Even before the original Wreck-It Ralph was released, there were already ideas for a sequel. By March 2013, filmmaker Rich Moore and Disney had ideas about a sequel that would bring the characters up to date and explore online and console gaming. 2 versions of the script had been scrapped before settling for the one used for the film. One version had Vanellope self-absorbed by the Internet, gaining popularity and becoming a celebrity among the users. While Ralph gets thrown in jail where he meets the search engine Knowsmore and the two band up to escape prison and bring Vanellope back to her normal self. A second version had Ralph become an Internet famous celebrity and be challenged by an anti-virus program named BEV serving as a super cop and the movie’s villain. But neither of these versions the team felt was the sequel’s centerpiece: how Ralph and Vanellope reacted to the new world of the Internet and realizing they have separate paths going forward. Producer Clark Spencer said that “the film is about change. Two best friends are about to realize that the world won’t always be the same. The internet is the perfect setting, really, because it’s all about change—things change by the second.” While story director Jim Reardon said setting the film on the Internet felt intimidating, saying that “[They] looked at how [they] could make the internet relatable on a human level—like how Game Central Station aka the power strip mirrored a train station in the first movie.” Yet, Reardon said that Disney “didn’t want to make the movie about the internet” but treated it as a setting while focusing on Ralph and Vanellope’s friendship instead. Scenes within the Internet were based on tours in One Wilshire in Los Angeles, one of the world’s largest telecommunications centers. The filmmakers didn’t approach any of the companies outside Disney that are represented on the Internet and strove to include net branding all across the world. They also had to explore various Internet memes, making sure to avoid those lacking a long-term presence. While the film addresses many of the Internet’s positive elements, the filmmakers didn’t shy from covering its more unpleasant aspects. Upon its initial release in 2018, Ralph Breaks the Internet grossed $529 million against its $175 million budget as well as received critical praise.

              Toy Story 4’s development began shortly before Toy Story 3’s release. John Lasseter explained that Pixar decided to produce another sequel because of their “pure passion” for the series and that the film would be a love story. He also felt that “[Pixar] never even talked about doing another Toy Story film. But when Andrew, Pete, Lee and I came up with this new idea, I just could not stop thinking about it. It was so exciting to me, I knew we had to make this movie—and I wanted to direct it myself.” According to Lasseter, the film was kept so secret that even Pixar chief Jim Morris and his boss Edwin Catmull knew nothing about it until the treatment was finished. Later the film would be described as a romantic comedy. With Lasseter revealing in 2015 that it’d be a love story between Woody and Bo Peep. While the story would involve Woody and Buzz Lightyear setting out to find and bring Bo back home. According to director Josh Cooley, the center of the film’s updated screenplay was around Woody and Bo Peep’s relationship due to the latter’s absence in Toy Story 3. Cooley said that when they thought about bringing back Bo Peep for the fourth film, it wasn’t just to rekindle her romance with Woody. Bo Peep’s status as a lost toy reflects a fear that Woody’s had throughout the series and challenges his worldview. Upon its release in 2019, Toy Story 4 earned $1.074 billion at the box office and received critical acclaim and 2 Academy Awards. In this post, you’ll meet actors June Squibb and Alan Oppenheimer as well as the voices behind Maybe, Little Debbie, Butcher Boy, Pyro, McNeely, Forky, Giggle McDimples, and Bonnie’s Dad.

491. Flula Borg

Dates: 1982-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Erlangen, Bavaria in Germany. Started his career as a traditional Bavarian Schuhplatter dancer. Later became a techno DJ. After being voted the 3^rd Sexiest North Bavarian Male, he worked up the nerve to submit to the Scion National Hypeman Contest, which he unexpectedly won. Moved to Los Angeles to grow his music and acting career. To grab Hollywood’s attention, Borg turned to YouTube to share his original songs, creative remixes, and late-night vlogs about American culture and language, quickly amassing 750k subscribers, 100 million views, and earning recognition of one of Variety’s “Ten Comics to Watch.” Has posted over 350 videos on his YouTube channel since its launch in 2007. First screen appearance was in 2013.

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) and Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022) as well as a few series.

Characters: Maybe and DJ Herzogenaurach

Also Known For: German actor, comedian, and musician with a significant presence on YouTube since 2007. Film appearances include Pitch Perfect 2, The Suicide Squad, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, Dirty 30, Buddymoon, Killing Hasselhoff, Ferdinand, Trolls World Tour, Bad Therapy, Luck, Good Burger 2, My Spy: The Eternal City, and Bonhoeffer. TV appearances include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Good Place, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, The Rookie, Conan, @midnight, Younger, Chelsea, Workaholics, The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show, Silicon Valley, The Mick, Counterpart, The Boss Baby: Back in Business, Archer, Adam Ruins Everything, Lucky, Teen Titans Go!, Brew Brothers, Jellystone!, Aquaman: King of Atlantis, Mr. Mayor, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Ghosts, Is It Cake?, and StuGo.

Personal Life: I can’t find anything about his personal life.

Later Life: Lives in Los Angeles.

Trivia: Named as among the Hollywood Reporter’s Top 25 Digital Stars in 2015.

492. Timothy Simons

Dates: 1978-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Maine. Graduated from Maranacock Community High School in Readfield in 1996 and the University of Maine in 2001. Began his acting career working in commercials, including the 2009 commercial that later went viral. Made his big break in 2012.

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) as well as Big Hero 6: The Series.

Characters: Butcher Boy

Also Known For: Actor and comedian best known as Jonah Ryan in Veep and Nobody Wants This. Film appearances include Beneath The Harvest Sky, Draft Day, Inherent Vice, The Interview, Digging for Fire, Goosebumps, Christine, The Boss, Flock of Dudes, Gold, Irreplaceable You, The Hustle, Happiest Season, Home Sweet Home Alone, Family Squares, Don’t Worry Darling, Shortcomings, Joy Ride, and Candy Cane Lane. TV appearances include Stone Quackers, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Looking for Alaska, Robot Chicken, Bob’s Burgers, The George Lucas Talk Show, Dickinson, Inside Job, Fairfax, Station Eleven, HouseBroken, Rugrats, Candy, History of the World Part II, Celebrity Jeopardy!, Killing It, Sausage Party: Foodtopia, and Common Side Effects.

Personal Life: Married to a woman named Annie. They have 2 children.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025. Is said to appear in The Handmaid’s Tale later this year.

Trivia: Has won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Veep.

493. GloZell Green

Dates: 1972-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Orlando, Florida. Graduated from the University of Florida with a BFA in musical theatre. Moved to Hollywood in 2003 to pursue a career in acting and comedy. She joined the Groundlings and studied her favorite comedian Jay Leno by attending 600 consecutive tapings of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Soon began a blog that included a series of interviews with other audience members of Leno’s show. Yet, she later began using YouTube as a video host for the interviews. Began creating and posting original comedy videos when people she met at Leno tapings told her that she was funny on her own. First viral video came out in 2008, which had gained 20 million views by 2013. Later began to make more frequent YouTube videos based around her daily life, celebrity impersonations, song parodies, and internet fads.

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)

Characters: Little Debbie

Also Known For: YouTube personality who established her channel in 2008 with video interviews, comedy about her life, and song parodies. By 2015, her channel had over 4 million subscribers and more than 700 million views. Her most popular videos include her cinnamon challenge video with over 60 million views and My Push up Bra will get me my man” video with over 25 million views. Gained wide notice when her blog post about meeting Elijah wood was mentioned by the actor during a 2011 interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Personal Life: Married to her manager Kevin Simon from 2013 to their divorce 2020. They have a daughter O’Zell Gloriana De Green Simon born via surrogacy in 2016.

Later Life: Interviewed US President Barack Obama in a YouTube livestream hosted by the White House in 2015. In 2020 it was announced that she’d host “The GloZell Show” with Million Stories media.

Trivia: First name is a combination of her parents’ names Gloria and Ozell.

494. Hamish Blake

Dates: 1981-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Melbourne, Australia and grew up in the suburb of Glen Waverley. Parents divorced when he was 17 and his dad later remarried. Was a fan of British comedy as a child and was a member of the National Boys Choir of Australia during the 1980s. Attended Glen Waverley South Primary, Caulfield Grammar School, and St. Leonard’s College, the latter which he graduated in 1999. After a gap year, he enrolled at the University of Melbourne as a Science/Commerce major. But a few weeks into his semester, Blake met Andy Lee and eventually dropped out to pursue a career in comedy alongside Lee. First experience in comedy was in a college competition. His stand-up performance earned him third place and qualified him for a statewide colleges’ final, which he won. Has collaborated with Andy Lee since 2003, when they performed their breakout show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Soon after they trained with SYN Radio, gaining a drive-time shift and created a show called Radio Karate for RMITV on community-access TV station Channel 31, which they created with Ryan Shelton and several other school friends. Radio Karate won an Antenna Award at the inaugural National Community Television Awards in 2004 and were offered a national comedy show on Australia’s Seven Network one month later. Unfortunately, their show was cancelled after 2 weeks. Yet, after a short mockumentary and some spots on a late night show, they developed the mock current affairs show Real Stories, which was much more successful.

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)

Characters: Pyro

Also Known For: Australian comedian, TV and radio presenter, actor, and author best known as part of a duo with Andy Lee, most notably on their drive-time radio show Hamish and Andy. Film appearances include I Love You Too, Two Little Boys, Now Add Honey, and The Wrong Girl. TV appearances include Real Stories, Neighbors, The Librarians, Twentysomething, Molly, Bluey, Hamish and Andy, Australia’s Brainiest Kid, Dancing with the Stars, Live Earth, The Panel, Thank God You’re Here, The Footie Show, The Chaser’s War on Everything, Rove Live, Sleuth 101, Good News Week, The Graham Norton Show, Talking ‘Bout Your Generation, The Project, Hamish & Andy’s Gap Year, Spicks & Specks, Hamish & Andy’s Euro Gap Year, Hamish & Andy’s Caravan of Courage, Hamish & Andy’s Gap Year Asia, The Ryzza Mae Shoe, Hamish & Andy’s Gap Year South America, True Story with Hamish & Andy, Hamish and Andy’s “Perfect” Holiday, Hard Quiz, Lego Masters Australia, Lego Masters Brickmas Specials, and The Assembly.

Personal Life: Married to author and entrepreneur Zoe Foster Blake since 2012. They have 2 children named Sonny and Rudy.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Wrote a book with his wife called Textbook Romance. Has won 4 Logie Awards.

495. June Squibb

Dates: 1929-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Vandalia, Illinois. Mother was a silent film pianist. Father was an insurance agent. Attended Whittier College but dropped out to pursue an acting career. Worked at The Muny and HB Studio. Moved to Cleveland in 1951 to star in various productions. Moved to New York City in the 1950s for a career on Broadway. Starred in 2 off-Broadway productions before debuting as a replacement for Electra for the original production of Gypsy: A Musical Fable. For day jobs, she modeled for romance novels, performed on road tours and cruise ships, and worked as Santa Claus’ helper at Christmas in shopping malls. Received her SAG/AFTRA card after appearing in the CBS Schoolbreak Special in 1985.  

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), Toy Story 4 (2019), Soul (2020), and Inside Out 2 (2024).

Characters: Bertha, Margaret, Gerel, and Nostalgia.

Also Known For: Actress who began her career by making her Broadway debut in Gypsy and who’s made screen appearances much later in life than many of her peers. Film appearances include Alice, The Age of Innocence, In & Out, Meet Joe Black, About Schmidt, Far From Heaven, Nebraska, Thelma, Scent of a Woman, Welcome to Mooseport, Just Add Water, Atlas Shrugged: Part I, The Big Year, The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vincente Fernandez, I’ll See You in My Dreams, Would You Rather, A Country Called Home, Love the Coopers, Table 19, Amanda & Jack Go Glamping, Blow the Man Down, Palm Springs, Hubie Halloween, Palmer, The Humans, Family Squares, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, and Lost & Found in Cleveland. TV appearances CBS Schoolbreak Special, Law & Order, Ed, Judging Amy, Just Shoot Me!, House, The Bernie Mac Show, Two and a Half Men, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Ghost Whisperer, 7^th Heaven, The Bill Engvall Show, Cold Case, The Office, The Young and the Restless, Castle, Mike & Molly, Getting On, Girls, Glee, Devious Maids, The Jack and Triumph Show, 7 Days in Hell, Mom, Code Black, The Big Bang Theory, Shameless, Modern Family, Bones, Grey’s Anatomy, Good Girls, The Good Doctor, Little Voice, The Fungies!, Little Ellen, Life & Beth, Velma, and American Horror Stories. Stage appearances include The Boy Friend, Lend an Ear, Gypsy, The Happy Time, Dividing the Estate, and Waitress.

Personal Life: Married twice. First husband was Edward Sostek from 1953 until their divorce in 1959. Second husband was acting teacher Charles Kakatskis from 1959 until his death in 1999. They have a son named Henry who directed the short film Admissions.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Nebraska. When asked about ageism in show business, she replied, “Well, it’s like anything else. I always feel, rules are meant to be broken.”

496. Jaboukie Young-White

Dates: 1994-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Harvey, Illinois to Jamaican immigrants. Attended Marian Catholic High School and DePaul University, the latter where he became involved with improve comedy through the collegiate improvisation program, “The Titanic Players.” Left DePaul during his senior year to pursue a full-time comedy career. Performed stand-up on his first open mic night when he was 19. Hired for his first stand-up gig at 21. Continued to perform stand-up at several bars and clubs around Chicago and New York City. Was a finalist at the 2016 NYC Devil Cup Stand Up Festival. Starting in 2016, many of his memes, tweets, and posts went viral. Subsequently gained prominence on social media, particularly Twitter and Instagram which grew a large following. In 2017, he was featured in Rolling Stone’s “25 Under 25: Meet the Young Musicians, Actors, Activists Changing the World” list. In 2018, he was included in Vulture’s “20 Comedians You Should and Will Know” list. In 2020, he was listed on BET’s “Future 40” list, which is a list of “40 of the most inspiring and innovative vanguards who are redefining what it means to be unapologetically young, gifted & black.” Hired as a correspondent for The Daily Show with Trevor Noah in 2018.

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) and Strange World (2022) as well as the series Baymax!.

Characters: McNeely and Ethan Clade

Also Known For: Comedian, actor, writer, and musician. Film appearances include Rough Night, Set It Up, Someone Great, Dating in New York, C’mon C’mon, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, Companion, and The Threesome. TV appearances include The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Crashing, Big Mouth, BoJack Horseman, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Only Murders in the Building, Fairfax, Battle Kitty, The Great North, Rap Sh!t, Bob’s Burgers, Black Mirror, Fantasmas, and Abbott Elementary.

Personal Life: Identifies as gay.

Later Life: Has had a couple Twitter suspensions for controversial comments. Left The Daily Show in 2021. Has released 3 singles and an album as well.

Trivia: None.

497. Tony Hale

Dates: 1970-present

Early Life and Career: Born in West Point, New York. Mother worked as a staff assistant to State Representative Kathy Ashe. Father taught nuclear and atomic physics as well as served in the military. Grew up in Tallahassee, Florida where he attended the Young Actors Theatre and participated in numerous theatrical and musical productions. Graduated from Leon High School in 1988. Graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama with a journalism degree in 1992 and was a member of Sigma Chi. Competed graduate studies in the School of Communication and the Arts at Regent University in Virginia. After graduating, he lived in New York City for 8 years where he helped found The Haven, an artistically-minded community of Christians that meets weekly. Studied acting at the Barrow Group and the William Esper Studio in the Professional Actor Training Program. Obtained his Screen Actors Guild card when he appeared in a MCI, Inc. commercial that never aired. After appearing in several minor and guest appearances, he made his big break in Arrested Development in 2003.

Movies and Cartoons: Toy Story 4 (2019) and Inside Out 2 (2024) as well as a few series.

Characters: Forky and Fear

Also Known For: Actor and comedian best known as Buster Bluth in Arrested Development, Gary Walsh in Veep, Archibald in Archibald’s Next Big Thing, Vanee in Lego Star Wars: Terrifying Tales, and Nicholas Benedict and L.D. Curtain in The Mysterious Benedict Society. Film appearances include The Informant!, In My Sleep, The Heat, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Quiz Lady, The Tale of Despereaux, The Angry Birds Movie, The Angry Birds Movie 2, Stateside, Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, RV, Stranger Than Fiction, The Beach Party at the Threshold of Hell, Unaccompanied Minors, Because I Said So, Dante’s Inferno, Flatland: The Movie, My Suicide, The Year of Getting to Know Us, The Answer Man, Sironia, The Kings of Summer, American Ultra, April and the Extraordinary World, Brave New Jersey, Dominion, Transformers: The Last Knight, The 15:17 To Paris, Sadie, To the Stars, Eat Wheaties!, Poupelle at Chimney Town, Being the Ricardos, Nine Days, Arlo the Alligator Boy, Woman of the Hour, Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate, Unfrosted, Sketch, and Opus. TV appearances include Sex and the City, The Sopranos, Dawson’s Creek, Andy Barker, P.I., Chuck, ER, Samantha Who?, United States of Tara, Rules of Engagement, Numb3rs, Community, Law & Order, Justified, Medium, Royal Pains, Good Vibes, Psych, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Up All Night, The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Sanjay and Craig, Drunk History, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Childrens Hospital, Rick and Morty, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spirit Riding Free, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Harley Quinn, Amphibia, When the Streetlights Go On, Crossing Swords, The Twilight Zone, Woke, The George Lucas Talk Show, Rugrats, The Chicken Squad, HouseBroken, I Heart Arlo, Centaurworld, The Legend of Vox Machina, Solar Opposites, Family Guy, The Ghost and Molly McGee, The Decameron, Megamind Rules!, and Iron Man and His Awesome Friends.

Personal Life: Married to Emmy-winning makeup artist Martel Thompson since 2003. They have a daughter born in 2006.

Later Life: Is set to reprise his role of Forky in Toy Story 5.

Trivia: Has won 3 Emmys and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

498. Ally Maki

Dates: 1986-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Kirkland, Washington. Grandmother was held in the Japanese internment camp at Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming during World War II. Grandfather was part of the 442^nd Infantry Regiment, a unit mainly comprising of Japanese American soldiers. At 14, she was scouted by a talent agent in Seattle. In 2001, she moved to a communal home for artists in Santa Clarita, California. From there, she was recruited by Columbia Records to form the girl band called The Valli Girls, for whom she played the keytar. As part of her training, she took DJ lessons at Freakbeat Records. Made her screen debut in 2002.

Movies and Cartoons: Toy Story 4 (2019) as well as the short Lamp Life and several series.

Characters: Officer Giggle McDimples

Also Known For: Actress and former musician best known as Jess Kato in Wrecked. Film appearances include Step Up 3D, The Prankster, The Family Tree, Geography Club, Home Sweet Home Alone, Doula, Shortcomings, and Seagrass. TV appearances include My Wife and Kids, ER, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Privileged, Bones, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Big Bang Theory, Workaholics, Franklin & Bash, Hot in Cleveland, 2 Broke Girls, NCIS, New Girl, Dear White People, Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, Robot Chicken, Hit-Monkey, Big Door Prize, Exploding Kittens, and Universal Basic Guys. Video game appearances Beyond Blue and We Are OFK.

Personal Life: In a relationship with fiancé Travis Atreo. They have a daughter born in 2024.

Later Life: Founded Asian American Girl Club lifestyle brand in 2018.

Trivia: None.

499. Jay Hernandez

Dates: 1978-present

Early Life and Career: Born Javier Manuel in Montebello, California to Mexican parents. Mother was a secretary and accountant. Father was a mechanic. Attended Don Bosco Technical Institute in Rosemead, California but transferred to Schurr High School for his senior year. While riding an elevator in a Los Angeles high rise, a talent manager approached him and suggested that he had what it took to have a successful career in Hollywood. Later enrolled Hernandez into acting school and sent his pictures to casting agents. Made his screen debut in 1998.

Movies and Cartoons: Toy Story 4 (2019)

Characters: Bonnie’s Dad

Also Known For: Actor best known as Chato Santana/El Diablo in Suicide Squad and Thomas Magnum in Magnum P. I. Film appearances include Crazy/Beautiful, Friday Night Lights, Hostel, Bad Moms, The Rookie, Torque, Ladder 49, Carlito’s Way: Rise to Power, World Trade Center, Nomad, Karas: The Prophecy, World Trade Center, Grindhouse, American Son, Lakeview Terrace, Quarantine, Takers, LOL, Max, Bright, and The Long Game. TV appearances include Hang Time, USA High, Undressed, One World, American Family, Six Degrees, Last Resort, Nashville, Ghost Ghirrls, Gang Related, The Expanse, Scandal, BoJack Horseman, and Hawaii Five-O.

Personal Life: Married to actress Daniella Deustscher since 2006.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Received a Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Award in 2020.

500. Alan Oppenheimer

Dates: 1930-present

Early Life and Career: Born in New York City. Father was a stockbroker. First screen appearance was in 1964.

Movies and Cartoons: Toy Story 4 (2019) and Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers (2020) as well as several series.

Characters: Old Timer, He-Man, and Skeletor

Also Known For: Actor who’s played numerous roles on live action since the 1960s and has had an active career in voice work since the 1970s. Film appearances include Gammera the Invincible, Gunn, How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life, Little Big Man, The Thief Who Came for Dinner, Westworld, The Hindenburg, Helter Skelter, Freaky Friday (1976), Record City, Private Benjamin, Mighty Mouse in the Great Space Chase, The NeverEnding Story, The Secret of the Sword, He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special, Brave Starr: The Movie, Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, Love Field, The Secret Life of Bees, 9, and Foxcatcher. TV appearances include The Defenders, The Felony Squad, The F.B.I., I Spy, Get Smart, Hogan’s Heroes, The Andy Griffith Show, The Mod Squad, The Bill Cosby Show, That Girl, I Dream of Jeannie, The High Chaparral, The Partridge Family, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Bonanza, The Paul Lynde Show, Bewitched, Here’s Lucy, Goober and the Ghost Chasers, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, The Six Million Dollar Man, ABC Afterschool Special, Hong Kong Phooey, The Tom and Jerry Show, The Scooby-Doo Show, Washington: Behind Closed Doors, CB Bears, Scooby’s All-Starr Laff-A-Lympics, The All-New Superfriends Hour, Hawaii-Five-O, ABC Weekend Special, The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle & Jeckle, The New Adventures of Flash Gordon, The Lone Ranger, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam!, Trollkins, Hero High, The Smurfs, Mama’s Family, Richie Rich, Knight Rider, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, The Transformers, The Wuzzles, She-Ra: Princess of Power, Ghostbusters, Rambo: The Force of Freedom, Bionic Six, Brave Starr, Snorks, The New Yogi Bear Show, Superman, Fantastic Max, X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Where’s Waldo?, James Bond Jr., The Legend of Prince Valiant, Tom & Jerry Kids, Bonkers, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Batman: The Animated Series, Fantastic Four, Phantom 2040, Star Trek: Voyager, The New Adventures of Zorro, Diagnosis: Murder, Invasion America, Rocket Power, Passions, The Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy, Clifford’s Puppy Days, ‘Til Death, Adventure Time, Tigtone, and Masters of the Universe: Revelation. Video game appearances include Ys I & II, T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger, Revenant, Nox, Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn, Star Trek: Starfleet Commander II: Empires at War, Invictus, Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel, Earth & Beyond, Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix, Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader, Law & Order: Justice Is Served, The Bard’s Tale, God of War II, Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy, Tom Clancy’s EndWar, and Kid Icarus: Uprising.

Personal Life: Married to costume designer Marianna Elliot from 1958 to their divorce. Only to be married to her again from 1992 to her death in 2003. They have 3 children.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Third cousin of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

              While promoting The Incredibles, Brad Bird had already conceptualized the eventual approach to a sequel where Bob and Helen Parr would switch roles and Jack-Jack would develop powers previously unknown to the family. One challenge in writing Incredibles 2, was dealing with the cast number of superhero films and TV shows that have been released since the first film, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In an attempt to differentiate the sequel, Bird wanted to avoid tropes related to the superhero genre: “I don’t think that kind of idea stays interesting for very long. For me, the interesting thing was never the superhero part of it. It was more the family dynamic, and how do superhero things play into that.” While also incorporating some unused ideas from the first film and have the story focus more on Helen Parr/Elastigirl. Even though Incredibles 2 came out 13 years after the first, Bird didn’t want to use a narrative element like an ellipsis or to come up with new characters. Instead, continuing from where the first film left off. This let him keep characters with the same superpowers and not needing to develop new ones. Nor did he need to figure out  dealing with Violet and Dash being adults. Not to mention keep Jack-Jack as a baby with his array of powers, which Bird likened to how infants are able to understand numerous languages. An advantage Pixar had with Incredibles 2 was the technological advancement the company had seen since the original film and a much more experienced animation team. Although all the characters from the first film from scratch on the computer again because Pixar no longer used the same system. Upon its 2018 release, Incredibles 2 received positive reviews and $1.2 billion at the box office. In this post, we’ll meet Voyd, Krushauer and He-Letrix, the two detectives, the Mayor of New Urbem, and 5 characters from Ralph Breaks the Internet.

481. Sophia Bush

Dates: 1982-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Pasadena, California. Mother runs a photography studio. Father is an advertising and beauty photographer. Graduated from the Westridge School for Girls in 2000 where she played on the volleyball team. Took drama as a requirement from her school later recalling: “Part of my school’s requirement was to do a play. I was really irritated because I wanted to play volleyball and I had to go and do this play. But there was a moment after the performance when I realized I had gone and been somebody else. I thought, ‘If I could do this for the rest of my life, I am set.’ It was like love at first sight.” Named Tournament of Roses Parade Queen in 1999. Made her first film appearance in 2002.

Movies and Cartoons: Incredibles 2 (2018) as well as the series Phineas and Ferb and the Lego The Incredibles video game.

Characters: Karen/Voyd

Also Known For: Actress best known as Brooke Davis in One Tree Hill, Erin Lindsay in Chicago P.D., and Dr. Samantha “Sam” Griffin in Good Sam. Film appearances include John Tucker Must Die, The Hitcher, The Narrows, Chalet Girl, Marshall, Acts of Violence, National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Supercross, Stay Alive, Table for Three, Hard Luck Love Song, False Positive, and Junction. TV appearances include Drama Queens, Point of Origin, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Partners, Chicago Fire, MythBusters, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Chicago Med, Chicago Justice, Alex, Inc., Jane the Virgin, Drunk History, This Is Us, and Grey’s Anatomy.

Personal Life: Married twice. First husband was actor Chad Michael Murray from 2005 to their divorce in 2006. Second husband was businessman Grant Hughes from 2022 to their divorce in 2023. Has dated actor Jon Foster, actor John Lafferty, actor Austin Nichols, Google program manager Dan Fredinburg, and actor Jesse Lee Stoffer. Currently in a relationship with professional soccer player Ashlyn Harris since 2023.

Later Life: Appeared in Funny or Die’s “A Gaythering Storm” video, a parody of the National Organization of Marriage objecting to gay marriage in 2009. Visited Louisiana and testified the horrors she witnessed there following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 as well as teamed up with DoSomething to serve as spokesperson for a Facebook game called eMission, created through the efforts of DoSomething and the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program. Took part of the Global Poverty Project’s “Below the Line” campaign, which consisted of living on $1.50 a day to raise awareness of extreme poverty around the world in 2013. Was a founding member of the Time’s Up campaign in 2018. Joined the ownership group of Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League in 2020. Wrote an essay supporting abortion rights in Glamour magazine with her then-husband Grant Hughes after the decision of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned Roe v. Wade. Signed an exclusive agreement with the Washington Speakers Bureau where she advocates for economic growth, women’s empowerment, and community engagement.

Trivia: Appearance is subject to much media attention, often appearing on Most Attractive lists in magazines as recently as 2014. Has won 4 Teens’ Choice Awards.

482. Phil LaMarr

Dates: 1967-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles, California. Has graduated from the Harvard-Westlake School, Yale University, and The Groundlings Theater. Was one of the 9 original cast members of sketch comedy series Mad TV, where he stayed on for 5 seasons.

Movies and Cartoons: Incredibles 2 (2018) as well as various series, various direct-to-video installments, the live action remake of The Lion King, and the Kingdom Hearts franchise along with a couple other video games.

Characters: Krushauer and He-Letrix

Also Known For: Actor and comedian best known as Sam B in Dead Island, Samurai Jack in Samurai Jack, John Stewart / Green Lantern and Virgil Hawkins / Static in the DC Animated Universe, Hermes Conrad in Futurama, Bolbi Stroganofsky in The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Carver Descartes in The Weekenders, Ollie Williams and Judge Dignified Q. Blackman in Family Guy, Browntooth the Goblin Rogue in Critical Care, and Wilt in Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. Film appearances include Pulp Fiction, Bio-Dome, Speaking of Sex, Spider-Man 2, Real Steel, It’s Pat, The Thin Pink Line, Free Enterprise, Kill the Man, Eat Your Heart Out, A Man Is Mostly Water, Jack White Is Sick & Twisted, Cherish, Manna from Heaven, Evil Alien Conquerors, Step Brothers, The Powderpuff Girls Movie, The Animatrix, Shark Tale, Tekkonkinkreet, TMNT, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Battle for Terra, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, Zambieza, Khumba, The Emoji Movie, Deep, Rumble, The Magician’s Elephant, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Quiz Lady, and Craig Before the Creek. TV appearances include Murphy Brown, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, L. A. Law, Wings, Mad About You, The George Carlin Show, Living Single, NYPD Blue, Without a Trace, Eve, The Bernie Mac Show, Reno 911!, Cold Case, Barbershop, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Castle, Svetlana, Big Time Rush, State of Georgia, Raising Hope, The Muppets, The Real O’Neals, Lucifer, Veep, Grey’s Anatomy, Get Shorty, Superstore, Heathers, Supergirl, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Murderville, Better Things, Mister T, Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child, Johnny Bravo, The Wild Thornberrys, King of the Hill, Hey Arnold!, Baby Blues, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Invader Zim, The Zeta Project, Fillmore!, Ozzie & Drix, Clifford’s Puppy Days, Evil Con Carne, ChalkZone, The Powderpuff Girls, Dave the Barbarian, The Fairly OddParents, The Life and Times of Juniper Lee, Robot Chicken, Loonatics Unleashed, My Gym Partner’s a Monkey, Class of 3000, Drawn Together, Afro Samurai, The Replacements, WordGirl, Chowder, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Transformers: Animated, Star Wars: Clone Wars, The Garfield Show, Wolverine and the X-Men, The Goode Family, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Generator Rex, Curious George, The Cleveland Show, Ultimate Spider-Man, The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pound Puppies, Regular Show, American Dad!, Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., TripTank, BoJack Horesman, Star Wars Rebels, The Simpsons, Avengers Assemble, Pickle and Peanut, Sanjay and Craig, Clarence, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, Uncle Grandpa, Mighty Magiswords, Vampirina, F Is for Family, The Jellies, Craig of the Creek, Pete the Cat, Star Wars Resistance, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?, Bless the Harts, Disenchantment, Rick and Morty, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Animaniacs, Spitting Image, Central Park, Masters of the Universe: Revelation, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, The Great North, The Freak Brothers, Dragon Age: Absolution, Tales of the Jedi, The Book of Boba Fett, HouseBroken, Hamster & Gretel, Mulligan, Jessica’s Big Little World, Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, and Jellystone!. Video game appearances include the Metal Gear franchise, the Jax and Daxter franchise, the Darksiders franchise, the Final Fantasy franchise, the Infamous franchise, the Dead Island franchise, the Mortal Kombat franchise, Power Factory Featuring C+C Music Factory, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Fright Night 2004, Doom 3, Men of Valor, Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction, Samurai Western, The Matrix: Path to Neo, True Crime: New York City, 50 Cent: Bulletproof, The Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy, The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third, Shrek: Ogres & Donkeys, Condemned 2: Bloodsport, Speed Racer: The Videogame, Saints Row 2, Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Madagascar Kartz, Mass Effect 2, Iron Man 2, Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge, Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, Marvel Super Heroes Squad Online, Thor: God of Thunder, Iron Brigade, X-Men: Destiny, Rage, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, Saints Row IV, Lego Marvel Super Heroes, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tales from the Borderlands, Minecraft: Story Mode, The Witness, Fortnite, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, Dota 2, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and Multiversus. Web series appearances include Afterworld, Hunt the Truth, and Kevin Pollack’s Chat Show.

Personal Life: Married to Dorrie Elizabeth Goldhirsh. They have a daughter named Nadia and a son named Isaac.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

483. Barry Bostwick

Dates: 1945-present

Early Life and Career: Born in San Mateo, California. Father was an actor and city planner. Attended San Diego’s United States International University where he majored in acting, graduating in 1967. Got his start at the Hilbarn Theatre that’s now in Foster City and worked for a time as a circus performer. Also attended New York University’s Graduate Acting Program, graduating in 1968. Was a member of First National Nothing who released one album titled If You Sit Real Still and Hold My Hand, You Will Hear Absolutely Nothing in 1970.  While the group described itself as “A rock-theater commune made up of musicians, actors, dancers, singers, designers, writers, composers, and friends that started a long, long time ago as a lost tribe in California and has ended up as a theatrical performing company in New York City.” Bostwick was also a member of a pop band called The Klowns, which was assembled and promoted by Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus whose members performed wearing stylized clown makeup and costumes. Their sole album generated a minor Billboard single called “Lady Love.” Made his big break originating the role of Danny Zuko in Grease in 1972.

Movies and Cartoons: Incredibles 2 (2018) as well as a direct-to-video 101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure, the series Phineas and Ferb and Tangled: The Series, and Lego The Incredibles video game.

Characters: Mayor of New Urbem

Also Known For: Actor best known as Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Mayor Randall Winston in Spin City, and Danny Zuko in Grease (1972). Film appearances include Jennifer on My Mind, Fantastic Planet, Megaforce, Eight Hundred Leagues: Down the Amazon, Weekend at Bernie’s II, The Secret Agent Club, Swing, Nancy Drew, Evening, Hanna Montana: The Movie, Miss Nobody, Bedrooms, Moby Dick (2010), Some Guy Who Kills People, FDR: American Badass!, Alleluia! The Devil’s Carnival, Home Run Showdown, Range 15, Three Days in August, Grand-Daddy Day Care, 3 from Hell, American Pie Presents: Girls’ Rules, Single All the Way, In Search of Tomorrow, and Outlaw Johnny Black. TV appearances include Charlie’s Angels, Hawaii Five-O, Working, Saturday Night Live, George Washington, A Woman of Substance, George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation, War and Remembrance, Body of Evidence, Till We Meet Again, Challenger, The Great Air Race, Grace Under Fire, The New Batman Adventures, Scrubs, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Cold Case, Ugly Betty, Nip/Tuck, Supernatural, Ghost Whisperer, ‘Til Death, Cougar Town, Glee, Hot in Cleveland, Masters of Sex, Psych, Franklin and Bash, New Girl, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, American Dad!, Childrens Hospital, Still the King, Gilfriends’ Guide to Divorce, The Great Indoors, Milo Murphy’s Law, Will & Grace, The Goldbergs, and Doogie Kamealoha M.D. Stage appearances include Hamlet, Soon, They Knew What They Wanted, The Robber Bridegroom, The Pirates of Penzance, Nick & Nora, and Camelot.

Personal Life: Had an older brother who died in a car accident at 32 in 1973. Married twice. First wife was actress Stacey Nelkin from 1987 to their divorce in 1991. Second and current wife is Sherri Ellen Jensen since 1993. They have 2 children: a son named Brian and a daughter named Chelsea.

Later Life: Was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997 and later had his prostate removed.

Trivia: Has won a Tony and a Golden Globe. Won the Gilda Radner Courage Award from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2004.

484. Jere Burns

Dates: 1954-present

Early Life and Career: Born Jere Eugene Burns II in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Father was gown and cap manufacturer. Attended the Browne & Nichols School and graduated in 1973. Was drawn to acting late in college. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1980, he moved to Manhattan and was cast in Don Juan at the New York Shakespeare Festival. Made his screen debut in 1984.

Movies and Cartoons: Incredibles 2 (2018) as well as the series Kim Possible.

Characters: Detective No. 1

Also Known For: Actor best known as Kirk Morris in Dear John, Anson Fullerton in Burn Notice, Jack in Something So Right, and Wynn Duffy in Justified. Film appearances include Touch and Go, Let’s Get Harry, Hit List, Wired, Greedy, Crocodile Dundee in Lost Angeles, Otis, Prom, Larry Gaye: Renegade Male Flight Attendant, and The Funhouse Massacre. TV appearances include Hill Street Blues, ABC Afterschool Special, Remington Steele, CBS Schoolbreak Special, Ohara, Max Headroom, The Mommies, Just Shoot Me!, Touched by an Angel, The Outer Limits, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Good Morning, Miami, 8 Simple Rules, The King of Queens, Will & Grace, Boston Legal, Psych, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Breaking Bad, Hawaii Five-O, Bates Motel, Grey’s Anatomy, Last Man Standing, Suits, The Muppets, Major Crimes, American Dad!, The X-Files, Lucifer, The Detour, All Rise, Dead to Me, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Death and Other Details.

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First wife was Melissa Keeler from 1982 to their divorce in 1996. Second wife was actress Kathleen Kimont from 1997 to their divorce in 1999. Third wife was Leslie Cohen from 2008 to their divorce in 2018. Has 4 children.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

485. Adam Rodriguez

Dates: 1975-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Yonkers, New York. Mother was an airline ticket agent. Father was executive with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Attended Clarkstown High School North in New York City where he graduated in 1993. Initially hoped to be a professional baseball player. But a high school injury led him to turn his attention to acting and he performed in a children’s theater in New York. Before he became an actor, he also worked as a stockbroker. Has appeared in commercials including one for Coca Cola. First appeared as an extra in The X-Files.

Movies and Cartoons: Incredibles 2 (2018) as well as the series Kim Possible.

Characters: Detective No. 2

Also Known For: Actor, screenwriter, and director best known as Eric Delko in CSI: Miami and Task Force Agent Luke Alvez in Criminal Minds. Film appearances include Impostor, King Rikki, Love & Debate, Splinter, Unknown, Take, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Let the Games Begin, Cielito lindo, Caught in the Crossfire, Magic Mike, About Last Night, Magic Mike XXL, CHiPs, Magic Mike’s Last Dance, and Scrambled. TV appearances include NYPD Blue, Brooklyn South, Felicity, All Souls, Resurrection Blvd., Roswell, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Six Feet Under, Category 7: The End of the World, NCIS, Ugly Betty, Sesame Street, The Goodwin Games, Reckless, The Night Shift, Jane the Virgin, Empire, Lip Sync Battle, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, and Ordinary Joe.

Personal Life: Son-in-law of actor Maxwell Gail. Married to model Grace Gail since 2016. They have 3 children.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

486. Jennifer Hale

Dates: 1960s-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Happy Valley – Goose Bay in Labrador and Newfoundland. Father was a NunatuKavut elder, outdoorsman, and environmental activist. Mother was “a wandering master’s degree pursuer.” Stepfather was a microbiologist. Moved to the United States during childhood and grew up mostly in Birmingham and Montgomery Alabama. When she was a teenager, she got a voice-over spot at a local radio station where she was paid $35 just to talk. Graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts in 1982, where she was in the theater department and was interested in being in a rock band. She stated, “I started doing voice-over to pay for life and a PA system and everything else, and ended up that just sort of took over, acting took over.” While in high school, Hale also did more voice-over work in commercials and also worked as a production assistant at 17. Attended Birmingham – Southern College, where she found the program’s style was broader than what she wanted to do, and realized that she was more interested in film acting than in theater acting. Eventually graduated with a business degree. Later began working as an actress and continued doing voice-overs, frequently commuting between Birmingham and Atlanta, Georgia. First big break was in 1988.

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) as well as a couple Disney park rides, a couple direct-to-video installments, various series, the short Once Upon a Studio, and several video games.

Characters: Cinderella

Also Known For: Canadian-American voice actress best known as Cinderella and Princess Aurora in various Disney Princess media of the 2000s and 2010s, Thorn of the Hex Girls in various Scooby-Doo movies and shows, Jean Grey in various Marvel animated media, Commander Shepherd in the Mass Effect franchise, and Rivet in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Film appearances include Traveling Man, Love Potion No. 9, Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain, Wolves, The Powderpuff Girls Movie, Totally Spies! The Movie, Paranormal Activity 4, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. TV appearances include The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest, The Powderpuff Girls, Codename: Kids Next Door, The Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy, Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, Totally Spies!, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Skeleton Warriors, Phantom 2040, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, The Tick, Iron Man, The Savage Dragon, Biker Mice from Mars, Adventures from the Book of Virtues, Johnny Bravo, Pinky and the Brain, Superman: The Animated Series, Dexter’s Laboratory, Cow and Chicken, Batman Beyond, Detention, Spider-Man Unlimited, The Zeta Project, Grim & Evil, Samurai Jack, Gotham Girls, Justice League, All Grown Up!, Xiaolin Showdown, Duck Dodgers, The Batman, Megas XLR, Justice League Unlimited, Ben 10, Camp Lazlo, Legion of Super Heroes, Class of  3000, Chowder, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, G.I. Joe Renegades, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Regular Show, Green Lantern: The Animated Series, Generator Rex, Motorcity, Star Wars Detours, Xiaolin Chronicles, Wander Over Yonder, Avengers Assemble, Guardians of the Galaxy, Rick and Morty, Star Wars Rebels, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, ER, Melrose Place, Charmed, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Shameless, and The Dragon Prince. Video game appearances include Baldur’s Gate, Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid, BioShock Infinite, Metroid Prime, Halo, Overwatch, Star Wars: The Knights of the Old Republic, Quest for Glory: Shadows of Darkness, G-Nome, Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, Die by the Sword, Math Blaster, Reading Blaster, Revenant, Planetscape: Torment, Star Wars: Force Commander, Ground Control, Spider-Man, Orphen: Scion of  Sorcery, Sacrifice, Granada II, The Mummy Returns, The Powderpuff Girls: Chemical X-traction, EOE: Eve of Extinction, Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Star Trek: Fleet Commander III, Freelancer, RTX Red Rock, Arc of the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits,  Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader, Tak and the Power of the Juju, The Hobbit, Maximo vs. Army of Zin, Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku, Omnimusha 3: Demon Siege, La Pucelle: Tactics, Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain, Tales of Symphonia, Catwoman, Galleon, Shellshock: Nam ’67, The Bard’s Tale, EverQuest II, Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction, Shadow of Rome, Age of Empires 3, Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil, Samurai Western, Killer7, Darkwatch: Curse of the West, The Matrix: Path of Neo, SOCOM vs. U.S. Navy SEALs, Kingdom of Paradise, Bratz: Forever Diamondz, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, Spider-Man: Battle for New York, Justice League Heroes, Rise of the Argonauts, FusionFall, Brutal Legend, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle, Clash of the Titans, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest, God of War: Ghosts of Sparta, Marvel vs. Capcom: Fate of Two Worlds, Bulletstorm, Knights Contract, Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, Gears of War 3, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, The Lord of the Rings: War of the North, Kinect Star Wars, Diablo III, Guild Wars 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, Fuse, The Last of Us, Knack, Republique, The Elder Scrolls Online, Lichdom: Battlemage, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Mortal Kombat X, The Long Dark, World of Final Fantasy, For Honor, Horizon Zero Dawn, Lego DC-Villains, Marvel’s Avengers, Return to Monkey Island, Bayonetta 3, and Marvel’s Midnight Suns.

Personal Life: Has a son as well as several pets. Enjoys the outdoors and redoing houses. Likes horses and has mentioned being a part of a local evacuation response team that rescues horses from advancing wildfires.

Later Life: Has lived on Vancouver Island in Canada since 2020 where she continues doing voice recordings in her personal home studio. Founded Skills Hub and The Haven in 2021.

Trivia: Has been said to be the Meryl Streep of voice acting. Recognized as the most prolific video game voice actor by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2013.

487. Kate Higgins

Dates: 1969-present

Early Life and Career: Born Catherine Davis Higgins in Charlottesville, Virginia. Attended Auburn University where she studied music with jazz artist Bob Richardson. She’d also play classical piano in her mother’s Opelika restaurant, The Greenhouse. Was a member of the band Auburn Knights and played shows at various bars and lounges. Graduated in 1991 with a music degree and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. First worked on commercials with singing before landing a small voice-acting job as a singing cartoon squirrel. Was then approached to be a voice-over actress to do bumpers for the Disney Channel in 1998.

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) as well as the series Sofia the First and a couple video games.

Characters: Princess Aurora

Also Known For: Voice actress, singer, and jazz pianist best known as Sakura Haruno in Naruto, Miles “Tails” Power in Sonic the Hedgehog, Frankie Stein in Monster High, Pauline in Super Mario, Barbie in Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse, and Purah in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Film appearances include Sailor Moon R: The Movie, Sailor Moon S: The Movie, Sailor Moon SuperS: The Movie, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection, and Plankton: The Movie. TV appearances include Jackie Chan Adventures, All Grown Up!, Animalia, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, The Legend of Korra, Ever After High, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Regular Show, Bunnicula, The Powderpuff Girls, The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show, Enchantanimals, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, and SpongeBob SquarePants. Video game appearances include EverQuest II, Destroy All Humans!, Rumble Roses XX, Dead or Alive series, Armored Core 4, Project Sylpheed, Digimon World Data Squad, SpongeBob’s Atlantis SquarePants, Culdcept Saga, The World Ends with You, Ninja Gaiden 2, Valkyria Chronicles, MadWorld, MagnaCarta 2, Final Fantasy XIII, Resonance of Fate, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, Mario & Sonic at the 2012 London Olympic Games, Dragon’s Dogma, Resident Evil 6, Fire Emblem Awakening, Marvel Heroes, Broken Age, Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Lego’s Marvel Avengers, Fire Emblem Heroes, Agents of  Mayhem, World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, Neo: The World Ends with You, Psychonauts 2, and Marvel Rivals.

Personal Life: Married to Jeff Lofland. They have 2 children.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Released her first jazz album in 2002.

488. Anthony Daniels

Dates: 1946-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire in England. Father was a plastics company executive. Educated at the Giggleswick School. Studied law for a couple of years but dropped out to pursue amateur dramatics and attend Rose Buford College where he graduated in 1974. Worked for BBC Radio, The National Theatre of Great Britain, and the Young Vic. While working in theatre, he was invited to meet director George Lucas, who was casting for Star Wars. Although he first turned down the interview until his agent persuaded him to meet Lucas. Was also a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company. Anyway, after auditioning for the role of C-3PO, Daniels only became fully interested in the role after seeing a concept design of the golden droid and didn’t see the final costume until after donning it for the shoot.

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) as well as the series The Magical World of Disney, the Disney Infinity 3.0 video game, and a couple Star Tours rides.

Characters: C-3PO

Also Known For: British actor and mime artist best known as C-3PO in 11 Star Wars films as well as been the only actor to have either appeared or have been involved with all theatrical films in the franchise. Has also been involved in many of their spin-offs, including television series, video games, and radio serials. Also played Legolas in the animated version of The Lord of the Rings (1978). TV appearances include The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, Three Up, Two Down, The Bill, Prime Suspect, The Famous Five, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Urban Gothic, and Holby City.

Personal Life: Married to Christina Savage since 2013. Speaks fluent French.

Later Life: Was once an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center. Wrote the foreword for the DK reference book Ultimate Star Wars (2015 and 2019 editions). Autobiography I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story was released by DK in 2019.

Trivia: Was actually not a science fiction fan before he was cast in the Star Wars franchise.

489. Melissa Villasenor

Dates: 1987-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Whittier, California in Los Angeles County to Mexican parents. Attended the Catholic Ramona Convent Secondary School in Alhambra, California and briefly Fullerton College. At 15, she began performing stand-up comedy at the Laugh Factory Comedy Camp in Hollywood. Was a semifinalist in the sixth season of America’s Got Talent and selected for the New Faces lineup of the 2010 Just for Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival. Auditioned for Saturday Night Live in 2009 but wasn’t hired. But she finally landed on the show as a featured player in 2016 and as the second Latina cast member.

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) and Toy Story 4 (2019) as well as the series Win or Lose and Ariel.

Characters: Taffyta Muttonfudge and Karen Beverly

Also Known For: Comedian, actress, musician and illustrator best known as a cast member on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 2016 to 2022. Film appearances include The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It, Laid in America, Hubie Halloween, and Dog Man. TV appearances include America’s Got Talent, Family Guy, Adventure Time, TripTank, Pickle and Peanut, First Impressions, F Is for Family, OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes!, Crashing, Barry, American Dad!, Awkwafina Is Norah from Queens, Summer Camp Island, Archibald’s Next Big Thing Is Here, Crank Yankers, Q-Force, Jellystone!, Amphibia, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, Night Court, Is It Cake?, Rock Paper Scissors, Primos, and Max & the Midknights.

Personal Life: I can’t find anything about her personal life.

Later Life: Still actively working in 2025.

Trivia: Hosted the 36^th Annual Independent Spirit Awards in 2020.

490. Sean Giambrone

Dates: 1999-present

Early Life and Career: Born in St. Joseph, Michigan. Raised in Park Ridge, Illinois where he attended Lincoln Middle School and Maine South High School. Began his acting career at 9, starring in commercials for McDonald’s and Friendly’s Restaurants among others. Made first film in 2012. Big break came in 2013 with The Goldbergs.

Movies and Cartoons: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) as well as the Kim Possible TV movie, and the series Big Hero 6: The Series and Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.

Characters: eBoy

Also Known For: Actor best known as Adam F. Goldberg in The Goldbergs, Ron Stoppable in the Kim Possible TV movie, Benny in The Loud House, Yumyulack Opposites Jr. in Solar Opposites, Jeff Randell in Clarence, Russell in Russell Madness, Ben Pincus in Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous and Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, and Jimmy McGill in Slippin’ Jimmy. Film appearances include I Heart Shakey, The Emoji Movie, and The Secret Life of Pets 2. TV appearances include R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series, Adventure Time, Celebrity Family Feud, Harley Quinn, The Chicken Squad, We Baby Bears, Spidey and His Amazing Friends, The Ghost and Molly McGee, and Carol & the End of the World.

Personal Life: I can’t find anything on his personal life.

Later Life: Lives in Los Angeles as of 2019.

Trivia: None.

              Coco was pitched by filmmaker Lee Unkrich in 2010 after the release of Toy Story 3. Initially, the film was supposed to be about an American child learning about his Mexican heritage while dealing with his mother’s death. But since Disney has an infamous reputation for killing of protagonist parents, the team eventually decided that this was the wrong approach. While they reformed the film to focus on a Mexican child instead. Yet, according the Unkrich, the original version “reflected the fact that none of us at the time were from Mexico.” Unkrich was also particularly anxious because the film depicted a real culture and he felt enormous responsibility to get it right. The Pixar team took several trips to Mexico to help define the characters and story of Coco. Unkrich recalled, “I’d seen it portrayed in folk art. There was something about the juxtaposition of skeletons with bright, festive colors that captured my imagination. It has led me down a winding path of discovery. And the more I learn about [el] Día de los Muertos, the more it affects me deeply.” Since skeletal creatures lacked a muscular system and had to be animated differently than their human counterparts, the team found it difficult working with them. In 2013, Disney tried to trademark the phrase “Dia de los Muertos” for merchandising. But Mexican Americans weren’t having it. One Mexican American cartoonist named Lalo Alacaraz drew a film poster called Muerto Mouse, depicting a Godzilla-like Mickey Mouse with the byline, “It’s coming to trademark your cultura.” Over 21,000 people signed a Change.org petition stating that the trademark was “culture appropriation and exploitation at its worst.” Disney canceled its attempt a week later and hired Alacaraz as a consultant on the film with playwright Octavio Solis and former Mexican Heritage Corp. CEO Marcela Davison Aviles.

              Earlier versions of Coco had different universe rules on how Miguel would return from the land of the dead. One had him physically run across the bridge. Another had his family cursed with singing when trying to speak. According to production designer Harley Jessup, Santa Cecilia is based on real Mexican villages as the production team, “stayed grounded in reality in the Land of the Living.” According to Unkrich, Miguel’s guitar playing is authentic as they “videotaped musicians playing each song or melody and strapped GoPros on their guitars” to use as a reference. For the Land of the Dead, Unkrich didn’t want “to have just a free-for-all, wacky world,” desiring instead to add logic and be, “ever-expanding because new residents would arrive regularly.’ Jessup said that the animation team wanted the Land of the Dead “to be a violent expression of color” when Miguel arrived. Jessup also said that “Lee [Unkrich] described a vertical world of towers, contrasting with the flatness of Santa Cecilia. The lights and reflections are dazzling and there’s a crazy transportation system that connects it all. The costume colors are much more vibrant than in the Land of the Living, where [the animation team] tried to stay grounded in reality. [They] really went all out in the Land of the Dead to make it a reflection of the holiday.” According to art director David Arraiga, the animators “had to figure out how to give [the skeletons] personality without skin, muscles, noses or even lips” and that they “played with shapes and did a lot of paintings. [They] sculpted and studied skulls from every angle to figure out where [they] could add appeal and charm.” Global technology supervisor J.D. Northup described that “Each [of the skeletons’ pieces] had to be independent so the complexity of the rig and the stress that it puts on the pipeline were something like we’ve never seen before.” Upon its 2017 release, Coco received rave reviews and $814 million at the box office along with 2 Academy Awards. In this post, we’ll meet the voices behind Mama Imelda, Mama Coco, Papa Julio, Chicharron, Tio Oscar and Tio Felipe, Papa, Tio Berto, Clerk and 2 characters from Incredibles 2.

471. Alanna Ubach

Dates: 1978-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Downey, California. Father was from Puerto Rico and born to a dad from Spain. Mother was from Mexico. Attended University of Southern California film school but dropped out after one semester to pursue acting full-time. Began her acting career in theater and television during the early 1990s. Breakout role was as lab assistant Josie in the show Beakman’s World.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017) as well as a few series.

Characters: Mama Imelda

Also Known For: Actress best known as Serena McGuire in Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde, Isabel Villalobos in Meet the Fockers, Maria in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Noreen in The Brady Bunch Movie, Jane in Clockwatchers, Naomi in Waiting… and Still Waiting…, Margarete in Being Us, Jeanine Pirro in Bombshell, Jo Hernandez-Frumplis in Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce, Suze Howard in Euphoria, Amy Hobbs in See Dad Run, Tessa Flores in Guilty Party, Carol Atkinson in The Flight Attendant, Susan Bennett in Ted (series), Liz Allan in The Spectacular Spider-Man, Manny Rivera in El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, Lola Boa in Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, Strudel in Pound Puppies, Ansi Molina in Welcome to Wayne, Skate Lad and Rope Girl in Teamo Supremo, Josie in Beakman’s World, and Boo, Cletus, Fresca, and Miss Daisy in Rango. Film appearances include Airborne, Renaissance Man, Denise Calls Up, Layin’ Low, Freeway, Love Is All There Is, Johns, Trading Favors, The Sterling Chase, Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13^th, Blue Moon, The Perfect You, Wasabi Tuna, Herbie: Fully Loaded, Open Window, Jekyll, Bad Teacher, Losing Control, Envelope, A Haunted House, To the Bone, The Last Word, Gloria Bell, Wyrm, Fool’s Paradise, In Our Blood, and Venom: The Last Dance. TV appearances include Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter?, L.A. Law, ABC Afterschool Specials, Diagnosis: Murder, ER, Touched by an Angel, Seduced by Madness: The Diane Borchardt Story, Party of Five, Apartment 2F, Tracey Takes On…, Providence, Chicago Hope, The Huntress, Gary & Mike, The West Wing, Ozzy & Drix, Monk, Higglytown Heroes, The Closer, House, CSI: NY, Friday Night Lights, All Grown Up!, Eli Stone, Hung, Men of a Certain Age, Numb3rs, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Mentalist, Kaijudo, Californication, Ben 10: Omniverse, Stan Lee’s Mighty 7, Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight, NCIS, Sheriff Callie’s Wild West, American Horror Story, TripTank, Hand of God, Snowfall, Dietland, Veronica Mars, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Filthy Rich, Crossing Swords, Mythic Quest, Maya and the Three, Harriet the Spy, The Ghost and Molly McGee, The Legend of Vox Machina, American Dad!, Family Guy, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Princess Power, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Last of Us. Video game appearances include Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots, Rango, Marvel Heroes, Grand Theft Auto V, and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2.

Personal Life: Married to record producer Thom Russo since 2014. They have a son born in 2017.

Later Life: Was in the process of obtaining Spanish citizenship for her grandfather in 2024.

Trivia: Was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Beakman’s World in 1992.

472. Edward James Olmos

Dates: 1947-present

Early Life and Career: Born and raised in Los Angeles. Father was a welder and mail carrier who came to California from Mexico in 1945. Parents divorced when he was 7 years old and he was primarily raised by his great-grandparents as his parents worked. Grew up wanting to be a professional baseball player. At 13, Olmos joined the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system as a catcher. At 15, he left baseball to join a rock n’ roll band, causing a rift between him and his father who was hurt by that decision. Graduated from Montebello High School in 1964. While there, he lost the race for Student Body President to future California Democratic Party chair Al Torres. In his teen years, he was lead singer for a psychedelic/hard rock band he named Pacific Ocean, because it was to be “the biggest thing on the West Coast.” At the same time, he attended classes at East Los Angeles College, including courses in acting. For 7 years, Pacific Ocean performed at various clubs in and around Los Angeles as well as released an album called Purgatory in 1968. The album was promoted by 2 singles “I Can’t Stand It”/”I Wanna Testify,” and “My Shrink”/”16 Tons,” and was followed by a nationwide tour in 1969. While setting up for a Pacific Ocean show that night, Olmos slipped on stage and landed on a nail that went through his knee. Another time during a concert, Olmos jumped from the top of an organ across the stage into a drum set, getting knocked unconscious and dislocating the drummer’s shoulder. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Olmos branched out from music into acting, appearing in may small productions until his big break as the narrator called “El Pachuco” in the play Zoot Suit.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017) as well as the series Elena of Avalor.

Characters: Chicharron

Also Known For: Actor best known as Detective Gaff in Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, Lieutenant Martin “Marty” Castillo in Miami Vice, Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver, Montoya Santana in American Me, William Adama in Battlestar Galactica, Mito in Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Gregorio Cortez in The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, Abraham Quintanilla in Selena, Felipe Reyes in Mayans M.C., Chief Tannabok in The Road to El Dorado, and El Pachuco in Zoot Suit. Has been a pioneer for more diversified roles and images of Latinos in American media. Film appearances include Wolfen, Triumph of the Spirit, Talent for the Game, My Family, Caught, The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca, The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, Aloha Bobbi and Rose, Alambrista!, Saving Grace, The Fortunate Pilgrim, Roosters, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, A Million to Juan, Mirage, Dead Man’s Walk, Hollywood Confidential, Splinter, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, I’m Still Here, The Green Hornet, America (2011), Filly Brown, Go for Sisters, 2 Guns, Unity, El Americano: The Movie, Imprisoned, A Dog’s way Home, Windows of the World, The Devil Has a Name, Chasing Wonders, Walking with Herb, Outlaw Posse, and One Fast Move. TV appearances include The Burning Season, 12 Angry Men, Walkout, Dexter, Kojak, Hawaii-Five-O, Starsky & Hutch, CHiPs, Hill Street Blues, The Fortunate Pilgrim, Menedez: A Killing Beverly Hills, The Magic School Bus, Crucible of Empire: The Spanish-American War, The West Wing, In the Time of Butterflies, The Batman, George Lopez, CSI: NY, Portlandia, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Simpsons, Narcos, Bless This Mess, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, and Blue Bloods.

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First wife was Kaija Keel (daughter of actor Howard Keel) from 1974 to their divorce in 1992. They have 2 sons named Bodie and Mico. Second wife was Sopranos actress Lorraine Bracco from 1994 until their divorce in 2002. Third and current wife is actress Lymari Nadal since 2002. But they’ve been separated since 2013. Has adopted 4 children including Daniela, Michael, Brandon, and Tamiko. Has been a vegan since 2015.

Later Life: In 1992 and 1997, Olmos faced 2 sexual assault allegations. One by a teenage girl who alleged he touched her inappropriately which he settled with $150,000 but it’s likely that that this incident may have involved Olmos’ son Bodie, not him. Or so Olmos claims. The second from a woman who claimed he sexually assaulted her in a South Carolina hotel. During a 1992 Los Angeles riot, Olmos went out with a broom and worked to get communities cleaned up and rebuilt. In 1997, he co-founded the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and Latino Literacy Now that’s produce Latino Book & Festivals around the US, attended by over 700,000 people. In 1998, he founded Latino Public Broadcasting and serves as its chairman. In 1999, Olmos was one of the driving forces that created Americanos: Latino Life in the U.S., a book project featuring over 30 award-winning photographers, later turned into a Smithsonian traveling exhibition, music CD, and HBO special. Makes frequent appearances at juvenile halls and detention centers to speak to at-risk teenagers. Has been an international ambassador for UNICEF. In 2001, Olmos was arrested spent 20 days in jail for taking part in the Navy-Vieques protests against the US Navy target practice bombings of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Narrated the 1999 documentary Zapatista in support of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, a revolutionary group that’s abstained from using weapons since 1994. Has also been a vocal supporter of the SENS Foundation and animal rights. Obtained Mexican nationality in 2007. Was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2022 and immediately went into chemotherapy to treat it. Cancer went into remission by the end of the year. Yet, this wasn’t made public until 2023.

Trivia: Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for Stand and Deliver in 1988. Has won 2 Golden Globes, a Primetime Emmy, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Independent Spirit Award. Was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D) degree from Whittier College in 1993. Was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from California State University, Fresno in 1996. Asteroid 5608 Olmos is named in his honor. Received a Humanitarian Award from PETA in 2023.

473.  Ana Ofelia Murguia

Dates: 1933-2023

Early Life and Career: Born in Mexico City, Mexico. Studied at the Theater School of the National Institute of Fine Arts and was a student of the “father of Mexican theater” Seki Sano, which led her to a fruitful career on stage and screen.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017)

Characters: Mama Coco

Also Known For: Mexican actress best known as Dona Victoria and Dona Amelia in Nobody Will Speak of Us When We Are Dead. At the time of her death, she was one of the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema. Film appearances include The Heist, Las Poquianchis, La Vispera, La pasion de Isabela, Dune (1984), Los Motivos de Luz, Gaby: A True Story, One Man’s War, and The Queen of the Night.

Personal Life: Couldn’t find anything about her personal life and she seemed to be a very private person.

Later Life: Died in Mexico City, Mexico in 2023 at 90.

Trivia: Has been nominated for the Ariel Award for Best Actress 5 times but won 3 Ariel Awards for Best Supporting Actress.

474. Alfonso Arau

Dates: 1932-present

Early Life and Career: Born Alfonso Arau Incháustegui in Mexico City, Mexico. Father was a physician. Was a drama disciple of Seki Sano, a classmate of Lee Strasberg with Konstantin Stanislavski in Russia, and traveled the world from 1964-1968 with his one-man show, “Pantomime Happy Madness” after studying with Etienne Decroux and Jacques Lecoq in Paris. That is, as far as Imdb is concerned.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017)

Characters: Papa Julio

Also Known For: Mexican actor and filmmaker who’s worked as an actor and director in Hollywood and Mexican productions for over 40 years before his international hit Like Water for Chocolate in 1992. Best known as Captain Herrera in The Wild Bunch, El Guapo in Three Amigos, Manuel in Used Cars, Juan in Romancing the Stone, and Mando in Gunsmoke. Film appearances include Pedro Paramo, Parasio, El Topo, Scandalous John, The Garden of Aunt Isabel, Calzonzin Inspector, Posse, Tivoli, Mojado Power, Walker, Picking Up the Pieces, El Muerto, and I Heart Shakey. Also directed A Walk in the Clouds, Picking Up the Pieces, and Zapata: El sueno de la heroe. TV appearances include Bonanza, Miami Vice, and 227.

Personal Life: Married to author Laura Esquivel from 1975 to their divorce in 1995. Has 8 children including actor Fernando and musician Sergio.

Later Life: In 2017, it’s alleged by Debra Messing that Arau had belittled her for her appearance and body in A Walk in the Clouds, which she reinforced on a Finding Your Roots episode in 2025.

Trivia: Played Kaa in the Latin Spanish dub version of The Jungle Book (1967).

475. Herbert Siguenza

Dates: 1959-present

Early Life and Career: Born in San Francisco, California. Spent a portion of his life in El Salvador with his family before returning to California as a teenager to flee the civil unrest taking place in that country. Upon his return, Siguenza attended Balboa High School and the California College of Art and Crafts where, a first-generation college student, he received his BFA in printmaking. At this point, theater wasn’t something that he knew he had an interest in pursuing. Was originally trained as an artist and print making with examples of his work from the early 1980s can be seen in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Shortly after receiving his BFA, he served 10 years as the art director at La Raza Silkscreen Center / La Raza Graphics in San Francisco. From there, he moved into performing arts and became involved in Teatro Gusto, performing in places like the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts. Began his acting career in 1984 when he co-founded Culture Clash with Ric Salinas, Richard Montoya, José Antonio Burciaga, Marga Gómez, and Monica Palacios. Together they toured the country performing Chicano theater with topics involving social commentary through the use of satire. While the latter 3 on went on to eventually drop out, Siguenza, Salinas, and Montoya still perform together today.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017)

Characters: Tio Oscar and Tio Felipe

Also Known For: Actor, writer, visual artist, and performer based in California. Best known for co-founding the theater performance group Culture Clash in 1984 and is still active. 

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Adriana Rodrigues from 2002 to their divorce in 2008. Second and current wife is a woman named either Christina or Samantha. They have a daughter named Belen.

Later Life: Currently the playwright-in-residence at the San Diego Rep and has continued to pursue many solo ventures in addition to his group work. Also served as a cultural consultant for Coco (2017).

Trivia: Personal and professional papers are housed at the California State University, Northridge Special Collections and Archives in the University Library.

476. Jaime Camil

Dates: 1973-present

Early Life and Career: Born Jaime Federico Said Camil de Saldanha da Gama in Mexico City, Mexico. Father was a businessman. Mother was a Brazilian singer. Earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Universidad Anahuac. Studied acting in New York City, Los Angeles, and Mexico. Also took classical opera training in Italy. Started his career in 1993 as a radio commentator on Radioactivo 98.5. Made his screen debut in 1995 as host of El show de Jaime Camil. Released his first album Para estar contigo, taking him to major cities in Mexico, South America, and the United States. Made his film debut in 1997 with Delfines. Acted in his first telenovela Mi destino eres tu. Yet, he didn’t really achieve universal renown until he starred in La fea mas bella in the mid-2000s.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017) as well as various series.

Characters: Papa

Also Known For: Mexican, actor, singer, and television personality best known as Fernando Mendiola in La Fea Mas Bella and Rogelio de la Vega in Jane the Virgin. Film appearances include Zapata: El sueno de un heroe, Open Season, Bee Movie, El Agente 00-P2, I Do…Knot, Regresa, 200 Cartas, Pulling Strings, Elsa & Fred, The Secret Life of Pets, Little Bitches, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, The Secret Life of Pets 2, Madness in the Method, My Boyfriend’s Meds, and Kimi. TV appearances include Mirada de mujer, Por tu amor, Mi Destino Eres Tu, La hora pico, Mujer de madera, Una familia de diez, Las tontas no van al cielo, Los exitos Perez, Por ella soy Eva, Que pobres tan ricos, The Talk, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Charmed, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, BoJack Horsemen, Broke, Schmigadoon!, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, The Idol of the People, Loteria Loca, and Lopez vs Lopez.

Personal Life: Married to model Heidi Balvanera since 2013. They have 2 children. Is fluent in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and French.

Later Life: Divides his time between Mexico City and Los Angeles.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 2 Critics’ Choice Awards and 2 Teen Choice Awards. Sang the national anthem at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR race.

477. Luis Miguel Valdez

Dates: 1940-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Delano, California as the second of 10 children. Parents were migrant farm workers. At 6, he began working in the fields. Throughout his childhood, the family moved from harvest to harvest around the central valleys of California. Due to this nomadic existence, he attended many different schools before his family settled in San Jose, California. Began school in Stratford, California. Interest in theater began in the first grade. Throughout elementary school, Valdez organized plays at school and put on puppet shows in his garage, which were usually about fairy tales. In high school, he was part of the Speech and Drama department, acting in several plays. Considered himself “a very serious student.”  Graduated from James Lick High School and went on to attend San Jose State University on a math and physics scholarship. But during his second year, he switched his major to English and later won a playwriting contest with his one-act play The Theft in 1961. In 1963, his college drama department produced his first full-length play, The Shrunken Head of Pancho Villa. After graduation, Valdez spent the next few months with The San Francisco Mime Troupe, where he was introduced to agitprop theatre, guerrilla theatre, and the Italian commedia dell’arte. These techniques greatly influenced Valdez’s development of the basic structure of Chicano: the one act presentational called the acto that’s usually around 15 minutes long. In 1965, Valdez returned to Delano, where he enlisted in Cesar Chavez’s mission to organize farm workers into a comprehensive union. He brought together farm workers and students to form El Teatro Campesino, a farm workers’ theater troupe known for touring migrant camps with their 15-minute actos. These plays weren’t just used to educate and inform not only the farm workers, but also the public. Intertwining social and political commentary with humor, original plays were based on farmworkers’ experiences. But by 1967, their subject matter expanded to other aspects of Chicano culture. Although Valdez left El Teatro in 1967, Chicano theater exploded in the 1970s on college campuses and in communities throughout the United States.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017)

Characters: Tio Berto and Don Hidalgo

Also Known For: Playwright, screenwriter, film director, and actor best known as the father of Chicano film and playwriting. Best known works are his play Zoot Suit, his film La Bamba, and his creation of El Teatro Campesino. A pioneer of the Chicano movement, he broadened the scope of theater and arts in the Chicano community.

Personal Life: Brother of actor David Valdez. Married to Lupe Trujillo since 1969. They have 3 children.

Later Life: Established a Chicano cultural center in Del Rey, California in 1967. Moved the theater and cultural center to Fresno in 1969. There, he made his first short film, taught at Fresno State University, and created TENAZ, the national Chicano theater organization comprised of many theater groups throughout the Southwest US. Moved the theater and cultural center a final time in 1971 to San Juan Bautista, which is south of San Francisco and where he still lives today. The place would be called the El Centro Campesino Cultural and became a fully professional production company. Published the poem Pensamento Serpentino in 1973. In 1984, Valdez became a founding faculty member of the California State University, Monterrey Bay Teledramatic Arts and Technology Department. There, he’s credited with assisting the development of a university program preparing students for the entertainment industry such as filmmaking, writing, cinematography, sound, and the like. In 1989, Valdez and officials from the Academy of Media Arts and Sciences and Nosotros formed the Latino Writers Group to improve opportunities and pay for Latino writers in Hollywood.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Has received a Peabody in 1987. Received the Hispanic Heritage Award in Literature in 1992. Made a Rockefeller Fellow in 2007. Received the National Medal of the Arts in 2015. Received an honorary doctorate from the California Institute of the Arts.

478. Gabriel Iglesias

Dates: 1976-present

Early Life and Career: Born in San Diego, California. Mainly raised by his mother as a single parent. Has lived in Riverside, Corona, Santa Ana, Baldwin Park, and Compton before settling in Section 8 low-income housing in Long Beach where Iglesias spent most of his childhood. Later worked for a cell-phone company in Los Angeles before going into comedy in 1997. Although it resulted in him being evicted from his home and losing his car. Appeared in the sixth season in the sketch comedy series All That. Was a contestant on the fourth season of Last Comic Standing in 2000, surviving elimination to become one of the final 8 comics. Yet, was disqualified at one point for having to use a smuggled BlackBerry to communicate with his family and friends, which violated the show.

Movies and Cartoons: Planes (2013) and Coco (2017) as well as the series The Emperor’s New School and Monsters at Work.

Characters: Ned, Zed, and Clerk

Also Known For: Stand-up comedian and actor who’s produced a number of stand-up specials for Comedy Central and Netflix. Best known as Tobias in Magic Mike, and Speedy Gonzales in Space Jam: A New Legacy. Was one of the top 10 paid comedians in the world in 2018. Film appearances include The Nut Job, A Haunted House 2, The Book of Life, The Star, Ferdinand, Snow Dogs (2018), UglyDolls, Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever. TV appearances include All That, My Wife and Kids, Comedy Central Presents, Last Comic Standing, Family Guy, The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange, Key & Peele, Scooby-Doo! Ghastly Goals, Cristela, Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade, Narcos, Funny You Should Ask, Modern Family, Unleashed, Hell’s Kitchen, The Santa Clauses, WWE Rivals, Pupstruction, Primos, Everybody Stil Hates Chris, and American Dad!.

Personal Life: Was in a long-term relationship with Claudia Valdez until their split in 2017. Had a self-proclaimed stepson with her named Frankie with whom he still maintains a relationship. Still, his split from Valdez led him to cancel performances and quit drinking for a couple of years.

Later Life: Has lived in Whittier, California since 2010. At his heaviest, when he weighed 445 lbs, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with his blood sugar regularly spiking at 300 mg/dl. He decided to lose the weight once his doctor told him that he had 2 years to live. Instead of bariatric surgery, he took up weightlifting, Diamond Dallas Page Yoga, and a high-protein and low-carb diet, all of which helped him shed 100 lbs. He’s also struggled with depression and alcoholism which he attributes partly to burnout and a heavy touring schedule. Tested positive for Covid-19 which led him to cancel some performances at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts as well as the taping of his comedy special.

Trivia: Received the key to the city of El Paso, Texas in 2012. Received the Beacon of H.O.P.E. Award from the nonprofit organization Operation H.O.P.E. Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025. Attributes influences to Paul Rodriguez, Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, and Bill Cosby. Is also known for his trademark Hawaiian shirts.

479. Catherine Keener

Dates: 1959-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Miami, Florida. Raised in Hialeh where she attended Monsignor Edward Pace School. Attended Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts where she majored in American Studies as well as enrolled in theater course. Graduated from there with a Bachelor of Arts in 1983. Made screen debut in 1986.

Movies and Cartoons: Incredibles 2 (2018) as well as Lego The Incredibles video game.

Characters: Evelyn Deavor

Also Known For: Actress known for playing disgruntled and melancholic yet sympathetic women in independent films as well as supporting roles in studio films. Best known as Harper Lee in Capote and Gertrude Baniszewski in An American Crime. Film appearances  include Being John Malkovitch, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Into the Wild, Synecdoche, New York, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Get Out, Joker: Foile a Deux, The Croods, About Last Night…, Survival Quest, Thelma & Louise, Boys, Box of Moonlight, Your Friends & Neighbors, Simpatico, Lovely & Amazing, Adaptation, Death  to Smoochy, The Ballad of Jack and Rose, The Interpreter, Friends with Money, Hamlet 2, What Just Happened, The Soloist, Where the Wild Things Are, Cyrus, Trust, A Late Quartet, Enough Said, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, War Story, Begin Again, Elephant Song, Little Pink House, Nostalgia, Sicaro: Day of the Soldado, The Adam Project, and Polar Bear. TV appearances include Kidding, L.A. Law, Ohara, Knightwatch, CBS Summer Playhouse, Seinfeld, Show Me a Hero, Forever, Modern Love, and Brand New Cherry Flavor.

Personal Life: Married to actor Dermot Mulroney from 1990 to their divorce in 2007. They have a son name Clyde who’s a singer.

Later Life: Has a notorious reputation for being press-shy. Although she’s perfectly open with talking about her collaborations with directors and co-stars, she often refuses to talk about anything regarding her personal life since she values her privacy.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 2 Academy Awards, 2 Golden Globes, a Primetime Emmy, and a BAFTA.

480. Jonathan Banks

Dates: 1947-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Washington D.C. Grew up in Chillum Heights, Maryland. Father was a civil servant. Mother was a professor at Indiana University as well as a secretary in various government offices and top Naval officers, including Admiral Chester Nimitz. Graduated from Northwood High School in Silver Spring. Attended Indiana University Bloomington. After graduating, he joined a touring company of Hair as a stage manager, traveling to Australia and New Zealand. Moved to Los Angeles in 1974 where he worked at a theater before picking up bit parts. Achieved his breakthrough role as Frank McPike in the show Wiseguy in 1987.

Movies and Cartoons: Incredibles 2 (2018) as well as Lego The Incredibles video game and series Tangled: The Series and Gravity Falls.

Characters: Rick Dicker

Also Known For: Actor best known as FBI Special Agent Frank McPike in Wiseguy, Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, Commissioner Jim Gordon in Batman: Arkham Knight, and Brit in Invincible. Film appearances include The Rose, Airplane!, Frances, Beverly Hills Cop, Armed and Dangerous, There Goes the Neighborhood, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Foolish, Puff, Puff, Pass, Identity Thief, The Commuter, Coming Home, The Cheap Detective, Who’ll Stop the Rain, Stir Crazy, 48 Hrs., Gremlins, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai and the 8^th Dimension, Gangster Wars, Freejack, Flipper, Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, R.S.V.P., Proximity, Reign Over Me, Horrible Bosses 2, Mudbound, and Redbad. TV appearances include Community, Lou Grant, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, The Gangster Chronicles, Best of the West, T. J. Hooker, Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, Otherworld, Falcon Crest, Designing Women, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Matlock, Tales from the Crypt, Women of the House, SeaQuest 2032, Diagnosis: Murder, The Trouble with Normal, Alias, Joan of Arcadia, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, E-Ring, Ghost Whisperer, Without a Trace, Day Break, Dexter, Shark, Eli Stone, Lie to Me, Cold Case, Castle, Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, CSI: Miami, Parks and Recreation, Vegas, The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, Robot Chicken, The Expanse, MythBusters, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Skylanders Academy, Dr. Ken, The Comey Rule, Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, A Tale of Dark & Grimm, and Constellation.  

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Marnie Fausch from 1968 to their divorce in 1970. They have a daughter. Second and current wife is Gennera Gonzalez Cebian since 1990. They have fraternal twins. Banks also has a stepdaughter from this marriage as well.

Later Life: Home was destroyed in the 2018 Woosley Fire.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 6 Primetime Emmys and won a Screen Actors Guild Award and 2 Saturn Awards. Received an honorary doctorate from Indiana University in 2016. Was a classmate of Kevin Kline at Indiana University and they performed together in a campus production of The Threepenny Opera.

Development on Cars 3 began after the release of Cars 2 in 2011 with pre-production underway by March 2014. Prior to the film’s release, John Lasseter stated that the film would have a “very emotional story” similar to the first film’s tone. Co-writer Kiel Murray said of the return to the series’ roots, “With these franchises you always want to know who it’s about. The first movie was about McQueen, and the second movie was a sort of off-ramp to the Mater story. We wanted to get back to the McQueen story. When we looked at what would be next for him, we wondered what that would be like both as an athlete, and also for what he was dealing with in the rest of his life.” According to director Brian Fee, the production team did a lot of research, and, while they “looked at athletes in other sports”, the team mainly focused on NASCAR racers. Fee claimed that they, “even talked to a sports psychoanalyst who explained that many of these drivers can’t imagine themselves doing anything else”, an idea that resonated with the team. Mike Rich said that rookies taking over the sport is a “kind of endless story in sports” and compared McQueen to Wayne Gretzky and Misty-May Treanor along with many others. According to Fee, “being a parent became [his] main resource to find and understand the emotion” in the film’s storyline. Story supervisor Scott Morse wanted to highlight the film’s emotional core and the characters’ relationships, wanting the movie to feel like a sports film while also focusing on McQueen realizing “what their relationship meant to Doc.” Upon its 2017 release, Cars 3 raked in $383 million at the box office against a budget of $175 million as well as received rave reviews from critics. In this post, we’ll meet the voices behind 2 more Moana characters, Cruz Ramirez, Smokey, Miss Fritter, River Scott, Louise “Barnstormer” Nash, Sweet Tea, and 2 characters from Coco.

461. Jemaine Clement

Dates: 1974-present

Early Life and Career: Born Jemaine Atea Mahana Clement in Masterton in the Wairapa. Father worked in freezing works and struggled with alcoholism before leaving home when Clement was a child. He later became a stained glass artist in Midhirst, Taranaki. Despite having a strong connection to his Maori ethnicity through both sides and regularly visiting relatives on trips to various marae, bans on Maori being spoken in schools meant Clement grew up in an almost entirely English-speaking environment. Family didn’t own a car so he never learned to drive. Attended Makoura College and studied drama and film at the Victoria University of Wellington. There, he met Taika Waititi with whom he went on to form So You’re a Man and the Humourbeasts. In 2004, the Humourbeasts in a stage show titled The Unknown Tales of Maui, a reworking of the traditional Maui tales. The duo later received the Billy T. Award, New Zealand’s highest comedy honor. Also during his college years, Clement also met Bret McKenzie with whom he performed in Edinburgh, thus forming Flight of the Conchords.

Movies and Cartoons: Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024)

Characters: Tamatoa

Also Known For: New Zealnd actor, comedian, musician, and filmmaker. Has released several albums with Bret Mckenzie as the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords and created the Flight of the Conchords TV series for BBC and HBO. Film appearances include Eagle vs Shark, Gentlemen Broncos, Men in Black 3, People Places Things, Humor Me, Festival, Avatar: The Way of Water, A Minecraft Movie, Despicable Me, Rio, Rio 2, The Lego Batman Movie, Tongan Ninja, Futile Attraction, Diagnosis Death, Predicament, Dinner for Schmucks, What We Do in the Shadows, Muppets Most Wanted, Ratchet & Clank, The BFG, Brad Status, The Breakers Uppers, Patrick, Nude Tuesday, DC League of Super-Pets, The Moon Is Upside Down, Thelma the Unicorn, and Harold and the Purple Crayon. TV appearances include What We Do in the Shadows, The Enid Blyton Adventure Series, The Tribe, The Drinky Crow Show, The Simpsons, Out There, TripTank, Regular Show, Inside Amy Schumer, Another Period, Divorce, Milo Murphy’s Law, Legion, American Dad!, Robot Chicken, Wellington Paranormal, We Bare Bears, Year of the Rabbit, Steven Universe Future, Tig n’ Seek, Big Mouth, Human Resources, Koala Man, and Time Bandits. Albums include Folk the World Tour, The Distant Future, Flight of the Conchords, and I Told You I Was Freaky.

Personal Life: Has reconnected with his father as an adult and enjoys a “strong and loving” relationship with him. Married to theater actress and playwright Miranda Manasiadis since 2008. They have a son named Sophocles Iraia.

Later Life: Lives in Wellington and has a number of movies coming up as far as 2029.

Trivia: Great-grandson of Maori Chief Iraia Te Ama-o-te-rangie Te Whaiti. Has received 6 Primetime Emmy nominations for Flight of the Conchords. Has won a Grammy and 5 New Zealand Music Awards.

462. Nicole Scherzinger

Dates: 1978-present

Early Life and Career: Born Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente in Honolulu, Hawaii. Father left the family when she was 2. Mother remarried a man named Scherzinger who adopted her and she eventually assumed his surname. Family moved to Louisville, Kentucky when she was 6. Mother was a clerk. Stepfather was a welder. Scherzinger has described her upbringing as difficult as she grew up “without much money” and supported herself as a waitress, taking multiple modeling jobs, and being part of a local entertainment troupe of the local amusement park, Kentucky Kingdom. At 14, she joined the Actors Theatre of Louisville. Graduated in 1996 from the Youth Performing Arts School at duPont Manual High School, where she participated in many plays. After earning a scholarship, she attended Wright State University as a theatre arts major with a dance minor. During this time, she garnered lead roles in regional productions. During her senior year in college, Scherzinger was hired by Days of the New band leader Travis Meeks to contribute vocals on their self-titled album. The album’s supporting tour followed and Scherzinger dropped out of college. When the tour ended, Meeks and Scherzinger grew apart and went their separate ways due to creative differences. In 2001, Scherzinger’s mother saw a commercial for the WB’s show Popstars USA, a reality show with the aim to chronicle a musical group’s formation until the recording of their debut album. Warner Bros. imprint London had signed the group to a recording contract before the band was named and had finalized their membership due to the hours of TV exposure the group would receive. Although initially reluctant to audition, Scherzinger opted otherwise seeing it as an opportunity to travel to Los Angeles. Sang Whitney Houston’s version of “I’ll Always Love You” and alongside Ana Maria Lombo, Maile Misajon, Ivette Sosa, and Rosanna Tavarez, established the girl group Eden’s Crush. They were basically a one-hit wonder group with “Get Over Yourself” and their studio album Popstars. Although they toured with ‘N Sync and Jessica Simpson, the label went bankrupt and the group split. In 2003, she traveled to Arista Records hoping to get a solo contract with a demo CD but her performance was interrupted by a citywide blackout and she was forced to leave. Thanks to will.i.am’s recommendation of her to producer Jimmy Iovine, Scherzinger went to another open audition for another recording group at Interscope Records. Although she still hoped to achieve a solo deal, she later joined singers Melody Thornton, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, and Kimberly Wyatt as the Pussycat Dolls, which soon became one of the best-selling female groups of all time with 2 albums and over 55 million records sold worldwide. And she’d be the group’s lead singer.

Movies and Cartoons: Moana (2016), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), and Moana 2 (2024)

Characters: Sina and Mo’s Mother

Also Known For: Singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and television personality best known as a member of the R&B group and dance ensemble the Pussycat Dolls from 2003 to 2010. Film appearances include Chasing Papi, Love Don’t Cost a Thing, Be Cool, Men in Black 3, and Yoshiki: Under the Sky. TV appearances include Wanda at Large, My Wife and Kids, How I Met Your Mother, Project Runway All Stars, I Can Do That, Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris, Bring the Noise, RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars, Dirty Dancing, Drop the Mic, Lip Sync Battle, I Can See Your Voice, Trese, Annie Live!, and That’s My Jam. Stage appearances include Rent, The Rocky Horror Show, Cats, and Sunset Boulevard.

Personal Life: Has had 2 long-term relationships. First with British racing driver Lewis Hamilton from 2007-2015. Currently engaged to former Scottish rugby player Thom Evans with whom she’s been with since 2020. Was also engaged to 311 singer Nick Hexum whom she dated from 2000 to 2004. And was involved with Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov from 2016-2019. Has struggled with bulimia during her height of popularity with the Pussycat Dolls and body dysmorphia that led to it for a decade.

Later Life: After the Pussycat Dolls split, Scherzinger carved out a solo career outside the group. Unfortunately, her debut album Her Name Is Nicole was shelved due to insufficient commercial response from its promotional singles. However, she’d later debut with Killer Love in 2011 and Big Fat Lie in 2014 but both failed to chart domestically. Yet, they found moderate success on international charts. Has also served as a judge for various talent shows like The Sing-Off, The X Factor US, The X Factor UK, Australia’s Got Talent, and The Masked Singer. Competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2010 and has taken to performing in musical theater. Also has a clothing line and a fragrance as well as served as an ambassador for the Special Olympics and supports UNICEF UK.

Trivia: Inducted to the DuPont Manual High School’s Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007. Has endowed YPAS with a yearly $2,000 namesake scholarship since 2013. Received the 2017 Alumna of the Year Award from the Wright State Alumni Association. Was once asked by will.i.am to become a member of The Black-Eyed Peas but her then-boyfriend declined. Has been nominated for a Grammy and 2 Laurence Olivier Awards. Won a Laurence Olivier Award in 2024 for her performance as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Appeared in will.i.am’s “Yes, We Can” video for the 2008 Barack Obama presidential campaign. Has performed “Brave” with the Stand Up 2 Cancer choir in 2014. Was featured in “Love Song to Earth” ahead of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

463. Cristela Alonzo

Dates: 1979-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Hidalgo, Texas to a Mexican single mother of 4 who left her abusive husband while pregnant with her and worked double shifts as a waitress at a Mexican restaurant for 20 years in San Juan, Texas. Whenever her mom had her weekly day off, the family would visit her paternal grandmother across the Mexican border. For the first 8 years of her life, Alonzo’s family squatted in an abandoned diner, homeless and destitute. Even with her mother working double shifts as a waitress. Has often went hungry and had problems with skin pigment due to lack of nutrition. Said her mother often used humor to offset the abject poverty. Alonzo learned English from watching TV and her family only spoke Spanish at home. But her mom never learned English. TV also kept Alonzo and her siblings safe inside from drug trafficking in her neighborhood. She often would translate American shows into Spanish and act them out for her mother. Also shared a bed with her mom until she was 18. Because her older sister married young, Alonzo spent much of her childhood with her 2 older brothers where she became interested in comic books, trading playing cards, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Dungeons & Dragon, and metal music. Alonzo also entered and won theater competitions across South Texas while in high school. She graduated from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School. At 18, she left home to attend Webster University in St. Louis to study theater. But she later dropped out because she could no longer afford school. She then went back to Dallas and moved in with her sister, where she took care of her mother and her sister’s kids. Alonzo’s mother died in 2002. In 2003, Alonzo got a job as an office manager at the Addison Improv and began doing stand-up. After some time on the Dallas scene, she moved to Los Angeles to become a stand-up comedian. Got her first break as a writer of a Comedy Central show in 2006. Would later be a semi-finalist in Last Comic Standing in 2010.

Movies and Cartoons: Cars 3 (2017) as well as the Cars 3: Driven to Win video game and the Cars on the Road series.

Characters: Cruz Ramirez

Also Known For: Stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and producer best known for creating and starring in the sitcom Christela, making her the first Mexican American woman to create, produce, write, and star in her own American primetime comedy. Film appearances include The Angry Birds Movie, The Laundromat, and Coast. TV appearances include Mind of Mencia, Sons of Anarchy, General Hospital, His Dark Materials, The Upshaws, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Earth to Ned, Launchpad, and Is It Cake?. Has performed stand-up on Live at Gotham, Ladies Night Out, Last Comic Standing, Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up Revolution, Legally Brown, Conan, The Half Hour, @midnight, Just for Laughs: All-Access, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Personal Life: Has been in a relationship with Stephen Halasz since 2008. Has never met her father who died in 2009.

Later Life: Christela was cancelled in 2015. Published her memoir Music to My Years: A Mixtape-Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up in 2019. Has had a couple stand-up specials on Netflix and frequently appears in the game show 25 Words or Less.

Trivia: None.

464. Chris Cooper

Dates: 1951-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Kansas City, Missouri. Father was a US Air Force doctor and cattleman. Both his parents were from Texas. Grew up in the Kansas City suburbs and spent his summers at his family’s cattle ranch that was 15 miles Leavenworth, Kansas. Since his dad was in the Air Force, his family moved to Los Vegas, Nevada, Phoenix, Arizona, and Houston, Texas. While attending Southwest High School in Kansas City, Missouri, Cooper worked for a local theater company: “I had a background in carpentry, so I could build sets and work in the wings and shift scenes in the evening.” After graduating high school, he became the shop foreman for another repertory company. Also considered helping his dad raise cattle and served in the US Coast Guard Reserve. Attended the University of Missouri and enrolled in the theater program, originally majoring in set design before switching to acting during his sophomore year in order to overcome his “overpowering shyness.” He’d later recall in a 1996 interview, “I started going in and watching some shows at the theater department. I started taking theater classes and auditioned for plays. And once I got into it, it was pretty immediate. I really felt right, felt at home.” Also took dance classes at Stephens College. After graduating from the University of Missouri, Cooper moved to New York City in 1976 where he shared a one-room railroad apartment with 4 other aspiring actors and dancers. He supported himself by renovating apartments as well as in construction along with serving as a janitor and chauffeur. At the same time, he studied with Stella Adler and Will Handman. Before his film debut in Matewan in 1987, Cooper spent the previous 12 years doing stage work with the Actors Theater of Louisville and the Seattle Repertory. In 1985, he appeared in the revival of Sweet Bird of Youth in London. Made his breakthrough in 1989 with the miniseries Lonesome Dove.

Movies and Cartoons: Cars 3 (2017) as well as the video game Cars 3: Driven to Win.

Characters: Smokey

Also Known For: Actor best known as Sheriff July Johnson in Lonesome Dove, FBI Agent Robert Hanssen in Breach, Daniel Sloan in The Company You Keep, Norman Osborn in The Amazing Spiderman 2, and Al Templeton in 11.22.63. Film appearances include A Time to Kill, October Sky, American Beauty, The Bourne Identity, Seabiscuit, Capote, Syriana, The Kingdom, Where the Wild Things Are, The Town, The Muppets, Live by Night, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Little Women (2019), Adaptation, Maetwan, City of Hope, Lone Star, Silver City, Amigo, This Boy’s Life, Pharaoh’s Army, Great Expectations (1998), The Horse Whisperer, Me, Myself & Irene, The Patriot, Jarhead, The Tempest, Remember Be, August: Osage County, Demolition, Coming Through the Rye, Live by Night, Irresistible, and Boston Strangler. TV appearances include The Equalizer, American Playhouse, Miami Vice, In Broad Daylight, Law & Order, My House in Umbria, American Experience, and Homecoming.

Personal Life: Married to Sopranos’ actress Marianne Leone since 1983. Had son named Jesse born 3 months premature in 1987 who later suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and developed cerebral palsy. Yet, he nonetheless attended Silver Lake Regional High School and became an honor student. Cooper said of him in a 2003 interview, “(Jesse) is the best thing that ever happened to us. He’s in a wheelchair and he communicates only by computer, but he’s taught me so much because he’s just so incredibly focused. Now he’s in a regular school, which we fought to get him into. He’s an honors student, and he’s doing great.” Unfortunately, Jesse died suddenly and unexpectedly from epilepsy in 2005. Cooper and Leone later set up a memorial in his name called the Jesse Cooper Foundation. They also adopt and live with rescue dogs.

Later Life: As of 2003, he lives in Kingston, Massachusetts.

Trivia: Has won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe for Adaptation as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award for American Beauty. Has been nominated for a BAFTA, a Primetime Emmy, a Tony, an Independent Spirit Award, and 3 Satellite Awards. Close friends with John Sayles since 1985. Received an honorary doctorate at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell in 2016.

465. Lea DeLaria

Dates: 1958-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Belleville, Illinois. Father was a jazz pianist and social worker. Attended St. Mary’s Elementary School. Career in stand-up career began in 1982 when she moved to San Francisco and performed raunchy stand-up comedy in the Mission District. In 1986, DeLaria directed “Ten Percent Revue” a musical revue written by Tom Wilson that celebrates gay and lesbian culture, which was performed in Boston, San Francisco, Provincetown, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Many shows were sold out. From 1987 to 1989, DeLaria starred in “Dos Lesbos” a musical comedy about 2 lesbians dealing with issues of living together. Show received favorable reviews nationwide. In 1989, De Laria conceived, wrote, directed, and starred in Girl Friday: We’re Funny That Way which won the Golden Bull for Best Comedy Group in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1993 as the first openly gay comic to appear on a late-night talk show.

Movies and Cartoons: Cars 3 (2017)

Characters: Miss Fritter

Also Known For: Comedian, actress, and jazz singer best known as Carrie “Big Boo” Black in Orange Is the New Black and Psychic Madame Delphina in One Life to Live. Was the first openly gay comic to appear on a late-night talk show with her 1993 appearance in The Arsenio Hall Show. Film appearances include The First Wives Club, Plump Fiction, Edge of Seventeen, Ass Backwards, Dear Dumb Diary, Support the Girls, and Potato Dreams of America. TV appearances include Out There, In the Life, Matlock, Friends, The Drew Carey Show, In Thru the Out Door, We’re Funny That Way, Great Performances, The Beat, Further Tails of the City, Will & Grace, Just for Laughs, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Californiacation, Submissions Only, Dear Dumb Diary, Awkward, Clarence, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Broad City, Shameless, Ahead of the Curve, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, and Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens. Stage appearances include On the Town, The Rocky Horror Show, Mamma Mia!, and POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Man Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive.

Personal Life: Was engaged to fashion editor Chelsea Fairless in 2015 after a 2-year relationship. Only to break up by 2017.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Has won 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards and an Obie.

466. Margo Martindale

Dates: 1951-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Jacksonville, Texas. Father owned and operated a lumber company as well as known as a champion dog handler in Texas and throughout the Southern United States. Martindale participated in golf, cheerleading, and drama at school as well as was crowned Football Sweetheart and Miss Jacksonville High School in 1969. After graduating from high school, Martindale attended Lon Morris College before transferring to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. While at Michigan, she attended summer courses at Harvard University, appearing onstage with future movie and TV stars Jonathan Frakes and Christopher Reeve. Worked for 4 years at the Actors Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky during the early 1980s where she became good friends with fellow actress Kathy Bates. One of her earliest TV roles was in Lonesome Dove in 1989.

Movies and Cartoons: Cars 3 (2017) as well as the series Duck Tales and Big City Greens.

Characters: Louise “Barnstormer” Nash

Also Known For: Character actress who’s appeared on television, film, and stage. Best known as Mags Bennett in Justified, Claudia in The Americans, and Bella Azbug in Mrs. America. Film appearances include The Rocketeer, Lorenzo’s Oil, The Firm, Dead Man Walking, Marvin’s Room, The Hours, Million Dollar Baby, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, The Savages, Hanna Montana: The Movie, Secretariat, Win Win, August: Osage County, Instant Family, Uncle Frank, Cocaine Bear, Days of Thunder, Nobody’s Fool, Sabrina (1995), Ghosts of Mississippi, Twilight (1998), In Dreams, The Life and Death of Bobby Z, Feast of Love, Orphan, Beautiful Creatures, Bluebird, Heaven Is for Real, Sophie and the Rising Sun, The Boss, Mother’s Day,  My Entire  High School Sinking Into the Sea, Wilson (2017), Downsizing, The Kitchen, Lazy Susan, Family Squares,  and The Twits. TV appearances include The Goodwife, Impeachment: American Crime Story, Mrs. Davis, BoJack Horseman, Lonesome Dove, Law & Order, Homicide: Life on the Street, 100 Centre Street, The Laramie Project, Ed, Iron Jawed Angels, Silver Bells, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Dexter, Hung, Mercy, Harry’s Law, A Gifted Man, Suits, Person of Interest, Smash, New Girl, Masters of Sex, The Millers, Mike & Molly,  Sneaky Pete, The Guest Book, Your Honor, Infinity Train,  The Watcher, The Chicken Sisters, and The Sticky. Stage appearances include Talking With, The Miss Firecracker Contest, Steel Magnolias, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Personal Life: Younger sister of professional golfer and golf course designer Bill Martindale. Has another brother named Bobby Tim died in 2004 at 58. Married to Bill Boals since 1986. They have a daughter.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Has won 3 Primetime Emmy Awards and a Critics’ Choice.  Has also been nominated for a Tony and 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

467. Isiah Whitlock Jr.

Dates: 1954-present

Early Life and Career: Born in South Bend, Indiana. Attended college at Southwest Minnesota University in Marshall, Minnesota, where he enrolled on a football scholarship and studied theater. Of course, injuries led him to stop playing football and focus on acting. After graduating in 1976, Whitlock moved to San Francisco, California and joined the American Conservatory Theater.

Movies and Cartoons: Enchanted (2007), Cars 3 (2017) and Lightyear (2022)

Characters: Ethan Banks, River Scott, and Commander Burnside

Also Known For: Actor best known as State Senator Clay Davis in The Wire. Is a frequent collaborator of Spike Lee. Film appearances include Goodfellas, Pieces of April, 1408, Cedar Rapids, Pete’s Dragon (2016), The Old Man and the Gun, All Square, I Care a Lot, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Eddie, Everyone Says I Love You, The Spanish Prisoner, A Fish in the Bathtub, Jump Tomorrow, 25^th Hour, She Hate Me, Duane Hopwood, Kettle of Fish, Beautiful Ohio, Choke, Cadillac Records, I Hate Valentine’s Day, Twelve, Main Street (2010), Gun Hill Road, Cedar Rapids, Detachment, Red Hook Summer, Why Stop Now, Thanks for Sharing, Not Fade Away, Europa Report, The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, 23 Blast, Chi-Raq, Person to Person, CHiPs, BlacKkKlansman, Corporate Animals, Lost Holiday, Lying and Stealing, Run with the Hunted, The Lost Husband, Da 5 Bloods, and Cocaine Bear. TV appearances include The Good Cop, Veep, Chapelle’s Show, Your Honor, Law & Order, Cagney & Lacey, Alex Haley’s Queen, Liberty! The American Revolution, Third Watch, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Ed, NYPD Blue, The Jury, Slavery and The Making of America, New Amsterdam, The Unusuals, Meet the Browns, Onion SportsDome, Smash, Louie, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Blacklist, Gotham, The Carmichael Show, Limitless, Lucifer, Atlanta, Elementary, The Mist, She’s Gotta Have It, Kevin Can Wait, BoJack Horseman, Madam Secretary, FBI, History of Swear Words, Woke, and The Residence.

Personal Life: Was in a long-term relationship with actress Wilma Mondi.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Southwest Minnesota University offers the Isiah Whitlock Jr. scholarship. Whitlock was also its commencement speaker in 1999 and guest artist for the school’s celebration of Black History Month in 2007. Launched a successful Kickstarter Talking Bobblehead campaign to capitalize on his catchphrase “Sheeeeeeeee-it” and his public notoriety. The campaign raised $100,000 from 1,828 backers.

468. Andra Day

Dates: 1984-present

Early Life and Career: Born Cassandra Monique Batie in Edmonds, Washington. Family moved to Southern California when she was 3 and grew up in Southeast San Diego. Began singing at a young age at the First United Methodist Church in Chula Vista, California. Also began taking dance lessons at 5 (and continued to do so into her 20s). Attended Valencia Elementary School which she credits with fostering her interest in the performing arts. At 12, Day was introduced to the sounds of jazz singers such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington, all of whom she counts as early influences of her sound. Attended the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts in Paradise Hills, where she graduated in 2003. After high school, Day worked 20 different jobs, including a stint as a children’s entertainer. In 2010, Stevie Wonder’s then-wife Kai Millard noticed her performing at a strip mall and brought the young woman to her husband’s attention. Day received a call from Wonder himself soon after. A year later, Wonder introduced Day to producer Adrian Gurvitz at that time who’d eventually collaborate on Day’s debut album a few years later. Was signed to a 2011 development deal with Buskin Records, founded by Jeffrey Evans, who asked to be her manager in 2013. Later Day & Buskin earned a record deal with Warner Bros. Records in part because of the popularity of her numerous unplugged covers and mashups on her YouTube channel. Most of these she filmed in her sister’s bedroom in San Diego. Made her debut album in 2015.

Movies and Cartoons: Cars 3 (2017)

Characters: Sweet Tea

Also Known For: R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and actress best known as Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Film appearances include Marshall, Exhibiting Forgiveness, and The Deliverance. TV appearances include We the People, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Bel Air. Albums include Cheers to the Fall and The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Music from the Motion Picture).

Personal Life: I can’t find anything about her personal life.

Later Life: She’s due to appear as Athena in the upcoming season of the Percy Jackson series.

Trivia: Was inducted as an honorary member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority in 2019. Performed at the 2015 BET Music Awards. Has won 2 Grammys, an Emmy, and a Golden Globe. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for The United States vs. Billie Holiday.

469. Gael Garcia Bernal

Dates: 1978-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico. Mother’s actress and former model Patricia Bernal. Father’s actor and director Jose Angel Garcia. Began acting at just a year old and spent his most of his teenage years starring in telenovelas. At 14, he taught indigenous people in Mexico how to read, often working with the Huichol people. At 15, he took part in the peaceful demonstrations in support of the Zapatista of 1994. Studied philosophy at UNAM, Mexico’s national university, but during a prolonged student strike, he decided to take a sabbatical and travel around Europe. Later moved to London where he became the first Mexican accepted to study at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Attended the European Graduate School toward a master’s degree in communication. After his success in soap operas, Mexican Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu offered Garcia Bernal apart in his feature directorial debut Amores Perros in 2000, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017) as well as the special Werewolf by Night.

Characters: Hector

Also Known For: Mexican actor and filmmaker best known as Rodrigo de Souza in Mozart and the Jungle and Che Guevara in The Motorcycle Diaries. Film appearances include Amores perros, Y tu mama tambien, Bad Education, Babel, Old, Casandro, Don’t Tempt Me, Vidas privadas, Fidel, I’m with Lucy, The Crime of Father Amaro, Cuba Libre, Dot the I, The King (2005), The Science of Sleep, Deficit, The Past, Blindness, Rudo y Cursi, Mammouth, The Limits of Control, Letters to Juliet, Even the Rain, Jose and Pilar, A Little Bit of Heaven, Casa de Mi Padre, The Loneliest Planet, No, Vamps, Paradise, The Ardor, Cesar Chavez, Rosewater, Desierto, Zoom, Eva Doesn’t Sleep, Neruda, Salt and Fire, You’re Killing Me Susan, If You Saw His Heart, The Kindergarten Teacher, Museum, The Accused (2018), Ema, It Must Be Heaven, Wasp Network, This One Summer, The Mother, Another End, and Holland. TV appearances include Teresa, El abuela y yo, Queen of Swords, and Station Eleven.

Personal Life: Half-brother of actor Dario Yazbek Bernal. Has had 2 long-term relationships. First was with Argentine actress Dolores Fonzi from 2001 to the 2010s. They had a son in 2009 and a daughter in 2011. Second was with Mexican journalist Fernanda Argones since 2019. They have a child born in 2021.

Later Life: Founded the production company Canana Films in Mexico City in 2016 with Diego Luna.

Trivia: Has won a Venice Film Festival Award and a Golden Globe. Has also been nominated for a BAFTA. Has been friends with actor Diego Luna since childhood. Was named on Time magazine’s Time 100 most influential people list in 2016. In 2020, The New York Times ranked him No. 25 on its list of the 25 Greatest Actors of the 21^st Century.

470. Benjamin Bratt

Dates: 1963-present

Early Life and Career: Born in San Francisco, California. Father was a sheet metal worker whose dad once acted on Broadway actor. Mother was a nurse and Native American political activist of Quecha descent from Peru who immigrated to the United States with her family at 14. At 6, his mother took him and 4 of his siblings to participate in the 1969 Native American occupation of Alcatraz, which raised national awareness of issues facing Native Americans and attracted protestors across the country. Attended San Francisco’s Lowell High School where he was a member of the Lowell Forensic Society. Earned a BFA at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1986 where he joined the Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity. Enrolled in the MFA program at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco but left before receiving his degree to star in the 1988 television film Juarez. Started his career in 1987 at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017)

Characters: Ernesto de la Cruz

Also Known For: Actor best known as Paco Aguilar in Blood In Blood Out, Detective Reynaldo Curtis in Law & Order, Dr. Jake Reilly in Private Practice, Steve Navarro in 24: Live Another Day, Jahil Rivera in Star, and Senator Bail Organa in Andor. Film appearances include Demolition Man, Clear and Present Danger, The River Wild, Miss Congeniality, Traffic, Pinero, Catwoman, Trucker, Snitch, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Despicable Me 2, One Good Cop, Bright Angel, The Next Best Thing, Red Planet, Abandon, The Woodsman, The Great Raid, Love in the Time of Cholera, La Mission, Ride Along 2, Special Correspondents, The Infiltrator, Doctor Strange, Best Summer Ever, Dead for a Dollar, and Mother of the Bride. TV appearances include Nasty Boys, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Homicide: Life on the Street, Frasier, E-Ring, The Andromeda Strain, The Cleaner, American Experience, Modern Family, Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles, DMZ, Poker Face, Skull Island, and Loot.

Personal Life: Uncle of sports drama film director Kauchani Bratt. Dated actress Julia Roberts from 1998-2001. Married to actress and former Bond girl Talisa Soto since 2002. They have 2 children comprising of a daughter named Sophia Rosalinda born in 2002 and Mateo Bravery born in 2005.

Later Life: Has been active in the American Indian Movement and supports such causes as the American Indian College Fund. Narrated the PBS miniseries We Shall Remain. Has served as served as board member of the San Franscisco Bay Area’s Friendship House Association of American Indians and the Native American Health Center. Has also supported area organizations such as the Tribal Athletics Program and United Indian Nations. Has served as a producer for documentaries on Dolores Huerta and a Peruvian community in Espinar.

Trivia: Has won a Primetime Emmy and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Received the Rita Moreno Award for Excellence from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors. Was awarded an honorary doctorate from San Francisco State University in 2004.

Development on what became Zootopia began when Byron Howard pitched 6 story ideas to John Lasseter, 3 involving animal characters. One was an all-animal adaptation of The Three Musketeers. Another comprised of a mad scientist cat who turns children into animals. While a third focused on a bounty hunter pug in space. With the common thread through these ideas was Howard’s wish to do a film similar to Disney’s Robin Hood. Either where anthropomorphic animals live in the natural world or the human world. Lasseter liked his idea about animals living in a modern world designed by animals for animals. He then suggested that Howard should combine the 1960s theme with the animal characters, particularly the space pug. This led Howard to develop the pitch Savage Seas an international spy thriller centered on a James Bondlike Arctic hare named “Jack Savage.” Because his father and grandfather worked for the CIA, screenwriter Jared Bush signed on. As Howard and Bush developed the film, the 1960s spy thriller concept was later dropped in favor of a police procedural where Nick Wilde would be the lead and Judy Hopps would be his sidekick. Until the roles were reversed. Research for the film took place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as well as in Kenya and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park where the animators spent 8 months studying various animals’ walk cycles as well as fur color. To make the animals’ fur even more realistic, they went to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to closely observe fur’s appearance with a microscope under a variety of lighting. For Zootopia’s urban design, the filmmakers drew inspiration from major cities including New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Brasilia. To develop a city filled with talking animals ranging from 2 in. to 27 ft and from drastically different climates, filmmakers consulted Americans with Disabilities Act specialists and HVAC system designers. For assistance with designing vehicles for many different sized animals, they consulted with former Ford chief creative officer J. Mays. Upon its 2016 release, Zootopia was a critical success and a box office smash with $1 billion in earnings. It also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature that year.

              Earlier drafts of a Finding Nemo sequel included an introduction of Nemo’s long-lost twin brother and a storyline where Marlin is caught and must be saved. Yet, Disney’s acquisition of Pixar later shot this down. Work on Finding Dory began in 2012. In a 2016 interview Andrew Stanton described how its story came to be: “I don’t watch my films that often after they’re done because I have to watch them so many times before they come out. So about 2010 when we were getting Finding Nemo ready for the 10-year re-release in 3D, it was interesting to watch again after all that time. Something kind of got lodged in the back of my brain and started to sort of stew. I started to think about how easily Dory could get lost and not find Marlin and Nemo again. She basically was in the same state that she was when Marlin found her. I didn’t know where she was from. I knew that she had spent most of her youth wandering the ocean alone, and I wanted to know that she could find her new family, if she ever got lost again. It’s almost like the parental side of me was worried.” Stanton later selected Victoria Sprouse to write the screenplay. She later pointed that writing Dory’s forgetfulness was a challenge adding, “You don’t realize until you sit down to write a character who can’t remember things how integral memory is to absolutely everything we do, and that’s what creates a narrative that people can follow. When a main character can’t self-reflect and can’t tell a story, that character is very difficult to design because she can’t really lead. To get her to be able to lead and to get an audience to be able to trust her was the hardest thing to do.” The fictional Marine Life Institute is based on the production team’s research trips to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, the Marine Mammal Center, and the Vancouver Aquarium. Initially some of the animals were supposed to end up in a SeaWorld-like marine park. But after several Pixar executives watched Blackfish, the ending was revised giving them the option to leave. Upon its 2016 release, Finding Dory received positive reviews and earned $1.029 billion at the box office. Although it’s no masterpiece compared to its predecessor, Finding Dory is a solid follow up.

              The genesis of Moana began in 2011 when John Musker began reading up on Polynesian mythology and learned about the heroic exploits of the demigod Maui. Fascinated with the rich Polynesian culture, Musker felt that this would be a good subject for an animated film. Shortly thereafter, John Musker and Ron Clements wrote a treatment that they pitched to John Lasseter, recommending that the two men go on research trips. In 2012, Musker and Clements went on research trips to Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti to meet the people of the South Pacific Ocean and learn about their culture. At first, they planned to make the film entirely about Maui. But their research trips led Clements to pitch a new idea about a chief’s daughter. What particularly interested Clements and Musker during their research was that the Polynesian people abruptly stopped making long-distance voyages about 3,000 years ago. Especially since Polynesian navigational tradition have existed as early as 300 CE. While native Pacific Islanders possessed knowledge of the world and their place in it before the Europeans came in. With this voyaging heritage made possible by a geographical knowledge system based on individual perspective. The reasons behind this halt to this wayfaring tradition aren’t known but scholars have suggested climate change along with changes in wind patterns and ocean currents. Yet, native peoples resumed voyaging again a thousand years later, which was where Musker and Clements placed the setting for Moana. Upon its release in 2016, Moana was a critical success and grossed $687 million at the box offices as well as received 2 Academy Award nominations. In this post, we’ll meet filmmaker Jared Bush as well as the voices behind Stu Hopps, Yax, Mayor Lionheart, Mrs. Otterton, Finnick, Moana, Tala, and Chief Tui.

451. Don Lake

Dates: 1956-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Toronto, Ontario in Canada. After graduating from the California Institute of the Arts, he returned to his hometown to join The Second City Touring Company and later got promoted to The Second City.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016) as well as the series Zootopia+ and Pepper Ann.

Characters: Stu Hopps

Also Known For: Canadian actor, writer, and television producer who’s frequently cast in Christopher Guest movies. Best known as Dr. Carl Whitehorn in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Film appearances include Police Academy, Hot Shots!, Dumb & Dumber To, Corner Gas: The Movie, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Super Mario Bros. (1993), Don’t Answer the Phone!, Lookin’ to Get Out, The Pink Chiquitas, The Big Town, Blue Monkey, Short Circuit 2, Something About Love, Speed Zone, Wagons East, Waiting for Guffman, RocketMan, Return to Me, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, Grudge Match, Mascots, and Downsizing. TV appearances include The Dating Game, The SCTV Network, The Littlest Hobo, Hot Shots, Really Weird Tales, Super Dave, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Murphy Brown, Mr. Belvedere, Not Necessarily the News, My Two Dads, The Dave Thomas Comedy Show, My Talk Show, Doctor Doctor, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures, Blossom, L.A. Law, Super Dave: Daredevil for Hire, The Building, Ellen, Bonnie, Murder One, The Wild Thornberrys, Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Watching Ellie, Life with Bonnie, Rugrats, The New Adventures of Old Christine, American Dad!, The Bonnie Hunt Show, Psych, $h*! My Dad Says, Modern Family, Last Man Standing, How I Met Your Mother, Family Tree, Anger Management, The Odd Couple, NCIS, Pup Academy, Summer Camp Island, The Resident, Space Force, Not Dead Yet, and Ted.

Personal Life: Married to a woman named Claire. Has 2 children.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Is a close friend and collaborator of Bonnie Hunt.

452. Tommy Chong

Dates: 1938-present

Early Life and Career: Born Thomas B. Kin Chong in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. Father was a Chinese immigrant who came to Canada in the 1930s. Mother was white. Claimed that he’d “been wounded in World War II and there was a veterans’ hospital in Calgary. He bought a $500 house in Dog Patch and raised his family on $50 a week.” During his childhood, his family moved to Calgary where they settled in a conservative neighborhood Chong referred to as “Dog Patch.” Dropped out of Crescent Heights High School “when I was 16 but probably just before they were going to throw me out anyway.” After that, he played guitar to earn his keep stating “I discovered that music could get you laid, even if you were a scrawny, long-haired, geeky-looking guy like me.” By the early 1960s, Chong was performing guitar in a Calgary soul group called what would later become Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers. In 1963, he opened a nightclub with bandmate Bobby Taylor called the “Blues Palace” and brought in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. They later built up a small following, released 3 singles, recorded an album under Gordy Records (a Motown Records subsidiary), and followed an opening act called the Jackson 5 while on tour in Chicago. Unfortunately, Chong and fellow bandmate Wes Henderson missed a Friday performance to apply for green cards so they can be American citizens. As a result, Chong was fired for being late to the gig. He was later fired as a result and received a $5,000 severance from Berry Gordy himself. The group broke up shortly afterward. He then teamed up with Cheech Marin during the 1970s and early 1980s and the rest is history.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016)

Characters: Yax

Also Known For: Canadian-American actor, comedian, musician and activist best known as part of the Cheech & Chong comedy act during the 1970s and early 1980s in which they released many comedy albums and 7 films as well as Leo in That ‘70s Show. Film appearances include Up in Smoke, Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie, Nice Dreams, It Came from Hollywood, Things Are Tough All Over, Still Smokin,’ Yellowbeard, Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers, Get Out of My Room, After Hours, Tripwire, Far Out Man, Life After Sex, FernGully: The Last Rainforest, National Lampoon’s Senior Trip, McHale’s Navy, Half Baked, The Wash, High Times’ Potluck, Pauly Shore Is Dead, Evil Bong, American Drug War: The Last White Hope, The Union: The Business Behind Getting High, Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie, Color Out of Space, and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. TV appearances include Miami Vice, The George Carlin Show, Nash Bridges, Dharma & Greg, South Park, George Lopez, MADtv, Tosh.0, WWE Raw, The Simpsons, Franklin and Bash, Raising Hope, Dancing with the Stars, Uncle Grandpa, Trailer Park Boys: Out of the Park: USA, The Masked Singer, That ‘90s Show, and Lopez vs. Lopez.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Maxine Sneed from 1960 to their divorce in 1970. They raised 2 daughters named Rae Dawn and Robbi who became actresses. Second and current marriage is to actress Shelby Fiddis since 1975. They have 4 children including actor Marcus Wyatt whom they adopted. Former brother-in-law of drummer Floyd Sneed and former father-in-law of actor C. Thomas Howell.

Later Life: Became a naturalized US citizen during the late 1980s. Split up with Cheech in 1985 due to creative differences and Marin’s desire to go mainstream in his acting career. The two reunited in 2000 for a South Park episode and started touring in mid-2008. Is a regular contributor to Cannabis Culture Magazine and sits on NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) advisory board. In 2003, Chong became embroiled in 2 American pot-related investigations, code-named Operation Pipe Dreams and Operation Headhunter, which tried to trace drug traffic through businesses selling drug paraphernalia, mostly bongs. Based in Pittsburgh and overseen by US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, Operation Pipe Dreams cost $12 million and included 2,000 law enforcement officers. 55 companies that sold drug paraphernalia over the internet were subject to the investigation, with Nice Dreams being one. Although Chong Glass/Nice Dreams was founded by Chong’s son Paris, Chong himself was charged with financing and promoting the company. Chong in turn, plead guilty to distributing 7,500 bongs on the web through Nice Dreams to spare his wife Shelby and his son Paris from federal prosecution. He was the first Operation Pipe Dreams defendant to plead guilty. Although Chong argued for house arrest and community service at his sentencing, District Judge Arthur J. Schwab denied his requests and sentenced him to 9 months in federal prison, a fine of $20,000, and a forfeiture of $103, 514 and the loss of all merchandise seized  during the raid of his business. Chong served his sentence at the Taft Correctional Institution from 2003-2004 where he shared his cell of “The Wolf of Wall Street” Jordan Belfort, who credits him with encouraging Belfort to write his memoirs. The two still remain friends. Published his memoirs called I, Chong: Meditations from the Joint in 2006. In 2008, federal agents raided Spectrum Labs in an investigation related to its “detoxification” products that was one of 9 conducted for Operation True Test. This was another investigation spearheaded by Buchanan that targeted companies selling so-called “masking products” intended to help drug users pass employer drug tests. Chong later claimed that federal agents had seized 8,000 – 10,000 DVD copies of the yet-to-be released documentary a/k/a Tommy Chong from Spectrum Labs. But their attorney said that no DVDs were taken. Had prostate cancer in 2012 and said he was drug free for 3 years before then. Battled colorectal cancer in 2015. Announced he was cancer free in 2019.

Trivia: Was the original choice to voice Shenzi in The Lion King (1994) but the character later underwent a sex change and was played by Whoopi Goldberg. Won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album in 1973 with Cheech Marin for Los Cochinos. Has smoked marijuana with Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Arnold Schwarzeneggar and his body building buddies, and all the Beatles except for Paul McCartney. Favorite smoking buddy was George Harrison.

453. J.K. Simmons

Dates: 1955-present

Early Life and Career: Born Jonathan Kimble Simmons in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Mother was an administrator. Father was a music teacher. Attended Ferry Elementary School in Groose Pointe Woods until he was 10. In 1965, his family moved to Worthington, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. From 1970-1972, he attended Worthington High School where he participated in drama, football, and choir. In 1973, his family moved to Missoula, Montana where his dad became director of the School of Music at the University of Montana. The younger Simmons graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and was member of the music-oriented fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Appeared at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Bigfork, Montana in various roles from 1977 to 1982. Later moved to Seattle and joined the Seattle Repertory Theatre where he met his best friend Michael Smith. Landed his first role on Broadway in 1992.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016) and Chip n’ Dale Rescue Rangers (2020) as well as several series.

Characters: Leodore Lionheart and Captain Putty

Also Known For: One of the most prolific and well-established character actors of his generation, amassing over 200 credits since his 1986 debut. Best known as William Frawley in Being the Ricardos, J. Jonah Jameson in almost every Spider-Man franchise and in the MCU, Santa Claus in Klaus and Red One, Vernon Schillinger in Oz, Dr. Emil Skoda in Law & Order, Assistant Police Chief Will Pope in The Closer, Howard Silk in Counterpart, Captain Hook in Peter Pan (1991), Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls (1992), Cave Johnson in Portal 2, White Knight in Generator Rex, Tenzin in The Legend of Korra, Stanford “Ford” Pines in Gravity Falls, Kai in Kung Fu Panda 3, Martin Smarty in Kim Possible, Nolan Grayson/Omni-Man in Invincible and Mortal Kombat 1, and General Ketheric Thorm in Baldur’s Gate 3. Has voiced the Yellow M&M in commercials since 1992 and is the current spokesman for Farmers’ Insurance. Film appearances include Whiplash, The Cider House Rules, Thank You for Smoking, Juno, Burn After Reading, Up in the Air, Jennifer’s Body, La La Land, Justice League, Palm Springs, Juror No. 2, The Ref, The Scout, The First Wives Club, Extreme Measures, The Jackal, Anastasia (1997), For the Love of the Game, The Gift, Autumn in New York, Hidalgo, The Ladykillers (2004), Pom Poko, The Astronaut Farmer, Rendition, The Vicious Kind, Postal, Red Sands, I Love You, Man, Aliens in the Attic, Post Grad, Extract, 4192: The Crowning of Hit King, Megamind, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, True Grit (2010), The Good Doctor, Young Adult, Contraband, Jobs, Dark Skies, Labor Day, Barefoot, Break Point, April and the Extraordinary World, Terminator Genisys, The Meddler, Punching Henry, The Accountant, Patriots Day, I’m Not Here, The Snowman, Father Figures, A Boy Called Sailboat, The Boxcar Children, The Front Runner, 3 Days with Dad, 21 Bridges, Seal Team, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Marmaduke, One Day of the Lion, Rally Road Racers, The Union, Saturday Night, and The Accountant 2. TV appearances include Popeye Doyle, All My Children, New York Undercover, Spin City, Saturday Night Live, Third Watch, John Doe, Everwood, 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story, ER, The D.A., Without a Trace, The Jury, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, Justice League Unlimited, Jack & Bobby, Numb3rs, The West Wing, The Simpsons, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, American Dad!, Ben 10: Alien Force, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Party Down, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Raising Hope, Pound Puppies, Robot Chicken, Men at Work, The Venture Bros., Parks and Recreation, Growing Up Fisher, BoJack Horseman, Archer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Brockmire, Veronica Mars, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Defending Jacob, The Stand, The Great North, Infinity Train, Goliath, Night Sky, and Grimsburg. Video game appearances include M&M’s The Lost Formulas and Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3. Stage appearances include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Little Night Music, Birds of Paradise, Dandy Dick!, and Laughter on the 23^rd Floor.

Personal Life: Has been married to film director Michelle Scumacher since 1996. They have a daughter named Olivia and a son named Joe who are both actors.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Whiplash in 2014. Has also won a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Detroit Tigers’ opening game in 2015. Was appointed King of Bacchus by the Krewe of Bacchus for Mardi Gras in 2018.

454. Octavia Spencer

Dates: 1970-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Montgomery, Alabama as one of 7 children. Mother worked as a maid. Father died when she was 15. Graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1988. Studied at Auburn University at Montgomery and graduated from Auburn University where she majored in English, journalism, and theater. Later worked as an intern on the set of The Long Walk Home. Made her film debut in 1996 as a nurse in A Time to Kill.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016) and Onward (2020) as well as the series Wizards of Waverly Place.

Characters: Mrs. Otterton and “Corey” The Manticore

Also Known For: Actress best known as Dorothy Vaughn in Hidden Figures, and Madam C. J. Walker in Self Made. Film appearances include A Time to Kill, The Help, Fruitvale Station, The Shape of Water, The Divergent Series, The Shack, Gifted, Instant Family, Luce, Ma, Spirited, Never Been Kissed, Being John Malkovitch, Blue Streak, The Sky Is Falling, American Virgin, What Planet Are You From?, Big Momma’s House, Four Dogs Playing Poker, Sol Goode, Spider-Man, S.W.A.T., Bad Santa, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, Breakin’ All the Rules, Coach Carter, Pretty Persuasion, Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School, Beauty Shop, Pulse, The Nines, Pretty Ugly People, Seven Pounds, Drag Me to Hell, The Soloist, Jesus People: The Movie, Just Peck, Halloween II, Dinner for Schmucks, Peep World, Flypaper, Smashed, Blues for Willadean, Snowpiercer, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Paradise, Get On Up, Black or White, Fathers and Daughters, The Great Gilly Hopkins, The Free World, Small Town Crime, Car Dogs, A Kid Like Jake, Dolittle, The Witches (2020), Superintelligence, Thunder Force, and Encounter. TV appearances include Mom, Red Band Society, Truth Be Told, Moesha, ER, Chicago Hope, Roswell, The X-Files, Just Shoot Me!, Becker, Malcolm in the Middle, City of Angels, Grounded for Life, Dharma & Greg, Follow the Stars Home, The Chronicle, NYPD Blue, LAX, CSI: NY, Medium, Huff, The Minor Adventures of Jackie Woodman, Ugly Betty, Halfway Home, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Big Bang Theory, Worst Week, Dollhouse, Raising the Bar, Hawthorne, 30 Rock, American Dad!, Drunk History, Saturday Night Live, Black-ish, and Young Sheldon.

Personal Life: Has dyslexia.

Later Life: In 2021 and 2022, she brought food for the students of Auburn University during finals week. Has created a children’s book series called Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective that includes titles The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit and The Sweetest Heist in History.

Trivia: Won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for The Help. Has also received a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards, 3 National Board of Review Awards, 2 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, and a WSFA Award. Has also been nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys and 2 more Academy Awards, making her the second-most nominated African American actress to date.

455. Tom Lister Jr.

Dates: 1958-2020

Early Life and Career: Born Thomas Duane Lister Jr. in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Grew up in Compton, California. Since birth, he’s had a deformed and detached retina in his right eye, which left it permanently blind. Attended Palomar Junior College before transferring to Long Beach City College for his sophomore year. While there, he recorded a 52ft shot put through, earning him a scholarship to California State University, Los Angeles. In his senior year, he won the national shot put title with a mark of over 61 ft, which made him the 1982 NCAA Division II National Shot Put Champion. After college, Lister competed for the Converse Track Club, eventually raising his shot put mark to 64 ft before trying out with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL where he was cut after 2 exhibition games and decided to pursue acting instead. Made screen debut in 1984 and his fist film in 1985. Also had a stint as a professional studio wrestler from 1989 to 1990 under the name of Zeus and Z-Gangsta at 6’5” and 300 lbs.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016) and the series Fish Hooks.

Characters: Finnick

Also Known For: Character actor and occasional professional wrestler best known as Deebo in Friday and Next Friday, President Lindberg in The Fifth Element, and Zeus in No Holds Barred. Was often cast as “the heavy/big bully” which is a great irony that he’s cast as a fennec fox in Zootopia (2016). Film appearances include Runaway Train, 8 Million Ways to Die, Armed and Dangerous, Wired to Kill, Extreme Prejudice, Beverly Hills Cop II, Prison, The Night Before (1988), Homer and Eddie, Midnight, Think Big, Trabbi Goes to Hollywood, Talkin’ Dirty After Dark, Universal Soldier, Trespass, Posse, The Meteor Man, Immortal Combat, Men of War, Don Juan DeMarco, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, The Set-Up, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Barb Wire, Phat Beach, Street Corner Justice, Below Utopia, Gang Related, Jackie Brown, The Players Club, I Got the Hook Up, Circus, Little Nicky, Soulkeeper, The Wash, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Confidence, Love Chronicles, My Baby’s Daddy, Never Die Alone, Dracula 3000, El Padrino, Hair Show, Blast Full Clip, Santa’s Slay, One Night with the King, The Still Life, Who Made The Potatoe Salad?, The Grand, Bone Dry, Terra Nova, The Dark Knight, Monster Ark, Super Capers, Holy Water, We the Party, K-11, Heaven’s Door, Hickey, Busy Day, and Renegades. TV appearances include Matlock, Perfect Strangers, Hard Time on Planet Earth, CBS Summer Playhouse, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, ER, Step by Step, Martin, NYPD Blue, WCW Monday Nitro, The Jamie Foxx Show, Nash Bridges, Enterprise, Saul of the Mole Men, Regular Show, Key & Peele, The Boondocks, Company Bang! Bang!, and Mann and Wife. Video game appearances include 50 Cent: Bulletproof, Scarface: The World Is Yours, and WWE 2K23. Has also appeared in many music videos from the 1980s to 2020.

Personal Life: Married to Felicia Forbes. They had a son named Thomas Duane Lister III. Also, had type 2 diabetes by 55.

Later Life: In 2012, he pled guilty for conspiring to commit mortgage fraud in a scheme that led to $3.8 million in losses. Charged with fraudulently buying homes in order to withdraw a $1.1 in home equity loans. By April 2014, he was out on bail and confident about avoiding prison. Was diagnosed with Covid-19 in August 2020 but overcame the illness. Became ill with Covid-like symptoms in which he exhibited weakness and trouble breathing, forcing him to cancel shooting for a film. Since his manager saw this as abnormal of him, she sent her assistant to his house to give him vitamins and antibiotics. Later that month, police found Lister dead in his home during a wellness checkup at his home in Marina del Rey, California at 62. Coroner’s office investigated his cause of death, which determined it was hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Although we probably shouldn’t rule out Covid-19. Ice Cube later tweeted: “RIP Tiny ‘Deebo’ Lister. America’s favorite bully was a born entertainer who would pop into character at the drop of a hat terrifying people on and off camera. Followed by a big smile and laugh … Thank you for being a good dude at heart. I miss you already.”

Trivia: Athletic department of California State University, Los Angeles sponsors an annual track meet in his name. Listed at #500 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1991.

456. Jared Bush

Dates: 1974-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Gaitersburg, Maryland. Father and grandfather were CIA agents. Graduated from Harvard University. Was originally hired by Walt Disney Animation Studios on a “provisional eight-week contract” when he joined the Zootopia writing team early on, before it evolved from a spy film to a police procedural. Several months after joining Disney, Bush had to personally pitch Zootopia to Disney CEO Bob Iger.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016) as well as the series Zootopia+.

Characters: Pronk Oryx-Antlerson

Also Known For: Filmmaker who’s served as Disney’s Chief Creative Officer since 2024. Best known for co-directing and co-writing Zootopia (2016), writing Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024), and writing and directing Encanto (2021). Also co-created the series Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero. Also worked on Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), Frozen II (2019), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), Strange World (2022), and Wish (2023) as well as Zootopia+. Non-Disney projects include What Lies Beneath, DAG, Baby Bob, Who Wants to Marry My Dad?, and All of Us.

Personal Life: Married to Pamela McDonald.

Later Life: Has 2 upcoming projects in the coming years such as Zootopia 2 later in 2025 and the live action remake of Moana in 2026.

Trivia: Has won an Academy Award for Encanto (2021) as well as an Annie Award for Zootopia (2016).

457. Mark “Rhino” Smith

Dates: 1969-present

Early Life and Career: Born Mark Smith in Acton, London in England. Began his career as a bodybuilder, winning the Junior British Championships and the London Men’s Heavyweights. First big break was the ITV game show Gladiators where he appeared as Rhino during the late 1990s. After that series was canceled, he decided to become an actor and later moved to Los Angeles.

Movies and Cartoons: Zootopia (2016)

Characters: Officer McHorn

Also Known For: Actor and bodybuilder best known as Rhino in Gladiators. Film appearances include Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Batman Begins, Rollin’ with the Nines, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Argo, Yardie, The Harder They Fall (2021), The Enforcer, Bad Ass, The Frozen Ground, Ambushed, The Hungover Games, No Good Deed, What Now, Criminal, Security, Acts of Vengeance, Day of the Dead: Bloodline, Creed, The Hurricane Heist, Angel Has Fallen, Heropanti 2, and Magazine Dreams. TV appearances include Renford Rejects, EastEnders, Sinchronicity, Trial and Retribution, Robin Hood, The Last Ship, American Gladiators, Relic Hunter, Saturday Live, Blue, NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Personal Life: Has 2 children including a son named Brodie and a daughter named Chloe.

Later Life: Lives in Los Angeles as of 2016.

Trivia: His character on Zootopia is a tribute to his character on Gladiators.

458. Auliʻi Cravalho

Dates: 2000-present

Early Life and Career: Born Chloe Auliʻi Cravalho in Kohala, Hawaii. Parents ran a construction company but got divorced when she was young. At the time she was cast as Moana, Cravalho was living with her mother in Mililani, Hawaii and was a freshman at Kamehameha Schools’ Kapalama campus, singing soprano in glee club. Growing up, she and her mother lived in a one-bedroom apartment having to rely on food stamps for support. Originally wasn’t going to audition for Moana because “there were already so many great submissions that [she] didn’t think [she] needed to try out.” However, a talent agent in Oahu discovered her through a charity video contest and brought her to Los Angeles to audition for the role. Was said to be the last person to audition out of hundreds of actress.

Movies and Cartoons: Moana (2016), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), and Moana 2 (2024) as well as the short Once Upon a Studio, a few series, a couple TV specials, and a couple video games.

Characters: Moana

Also Known For: Actress best known as the voice of Moana. Film appearances include All Together Now, Darby and the Dead, and Mean Girls (2024). TV appearances include Rise, The Power, Weird City, Harmonious Live!, Krapopolis, and The Tiny Chef Show. Video game appearances include The Sims 4 and Ark 2.

Personal Life: Is bisexual and has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Later Life: Following the success of Moana, Cravalho bought her mother a house. Accepted to Columbia University in 2021 where she planned to study environmental science but has deferred entrance several times due to her acting career. That she has to reapply to Columbia for admission all over again. During the Gaza War, Cravalho became a member of Artists4Ceasefire and signed the group’s open letter urging President Joe Biden to facilitate a ceasefire to end the war.

Trivia: None.

459. Rachel House

Dates: 1971-present

Early Life and Career: Born Rachel Jessica Te Ao Maarama House in Auckland, New Zealand. Raised in Kamo, Whangarei by adoptive Scottish parents. Maori tribe affiliations are Ngati Mutunga, Te Atiawa, and Ngai Tahu. Attended the New Zealand national drama school Toi Whakaari, graduating in 1992. Went into stage work with the Pacific Underground Theatre and the Auckland Theatre Company. Acted in several major productions as well as toured nationally and internationally. Made her screen debut in 1998.

Movies and Cartoons: Moana (2016), Soul (2020), and Moana 2 (2024)

Characters: Grandma Tala and Terry

Also Known For: New Zealand actress and director known for her roles in Taika Waititi films. Film appearances include Whale Rider, Fracture, Perfect Creature, Eagle vs Shark, Boy, White Lies, Everything We Loved, The Dark Horse, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Rehearsal, Thor: Ragnarok, Bellbird, Jojo Rabbit, Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt), Baby Done, Cousins, Millie Lies Low, Back to the Outback, The Portable Door, Next Goal Wins, The Moon Is Upside Down, Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire, and A Minecraft Movie. TV appearances include Duggan, Revelations – The Initial Journey, Maddigan’s Quest, Super City, The Blue Rose, Soul Mates, Wolf Creek, Wrecked, The New Legends of Monkey, Sherwood, Get Krack!n, Aroha Bridge, Stateless, 100% Wolf: Legend of the Moonstone, Cowboy Bebop, Creamerie, What If…?, Amphibia, Pinecone & Pony, Heartbreak High, Koala Man, Bay of Fires, Foundation, Our Flag Means Death, Kiff, 100% Wolf: Book of Hath, Time Bandits, and The Legend of Vox Machina. Stage appearances include King Lear, Beauty and the Beast, South Pacific, and The Vagina Monologues.

Personal Life: Can’t find anything about her personal life.

Later Life: Studied directing at the Prague Film School in the Czech Republic in 2008. Made 2 short films that received awards while studying there.

Trivia: Has received 3 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. Received the New Zealand Arts Foundation’s Laureate Award in 2012. Appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017. Received the Te Waipuna-ā-Rangi Award for Arts and Entertainment in 2018.

460. Temuera Morrison

Dates: 1960-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Rotorua, New Zealand on its North Island. Father was a musician. Is Maori of Te Arawa and Tainui. Attended Wesley College in Auckland and Western Heights High School in Rotorua. Made film debut as the title character in Rangi’s Catch in 1973.

Movies and Cartoons: Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024)

Characters: Chief Tui

Also Known For: New Zealand actor best known in his home country for playing Dr. Hone Ropata in Shortland Street and Jake “The Muss” Heke in Once We Were Warriors and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?. Outside of New Zealand he’s best known as Jango Fett, Boba Fett, and clone troopers in the Star Wars franchise and Tom Curry in DECU films Aquaman, The Flash, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Film appearances include Rangi’s Catch, Other Halves, Never Say Die, Barb Wire, The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), Broken English, Little White Lies, Speed 2: Cruise Control, Six Days, Seven Nights, From Dusk to Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter, The Vertical Limit, Crooked Earth, The Beautiful Country, Blueberry, River Queen, Rain of the Children, Tracker, Green Lantern, Fresh Meat, Mt. Zion, Mahana, Hard Target 2, The Osiris Child: Science Fiction Volume One, Occupation, The Brighton Miracle, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Mosely, Occupation: Rainfall, and Ke Whawhai Tonu. TV appearances include Echo 3, Gloss, Shark in the Park, Bro’Town, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, Tatau, Frontier, My Life Is Murder, Spirit Rangers, Far North, and Secret Level.

Personal Life: Brother of kapa haka performer Taini Morrison. Nephew of Sir Howard Morrison and kapa haka performer Atareta Maxwell. Cousin of Michael Ashton. Has a son from a relationship in the late 1980s with When the Cat’s Away singer Kim Willoughby. Has a daughter with Pamela Melbourne. Married to actress Angela Dotchin from 1997 to their divorce in 2002.

Later Life: Lives in New Zealand but divides his time filming there, Australia, and the United States.

Trivia: None.