling was the norm, Madagascar played to its cast strengths, resulting in a wild
03:32and wacky ride.
03:34As Marty the Zebra, Chris Rock adjusts his style for a G-rated audience without missing a single step.
03:41You don't see that on Animal Planet!
03:43Haha!
03:45Well, show's over, folks!
03:47Thanks for coming!
03:48I hope you thought it was fresh!
03:51I'll be here all week!
03:52Using his sharp comedic wit, the actor disguises his usual brand of humor, especially with some sugar honey iced tea.
04:00Sharing irresistible chemistry with castmates Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer, and, ahem, Jade Pinkett Smith, Rock is at his A-game
04:08with this, at times, bizarre yet entertaining comedy.
04:12His enthusiasm grows with every follow-up entry, most notably turning Afro Circus into the anthem of the 2012 Summer
04:20by the time Madagascar 3 hit theaters worldwide.
04:34Impossible to separate the actor from the character, Gilbert Gottfried turned what was supposed to be a minor role,
04:40into an iconic part of animation history.
04:53While his SNL stint was painfully short-lived,
04:56Gottfried ended up as one of its most famous alums.
04:59As Iago, the actor used his trademark voice
05:02to steal the show as Jafar's fast-talking, no-filter sidekick.
05:06He may be a greedy parrot with sinister ideas,
05:09but Gottfried's performance makes the character's nonsensical rants
05:13and endless scheming oddly endearing.
05:27Despite serving the villain, Iago's star power was undeniable,
05:32and so Disney had no choice but to bring the character back,
05:36this time as one of Aladdin's pals.
05:38Even so, Iago's mischievous streak
05:40and Gottfried's sharp-tongued flair
05:42remained his defining characteristics.
05:45We got him trapped.
05:47We? They are 40 thieves!
05:51We are you, a rug, a monkey, and me.
05:55Wait, don't count me.
05:56Number 6. Billy Crystal
05:58Monsters, Inc.
06:00Another single-season SNL performer who scaled incredible heights,
06:04Billy Crystal transcended into the animated world as Mike Wazowski.
06:08Did you see me? I'm a natural!
06:11Hello?
06:12I know!
06:13Wasn't I great?
06:14Did the whole family see it?
06:15It's your mom.
06:16What can I say?
06:17The camera loves me!
06:18He may be a one-eyed monster,
06:20but Mike is Crystal in personality through and through.
06:23With his signature wisecracks and quick retorts,
06:26Crystal channels the best of himself as Sully's loyal best friend.
06:30Look, you and I are a team.
06:32Nothing is more important than our friendship.
06:34I know, kid. He's too sensitive.
06:39Come on, pal.
06:40If you start crying, I'm gonna cry,
06:42and I'll never get through this.
06:44Despite not being the lead,
06:45Mike bursts with lead character energy,
06:48stealing the scene at every turn.
06:50Crystal's dynamic with Goodman was so strong
06:53that the pair teamed up once again for Monsters University.
06:56Whether playing the character as a teenager or an adult,
06:59Crystal makes him as endlessly quotable
07:02as he is surprisingly relatable.
07:04The team of Wazowski and Sullivan
07:05are gonna change the world starting today!
07:08Say scream!
07:09Scream!
07:10Number 5.
07:11David Spade, The Emperor's New Groove
07:13Uh-oh.
07:15Don't tell me.
07:16We're about to go over a huge waterfall.
07:18Yep.
07:18Sharp rocks at the bottom?
07:19Most likely.
07:21Bring it on.
07:22Trapped in a troubled production for years,
07:24The Emperor's New Groove pivoted
07:26from a serious dramatic concept
07:28to slapstick and satirical.
07:30No actor benefits from this change
07:33more than David Spade,
07:34turning an incredibly risky creative decision
07:37into a stroke of genius.
07:39As Kuzco, Spade manages to win us over
07:42despite his character's self-absorbed
07:44and narcissistic behavior.
07:45I knew it.
07:46Knew what?
07:47That there is some good in you after all.
07:48I know.
07:49Admit it.
07:50Wrong.
07:50Yes, there is.
07:51Nuh-uh.
07:51I think there is.
07:52Nuh-uh.
07:52Hey, you coulda let me fall.
07:54Come on, what's the big deal?
07:55Nobody's that heartless.
07:57Huh.
07:59Don't read too much into it.
08:00It was a one-time thing.
08:02His dry, carefree, and blasé delivery
08:04perfectly complements the film's
08:06playfully silly outline,
08:08making Kuzco's narcissism part of the joke
08:11rather than a flaw.
08:12But beneath all that attitude,
08:14Spade also infuses Kuzco with a genuine heart,
08:17turning even this big-headed emperor
08:19into one of the fandom's most beloved characters.
08:22Who's in my chair?
08:25Oh, oh, I know.
08:26Yzma.
08:26Yzma's in your chair, right?
08:28Very good, Kronk.
08:30Here, get the snack.
08:31Got it.
08:32Number four, Will Ferrell, Megamind.
08:35Should have known you'd try to crash the party.
08:37Oh, I intended you more than crash it.
08:40This is a day you and Matrocity shall not soon forget.
08:45By flipping the Superman narrative
08:47from the antagonist's perspective,
08:49Megamind shows us why even villains deserve sympathy.
08:52Will Ferrell's role as the title character
08:55remains one of animation's most underrated
08:57as the film went largely overlooked
09:00at the time of release.
09:01Fortunately, Ferrell's performance
09:03as the insecure, theatrical,
09:05and charmingly ridiculous Megamind
09:07has caught on with fans over the past decade.
09:10You can't trap justice.
09:11It's an idea, a belief.
09:13Even the most heartfelt belief
09:15can be corroded over time.
09:17Justice is a non-corrosive metal.
09:18But metals can be melted by the heat of revenge.
09:21It's revenge and it's best served cold.
09:23But it can be easily reheated in the microwave of evil.
09:26Well, I think your warranty is about to expire.
09:28Maybe I got an extended warranty.
09:29The actor understood the assignment
09:31better than anyone else,
09:33playing the character like an extended SNL skit.
09:36We can practically hear the SNL crowd
09:38after each one of Megamind's overly dramatic monologues,
09:42reflecting Ferrell's own command of the screen.
09:44This town isn't big enough for two supervillains.
09:47Oh, you're a villain, all right.
09:51Just not a super one.
09:53Yeah?
09:53What's the difference?
09:59Presentation!
10:01Number 3, Eddie Murphy, Mulan.
10:05Who are you?
10:06Who am I?
10:07Who am I?
10:08I am the guardian of lost souls.
10:12I am the powerful, the pleasurable, the indestructible Mushu.
10:18While many turn to his role as Shrek's best friend Donkey,
10:22Eddie Murphy first announced himself in the animated landscape
10:25as Mulan's fast-talking guardian dragon.
10:28In hilarious contrast to everyone around him,
10:31Mushu feels less a product of his time
10:33and more like one of Eddie Murphy's SNL personas brought to life.
10:37Mushu's motormouth fires off savage retorts at lightning speed,
10:41whether aimed at Mulan, Shang, or even her horse.
10:45All right, that's it.
10:46Dishonor.
10:46Dishonor on your whole family.
10:48Make a note of this.
10:49Dishonor on you.
10:50Dishonor on your cow.
10:52His performance is remarkably quotable,
10:54but never one note,
10:55as Murphy also successfully crafts a tender dynamic
10:59with Ming-Na Wen's Mulan.
11:00All the more impressive considering Murphy recorded
11:03all his lines from his home studio.
11:06No time to talk.
11:07Now remember, it's your first day of training,
11:08so listen to your teacher and no fighting.
11:10Play nice with the other kids,
11:11unless, of course, one of the other kids want to fight,
11:12then you have to kick the other kid's butt.
11:14But I don't want to kick the other kid's butt.
11:16Don't talk with your mouth full.
11:18Number two, Amy Poehler, Inside Out.
11:22Hello, did I wake you?
11:24You have to play that.
11:25Well, I have to practice,
11:26and I don't think of it as playing so much as hugging.
11:29First rising to prominence
11:31through her Emmy-nominated run on SNL,
11:33Amy Poehler cemented her lead actor cred
11:36with Parks and Recreation.
11:38In retrospect,
11:39her role as the ever-optimistic Leslie Knope
11:41feels like a prelude to her turn as Inside Out's Joy.
11:45With an ever-burning zest for life,
11:47Joy influences Riley's emotions with love and laughter.
11:50Riley can't live here.
11:52It's the worst.
11:53It's absolutely the worst.
11:54It's the worst I've ever been in my entire life.
11:57Hey, it's nothing our butterfly curtains couldn't fix.
12:00I read somewhere that an empty room is an opportunity.
12:02Where did you read that?
12:03It doesn't matter.
12:04I read it, and it's great.
12:05Upbeat to a fault,
12:06Joy shoots for relentless positivity
12:08no matter the consequences.
12:10Poehler's performance layers Joy's personality
12:13with real depth and flaws,
12:15culminating in the wonderful moving scene
12:17where she realizes the limits of her worldview.
12:19We also can't overlook fellow SNL mainstay Bill Hader
12:23who stands out on his own as fear,
12:26embodying his character's jittery mannerisms
12:29with perfect precision.
12:30We were at school,
12:31and we were naked,
12:32and there was a dog,
12:33and the back half was chasing him,
12:35and there was a big boy.
12:36You idiot!
12:37It was a dream!
12:38Before we unveil our top pick,
12:40here are a few honorable mentions.
12:42Tina Fey Soul,
12:44a skeptical soul who finally finds her spark.
12:49It's so good!
12:52Sus.
12:54It's not horrible.
12:56Good!
12:56You can eat on the way.
12:57Sarah Silverman,
12:58Wreck-It Ralph.
12:59This glitchy princess turns chaos into confidence.
13:03The code may say I'm a princess,
13:05but I know who I really am, Ralph.
13:06I'm a racer with the greatest superpower ever.
13:09I was here.
13:10I was there.
13:11I was glitching through the wall.
13:13You're not giving that up.
13:15Kristen Wiig,
13:16Despicable Me Too.
13:17A quirky secret agent
13:19with an unexpectedly sweet love story.
13:21Listen, Lucy,
13:22we may not get out of this alive.
13:24So, I need to ask you a question.
13:26Uh, better make it quick.
13:28If I'd asked you out on a date,
13:30what would you have said?
13:32Are you kidding me?
13:33Yes!
13:36John Mulaney,
13:37Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse.
13:39Spider-Ham Does Whatever a Spider-Can.
13:42Hey there.
13:43Do animals talk in this dimension?
13:45Because I don't want to freak him out.
13:50Jason Sudeikis,
13:51The Angry Birds Movie.
13:53Anger issues never looked this adorable.
13:57So, you want to hear a story?
13:58I run my butt off,
14:00literally,
14:00mind you,
14:01to get the gluten-free cake.
14:03What the heck is gluten?
14:05I mean,
14:05does gluten even exist?
14:07Who are you?
14:09Get out of here!
14:10Already?
14:10But you're the only one that's had cake.
14:12Before we continue,
14:14be sure to subscribe to our channel
14:15and ring the bell
14:16to get notified about our latest videos.
14:18You have the option to be notified
14:20for occasional videos
14:21or all of them.
14:22If you're on your phone,
14:24make sure you go into your settings
14:25and switch on notifications.
14:40When it comes to the peak of animated cinema,
14:44you can rival Mike Myers as Shrek.
14:46Stepping into the role
14:47after Chris Farley's passing,
14:50Myers took it upon himself
14:51to build Shrek from the ground up.
14:53Despite completing his work on the film,
14:56Myers re-recorded all of his lines
14:58in Shrek's now-iconic Scottish accent.
15:00That decision gave Shrek a distinct voice
15:03that felt both comedic
15:04and deeply relatable.
15:15Conveying the character's loneliness,
15:17guarded vulnerability,
15:18and bitterness toward the world,
15:20Myers enabled audiences to understand
15:22exactly what it's like
15:24to be the perpetual outsider.
15:26Although he hit fame
15:27with eccentric SNL characters
15:29like Wayne Campbell,
15:30Myers truly immortalized his name
15:32as everyone's favorite grumpy
15:34yet lovable ogre
15:35from the swamp.
15:46Which performance do you think
15:48deserves true love's kiss?
15:50Let us know in the comments.
Comments