Thomas Jacob Black, better known as Jack Black, is known for his outstanding comedic timing. In his 30-year career, Black has acted in a number of films. But his acting skills were not limited to on-screen roles. Jack Black has lent his voice to several animated films over the years, proving his range and incredible acting skills.
Today, as the beloved actor turns 55, we’re revisiting some of his best voice acting roles from over the years to celebrate the actor’s versatility and talent. From the Panda Warrior to the Koopa King, let’s explore Jack Black’s 7 best voice acting roles.
1. Slappy the Dummy (Goosebumps)
Goosebumps (2015) is about RJ Stein, a horror writer whose imaginary demons from his bestselling Goosebumps book series escape from his books and come to life, causing havoc in the real world. He then teams up with his daughter Hannah and neighbor Zach to save their hometown from all the monsters.
Jack Black plays RJ Stine in this film and also lends his voice to the cartoon character Slappy the Dummy, one of the escaped monsters. Slappy is one of the most iconic villains in the Goosebumps franchise. Black’s voiceover brings a playful element to the clever and sinister character, balancing humor with horror. It is one of his most memorable voiceovers.
2. The adult Stanley (Apollo 10½: A Childhood in the Space Age)
“Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood” (2022) tells the story of the historic moon landing of Apollo 11, the first ever moon landing, in the summer of 1969. The film is about Stanley, a young boy whose father was one of the scientists involved in the landing.
Jack Black lends his voice to the adult version of Stanley, who tells the entire story of how Apollo 11 landed on the moon and what happened after the landing. Black’s narration brings warmth and rawness to the story, giving the impression of a friend telling us a nostalgic story from his youth. It is undoubtedly one of his most underrated voice-overs.
3. JB (Tenacious D in “Post-Apocalypto”)
“Tenacious D in Post-Apocalypto” (2018) tells the story of Jables and Kage, who live in a post-apocalyptic world after the outbreak of a nuclear war and fight for survival.
This film was created by Jack Black and his Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Glass to promote their 2018 album “Post-Apocalypto.” He and Glass wrote, animated, and voiced the characters Jables and Kage while also writing and animating the film. JB is definitely one of Black’s most over-the-top and funniest roles. Both Jack and Kyle sing their album songs in the film as they fight to survive, adding even more silliness and sass to the film.
4. Zeke (Ice Age)
“Ice Age” (2008) is about three prehistoric creatures: Manny the mammoth, Sid the talkative sloth, and Diego the saber-toothed tiger, who go on a quest to return a human baby to its father while surviving the challenges of life in an ice age.
Black plays the role of Zeke, a member of the pack of saber-toothed tigers led by Diego. Although his role has limited screen time in this film, Black’s incredible comedic timing and silly voiceover ensure that he commands everyone’s attention, making Zeke a memorable character in the film.
5. Bowser (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) is based on Nintendo’s Mario video game series. The film tells the origin story of Mario and Luigi, two plumber brothers who are separated after being transported to a magical world through a mysterious water pipe.
Jack Black, along with the rest of the cast, brought the popular game Super Mario Bros. to the big screen and provided the voice of the unforgettable villain Bowser. In addition to his remarkable voice acting skills and comedic timing, Black also showcases his musical talent in the film with the stunning pop ballad “Peaches.”
6. Lenny (Big Sharks – Little Fish)
Shark Take (2004) tells the story of Oscar, a clever fish who becomes an overnight star after falsely claiming to have killed the eldest son of a shark gang. He then teams up with Lenny, the shark gang’s other son, to keep the show going and make it to the top of the reef.
Black plays Lenny, a vegetarian shark who disguises himself as a whale-washing dolphin to avoid confronting his father about his brother’s death. Black’s voice combines humor and heart in his voiceover, making Lenny an unforgettable character in the film.
7. Po (Kung Fu Panda Franchise)
The series “Kung Fu Panda” (2008–2024) follows the adventures of Po Ping, a giant panda who is chosen by a kung fu master to be the prophesied dragon warrior and becomes a kung fu master.
Po remains one of Black’s most popular and iconic voice actors. Black has voiced Po in all four Kung Fu Panda films. His voiceover perfectly captures Po’s childlike innocence, immense enthusiasm and resilience. He masterfully blends wit and seriousness in his role. Black’s performance in this film is beyond amazing and makes Po one of the most popular and beloved characters in modern animation.
ALSO READ: Ben Affleck is spending time with Kick Kennedy amid his divorce from Jennifer Lopez; sources reveal if something is going on
