Voice acting was once considered a niche corner of the entertainment industry, but over the past few decades it has become one of its most lucrative lanes. As animated films and TV shows evolved into worldwide franchises, the voices behind those characters gained star power comparable to live action actors. From family friendly icons to long running TV staples, these ten voice actors didn’t just define animation history, they reshaped its pay scale.
10. Frank Welker
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Often called one of the most important voice actors, Frank Welker has parlayed a 50-year career into a net worth of roughly $15 million. While he lacks the ownership stakes of the creators on this list, his sheer volume of work is unparalleled, spanning from the original Fred Jones in Scooby-Doo to Megatron in Transformers. His legacy is built on being the industry’s most reliable session artist, famously providing virtually every animal sound and creature effect in Hollywood blockbusters for decades.
9. Nancy Cartwright
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By giving life to the world’s most famous underachiever, Nancy Cartwright has achieved a staggering net worth of $60 million through her work as Bart Simpson. Beyond her primary role, Cartwright has diversified her income by voicing characters in Rugrats and Kim Possible, while also operating her own successful production company, Spotted Cow Entertainment. Her career highlights the massive financial leverage available to performers whose voices become inextricably linked to a global marketing phenomenon.
8. Mike Judge
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The creative mind behind the blue-collar humor of King of the Hill and the chaotic satire of Beavis and Butt-Head sits on a net worth of approximately $80 million. Mike Judge’s wealth is a direct result of his triple-threat status as a creator, writer, and lead voice actor, which allows him to claim a much higher percentage of backend profits than a standard performer. His recent revival deals for his classic properties have ensured that his characters—and his bank account—remain relevant in the streaming era.
7. Julie Kavner
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The woman behind the iconic, raspy matriarch Marge Simpson has maintained a steady presence in the top tier of TV earners, amassing an estimated $85 million fortune. Since 1989, Julie Kavner’s financial trajectory has mirrored the explosive growth of The Simpsons, moving from a few thousand dollars per episode to a peak of $400,000 during the show’s commercial zenith. Her contract remains a gold standard for voice performers, ensuring her a significant share of the most profitable animated franchise in history.
6. Yeardley Smith
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Despite being the only member of the Simpsons principal cast to voice just one main character, Yeardley Smith has utilized Lisa Simpson to build an $85 million empire. Her wealth is a combination of decades of high-salary per-episode fees and her savvy investments outside of the recording booth, including her own women’s luxury footwear line and a successful podcasting career. Smith’s financial standing proves that mastering a single, iconic role can be more lucrative than voicing a hundred minor ones.
5. Harry Shearer
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Harry Shearer’s $85 million net worth is a direct reflection of his status as the voice of authority in Springfield, portraying everyone from Mr. Burns and Principal Skinner to Ned Flanders. Throughout his decades on The Simpsons, Shearer has famously been one of the most vocal negotiators for the cast, helping to secure the historic pay raises that redefined what an animated performer could earn. His diverse career in satire, radio, and film has further solidified his position as one of the wealthiest voices in the business.
4. Dan Castellaneta
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At the heart of the most successful animated show of all time, Dan Castellaneta’s portrayal of Homer Simpson has earned him a net worth of approximately $85 million. As the voice of the show’s central protagonist, his earnings have consistently ranked at the very top of the industry, fueled by merchandising, syndication, and a record-breaking number of episodes. His ability to anchor a global brand for over 35 years has made him a permanent fixture on the list of entertainment’s highest-paid individuals.
3. Hank Azaria
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As a chameleon who provides the voices for Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, and Comic Book Guy, Hank Azaria has earned a net worth estimated at $90 million. His income is bolstered not only by his high-six-figure salary per episode on The Simpsons but also by a flourishing live-action career in both film and television. Azaria’s longevity in the industry is a testament to the high market value placed on versatile utility players who can carry the vocal load of an entire supporting cast.
2. Seth MacFarlane
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Seth MacFarlane has transformed a single pitch for Family Guy into a multimedia empire, resulting in an estimated net worth of $300 million to $400 million. While he technically earns a salary for voicing Peter, Stewie, and Brian, the bulk of his wealth comes from massive overall deals with networks like Fox and NBCUniversal that pay him to create and produce content. By retaining a producer credit on nearly everything he voices, MacFarlane has bridged the gap between a voice actor and a studio mogul.
1. Matt Stone and Trey Parker
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Taking the undisputed top spot with a combined net worth of roughly $1.2 billion each, the South Park creators are the wealthiest voice actors in the history of the medium. Their 2021 deal with ViacomCBS, worth a reported $900 million, set a new industry record and included an unprecedented 50% stake in the show’s digital and streaming rights. By voicing nearly all the main characters in a show they also own, Stone and Parker have achieved a level of financial autonomy and wealth that remains unmatched in Hollywood.
