Director Enrico Casarosa has described Luca as “deeply personal story” inspired by his childhood in Genoa with the title character based on himself and Alberto on his best friend. Casarosa has stated: “my summers were spent on beaches … I met my best friend when I was 11. I was really shy and I found this troublemaker of a kid who had a completely different life. I wanted to make a movie about those kinds of friendships that help you grow up.” Contrary to many theories alleging LGBTQ+ themes in this movie, Casarosa stated that this movie celebrates childhood friendships: “Childhood friendships often set the course of who we want to become, and it is those bonds that are at the heart of our story in Luca. So, in addition to the beauty and charm of the Italian seaside, our film will feature an unforgettable summer adventure that will fundamentally change Luca.” During earlier drafts of the film, it’s said that John Lasseter pushed for Luca to be bigger scaled which included a climax where a giant kraken threatens the town of Portorosso. Casarosa said that Lasseter “had great instincts but it was a little more dogmatic.” Lasseter’s departure in 2018 allowed Casarosa to pursue the smaller and more intimate film that he wanted to make as well as experiment with the animation with using more personable stories. To prepare, Pixar sent several of the film’s artists to the Italian Riviera for a research trip, taking photos of the landscape and its people. The film’s also rooted in the 1950s and 1960s that Casarosa sees as a “golden age that feels timeless”, with the music and designs inspired from that period “to capture a little bit of this timelessness of summer.” Sea monsters featured are pulled from Italian myths and regional folklore. This includes the Tellaro octopus and “little legends about sea dragons, creatures that either come to help or get into trouble.” Casarosa said: I always found the old sea monsters on maps really fascinating. The mystery of the sea was so represented in the weird creatures that we used to draw. And that area has a lot of wonderful myths.” Production designer Daniela Strijleva said: “We were really inspired by old sea maps. Some design details that carried through to the final film are things like the shapes of the fins of the sea monsters, how decorative their scales are, and the curves of their tails.” While in Luca, the sea monster is a “metaphor for feeling different.”  Strijleva said that it took a year to design Luca because they wanted to get to know him: “Enrico always wanted Luca to be a bit of an introvert and someone who was curious, but it took us a bit longer to figure out that Luca is a dreamer. He has a strong imagination and a really evolved inner life. That’s when the character came to life for me.” Since it was released amid the Covid 19 pandemic in 2021, it went directly to Disney+ and received rave reviews. In this post, you’ll meet the voices behind 6 characters from Raya and the Last Dragon as well as Luca, Alberto, Giulia, and Grandma Paguro.

531. Patti Harrison

Dates: 1990-present

Early Life and Career: Born supposedly Patrick Harrison in Orient, Ohio as the youngest of 7 children. Parents met during her father’s US Army service in Vietnam while her Vietnamese mother was a janitor in the barracks. Father died of a heart attack when she was 6. First involvement with comedy came from her participation in an improv team during her time at Ohio University from which she didn’t graduate. Came out as a transgender woman shortly after with her family being supportive. Moved to New York City to pursue a comedy career in 2015, but later moved to Los Angeles. Said that her stand-up style has drastically changed since her early performance days because she felt anxious about making jokes about sex and her sexuality due internalized transphobia stemming from her identity as a trans woman. Rose to prominence when she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon where she made jokes about Trump’s ban on transgender people in the military. Made her breakthrough with Shrill in 2019.

Movies and Cartoons: Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Characters: Chief of Tail

Also Known For: Actress and comedian best known for appearing in comedy TV series. Film appearances include A Simple Favor, Together Together, The Lost City, Mack & Rita, Theater Camp, Trolls Band Together, and The Luckiest Man in America. TV appearances include Shrill, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, The Special with Brett Davis, Broad City, Search Party, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, High Maintenance, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, BoJack Horseman, Magical Girl Friendship Squad, History of Swear Words, Bob’s Burgers, Ziwe, Tuca & Bertie, Q-Force, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Adventure Time: Distant Lands, The Great North, Made for Love, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and American Dad!.

Personal Life: Has been openly trans since dropping out of Ohio University and was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021.

Later Life: Has canvassed for Democratic Socialists of America.

Trivia: Has been the first transgender woman to voice in an animated Disney movie. Is a frequent artist and frequently posts her work on Instagram.

532. Dumbfoundead

Dates: 1986-present

Early Life and Career: Born Jonathan Edgar Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina to South Korean immigrants. At 3, his family immigrated to the United States, crossing the US-Mexican border without green cards and settled in the Koreantown neighborhood in Los Angeles. Inspired by the rappers he saw perform weekly at a local microphone workshop at Project Blowed, he began rapping at 14. At 16, he dropped out during his sophomore year at John Marshall High School and moved into an apartment with his sister and a roommate. Worked a series of odd jobs, including that of bail bondman, before becoming a full-time rapper. At 19, he became a US citizen. Released his first solo album in 2011. Began growing a web fan base after video clips of his rap battles were posted on YouTube.

Movies and Cartoons: Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Characters: Chai

Also Known For: Argentine-American rapper and actor who began his career his career in the 2000s as a battle rapper Los Angeles and has since become one of the most prominent East Asian American rappers. Also known for his witty and socially conscious lyrics. Film appearances include Detention, Bad Rap, Bodied, Mid-Century, Quiz Lady, K-Pops!, and Sweet Dreams. TV appearances include Power, Adventure Time, The Mick, and Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

533. Sung Kang

Dates: 1972-present

Early Life and Career: Born Sung-Ho Kang in Clarkston, Georgia to Korean immigrant parents. Raised by his mother and black stepfather in Gainesville, Georgia. Family moved to Barstow, California while he was in high school. Attended University of California, Riverside where he chose acting over law school. First role was in the film Better Luck Tomorrow in 2002.

Movies and Cartoons: Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Characters: Chief Dang Hai

Also Known For: Actor best known as Han Lue in the Fast & Furious franchise starting with Better Luck Tomorrow and John Mak in Power. Film appearances include Mystery Men, Pearl Harbor, Antwone Fisher, Forbidden Warrior, The Motel, Undoing, War, Finishing the Game, Live Free or Die Hard, Los Bandoleros, Ninja Assassin, Bullet to the Head, Eden, Hollywood Adventures, Pali Road, The Free World, Code 8, We Can Be Heroes, Snakehead, and Weekend in Taipei. TV appearances include Felicity, NYPD Blue, Girlfriends, Spin City, The Shield, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Monk, MADtv, CSI: Miami, Knight Rider, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Easy to Assemble, Robot Chicken, Gang Related, Family Guy, Hawaii Five-0, Magnum P. I., Lisey’s Story, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge.

Personal Life: Married to Miki Yim.

Later Life: Still working as of 2025.

Trivia: Owned a restaurant called Saketini in Brentwood, California that closed in 2013. Launched a watch with Perrelet in 2016.

534. Sierra Katow

Dates: 1994-present

Early Life and Career: Born at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California. Grew up in Los Angeles County’s La Canada where she attended La Canada Elementary School, La Canada High School, and Harvard University. At Harvard, she was part of a number of comedy groups including the Harvard College Stand-Up Comic Society and vice-president of The Harvard Lampoon; and from 2013 to 2014 a cartoonist for The Harvard Crimson. Also, while in college, Katow performed in and around Boston and around Hollywood during summer break as well as participated in a Lampoon roast and award ceremony for Jimmy Fallon in 2015. Graduated with a computer science degree in 2016. Began performing in comedy clubs at 16 and broke into the West Coast comedy industry while in high school. Was the youngest comedian on the ninth season of Last Comic Standing during her junior year in college.

Movies and Cartoons: Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Characters: Talon Merchant and Fang Officer

Also Known For: Stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and podcaster. Film appearances include Distancing Socially and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. TV appearances include Last Call with Carson Daly, Last Comic Standing, Take My Wife, Drop the Mic, Earth to Ned, and The Sex Lives of College Girls.

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

Later Life: Does work as a freelance full-stack web developer.

Trivia: None.

535. Ross Butler

Dates: 1990-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Singapore to a Chinese-Malaysian mother and a English-Dutch father. Lived in Jakharta, Indonesia before moving to the United States when he was 4. Was raised by his mother in Fairfax, Virginia, a suburb just outside of Washington D.C. Studied chemical and biomolecular engineering at Ohio State University but dropped out after a year and moved back to Virginia, where he took courses at a community college. Moved to Los Angeles at 20. Took his first acting class at 21. Got his start in student films and low budget projects. Landed his breakthrough role with K.C. Undercover.

Movies and Cartoons: Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) as well as the series K.C. Undercover along with TV movies Teen Beach 2 and Perfect High.

Characters: Chief of Spine

Also Known For: Singaporean-American actor best known as Zach Dempsey in 13 Reasons Why, Bret Willis in K.C. Undercover, Reggie Mantle in Riverdale, and Superhero Eugene Choi in the DC Universe starting with Shazam!. Film appearances include The Internship, Flavors of Youth, To All the Boys: P.S. I Love You, and Love in Taipei. TV appearances include Major Crimes, Happyland, Chasing Life, Teen Wolf, Swimming with the Sharks, and Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.

Personal Life: Has a giant pet tortoise named Sheldon.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

536. Francois Chau

Dates: 1959-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. At 6, his family moved to Saigon (now Ho Chih Minh City). Only to move to France a year later due to the Vietnam War and then to Washington D.C.  where he grew up. After graduating from college, Chau moved to Los Angeles. Made his first screen appearance in 1985.

Movies and Cartoons: Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) as well as the series K.C. Undercover.

Characters: Wahn

Also Known For: Cambodian-American actor best known as Dr. Pierre Chang in Lost, Quick Kick in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Dr. Chang in 21 & Over, Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, and Jules-Pierre Mao in The Expanse. Film appearances include The Iron Triangle, Point of No Return, Rapid Fire, Blue Tiger, No Way Back, Beverly Hills Ninja, City of Industry, Chinese Box, Lethal Weapon 4, Godzilla 2000, What’s Cooking?, Deep Core, Paris, Rescue Dawn, The Lodger (2009), Ingenious, Powder Blue, The Boy Next Door, The Honeymoon Phase, and Birds of Prey. TV appearances include Hill Street Blues, China Beach, Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes, The Flash, Baywatch, MacGyver, Intruders, Wild Palms, ER, Melrose Place, Nash Bridges, JAG, Stargate: SG-1, Dragnet, Alias, Helter Skelter, 24, Grey’s Anatomy, 9/11: The Twin Towers, Numb3rs, The Unit, Medium, Gary Unmarried, The Deep End, Chuck, Franklin & Bash, Childrens Hospital, Castle, Charlie’s Angels, NCIS: Los Angeles, Awake, The Secret Life of an American Teenager, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Mentalist, Hawaii Five-0, Rizzoli & Isles, Criminal Minds, Bones, Major Crimes, The Tick, The X-Files, Last Man Standing, NCIS, Veronica Mars, How to Get Away with Murder, Magnum P. I., Fantasy Island, The Good Doctor, Chicago Med, Quantum Leap, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Barry, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and The Penguin. Video game appearances include Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger, Starlancer, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and Ghost of Tsushima.

Personal Life: Is married and has a daughter.

Later Life: Currently lives in Los Angeles.

Trivia: None.

537. Jacob Tremblay

Dates: 2006-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. Began acting in television roles. Film debut was The Smurfs 2 in 2013. But really broke through as the little boy in Room.

Movies and Cartoons: Luca (2021) as well as the short Ciao Alberto and the live action version of The Little Mermaid.

Characters: Luca Paguro

Also Known For: Actor best known for his roles in Jack Newsome in Room, August “Auggie” Pullman in Wonder, Max Newman in Good Boys, and Damian Wayne / Robin in Harley Quinn. Film appearances include Orion in the Dark, The Smurfs 2, Extraterrestrial, Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal: The Movie, Before I Wake, The Book of Henry, My Father’s Dragon, Queen of Bones, Burn Your Maps, Shut In, Cold Copy, The Toxic Avenger, and The Life of Chuck. TV appearances include Motive, Mr. Young, The Last Man on Earth, Billy on the Street, American Dad!, Animals, The Twilight Zone, and Invincible.

Personal Life: Brother of actress Emma Tremblay.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Received a Critics’ Choice Award and was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. Was the youngest nominee for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role. Is an avid Star Wars fan and has a dog named Rey. While his excitement seeing R2-D2, C-3PO, and BB-8 during the 88^th Academy Awards was considered the highlight of the evening.

538. Jack Dylan Grazer

Dates: 2003-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles. Father’s an actor. Attended the Adderly School of the Performing Arts in Pacific Palisades, California. Began his career by playing guest roles on film and television. Breakthrough role came in an adaptation of Stephen King’s It.

Movies and Cartoons: Luca (2021) as well as the short Ciao Alberto.

Characters: Alberto Scorfano

Also Known For: Actor best known as Eddie Kaspbrak in It and It Chapter Two and Freddy Freeman in the DC Extended Universe starting with Shazam!. Film appearances include Tales of Halloween, Beautiful Boy, Don’t Tell a Soul, Ron’s Gone Wrong, Dreamin’ Wild, Downtown Owl, and Friendship. TV appearances include The Greatest Event in Television History, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Me, Myself & I, Speechless, We Are Who We Are, and The Spiderwick Chronicles.

Personal Life: Nephew of producer Brian Grazer. Came out as bisexual in 2021.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Named among the top 30 stars under 18 by the Hollywood Reporter in 2018. Sponsors a scholarship at his old high school for 2 students a year.

539. Emma Berman

Dates: 2008-present

Early Life and Career: Born in San Francisco, California. Began her acting career performing in local theatre productions with the Bay Area Children’s Theatre and 42^nd Street Moon. Also voiced 6 of the LeapFrog toys. Made her screen debut in 2019.

Movies and Cartoons: Luca (2021) as well as the series SuperKitties.

Characters: Giulia Marcovaldo

Also Known For: Actress best known as Ginny in SuperKitties and Nash Durango in Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. TV appearances include Abby Hatcher, Go! Go! Cory Carson, and Spidey and His Amazing Friends.

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

Later Life: Still actively working of 2025.

Trivia: None.

540. Sandy Martin

Dates: 1949-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Began acting at 15. Is a founding member of several theater companies in New York City and Los Angeles. Has adapted the screenplays of several theatrical plays and served as associate producer of various TNT productions.

Movies and Cartoons: Luca (2021) as well as the live action Dumbo and the series Big City Greens.

Characters: Grandma Paguro

Also Known For: Actress, playwright, director, and producer best known for her roles in Napoleon Dynamite, Big Love, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Ray Donovan. Film appearances include 48 Hrs., Real Genius, Vendetta, Barfly, China Moon, Speed, Above Suspicion, One Night at McCool’s, The Great Buck Howard, Marley & Me, Seven Psychopaths, Lovelace, Some Kind of Beautiful, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. TV appearances include Lou Grant, St. Elsewhere, The Greatest American Hero, Hill Street Blues, Falcon Crest, Night Court, The Twilight Zone, Designing Women, Fresno, Matlock, Prison Stories: Women on the Inside, ER, Sliders, Providence, NYPD Blue, Days of Our Lives, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Astro Boy, Without a Trace, Desperate Housewives, CSI: NY, Nip/Tuck, Cold Case, Jericho, Saving Grace, My Name Is Earl, The Young and the Restless, Weeds, Shameless, The Closer, Parenthood, 2 Broke Girls, Rizzoli & Isles, Hand of God, Playing House, The Haves and the Have Nots, Transparent, Mom, and Grey’s Anatomy.

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.