After Inside Out’s critical and commercial success, filmmaker Pete Docter was trying sequel ideas when the film was nominated for an Academy Award back in 2016. Development began in 2020 after director Kelsey Mann revisited photos of one of his childhood birthday parties. To utilize “truthful” worldbuilding, Mann used Docter’s “5 to 27 emotions” idea from the first film he pitched during production. Mann’s final pass included 9 new emotions to make Joy feel all overwhelmed with them all showing up. But felt that the story couldn’t keep track with taking up the spotlight or not adding to the story. So he decided to simplify the number. The production team frequently consulted psychologists Lisa Damor and David Keltner, using the former’s book as guidance on accurately portraying teenagers’ emotions change during puberty. While Pixar selected 9 teenagers dubbed as “Riley’s Crew” to provide feedback on the film to ensure that it accurately portrayed teenage life. Mann and producer Mark Nielsen were also inspired by their own daughters when making the film. Initially the plot was to involve a talent show but that idea got scrapped. As Nielsen, Mann, and screenwriter Meg LaFaurve decided it was best to center the plot on Riley playing hockey, feeling it was the most unique aspect of her character. Due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the production team struggled against the clock to finish Inside Out 2 in the final stages in “the largest crunch in the studio’s history.” Lightyear and Elemental’s underperformance at the box office also added stress. Upon its 2024 release, Inside Out 2 received positive reviews and $1.699 billion at the box office.

              The initial inception of Moana 2 began as a long-form musical comedy series comprising of 5 episodes and released on Disney+. Yet as it entered development alongside the live action Moana, the director and writers began receiving feedback such as We love this story. Why is it not going on the biggest screen you can possibly imagine?” At the start of 2024, Walt Disney Studios president Alan Bergman “informed the team that they needed to shift rapidly from making a five-episode streaming series to a second Moana feature film.” And considering that Moana 2 came out near the end of the year, this was a real last-minute decision. We should also consider that nearly all the animation work for Disney animated films isn’t done until the final year before the official release date. Animation was handled at Disney’s Vancouver studio who was already charged with the job while Moana 2 was a series. But this outsource was highly controversial since the Animation Guild reported that this move resulted in California losing 817 jobs, $87 million in wages, and $178 million in the state’s gross domestic product. In addition, while the first Moana movie had songs written by Lin Manuel Miranda, Miranda was working on Mufasa at the time. So songwriting duties landed on Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. Upon its 2024 release, Moana 2 opened to a 61% Rotten Tomatoes score and grossed $1.059 billion at the box office. In this post, we’ll meet the voices behind Disgust, Envy, Ennui, Embarrassment, Bloofy, Pouchy, Foreman, Margie, Loto, and Kele.

591. Liza Lapira

Dates: 1981-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Queens, New York City. Began her career acting on stage and in independent films. Moved to Los Angeles to work in television in 2004.

Movies and Cartoons: Inside Out 2 (2024) as well as the show Dream Productions.

Characters: Disgust

Also Known For: Actress best known as Kianna in 21, Special Agent Michelle Lee in NCIS, Ivy in Dollhouse, Shaquan in The Parkers, and “Mel” Bayani in The Equalizer. Film appearances include Autumn in New York, Brown Sugar, Domino, The Big Bad Swim, Cloverfield, Fast & Furious, Repo Men, See You in September, Marmaduke, Crazy, Stupid Love, Someone Marry Barry, All I Wish, The Samuel Project, and The Fabulous Filipino Brothers. TV appearances include Traffic Light, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, Super Fun Night, 9JKL, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order, The Education of Max Bickford, Sex and the City, Without a Trace, The Sopranos, Huff, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, Monk, ER, Dexter, Psych, Drop Dead Diva, Royal Pains, Blue Bloods, Power, Battle Creek, Con Man, Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life, The Good Doctor, NCIS: New Orleans, and Nancy Drew.

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

Later Life: Is an avid supporter of LA’s Best, which provides school services to 28,000 children in 189 schools the neighborhoods with the highest needs around Los Angeles. Also participates in the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Triathlon each fall in Malibu. Is currently working with The Impact Theatre in Harlem while living on the east coast.

Trivia: None.

592. Ayo Edebiri

Dates: 1995-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Boston and grew up in its Dorchester neighborhood. Mother’s from Barbados. Father’s from Nigeria. First became interested in comedy through her 8^th grade drama class, leading her to join an improv club at Boston Latin School. Went to New York University where she initially intended to study teaching before switching her major to dramatic writing. During her junior year, she began pursuing a comedy career with the Upright Citizens Brigade. Made her screen debut in 2014.

Movies and Cartoons: Inside Out 2 (2024)

Characters: Envy

Also Known For: Actress, comedian, and television writer best known as Sydney Adamu in The Bear. Film appearances include Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Theater Camp, Bottoms, Cicada, Shithouse, The Sweet East, Omni Loop, and Opus. TV appearances include Big Mouth, Dickinson, The Premise, Abbott Elementary, History of the World Part II, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, Black Mirror, Clone High, Mulligan, Saturday Night Live, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Everybody Still Hates Chris. Has written episodes for Big Mouth, What We Do in the Shadows, Sunnyside, Craig of the Creek, and The Eric Andre Show.

Personal Life: Identifies as queer.

Later Life: Is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and has canvassed with the organization.

Trivia: Has won an Independent Spirit Award, Emmy, Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics’ Choice Award for The Bear as well as a Directors Guild of America nomination for the episode “Napkins.”

593. Adele Exarchopoulos

Dates: 1993-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Paris, France. Grew up in its 19^th arrondissement near the Place des Fetes. Father’s a restaurant manager at the Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy, film producer, and president of the company 1660 Productions. Mother’s a nurse. In 2006, she was spotted by an agent and made an appearance on a French cop show. Made her film debut in 2007.

Movies and Cartoons: Inside Out 2 (2024)

Characters: Ennui

Also Known For: French actress best known as Adele in Blue Is the Warmest Colour. Film appearances include All Your Faces, Mandibles, Zero Fucks Given, Racer and the Jailbird, The White Crow, Sibyl, The Five Devils, Passages, Boxes, Trouble at Timpetill, The Round Up, Turk’s Head, Pieces of Me, I Used to Be Darker, Insecure, Les Anarchistes, Down by Love, The Last Face, Orphan, Back Home, BAC Nord, Smoking Causes Coughing, The Animal Kingdom, A Real Job, Wingwomen, Beating Hearts, and Planet B. TV appearances include R.I.S. police scientifique, La Flamme, La Flambeau, les adventuriers de Chupacabra, and LOL: Qui, rit, sort!.

Personal Life: Has been in 2 long-term relationships. First with actor Jérémie Laheurte from 2012-2015. Second with rapper and L’entourage member Mamadou Coulibaly a.k.a Doums from 2016-2021. They have a son born in 2017.

Later Life: During Variety’s 2013 Actresses Roundtable, Exarchopoulos expressed frustration over losing a role that went to a “brown girl” after an audition. She replied, Yeah, but it’s cinema, you can make me brown.” In November 2020, after director Abdellatif Kechiche was accused of sexual assault by an unnamed 29-year-old actress, Exarchopoulos told French Elle magazine: He’s someone I’ll love all my life. I think of him often, I hope he is happy. My meeting with him was decisive in my desire to make cinema. Certainly, Abdellatif is a complex being. But it upsets me because I really know him.” She even thanked him in a Cesar Awards speech in 2024. That same year, she signed a petition addressed to President Emanuel Macron that France officially recognize the State of Palestine.

Trivia: Played Ember Lumen in the French dub of Elemental (2023). Has won 2 Cesar Awards. Was the youngest person to be awarded the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or.

594. Paul Walter Hauser

Dates: 1986-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and raised in Saginaw. Father’s a Lutheran minister. Attended Valley Lutheran High School and Concordia University Chicago before dropping out from the latter to pursue an entertainment career. Made his screen debut in 2005.

Movies and Cartoons: Inside Out 2 (2024) as well as the live-action Cruella.

Characters: Embarrassment

Also Known For: Actor and wrestler best known as Stingray in Cobra Kai, the title character in Richard Jewell, and Larry Hall in Black Bird. Film appearances include Super Troopers 2, Beats, Adam, Old Dads, Virginia, iSteve, I, Tonya, BlacKkKlansman, Late Night, Da 5 Bloods, Eat Wheaties!, Songbird, Silk Road, Queenpins, Delia’s Gone, Americana, Orion and the Dark, The Instigators, and The Luckiest Man in America. TV appearances include Too Late with Adam Carolla, Community, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Key & Peele, Betas, Kingdom, Superstore, A Midsummer’s Nightmare, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, WWE Smackdown, Reno 911!, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Afterparty.

Personal Life: Married to Amy Elizabeth Boland since 2020. They have 2 sons: Harris Boland Hauser born in 2021 and Jonah Maverick Hauser born in 2023.

Later Life: He and his wife were featured in the Christian multimedia movement I Am Second.

Trivia: Has won a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe. Is also an occasional professional wrestler signed to Major League Wrestling.

595. Ron Funches

Dates: 1983-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Carson, California. Spent his early life with his social worker mother and sister in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Moved to Salem, Oregon to be with his pipefitter father. Graduated from Salem’s Douglas McKay High School where he took English courses and was inspired by authors William Faulkner, J. D. Salinger, Moliere, and Erich Maria Remarque. After high school, Funches moved to Portland where he worked a variety of jobs including at a bank call center and as a clerk at a Grocery Outlet store. Began pursuing stand-up comedy at 23. Moved to Los Angeles in 2012 after appearing in Portlandia in 2011.

Movies and Cartoons: Inside Out 2 (2024) as well as the series Ariel along with The Lion Guard and the film Noelle.

Characters: Bloofy

Also Known For: Comedian and actor best known as Cooper in the Trolls franchise, King Shark in Harley Quinn, Ron in Hoops, Fox in Final Space, and Kevin in Poorly Drawn Lines. Film appearances include Get Hard, Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal: The Movie, Once Upon a Time in Venice, Killing Hasselhoff, Jexi, 6 Underground, Lucky, Sylvie’s Love, The One and Only Ivan, Golden Arm, Dark Web: Cicada 3301, Cheaper by the Dozen (2022), 80 for Brady, Under the Boardwalk, and Good Burger 2. TV appearances include @midnight, Mulaney, Kroll Show, Undateable, BoJack Horseman, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Adventure Time, Transparent, Black-ish, Portlandia, Crash & Bernstein, New Girl, Selfie, Bob’s Burgers, Drunk History, Cougar Town, Great Minds with Dan Harmon, Cupcake Wars, Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh, The Goldbergs, Powerless, We Bare Bears, A.P. Bio, OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes, Man with a Plan, Twelve Forever, Crank Yankers, Central Park, The Last Blockbuster, Match Game, The Great North, Nailed It!, Chopped 420, Jellystone!, Inside Job, A Tale of Dark & Grimm, Loot, Rock Paper Scissors, and After Midnight.

Personal Life: Married to Christina Dawn from 2020 to their separation in 2022. Has 2 sons: Malcolm whom he fathered at 20 and has autism and a son with Dawn born in 2022. Once weighed 360 lbs but has since lost 140 lbs.

Later Life: Took classes at a wrestling school for a few months and made his debut in the ring at GCW in 2021. Started a wrestling podcast in 2022 called One Fall with Ron Funches.

Trivia: Is an avid video game and wrestling fan.

596. James Austin Johnson

Dates: 1989-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Nashville, Tennessee. During childhood, he appeared in various productions by Lifeway Christian Resources. Began performing stand-up comedy as a teenager. Attended Davidson Academy and Trevecca Nazarene University in 2011. Regularly performed at open mics in Nashville before moving to Los Angeles in 2013. Began his acting career in independent Christian films. In 2016, he appeared in a Direct TV ad alongside Peyton Manning. In August 2020, his impression of Donald Trump went viral in a video uploaded to Twitter, amassing a million views. Joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2021.

Movies and Cartoons: Inside Out 2 (2024)

Characters: Pouchy

Also Known For: Comedian and actor best known as a current cast member on Saturday Night Live since 2021. Film appearances include October Baby, Blue Like Jazz, Hail, Caesar!, She Said, and A Complete Unknown. TV appearances include Adam Ruins Everything, Future Man, Better Call Saul, All Rise, Tuca & Bertie, Fairview, The G View, Barry, and John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA.

Personal Life: Married to Rebekah Lain and they have a child together.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

597. Kirk Thatcher

Dates: 1962-present

Early Life and Career: Born and raised in Los Angeles. At 10, he was making films all involving creatures, space ships, and broad comedy. While attending Harvard-Westlake Upper School, he met Star Wars production designer Joe Johnston. Began his career at 18, leaving UCLA Film School to work at George Lucas’ special effects facility Industrial Light and Magic where he was a technical assistant for Return of the Jedi and a production designer for David Fincher’s first music videos. Later hired by Leonard Nimoy to associate produce Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home where he also plays a punk rock fan that Kirk and Spock encounter.

Movies and Cartoons: Inside Out 2 (2024)

Characters: Foreman

Also Known For: Writer, producer, director, and production designer known for his many collaborations with the Muppets and the Jim Henson Company. Has written episodes for Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, Lazytown, Sid the Science Kid, and Crank Yankers.

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Was once a power lifter in high school and college where he was known for his ability to lift cars. Also knows how to play the ukulele. Directed The Muppets’ “Bohemian Rhapsody” video that later won a Webby Award.

598. Sarayu Rao Blue

Dates: 1975-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Madison, Wisconsin to a Telugu family from India. Parents are article and short story writers Narayana Rao and Nidadavolu Malathi. Attended West High School. Earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in acting in 2005 from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Made screen debut in 2002.

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

Characters: Margie

Also Known For: Actress best known as Angela in Sons of Tucson and Dr. Sydney Napur in Monday Mornings. Film appearances include Leela, Lions for Lambs, Dealin’ with Idiots, Blockers, To All the Boys: P. S. I Still Love You, Happiest Season, To All the Boys: Always and Forever, Hollywood Stargirl, and A Million Miles Away. TV appearances include Bones, The Big Bang Theory, Life, Hawthorne, Outsourced, Harry’s Law, In Plain Sight, Franklin and Bash, NCIS: Los Angeles, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Grey’s Anatomy, Two and a Half Men, The Real O’Neals, Veep, Rizzoli & Isles, No Tomorrow, Station 19, The Unicorn, Medical Police, The Shrink Next Door, Never Have I Ever, History of the World Part II, XO, Kitty, Velma, Expats, and Good American Family.

Personal Life: Married to Jonathan Blue who’s Director of the Creative Development at ReKon Productions.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

599. Rose Matafeo

Dates: 1992-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Auckland, New Zealand. Father’s Samoan who joined the Polynesian Panthers when he was a teenager and later worked an administrative role at the Rastafarian Church. Mother’s a teacher who moved to Kampala, Uganda to teach English in the 2010s. Grew up in Ponsonby, Auckland and attended Auckland Girls’ Grammar School where she was head girl. At 15, she began doing stand-up comedy through the platform of the “Class Comedians” program put on by the New Zealand Comedy Trust. Went on to win the “Nailed It on the Night” award at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in 2007. She’s been a regular at the festival since. Since graduating from the “Class Comedians” program, Matafeo went on to host the popular comedy show “Fanfiction Comedy” in 2012. Made her screen debut in 2010.

Movies and Cartoons: Moana 2 (2024)

Characters: Loto

Also Known For: New Zealand comedian, actress, and TV presenter. Film appearances include The Breaker Uppers and Baby Done. TV appearances include 7 Days, Pocket Protectors, Best Bits, Funny Girls, W1A, Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier, Squinter, Taskmaster, Golden Boy, Richard Osman’s House of Games, QI, Dead Pixels, Starstruck, Pointless, and The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off.

Personal Life: Has dated comedian Guy Williams and was in a relationship with British comedian James Acaster during the mid-2010s where they shared an apartment with comedian Nish Kumar in London from 2015-2017.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

600. David Fane

Dates: 1966-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Auckland, New Zealand. Educated at St. Pauls College in Grey Lynn. Got into acting quite late and trained at the New Zealand Drama School Toi Whakaari, graduating with a Diploma in Acting in 1992, which he upgraded to a Bachelor of Performing Arts (in Acting) in 2003. Made his screen debut in 1993.

Movies and Cartoons: Moana 2 (2024)

Characters: Kele

Also Known For: New Zealand actor. Film appearances include Tongian Ninja, The Legend of Johnny Lingo, Sione’s Wedding, Eagle vs Shark, The Tattooist, Love Birds, Sione’s 2: Unfinished Business, Gary of the Pacific, and Next Goal Wins. TV appearances include Target, Revelations – The Initial Journey, The Strip, Bro’Town, The Market, Outrageous Fortune, Diplomatic Immunity, Island Wars, 800 Words, Westside, and Our Flag Means Death.

Personal Life: Married to Bronwyn Bradley. They have 3 children.

Later Life: During the 2010 inaugural Radio Roast, Fane pushed insult comedy boundaries when roasting advertising executives in front of a celebrity audience. Said that “Hitler had a right,” people living with HIV deserve to be “roasted,” and “Jews were expendable.” Taking his routine out of context, the media suggested it as a drunken tirade rather than in line with the theme of the night. Fane later apologized to the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and the New Zealand Jewish Council.

Trivia: Has been nominated for a Peabody Award. Received the Order of New Zealand Order of Merit in 2023.

Peter Sohn pitched the concept of Elemental to Pixar based on the idea of whether fire and water could ever connect or not. The film was also inspired by his experiences as a son of Korean immigrants in New York City during the 1970s. He stated: “My parents emigrated from Korea in the early 1970s and built a bustling grocery store in the Bronx. We were among many families who ventured to a new land with hopes and dreams — all of us mixing into one big salad bowl of cultures, languages, and beautiful little neighborhoods. That’s what led me to Elemental.”  In addition, he also cited his relationship with his eventual wife Anna Chambers which led to a culture clash within his family and world as an inspiration as well. Thus, he says the film’s 7-year development is closely tied to his relationships with family.  As for the city, Sohn stated: “The concept of the city itself started off with Ember. We thought, ‘What’s the best city we can build to support Ember’s journey of identity and belonging?’ It started by thinking about a city that would be hard for fire, and so we based it off of water. The idea is that Water got to this area first, and then Earth came, so it became a delta. Then, they built a water infrastructure with water canals and elevated water channels everywhere, making it even tougher for Ember. Then, Air came in after that, and Fire was one of the last groups to come into the city.” When Sohn first pitched the story and started developing it, he asked himself: “What’s fire? People can see it as a temper. People can see it as passion. As a practical thing, fire burns and sparks—but what does it mean to burn bright? There are all these ingredients to what we already perceive as fire, and that started to form Ember’s personality. It’s the same thing for Wade. Water can be transparent. What does that mean? He wears his emotions on his sleeve. He goes with the flow. That helped form these personalities that were already pretty opposite, and then we had to find that Venn diagram of where they overlapped. That’s the hopeful magic. I hope people can buy into the sparks, the chemical reaction, that could form a relationship.”  Sohn also cited romantic comedy films as particular influences when he enjoyed leaning into the rom-com as a storytelling genre. He also used a doodle of the periodic table in high school as an early form of expression within the movie’s genesis: “There was this funny drawing that I remember discovering about like a fire and a water character, and that triggering a whole lot of different ideas, and I just couldn’t stop drawing these new, little things.”

              Element City was modeled after New York City as a series of immigrant neighborhoods composed of organic materials that would complement each element. Firetown’s built with ceramic, metal, and brick, for instance. Production designer Don Shank said, “design ideas inspired new technology, which inspired new design.” Sohn also noted that he “went into more detail about how the design and tech process went for designing Ember and Wade.” He saw personifying elements as a difficult challenge. Although personifying air wasn’t nearly as hard as fire and water. For example, Wade was incredibly complex with the biggest challenge through creating visual effects. While the animators needed to find some middle ground to create the character and make him transparent enough. Studio set designers looked to cities like Amsterdam and Venice for inspiration with their water canals and the buildings that surround the cities have immense detail and thought put into them. Since the Covid 19 pandemic made travel to those places impossible, they had to watch many hours of point-of-city tours on YouTube for inspiration. Upon its 2023 release, Elemental received positive reviews and grossed $496.4 million at the box office. In this post, you’ll meet the voices behind one more character from Strange World, voice actor Matt Yang King, as well as Ember, Wade, Gale, Fern Grouchwood, Flarry, and 3 characters from Wish.

571. Emily Kuroda

Dates: 1952-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Fresno, California. Began acting and directing in high school. Majored in drama at California State University Fresno before launching her career on stage and screen. Made her screen debut in 1982.

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

Characters: Ro

Also Known For: Actress best known as Mrs. Kim in Gilmore Girls as well as had a long career on stage and screen. Is a veteran of the East West Players, Los Angeles’ premiere theater group. Film appearances include Worth Winning, Dad, Why Me?, Late for Dinner, Broken Words, Yellow, The Suburbans, Stranger Inside, Shopgirl, The Sensei, Hotel for Dogs, Peep World, RED, Yellow Face, Alex Mapa: Baby Daddy, Take the 10, and Kimi. TV appearances include Remington Steele, CBS Storybreak, Gung Ho, Matlock, MacGyver, L.A. Law, Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone, Columbo, Knots Landing, Dynasty: The Reunion, Doogie Howser M.D., Sisters, The Jackie Thomas Show, ER, The Young and the Restless, Party of Five, The Practice, Chicago Hope, The King of Queens, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Six Feet Under, The Agency, Under One Roof, Grey’s Anatomy, Drop Dead Diva, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Resident, The Good Doctor, All Rise, and The Power. Stage appearances include Red, Winter People, Innocent When You Dream, and No-No Boy.

Personal Life: Married to actor/director Alberto Isaac since 1980.

Later Life: Still working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

572. Leah Lewis

Dates: 1996-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Shanghai, China. Adopted from an orphanage at 6 months and raised in Windermere, Florida. Parents are realtors. Discovered performing arts at Crenshaw School in Orlando, Florida. Attended Thornebrooke Elementary School in Ocoee, Florida and Orlando’s Southwest Middle School. During her teenage years, she and her mother often moved back and forth between Orlando and Los Angeles. At 17, she went back to finish high school at Olympia High School before moving back to Los Angeles at 20 in 2016. Started acting in  commercials at a young age. Made her screen debut in 2006.

Movies and Cartoons: Elemental (2023)

Characters: Ember Lumen

Also Known For: Actress best known as Georgia “George” Fan in Nancy Drew, Ellie Chu in The Half of It, and Sarah in Matlock. Film appearances include Nanking, How to Deter a Robber, and The Tiger’s Apprentice. TV appearances include The New Adventures of Old Christine, Paloozaville, The Voice, The Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything, The Good Doctor, Charmed, Station 19, It’s Pony, and Batwheels. Web appearances include Sing It!, Teens React, Guidance, and My Dead Ex.

Personal Life: Has a younger sister who was adopted in the same orphanage as her. Began dating singer Payson Lewis in 2016.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Aside from acting, Lewis sings, plays guitar, and does photography.

573. Mamoudou Athie

Dates: 1988-present 

                                                                            

Early Life and Career: Born in Mauritania. Father was a diplomat who received asylum in the United States when he was 6 months old. Grew up in North Carrollton, Maryland outside Washington D.C. Studied acting at the William Esper Studio in the Two-Year Professional Actor Training Program. Graduated with an MFA at the Yale School of Drama in 2014. Began his career in theater, starring off-Broadway in The Mystery of Love and Sex in 2015. Made first screen appearance in 2015.

Movies and Cartoons: Elemental (2023) as well as the short An Almost Christmas Story.

Characters: Wade Ripple

Also Known For: Actor best known as Elijah in Uncorked, Noah Wright in Black Box, Hal Dockins in The Burial, Matt Greer in Sorry for Your Loss, and Jerome in Cake. Film appearances include Kinds of Kindness, Experimenter, Jean of the Joneses, Patti Cake$, The Circle, Unicorn Store, Underwater, Jurassic World Dominion, and They Boy and the Heron. TV appearances include Archive 81, Madam Secretary, The Get Down, The Detour, and Strange Planet.

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Has been nominated for an Emmy.

574. Wendi McLendon-Covey

Dates: 1969-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Bellflower, California. Grew up in Long Beach. Attended De Mille Junior High and graduated from Milikan High School. Attended Long Beach City College, Golden West College, and California State University, Long Beach where she graduated with a B.A. in liberal studies and creative writing. While working at a hotel in Anaheim and after graduating from college, she enrolled for weekend classes for non-actors at The Groundlings, whom she officially joined in 2002. All while she worked as an editor for California State University’s academic journal of social work until 2012. Made her screen debut in 2001.

Movies and Cartoons: Elemental (2023) and Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation (2024) as well as a few series.

Characters: Gale Cumulus

Also Known For: Actress best known as Beverly Goldberg in The Goldbergs and Deputy Clementine Johnson in Reno 911!. Film appearances include Bewitched, Over Her Dead Body, Bridesmaids, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, The Single Moms Club, Blended, Think Like a Man Too, Hello, My Name Is Doris, Goosebumps 2: Happy Halloween, What Men Want, Sylvie’s Love, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, Blush, Cook Off!, Jesus People: The Movie, Douchebag, Tug, The Search for Santa Paws, 10 Rules for Sleeping Around, Date and Switch, A Merry Friggin’ Christmas, The Breakup Girl, Army of One, Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House, Braking for Whales, Long Weekend, Prom Pact, Paint, and Sick Girl. TV appearances include Lovespring International, Rules of Engagement, The Office, 10 Things I Hate About You, Cougar Town, Svetlana, I Hate My Teenage Daughter, Hot in Cleveland, Bob’s Burgers, The Looney Tunes Show, RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars, Modern Family, Mike Tyson Mysteries, American Dad!, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Schooled, Crossing Swords, M.O.D.O.K., History of the World, Part II, Grimsburg, and St. Denis Medical.

Personal Life: Married to property manager and former corporate executive Greg Covey since 1996.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

575. Joe Pera

Dates: 1988-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Buffalo, New York. Raised in the suburb of Amherst. Studied film at Ithaca College where he competed and won its stand-up competition 3 times and graduated in 2010. Moved to New York City to pursue comedy and participated in open mic nights as often as possible. Made screen debut in 2013.

Movies and Cartoons: Elemental (2023)

Characters: Fern Grouchwood

Also Known For: Comedian, writer, and actor best known as the creator and star of Joe Pera Talks with You, which ran for 3 seasons. TV appearances include The Chris Gethard Show, Conan, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Night with Seth Meyers, F Is for Family, Search Party, and Bob’s Burgers.

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Is a huge tomato enthusiast with numerous tomato photos on his Instagram. He stated, “Oh, I’ve been into tomatoes for years. It’s a bit of a challenge when so many people bring me tomatoes after shows and I have to eat them whether I’m in the mood for a tomato or not. Because people are so kind about offering them. They aren’t the easiest produce to transport so I try to eat them fresh when someone brings them. And, it is hard to turn down a good heirloom tomato.”

576. Matt Yang King

Dates: 1974-present

Early Life and Career: Studied acting at New York University Tisch School of the Arts and lived in New York City until 1998. Left to tour the United States with the musical Titanic, playing quartermaster Robert Hichens and Bandsman Bricoux that began in Los Angeles. Made his screen debut in 2001.

Movies and Cartoons: Elemental (2023) and Inside Out 2 (2024) as well as the TV movie The Even Stevens Movie and the series The Lion Guard.

Characters: Alan Ripple, Lutz, and Earth Pruner

Also Known For: Actor best known as Appa and Momo in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Film appearances include Only Yesterday, Species III, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, The Kreutzer Sonata, Red Dawn (2012), Sightless, Turok: Son of Stone, Back to the Sea, Batman Ninja, Bright: Samurai Soul, and The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. TV appearances include Riverdale, Powers, Strong Medicine, Numb3rs, 24, Love, Death & Robots, G. I. Joe Renegades, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Supah Ninjas, Crossing Jordan, ER, The West Wing, Friends, Fraiser, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: NY, Eli Stone, Bones, Steam Punk’d, Grimm, Lucifer, Rosewood, Naruto, Regular Show, Robot Chicken, Squid Game, and Creature Commandos. Video game appearances include the World of Warcraft franchise, Cyberpunk 2077, Fortnite, Marvel Heroes, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Valkyria Chronicles, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, The Saboteur, Dragon Age: Origins, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, Dead to Rights: Retribution, Final Fantasy XIII-2, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, Nicktoons MLB, Might & Magic Heroes VI, Skylanders: Giants, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Resident Evil 6, Diablo III, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, BioShock Infinite, Hearthstone, Fallout 4, Agents of Mayhem, Injustice 2, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, Death Stranding, Judgement, Ghost of Tsushima, Lost Judgement, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and Rosewater. Stage appearances include Titanic: A New Musical, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Tempest.

Personal Life: Has 3 children.

Later Life: Has been working on a couple crowdfunding projects such as The Goblins Animated and a web series called The World of Steam. The latter has established as leader in the Steampunk Creative community.

Trivia: None.

577. Jonathan Adams

Dates: 1967-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up in Wilkinsburg. Graduated from Wilkinsburg High School in 1985 and studied acting at Carnegie Mellon University for a year and a half before having to drop out due to his inability to afford tuition. Made screen debut in 1990.

Movies and Cartoons: Planes (2013) and Elemental (2023) as well as the Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 2, the video game Kinect Disneyland Adventures, and the series Cars Toons and Sofia the First.

Characters: Flarry

Also Known For: Actor best known as Henry Walker in American Dreams, Daniel Goodman in Bones, and Chuck Larabee in Last Man Standing. Also known for his voice acting with roles such as Galactus, Dormammu, Kang the Conqueror, Darkseid, and Atrocitus. Film appearances include Air Bud: Golden Receiver and Osmosis Jones. TV appearances include Frasier, Felicity, The American Embassy, Crossing Jordan, The Unit, One Tree Hill, NCIS, Women’s Murder Club, 24, Medium, Boston Legal, Numb3rs, NCIS: Los Angeles, Black Panther, Desperate Housewives, Hellcats, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Memphis Beat, Burn Notice, Prophets of Science Fiction, Green Lantern: The Animated Series, Castle, Up All Night, Uncle Grandpa, The Legend of Korra, Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., Drop Dead Diva, Dallas, Once Upon a Time, Avengers Assemble, Ultimate Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Stinky & Dinky Show, Masters of Sex, Justice League Action, Man with a Plan, The Orville, Designated Survivor, Detroiters, Teen Titans Go!, Dark Winds, All Rise, Bob Hearts Abishola, Grey’s Anatomy, and Dexter: Original Sin. Video game appearances include Army of Two: The 40^th Day, Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, Diablo III, World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, Hitman: Absolution, Hearthstone, The Elder Scrolls Online, Skylanders series, Heroes of the Storm, StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void, World of Warcraft: Legion, and For Honor.

Personal Life: Married to Monica Farrell since 1994. They have 2 children.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

578. Ariana DeBose

Dates: 1991-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Wilmington, North Carolina. Mother is a middle school teacher. Trained in dance at CC & Co. Dance Complex in Raleigh, where she also grew up. Made her TV debut in 2009 as a contestant in So You Think You Can Dance where she made it to the Top 20. Debuted on Broadway in 2011.

Movies and Cartoons: Wish (2023) as well as the short Once Upon a Studio.

Characters: Asha

Also Known For: Actress and singer best known as Anita in West Side Story (2021), Jane in A Bronx Tale (2016-2017), and Donna Summer in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Film appearances include The Prom, Company, Hamilton, I.S.S., Argylle, House of Spoils, Kraven the Hunter, and Love Hurts. TV appearances include So You Think You Can Dance, Schmigadoon!, Blue Bloods, Hamilton’s America, Saturday Night Live, Human Resources, Westworld, Bubble Guppies, and Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. Stage appearances include Bring It On: The Musical, Motown: The Musical, Pippin, Hairspray, Les Miserables, and Gutenberg! The Musical!.

Personal Life: Identifies as queer and came out to her grandparents in 2015. Has been in 2 relationships. First with theater props master Jill Johnson. Second with costume designer and professor Sue Makkoo from 2017-2023.

Later Life: In 2020, she and Jo Ellen Pellman launched the Unruly Hearts Initiative, created to help young people connect with organizations and charities that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Trivia: Has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe. Has been nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys and a Tony Award. Hosted the Tony Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.

579. Angelique Cabral

Dates: 1979-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Grew up in Carmel Valley, California and attended All Saint’s Day School and Santa Catalina School as well as Indiana University in Bloomington. Booked her professional job at 6 months in a United Airlines commercial. Has since appeared in various commercials such as Citibank, The Home Depot, Captain Morgan, New York Lotto, and Blue Cross, and Toyota. Print campaigns include Verizon, Western Union, Olympus, Redbook, Fed Ex, and Loestrin. Made her screen debut in 2004.

Movies and Cartoons: Wish (2023)

Characters: Queen Amaya

Also Known For: Actress best known as Colleen Brandon-Ortega in Life in Pieces and Staff Sergeant Jillian Perez in Enlisted. Film appearances include The Perfect Family, Friends with Benefits, Band Aid, All About Nina, and How It Ends. TV appearances include Guiding Light, All My Children, One Life to Live, Melrose Place, Two and a Half Men, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, Talking Marriage with Ryan Bailey, The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, Chicago P.D., The Odd Couple, Transparent, Fresh Off the Boat, Grey’s Anatomy, Undone, Grace and Frankie, With Love, DreamWorks Dragons: The Nine Realms, Maggie, Big Sky, and The Neighborhood.

Personal Life: First cousin once removed of actress Edie McClurg. Married to marketing director Jason Osbourn since 2013. They have a daughter Adelaide and a son Alden.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

580. Victor Garber

Dates: 1949-present

Early Life and Career: Born in London, Ontario in Canada. Mother was actress, singer, and host of At Home with Hope Garber Bessie Hope Wolf. Attended Ryerson Elementary School and London Central Secondary School. Began acting at 9 in 1958. Enrolled in the children’s program of the Grand Theatre. At 16, he was accepted at a 6-week summer theatre training program at the University of Toronto. Studied acting at HB Studio in New York. After a period as a solo folk singer, Garber formed folk group called The Sugar Shoppe in 1967, which enjoyed moderate success with 4 songs charting the Canadian charts as well as performed The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson before breaking up. Made his screen debut in 1973.

Movies and Cartoons: Wish (2023) as well as the live action TV movie Cinderella.

Characters: Sabino

Also Known For: Canadian actor and singer best known as Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Garry LeJuene in Noises Off, Max in Lend Me a Tenor, Bernard Nightingale in Arcadia, Serge in Art, Clifford Anderson in Deathtrap, The Men in Belle’s Life in Little Me, Applegate in Damn Yankees, John Wilkes Booth in Assassins, Horace Vandergelder in Hello Dolly!, Jesus Christ in Godspell, Jack Bristow in Alias, Sidney Luft in Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows, and Martin Stein/Firestorm in The Flash and Legends  of Tomorrow. Film appearances include Titanic, Milk, Argo, Sleepless in Seattle, The First Wives Club, Annie (1999), Legally Blonde, Sicario, Dark Waters, Happiest Season, Monkeys in the Attic,  Mixed Nuts, Life with Mikey, Exotica, Jeffrey, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Tuck Everlasting, Home Room, Star Trek, You Again, The Town, Kung Fu Panda 2, The Entitled, Take Me Home, Moving Day, I’ll Follow You Down, Big Game, Self/less, Consumed, Rebel in Rye, Funny Face (2020), Fly Me to the Moon, and Relay. TV appearances include Frasier, Will & Grace, ABC Afterschool Special, Hallmark Hall of Fame, The Twilight Zone, Guiding Light, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Liberace: Behind the Music, Alex Haley’s Queen, Dieppe, Sesame Street, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Law & Order, The Outer Limits, Liberty! The American Revolution, Call Me Claus, The Music Man, American Masters, Ugly Betty, ReGenesis, Eli Stone, The Last Templar, Glee, Nurse Jackie, Web Therapy, Republic of Doyle, Stargate Universe, Suits, Murdoch Mysteries, Flashpoint, 30 Rock, Law & Order: LA, William & Catherine: A Royal Romance, Charlie’s Angels, The Big C, Damages, The Firm, Deception, The Hunters, The Good Wife, Louie, Blue Bloods, Power, Motive, The Slap, The Orville, Modern Family, Spirit Riding Free, Tales of the City, Schitt’s Creek, Power II: Ghost, Family Law, The Simpsons, And Just Like That…, and American Horror Stories. Stage appearances include Godspell, Ghosts, The Shadow Box, Tartuffe, They’re Playing Our Song, You Can Never Tell, The Devil’s Disciple, Love Letters, Merrily We Roll Along, A Little Night Music, Follies, Present Laughter, She Loves Me, and Gutenberg! The Musical!.

Personal Life: Prefers to keep his personal life private and stays out of the tabloids. Referred publicly to being gay in 2012 saying, “I don’t really talk about it but everyone knows.” Has been married to Canadian artist and model Rainer Andreesen since 2015 and they’ve been together since 2000. Was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at 12 in 1962.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Has been nominated 3 Gemini Awards, 4 Tony Awards, 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards, and 6 Primetime Emmys. Made Officer of the Order of Canada in 2022. Officiated Jennifer Gardner’s wedding with Ben Affleck in 2005.

              After directing Finding Dory with Andrew Stanton in 2016, filmmaker pitched the idea of making a Buzz Lightyear film. Since he always wondered what movie Andy saw in the original Toy Story to get interested in a Buzz Lightyear action figure. An avid science fiction fan, MacLane had felt attracted to Buzz since he began working at Pixar and felt that the film’s story was very “personal” to him. Since A New Hope had been his favorite movie since childhood. An aspect in the Toy Story films that Lightyear explores is Buzz’s disagreement over reality’s nature, which coupled with his heroic ideals, made an amalgam of sci-fi cliches that MacLane wanted to make more than just a punchline. For the look, the animators wanted the film to seem “cinematic” and “chunky” in order to evoke the feeling of the science fiction films that MacLane grew up with. To achieve this, they asked a former Industrial Light & Magic employee to build a spaceship model for them, from which they drew inspiration: a technique inspired by designers for early science fiction films using models for inspiration for their sets and props. MacLane said the animation took several “visual lessons” from early science fiction and space operas like the Star Wars films. Though without intentionally imitating such films. To design the film’s vehicles, MacLane used Legos to build various ships and pitch them to the designers and artists. Influenced by anime robots, Zurg was redesigned to look more grounded and menacing than his previous appearances. The animation team also went to NASA to research about spaceships, space suits, and overall set pieces since they wanted “everything to look like a live-action film rather than an animation.” Upon its release in 2022, Lightyear grossed $226 million at the box office against a $200 million budget, making it a box office bomb. While reviews were generally positive but not the degree of its predecessors. Still, Lightyear’s underperformance at the box office would result in Pixar putting MacLane out of a job.

              After finishing co-directing Moana, filmmaker Don Hall pondered the origins of a generational family with the concept of “environmental overtones” which was described as “Indiana Jones meets National Lampoon’s Vacation.” According to Hall, Strange World takes influence from early 20^th century pulp magazines along with science fiction works like Journey to the Center of the Earth, Fantastic Voyage, and King Kong. Hall said he “loved reading the old issues of pulps growing up. They were big adventures in which a group of explorers might discover a hidden world or ancient creatures. They’ve been a huge inspiration for Strange World.” The miracle plant Pando is named after a forest in Utah. The land of Avalonia is derived from the land Avalon in King Arthur legend that’s presented as a utopic community. While it was also given “warm, nostalgic” color scheme to contrast with the titular strange world inside the creature, for which the filmmakers “avoided earth tones and leaned into reds and magentas.” The film’s production team conducted research on climatologists, paleontologists, and biologists as well as a farmer. While filmmakers visited National Geographic for research which the film’s setting and inhabitants reflect. Upon its release, Strange World opened to positive reviews but only grossed $73.6 million at the box office. In this post, we’ll meet the voices behind one more Turning Red character as well as Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison, Darby Steel, Alisha Hawthorne, Airman Diaz, Meridian, Caspian, Kardez, and Azimuth.

561. Josh Levi

Dates: 1998-present

Early Life and Career: Born Joshua Levi Bolden in Houston, Texas. Began his career on the show Friday Night Lights as Dennis Merriwether, whom he’d play for 2 seasons. In 2013, he was a finalist on season 3 for The X Factor USA. Afterwards, he made guest appearances on Nickelodeon shows called The Thundermans and Game Shakers. Released his debut single in 2014. Became part of the group Citizen Four in 2017.

Movies and Cartoons: Turning Red (2022)

Characters: Aaron Z.

Also Known For: Actor and singer best known as Darius Merriwether in Friday Night Lights. TV appearances include The Thundermans and Game Shakers.

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

Later Life: After leaving Citizen Four, Levi has shifted his attention to his full attention to education and solo ventures. In 2019, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in science in business and finance from Full Sail University. Released his first EP in 2020. Signed to Issa Rae’s Raedio and Atlantic Records in 2021.

Trivia: None.

562. Keke Palmer

Dates: 1993-present

Early Life and Career: Born Lauren Keyana Palmer in Harvey, Illinois and raised in nearby Robbins. Parents were professional actors before settling into full-time jobs. Father’s a Catholic deacon who works for a polyurethane company. Mother’s a high school teacher who works with autistic children. “Keke” was the name of her sister’s imaginary friend that she had before Palmer was born. Sang in church and performed in a stage show at a Chicago tourist destination. In 2002, she auditioned for a stage production of The Lion King at 9. Made her first film in 2004. Signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in 2005.

Movies and Cartoons: Lightyear (2022) as well as The Disney Family Singalong Volume II, the TV movie Jump In!, and the series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

Characters: Izzy Hawthorne

Also Known For: Actress, singer, and television personality best known as Akeelah Anderson in Akeelah and the Bee, True Jackson in True Jackson, VP, Aisha in Winx Club, and Ella in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Film appearances include Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Madea’s Family Reunion, The Longshots, Shrink, Animal, Pimp, Hustlers, Nope, One of Them Days, Cleaner, Unstable Fables: The Tortoise and the Hare, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Imperial Dreams, Brotherly Love, Ice Age: Collision Course, 2 Minutes of Frame, Alice, Under the Board Walk, and This Is Me…Now: A Love Story. TV appearances include The Wool Cap, Rags, Berlin Station, Scream, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, Just Keke, Strahan, Sara and Keke, Password, Cold Case, ER, Knights of the South Bronx, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, The Cleveland Show, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Abducted: The Carlina White Story, 90210, Key & Peele, Family Guy, Grey’s Anatomy, Masters of Sex, Scream Queens, Bubble Guppies, Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade, Grease: Live, Robot Chicken, Singled Out, Big Mouth, Insecure, Legendary, Karma’s World, Saturday Night Live, That’s My Jam, The Afterparty, The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Hit album is So Uncool.

Personal Life: Doesn’t want labels attached to her sexuality. Was in a relationship with Darius Jackson from 2021 to 2023. They have a son. In 2019, she shared on Twitter that she had an abortion at 24 as part of the #YouKnowMe campaign. In an interview with People magazine, she disclosed she was molested as a child but didn’t realize it until she read a book about sexual abuse. Has amblyopia as well as dealt with polycystic ovary syndrome. Has also struggled with anxiety and depression. Had a turbulent relationship with singer TreySongz, alleging that he tricked her into appearing in a music video while at a party in 2017. Has accused him of “sexual intimidation,” disclosing that she hid in a closet to avoid being filmed and berated by Songz, only to later realize that he and his friends had recorded her without prior knowledge or consent. Songz has denied the claims during an interview on The Breakfast Club radio show, stating “I did not put her in the video without her permission. I don’t care that much to sneak Keke Palmer in the video for two seconds.” Was in a relationship with fitness instructor Darius Jackson from 2021-2023. They have a son born in February. But the couple later broke up after a series of incidents surrounding domestic violence throughout their relationship. Palmer soon received a temporary restraining order against Jackson as well as temporary sole custody of their son. Later dropped the requests in 2024 and their domestic violence restraining order hearing was canceled.

Later Life: Has released 2 books titled: I Don’t Belong to You: Quiet the Noise and Find Your Voice in 2017 and Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative in 2024. Works with Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs’ Cool to Be Smart program, speaking to children on the importance of learning. Also worked with the YWCA and Saving Our Daughters, where she’s been a representative in 2010. Supports the Black Lives Matter movement and marched in Hollywood as part of the George Floyd protests.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 4 Emmys and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Was included in Time’s 100 Next list in 2019, which “spotlights 100 rising stars who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, science, health and more.” Sang the US national anthem during the 2021 World Series. Hosted the MTV Music Awards in 2020.

563. Taika Waititi

Dates: 1975-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Wellington, New Zealand and grew up in its Aro Valley suburb Raukokore, a small town in the Bay of Plenty. Father was an artist. Grandfather served in the Maori Battalion during World War II. Parents divorced when he was 5 and he was primarily raised by his mother. Attended Onslow College. Studied theatre at Victoria University of Wellington where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1997. While in college, Waititi was part of a 5-member comedy ensemble called So You’re a Man which toured New Zealand and Australia with some success. He and Jermaine Clement formed a duo called the Humourbeasts who received New Zealand’s highest comedy accolade the Billy T Award in 1999. After starring in a condom commercial, Waititi began making comical shorts for New Zealands 48Hours film contest. Made his first screen appearance in 1999.

Movies and Cartoons: Lightyear (2022)

Characters: Mo Morrison

Also Known For: New Zealand filmmaker, actor, and comedian best known as Adolf Hitler in Jojo Rabbit and IG-11 in The Mandalorian. Film appearances include Boy, The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What We Do in the Shadows, Scarfies, Snakeskin, Futile Attraction, Eagle vs. Shark, Green Lantern, Coffee Town, Thor: Ragnarok, Seven Stages to Achieve Immortal Bliss, The Suicide Squad, Free Guy, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Next Goal Wins. Has directed Boy, The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Eagle vs. Shark, What We Do in the Shadows, Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Next Goal Wins. TV appearances include Our Flag Means Death, What We Do in the Shadows, The Strip, Flight of the Conchords, Radiradirah, Rick and Morty, Home Movie: The Princes Bride, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, What If…?, History of the World Part II, The Simpsons, Time Bandits, and The Masked Singer. Has directed episodes for Flight of the Conchords, Super City, The Inbetweeners, What We Do in the Shadows, The Mandalorian, Our Flag Means Death, Time Bandits, and Interior Chinatown. Co-created Wellington Paranormal, Reservation Dogs, and Time Bandits.

Personal Life: Cousin of director and producer Tweedie Waititi. Although he legally goes by the name Cohen, Waititi has been primarily known by his father’s name for most of his life and was likely born under that name as well. Was in a relationship with New Zealand actress and writer Loren Horsey for 10 years. She co-wrote and acted in Eagle vs. Shark. Married twice. First wife was New Zealand film producer Chelsea Winstanley from 2011 to their divorce in 2018. They have 2 daughters. Second and current wife is British singer Rita Ora since 2022.

Later Life: Has a number of upcoming projects. Often incorporates his Maori heritage into his projects, such as by including indigenous interns and having traditional owners conduct a Welcome to Country ceremony during the start of filming on set in Australia. Has also served as executive producer in a variety of Maori and indigenous-made films. Not to mention, directed Maori language versions of Disney movies.

Trivia: Has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Grammy. Was appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to film in 2020. Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.

564. Dale Soules

Dates: 1946-present

Early Life and Career: Born in New Jersey. Grew up in the Greenwood Lake section of West Milford, New Jersey. Attended West Milford High School. While in high school, Soules became interested in acting and acted in summer stock theater, sang in church choirs, and later studied acting at HB Studio. Moved to New York in the mid-1960s to pursue an acting career and initially worked behind the scenes in theater in a variety of positions. Big break on Broadway came in 1968 in Hair. Made screen debut in 1971.

Movies and Cartoons: Lightyear (2022)

Characters: Darby Steel

Also Known For: Actress best known as Frieda Berlin in Orange Is the New Black. Film appearances include The Messenger, Blood Orgy of the Leather Girls, Diggers, Motherhood, Watching TV with the Red Chinese, AWOL, Aardvark, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, My Love Affair with Marriage, and She Came to Me. TV appearances include Really Rosie, American Playhouse, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, American Masters, How to Make It in America, Big Lake, Unforgettable, At Home with Amy Sedaris, New Amsterdam, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Invasion, Digman!, and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

Personal Life: Is openly lesbian.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

565. Uzo Aduba

Dates: 1981-present

Early Life and Career: Born Uzoamaka Nwanneka Aduba in Boston, Massachusetts to Igbo parents from Nigeria. Grew up in Medfield, Massachusetts, graduating from Medfield High School in 1999. Attended Boston University where she studied classical voice and competed in track and field. Made her screen debut in 2012. Made her big break in 2013.

Movies and Cartoons: Lightyear (2022)

Characters: Alisha Hawthorne

Also Known For: Actress best known as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in Orange Is the New Black and Shirley Chisolm in Mrs. America. Film appearances include American Pastoral, My Little Pony: The Movie, Candy Jar, Steven Universe: The Movie, Miss Virginia, National Champions, Pearly Gates, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, Tallulah, Showing Roots, We Are Boats, Beats, Really Love, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, and Greedy People. TV appearances include The Residence, Bluebloods, Saturday Night Live, Comedy Bang! Bang!, The Wiz Live, Steven Universe, 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, Solos, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Animal, and Painkiller. Stage appearances include Clyde’s, The Seven, Coram Boy, Eclipsed, Godspell, Venice, and The Maids.

Personal Life: Married to filmmaker Robert Sweeting since 2020. They have a daughter born in 2023.

Later Life: In 2020, she was announced as a minority investor of the Angel City FC as part of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Trivia: Has won an Emmy, 2 Critics’ Choice Awards, and 5 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Has also been nominated for a Tony. Received the Point Courage Award from the Point Foundation for her support of the LGBT community in 2017. Became Heifer International’s first-ever celebrity ambassador to Africa.

566. Efren Ramirez

Dates: 1973-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles to Salvadoran parents. Made his screen debut in 1994.

Movies and Cartoons: Lightyear (2022) as well as the series Even Stevens.

Characters: Airman Diaz

Also Known For: Actor best known as Pedro Sanchez in Napoleon Dynamite. Film appearances include Tammy and the T-Rex, Jury Duty, Kazaam, Melting Pot, King Cobra, Tomorrow’s Yesterday, Crank, Employee of the Month, Walkout, The Pool Boys, Gamer, When in Rome, Casa de mi padre, School Dance, Endgame, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life, Trafficked, Mad Families, and Satanic Hispanics. TV appearances include Boston Public, Judging Amy, ER, The District, George Lopez, Robot Chicken, Mad TV, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, American Dad!, Celebrity Rap Superstar, Eastbound & Down, Constantine, Perpetual Grace LTD, The Casagrandes, and FBI: Most Wanted.

Personal Life: Married to Mexican-American actress Iyari Limon from 1998 to their annulment in 1999.

Later Life: Is also a DJ who’s performed worldwide in over 50 cities across 5 continents. Sets include a variety of much such as hip hop, funk, disco, and hard house. His production company “Nocturnal Rage” throws a recurring rave every summer in Austin, Texas. Co-founded Powerhouse Pictures LLC with Chris Barrett and co-authored a book called Direct Your Own Life: How To Be A Star in Any Field You Choose that was published by Kaplan Publishing in 2008.

Trivia: None.

567. Gabrielle Union

Dates: 1972-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Omaha, Nebraska. Mother’s a phone company manager and social worker. Father’s a military sergeant. Said her mother taught her to have a “world perspective” and took her to a gay pride parade at 8 after the family moved to Pleasanton, California. Attended Foothill High School where she was a year-round student athlete competing Varsity soccer, track, and basketball. As one of the few black kids in her environment she grew up having self-esteem issues of colorism reflecting that “blonde was the ideal of beauty, and if I looked nothing like that, then I must be ugly.” Attended University of California, Los Angeles where she earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology. Yet, during the summer before her sophomore year at 19, Union was attacked and raped at gunpoint during her part-time job at Payless shoe store by a robber. Stated that she wouldn’t have survived that attack had it not been for self-defence lessons that she learned from Oprah Winfrey’s talk show. L ater successfully sued Payless for negligence, alleging that the store failed to warn employees about the assailant, who had been positively identified robbing another Payless location prior to when he raped her. Started her acting career with minor roles with her first audition being for Saved by the Bell. Made her big break with Bring It On in 2000.

Movies and Cartoons: Strange World (2022) as well as several series.

Characters: Meridian Clade

Also Known For: Actress best known as best known as Mary Jane Paul in Being Mary Jane. Film appearances include She’s All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, Bring It On, The Brothers, Deliver Us from Eva, Daddy’s Little Girls, Think Like a Man, Think Like a Man Too, Bad Boys II, Cradle 2 the Grave, Neo Ned, Cadillac Records, Top Five, Breaking In, The Perfect Find, The Birth of a Nation (2016), Almost Christmas, Sleepless, Love & Basketball, Two Can Play at That Game, Welcome to Collinwood, Ride or Die, Breakin’ All the Rules, The Honeymooners, Running with Scissors, Constellation, The Box, The Perfect Holiday, Meet Dave, Good Deeds, Cheaper by the Dozen, Space Cadet, and Riff Raff. TV appearances include City of Angels, L.A.’s Finest, Family Matters, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Moesha, 7^th Heaven, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sister, Sister, Clueless, ER, Friends, The West Wing, Something the Lord Made, Family Guy, Night Stalker, Football Wives, Ugly Betty, Life, FlashForward, Army Wives, Unsung Hollywood, Family Feud, America’s Got Talent, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Live in Front of a Studio Audience, Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50, and Truth Be Told.

Personal Life: Cousin of rapper Saweetie. Parents divorced after 30 years of marriage. Dated basketball coach Jason Kidd during her junior year in high school. Has been married twice. First husband was former NFL player Chris Howard from 2001 to their divorce in 2006. Second and current husband is former NBA player Dwayne Wade since 2014. Has a daughter named Kaavia born in 2018 and 3 stepchildren.

Later Life: Has written 4 books. These comprise of 2 memoirs titled We’re Going to Need More Wine and You Got Anything Stronger? and 2 children’s books titled Welcome to the Party and Shady Baby. Has been an outspoken advocate for issues involving women’s health, LGBTQ+ equality, racism, and violence against women. Was a spokeswoman for Neutrogena in 2004 as well as is a part of several business ventures. Is also part-owner of the Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Trivia: Was included on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020. Has received the President’s Award from the NAACP Image Awards alongside her husband Dwayne Wade. Hosted the BET Honors in 2009-2013.

568. Karan Soni

Dates: 1989-present

Early Life and Career: Born in New Delhi, India. Attended the international school there. Came to the United States to study business at the University of Southern California. But ended up graduating from its Dramatic Arts department. Made his film debut in 2010.

Movies and Cartoons: Strange World (2022) as well as the series Mickey Mouse Funhouse.

Characters: Caspian

Also Known For: Indian-American actor best known as Dopinder in the Deadpool franchise and Pavitr Prakhakar / India Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Film appearances include Safety Not Guaranteed, Ghostbusters (2016), Office Christmas Party, Pokemon Detective Pikachu, Supremacy, Goosebumps, Chee and T, The Sweet Life, Rough Night, And Then There Was Eve, Unicorn Store, Creep 2, Little Bitches, Better Start Running, Office Uprising, Corporate Animals, Always Be My Maybe, Like a Boss, Trolls World Tour, Superintelligence, 7 Days, The People We Hate at the Wedding, Four Samosas, World’s Best, A Nice Indian Boy, and Stealing Pulp Fiction. TV appearances include Betas, Other Space, Blunt Talk, Miracle Workers, 1600 Penn, The Neighbors, The Middle, Melissa & Joey, The Goldbergs, Silicon Valley, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Will & Grace, Cake, Big Mouth, Karma’s World, Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail, Trolls: Holiday in Harmony, The Great North, Home Economics, Abbott Elementary, and American Dad!.

Personal Life: Is gay and is married to writer and director Roshan Sethi.

Later Life: Became a US citizen. Said to reprise his role as Spider Man India in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.

Trivia: None.

569. Nik Dodani

Dates: 1993-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Dallas, Texas. Began his acting career in Phoenix-area community theater. Graduated from BASIS Scottsdale in 2011 and studied politics at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Movies and Cartoons: Strange World (2022) as well as a few series.

Characters: Kardez

Also Known For: Actor, writer, and comedian best known as Zahid in Atypical and Pat Patel in Murphy Brown. Film appearances include Other People, The Good Neighbor, Alex Strangelove, Dark Was the Night, Escape Room, Dear Evan Hansen, Twisters, and The Parenting. TV appearances include The Comeback, Selfie, Kevin from Work, The Player, Idiotsitter, Angie Tribeca, Trinkets, and Big Nate.

Personal Life: Is openly gay.

Later Life: As a producer for MoveOn, he organized a comedy tour in 2016 called Laughter Trumps Hate. Also worked as a communications consultant at RALLY as well as a graphic designer and student organizer on Elizabeth Warren’s 2012 Senate campaign. Co-founded The Salon which is a forum for South Asian creatives in western creative arts. Has also played active roles in organizing support for Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024. Also played an active role in organizing other entertainers in the Black Lives Matter movement. Launched his own production banner Cosmic Pomegranate in 2022.

Trivia: None.

570. Francesca Reale

Dates: 1994-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles. Received a BFA in acting at New York University. Also studied at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute and Stonestreet Studios. R eceived a 2012 National Youth Arts Award for Outstanding Youth Choreography for “Bordan vi Haller” in Winter Dance Concert, Hamilton Academy of Music. Made screen debut in 2016.

Movies and Cartoons: Strange World (2022)

Characters: Azimuth

Also Known For: Actress best known for her roles in Haters Back Off and Stranger Things. Film appearances include Dating and New York, Do Revenge, Parachute, and Musica. TV appearances include Blue Bloods, Wireless, and Entergalactic.

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

After completing the short Bao in 2017, Pixar invited filmmaker Domee Shi to pitch 3 ideas for a full-length film. Her proposed concepts were all coming-of-age stories involving teenage girls. The one becoming Turning Red was based on a girl going through “magical puberty,” which Shi based on her own personal experiences. Shi said, “Everyone has been there. Everyone has been thirteen and feeling like they’re turning into some wild, hairy, hormonal beast, and I think that’s why Pixar was drawn to it.” According to producer Lindsay Collins, the Pixar staff were drawn to the Turning Red idea as “it was so clear that Domee had such a sense of who these two main characters were, that Mei and Ming were really clear and special and unique, more than any of the other ideas” and that “she had this really personal experience with these two characters that were kind of versions of her own life. That’s like the magic equation, right there.” Shi would later be announced as writer and director. While the creative leads comprised of Pixar’s first all-female team. Although the film takes place in Toronto in Canada, the entire environment was stylized to convey a specific feeling of what Shi described as an “Asian tween fever dream.” According to executive producer Dan Scanlon, “It feels more like a very soft, colorful, magical, idyllic, almost youthful version of the city.” Part of this desired setting was capturing boy bands’ popularity around the turn of the millennium and how teenage girls reacted to them. Pixar animators also visited around Northern California for inspiration and visual references. They studied red pandas at the San Francisco Zoo and looked at architecture in Chinatown in San Francisco and the Bok Kai Temple in Marysville. Other influences included anime, Nintendo video games, and the plot of A Goofy Movie. While Turning Red can be an allegory of menstruation (a topic that I think should be perfectly appropriate to discuss around children), it also reflects other feelings that teenagers experience like embarrassment and lust. Given that the world was only emerging from the Covid 19 pandemic in 2022, Turning Red was released on Disney+ with critical acclaim, earning $21 million. In this post, you’ll meet the voices behind 2 characters from Encanto as well as Mei, Priya, Jin, Mr. Kielowski, Chen, Helen, Robaire, and Jesse.

551. Adassa

Dates: 1981-present

Early Life and Career: Born Hadassa Nohemi in Miami, Florida to Colombian parents. Raised in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Has been active in the music industry since 2004.

Movies and Cartoons: Encanto (2021)

Characters: Dolores Madrigal

Also Known For: Urban reggaton singer and songwriter known for her Latin-infused dance pop music and has released several albums throughout her career. Music spans from urban reggeton to Christian music. Has toured and collaborated with artists such as Daddy Yankee, Lil’ Flip, Pitbull, Taino, Ivy Queen, Don Omar, Lil Jon, Kevin Lyttle, Vico C, Baby Rasta & Gringo, R.K.M & Ken-Y, Wisin & Yandel, Sasha, Baby Bash and Juvenile.

Personal Life: Married to Gabriel Candiani. They’re said to have 6 children.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Performed the US National Anthem at the Homestead Miami Speedway for the Dixie Vodka 400 NASCAR.

552. Maluma

Dates: 1994-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Medellin, Antioquia in Colombia. Took an interest in soccer that he played from toddler to middle school, competing in the lower divisions in the reserve teams of Atlético Nacional and La Equidad. Developed a keen interest in music during his teenage years and was famed as a good singer in his high school. Graduated from Hontanares School in El Retiro where he was encouraged by many of his friends to enter local singing competitions. Got his first musical break at 15 when he composed “No quiero” with a close friend. A year later his uncle offered him an opportunity to record it in a studio as a birthday present. After impressing a group of music producers, he was asked to choose a name that would be easy to remember and be accepted by followers of the urban genre. He chose the name Maluma, a combination of the first syllable of his parents’ and sister’s names. Began his musical career in 2010.

Movies and Cartoons: Encanto (2021)

Characters: Mariano Guzman

Also Known For: Colombian singer who’s sold more than 18 million records and has become one of the best-selling Latin music artists. Specializes in genres such as reggaeton, Latin trap, and pop. Singles include “Felices los 4”, “Borró Cassette”, “Corazón,” “Chantaje,” “Medellin,” and “Hawai.” Albums include Magia, Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy, F.A.M.E., 11:11, Papi Juancho, and Don Juan. TV appearances include Desperter contigo and La Voz…Mexico.

Personal Life: Has been in a relationship with Susana Gomez since 2020.

Later Life: His music video for “El Perdedor” that showcased the racism and discrimination of Latino people in the US by the police. Song “Cuatro Babys” received controversy over its lyrics, alleged to objectify women. That a Change.org petition demanded the removal of the song from digital platforms. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he left a live TV interview broadcast on Israeli public television after the reporter suggested that he could be accused of whitewashing Qatari human rights abuses. Has done a number of venture capital investments, including TREBEL Music and Colombian proptech company La Haus.

Trivia: Was a presenter at Colombia’s Kids’ Choice Awards in 2014. Has won a Latin Grammy Award, an MTV Video Music Award, and two Latin American Music Awards. Also has been nominated for a Grammy.

553. Rosalie Chiang

Dates: 2005-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Fremont, California. Mother’s Taiwanese. Father’s Singaporean. Mother used to call her “Mei-Mei” as a child. Before acting, Chiang wrote 2 poetry books called A is for Albatross: Birds A to Z and A is for Arowana: Freshwater Fish A to Z. The former received a Skipping Stones Award. Started out in short films and commercials before she was hired for the lead in Turning Red (2022). Chiang auditioned using her mom’s iPhone 6. During the film’s development, Pixar hired Chiang to record scratch vocals as a temporary placeholder, with the understanding that director Domee Shi and producer Lindsay Collins would later cast a professional actress to re-record her lines before the film’s release. However, Chiang’s scratch vocals were so strong that Shi and Collins couldn’t envision anyone else in the lead role.

Movies and Cartoons: Turning Red (2022)

Characters: Meilin “Mei” Lee

Also Known For: Actress best known as Meilin “Mei” Lee in Turning Red (2022). TV appearances include American Born Chinese, The Simpsons, and Sakamoto Days.

Personal Life: Is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

554. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Dates: 2001-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Mississaugua, Ontario in Canada to Sri Lankan Tamil parents who came to the country as refugees fleeing the country’s civil war. Attended Lisgar Middle School and graduated from Meadowvale Secondary School. Decided to pursue an acting career in her senior year and got the lead role in Never Have I Ever for Netflix.

Movies and Cartoons: Turning Red (2022)

Characters: Priya Mangal

Also Known For: Canadian actress best known as Devi Vishwakumar in Never Have I Ever. TV appearances include My Little Pony: Make Your Mark and Big Mouth.

Personal Life: Once said in an interview that she doesn’t care about labels or the gender of the person she dates. Described herself as “very much a personality person.”

Later Life: Has deferred her acceptance to York University in Toronto where she planned to study in the theater program. In 2021, she deferred a second time but switched her major to human rights and equity studies. In 2020, she became a global ambassador for Plan International in Canada to promote girls’ and women’s rights. The next year, she starred in a campaign for Nobis’ #No Cold Shoulder initiative, which focuses on collecting and donating used jackets every November. In 2022, she fronted a spring campaign, “Members Always: Future Together,” for American Eagle.

Trivia: None.

555. Orion Lee

Dates: 1980-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Hong Kong. Later lived in Malaysia, Australia, New York, San Francisco, Zurich, and London. Was a fund manager in the finance industry before attending the London Academy of Dramatic Art. Has performed at various theaters in Scotland, Ireland, and England.

Movies and Cartoons: Turning Red (2022)

Characters: Jin Lee

Also Known For: Hong Kong-born Chinese-Australian theater and film actor. Film appearances include X+Y, Narcopolis, I Am Vengeance, Catacombe, Only You, First Cow, Followers, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and The Pirate Queen. TV appearances include Silent Witness, Critical, Tyrant, and Rematch.

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

556. Sasha Roiz

Dates: 1973-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Tel Aviv, Israel to Russian Jewish parents. Family moved to Montreal in 1980. Studied history before joining a theater school there. Later graduated from the Guildford School of Acting in Guildford, Surrey in England. Made first screen appearance in 2001.

Movies and Cartoons: Turning Red (2022)

Characters: Mr. Kieslowski

Also Known For: Israeli-Canadian actor best known as Sam Adama in Caprica and Captain Sean Renard in Grimm. Film appearances include The Day After Tomorrow, Assault of Precinct 13, Land of the Dead, 16 Blocks, Man of the Year, Unthinkable, Extracted, and Pompeii. TV appearances include Playmakers, Tilt, Show Me Yours, Beautiful People, G-Spot, The Jane Show, The Path to 9/11, Jeff Ltd., NCIS, CSI: Miami, Across the River to Motor City, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Victor, Lie to Me, The Mentalist, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, House, Castle, Warehouse 13, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Husbands, Salvation, Lucifer, Suits, Departure, 9-1-1, The Endgame, and Chicago Med. Video game appearances include The Godfather II and Wolfenstein.

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

557. Lori Tan Chinn

Dates: 1948-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Seattle, Washington to Hoisan Chinese immigrants. Moved to New York City by herself in 1969. Began her acting career on Broadway. Was also a notable member of the Katherine Dunham Dance Company and performed African dance with Syvilla Fort. Made screen debut in 1982.

Movies and Cartoons: Turning Red (2022)

Characters: Chen

Also Known For: Actress and comedian best known as Miss Higa Jiga in Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen, Mei Chang in Orange Is the New Black, and Nora’s Grandmother in Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens. Film appearances include Author! Author!, She-Devil, What About Bob?, Glengarry Glen Ross, Living in Oblivion, Ransom, Mickey Blue Eyes, Year of the Fish, The Guitar, Final Recipe, Joy Ride, and Kung Fu Panda 4. TV appearances include South Pacific, Roseanne, Spin City, Law & Order, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, Strange Planet, A Man on the Inside, and Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld. Stage appearances include G.R. Point, M. Butterfly, Gotta Dance, and Triassic Parq.

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

558. Sherry Cola

Dates: 1989-present

Early Life and Career: Grew up in Temple City, California. Parents ran a restaurant and have her the Americanized name “Sherry.” Attended California State University Fullerton for 7 years where she did campus radio. Majored in communications with an emphasis on entertainment studies. After graduation, she worked at 97.1 FM in Los Angeles. Devised her name “Sherry Cola” as a stage name in 2011 as her username for Yelp. Later worked on Carson Daly’s radio show on 97.1 AMP Radio. Soon began pursuing comedy by taking Upright Citizens Brigade classes and doing stand-up comedy. During this time, Cola developed her Lil Tasty persona for the online parody web series, Drive Luber. The character went viral online which caught Daly’s attention. This gave her the opportunity to host comedic segments on AMP radio, which eventually led to her own show, The BAE Show at the station. Got her break in television in 2017.

Movies and Cartoons: Turning Red (2022)

Characters: Helen

Also Known For: Actress and comedian best known as Alice Kwan in Good Trouble. Film appearances include Joy Ride, Shortcomings, A Family Affair, Music, Sick Girl, The Tiger’s Apprentice, Thelma the Unicorn, and Bride Hard. TV appearances include I Love Dick, Nobody Wants This, Transparent, Life in Pieces, Claws, Baby Shark’s Big Show!, Transformers: EarthSpark, That ‘90s Show, Primos, Grimsburg, and Poker Face.

Personal Life: Is bisexual.

Later Life: Still working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

559. Jordan Fisher

Dates: 1994-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Birmingham, Alabama. Grew up in nearby Trussville. Biological mother was 16 at his birth and struggled with substance abuse. Was legally adopted at 11 and grew up with his maternal grandparents. Began learning gymnastics at 2. Started musical theater in 5^th grade after being cast in as school production of School House Rock Jr. Was later home-schooled as a child and earned a high school diploma from Harvest Christian Academy. Joined the Red Mountain Theatre Company in Birmingham and was part of their youth performing ensemble for many years. There, a talent scout spotted him and offered to represent him. Enrolled in courses at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama in 2011. Later that year, he moved to Los Angeles with his grandparents and siblings. Released 3 pop soul songs at Radio Disney in 2014 before signing a record deal with Hollywood Records 2 years later. Made his screen debut in 2009.

Movies and Cartoons: Turning Red (2022) as well as The Disney Family Singalong special, the Teen Beach and Teen Beach 2 TV movies, and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Characters: Robaire

Also Known For: Actor, singer, and dancer best known as John Laurens in Hamilton (2016-2017, Even Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen (2020-2022), Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2023), Orpheus in Hadestown, Christian in Moulin Rouge!, and Sea Hawk in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. Film appearances include To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, Work It, and Hello, Goodbye, And Everything In Between. TV appearances include The Secret Life of the American Teenage, Liv and Maddie, Grease Live, The Flash, Rent: Live, Dancing with the Stars, Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Fortnite World-Cup, iCarly, The Thundermans, The Chew, Teen Wolf, Bones, Archibald’s Next Big Thing, Butterbean’s Café, Royalties, It’s Pony, Robot Chicken, Star Wars: Visions, and Karma’s World. Stage appearances include Grease, Rent, MJ the Musical, Freestyle Love Supreme, Gutenberg! The Musical!, and Urinetown.

Personal Life: Married to his childhood sweetheart Ellie Woods since 2020. They have a son named Riley William born in 2022.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: He and dance partner Lindsay Arnold won the 25^th season of Dancing with the Stars. Host of Dancing with the Stars: Juniors and commentator for the Fortnite World-Cup.

560. Finneas O’Connell

Dates: 1997-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles. Mother is actress and screenwriter Maggie Baird. At 12, he took a songwriting class with his mom in 2010 and began writing and producing songs. Got his start in the music industry by writing songs and performing with his younger sister Billie Eilish. Yet, had originally written and produced his song “Ocean Eyes” for his band before giving it to Eilish when her dance teacher asked them to write a song for a choreography. They posted the song on SoundCloud garnering praise from various websites. O’Connell’s brother reached him in 2015 to talk of Eilish’s potential and he helped her sign to the A&R company Platoon. He then co-wrote and produced Eilish’s debut EP Don’t Smile at Me which peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200. Also co-wrote and produced Eilish’s debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? which debuted atop the US and UK charts.

Movies and Cartoons: Turning Red (2022)

Characters: Jesse

Also Known For: Singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor who’s written and produced for various artists, most notably, his younger sister Billie Eilish and is credited with all of her projects. Other artists he’s worked with include Drake, Kid Cudi, Nicki Minaj, Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Demi Lovato, Halsey, Justin Bieber, Karol G, Girl in Red, Rosalía, Tove Lo, Ringo Starr, and Tate McRae, and contributed to several film scores. Albums include Optimist, For Cryin’ Out Loud, Blood Harmony, The Fallout, Disclaimer, and Vengeance. Songs include “Break My Heart Again,” “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night,” “I Lost a Friend,” “Shelter,” “I Don’t Miss You at All,” “What They’ll Say About Us,” “Can’t Wait to Be Dead,” “Till Forever Falls Apart,” “The 90s,” and “Nobody Like U.” Film appearances include Bad Teacher, Life Inside Out, Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry, Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, and The Trainer. TV appearances include Modern Family, Glee, Aquarius, Saturday Night Live, and Laid.

Personal Life: Older brother of singer Billie Eilish. Nephew of psychologist and politician Brian Baird. Has been in a relationship with YouTuber and actress Claudia Sulewski since 2018. Raised vegetarian before becoming a vegan.

Later Life: Lives in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Trivia: Has won 2 Academy Awards, 2 Golden Globes, and 10 Grammys. He and Eilish are among the youngest 2-time Academy Award winners ever.

              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.

Pondering the origins of human personalities with the concept of determinism, filmmaker Pete Docter pitched the idea of an idea set in the astral plane involving souls with personalities back in 2016. With co-writer Mike Jones, Docter worked on the main character’s development for 2 years. Initial ideas include portraying Joe as a scientist, which didn’t feel “so naturally pure.” So they eventually settled on portraying Joe Gardner as a musician because they wanted an appealing profession for the audience. Since they decided that he’d specialize in jazz, he was also created to black since in the US, jazz history has been tied to black people. Co-filmmaker Kemp Powers also based several elements of Joe on his personal life but wanted the character to “transcend his own experience” in order to make him more accessible. Powers also placed additional emphasis on authentically depicting Joe’s relationships with the black community. In order to accurately portray African-American culture within the film, Pixar worked with an internal “Cultural Trust” composed of black Pixar employees and hired several consultants. These included musicians  Herbie Hancock, Terri Lyne Carrington, Quincy Jones, and Jon Batiste; educator Johnetta Cole, as well as stars Questlove and Daveed Diggs. While Mike Jones came up with the idea of Joe’s soul entering a therapy cat’s body, which allowed Joe to “be able to look at his own life from a different perspective” and appreciate it. Mindful of the history of racist imagery (like the caricatured depictions of African Americans) in animation and wanted to create black characters as well as integrate authentic African-American culture into the film’s “DNA” to prevent caricatures, stereotypes, and tropes. Pixar sought to capture the fine character details, including black hair texture and the wavy light plays on various tones of black skin. Animators also used footage of several music performers including Batiste as reference for the film’s musical sequences. By capturing MIDI data from these sessions, animators retraced the exact key played on the piano with each note and animated the performances authentically. Animators assigned to specific instruments often had experience either playing them or appreciating them. Unlike other Pixar movies and due to the Covid 19 pandemic in late 2020, Soul didn’t have a theatrical release so I can’t really give you the box office receipts. But it did receive critical acclaim as well as 2 Academy Awards. In this post, we’ll meet the voices behind Wilden Lightfoot, the Jerrys, Libba Gardner, Dez, Paul, Street Singer, and Doctor.

511. Kyle Bornheimer

Dates: 1975-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Mishawaka, Indiana. Attended St. Monica Grade School and Marian High School, graduating in 1994. Is a founding member of The Curtainbox Theatre Company. With a string of national commercials, Bornheimer established an “always on TV” reputation with 30-second spots for companies like Geico, Staples, Coors Light, Imodium, Stanley, and T-Mobile.

Movies and Cartoons: Onward (2020)

Characters: Wilden Lightfoot

Also Known For: Actor and comedian best known for his appearances on sitcoms and commercials. Film appearances include Spokane, Blades of Glory, For Christ’s Sake, She’s Out of My League, You Again, Bachelorette, The Big Wedding, Veronica Mars, The D Train, Me Him Her, Rules Don’t Apply, Little Failure, Marriage Story, Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, and The Lovebirds. TV appearances include Worst Week, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Casual, Playing House, Monk, The O.C., How I Met Your Mother, Medium, Will & Grace, Weeds, The Office, Girlfriends, Breaking Bad, Jericho, Party Down, Better Off Ted, Chuck, Royal Pains, Romantically Challenged, Perfect Couples, Arrested Development, Workaholics, Justified, Agent Carter, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Angel from Hell, The Mindy Project, Westworld, Modern Family, Love, Drunk History, Avenue 5, Amazing Stories, Broke, High School, and St. Denis Medical.

Personal Life: Married to Shannon Ryan. They have 2 children.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

512. Alice Braga

Dates: 1983-present

Early Life and Career: Born Alice Braga Moraes in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Mother’s an actress and often accompanied her and her aunt on film sets. Began her career by appearing in school plays and commercials. With her first commercial being for yogurt when she was 8. In her teens, she began pursuing roles in television and films. Made her film debut in 1998 then returned to her schooling. Breakthrough came in 2002 with City of God.

Movies and Cartoons: Soul (2020) as well as the short 22 vs. Earth.

Characters: Soul Counselor Jerry A

Also Known For: Brazilian actress producer best known as Angelica in City of God, Karinna in Lower City, Dolores in God Only Knows, and Teresa Mendoza in Queen of the South. Film appearances include I Am Legend, Predators, The Rite, Elysium, The Shack, The Suicide Squad, Journey to the End of Night, Drained, Redbelt, Blindness, Crossing Over, Repo Men, On the Road, Latitudes, The Ardor, Kill Me Three Times, The Duel, The New Mutants, and Hypnotic. TV appearances include Dark Matter, Superbonita, The Brazilians, Samantha!, We Are Who We Are, Slumberkins, and A Murder at the End of the World.

Personal Life: Niece of actress Sonia Braga. Speaks fluent Portuguese, Spanish, and English. Has been in 2 long-term relationships. First was with actress Bianca Comparato from 2020-2023. Second and currently is with producer Renata Brandao.

Later Life: Resides in Los Angeles and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Trivia: Friends with actor Diego Luna and Wagner Moura.

513. Richard Ayoade

Dates: 1977-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Hammersmith, London in England. Mother’s Norwegian. Father’s Nigerian. Family moved to Ipswich when he was young. Studied at the independent St. Joseph’s College in Ipswich. From 1995 to 1998, Ayoade studied law at St. Catharine’s College at Cambridge University where he won the Martin Steele Prize for play production and was president of the amateur theatrical club Footlights. Wrote and performed in several productions with vice-president John Oliver, appearing in the 1997 and 1998 touring shows: Emotional Baggage and Between a Rock and a Hard Place. Later teamed with Footlights colleague Matthew Holness to write and perform the stage show Garth Mareghi’s Fright Knight which later landed them a TV show.

Movies and Cartoons: Soul (2020) as well as the short 22 vs. Earth and a few series.

Characters: Soul Counselor Jerry B

Also Known For: British comedian, actor, writer, director, and presenter best known as Maurice Moss in The IT Crowd and Dean Learner in the Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place and Man to Man with Dean Learner. Film appearances include The Watch, The Double, The Boxtrolls, Early Man, Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, The Bad Guys, Festival, Bunny and the Bull, Paddington 2, The Souvenir, The Souvenir Part II, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, and The Rat Catcher. TV appearances include The Mighty Boosh, Nathan Barley, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, Was It Something I Said?, Gadget Man, Travel Man, The Crystal Maze, Strange Hill High, Apple & Onion, Krapopolis, Time Trumpet, Snuff Box, Full English, Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy, The Vicar of Dibley, Danger Mouse, Neo Yoko, Have I Got News for You, Moominvalley, The Mandalorian, Code 404, Question Team, Disenchantment, Birdgirl, Rugrats, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, Black Mirror, Transformers: EarthSpark, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Hamster & Gretel.

Personal Life: Married to Lydia Fox since 2007, which makes him related to the show-business Fox family by marriage. They have 2 children. Brother-in-law of actor Lawrence Fox with whom he engaged in a vocal feud in 2020, when Fox asked Ayoade to support him on Twitter after a controversial appearance on Question Time. The episode in question was condemned for allowing Fox on as a guest, particularly when he told a black woman in the audience that discussing racism was “boring.” According to Fox, Ayoade told him that “You have never encountered racism.” Fox stated that he told Ayoade that he had, because he “he worked in Kenya once” and “racism can be deferential.”

Later Life: Lives in East Dulwich, London. Has written books titled Ayoade on Ayoade: A Cinematic Odyssey in 2014, The Grip of Film in 2017, Ayoade on Top in 2019, The Book That No One Wanted to Read in 2022, The Fairy Tale Fan Club: Legendary Letters collected by C.C. Cecily in 2024, and The Unfinished Harauld Hughes in 2024.

Trivia: Footlights contemporaries include David Mitchell and John Oliver. Has directed music videos for Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Hosted the British Academy Television Awards from 2020 to 2022.

514. Wes Studi

Dates: 1947-present

Early Life and Career: Born Wesley Studie in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, a rural area in Cherokee County named after his mother’s family. Stepfather was a ranch hand. Although a man named Eugene Philpott was listed as his father on his birth certificate, it turns out that his real biological father is either one of 2 brothers Jess and Bobby Blair. Only spoke Cherokee at home until elementary school. Attended the Chiloco Indian Agricultural School for high school and graduated 1964 with his vocational major in dry cleaning. At 17, Studi enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard and had his basic combat training and advanced individual training in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Also, volunteered for active service and went to Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division where he served for a year. After his discharge, Studi became politically involved in Native American activism. He participated in the Wounded Knee Incident at Pine Ridge Reservation in 1973. Became interested in acting while attending Tulsa Community College and had a role in the play The Royal Hunt of the Sun at the American Indian Theater Company. After his studies, Studi taught the Cherokee language and syllabary as well as helped a establish a Cherokee language newspaper. He then went into ranching until his first marriage ended in divorce. After a recommendation from a friend as a field to meet women, Studi decided to study acting.

Movies and Cartoons: Planes Fire & Rescue (2014) and Soul (2020) as well as the series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

Characters: Windlifter and Soul Counselor Jerry C

Also Known For: Actor and film producer who’s garnered critical acclaim and awards throughout his career, particularly for his portrayal of Native Americans. Best known as Sagat in Street Fighter. Film appearances include Dances with Wolves, The Last of the Mohicans, Geronimo: An American Legend, The New World, Hostiles, Heat, Mystery Men, Avatar, A Million Ways to Die in the West, The Doors, Deep Rising, The Horse Whisperer, Ice Planet, Christmas in the Clouds, Road to Redemption, Undisputed, Animal, Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Legacy, Seraphim Falls, Older Than America, The Only Good Indian, Being Flynn, Sugar, Road to Paloma, Badland, A Dog’s Way Home, A Love Song, and Mending the Line. TV appearances include Penny Dreadful, Longarm, The Flash, Highlander, Ned Blessing: The Story of My Life and Times, The Broken Chain, 500 Nations, Streets of Laredo, Crazy Horse, Adventures from the Book of Virtues, Skinwalkers, The Lone Ranger, The Thief of Time, The Coyote Waits, Into the West, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Comanche Moon, We Shall Remain, Kings, Saving Grace, The Mentalist, Hell on Wheels, The Red Road, In Plain Sight, Grey’s Anatomy, Miracle Workers, Reservation Dogs, Spirit Rangers, and Launchpad.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Rebecca Graves from 1974 to their divorce in 1982. They have a daughter named Leah and a son named Daniel. Second and current wife is Maura Dhu since 1986. They have a son named Kholan. Son-in-law of actor Jack Albertson.

Later Life: Has lived on his farm in Santa Fe, New Mexico since the 1990s. Performs in the band Firecat of Discord with his wife. Serves as honorary chair of the national endowment campaign of the Indigenous Language Institute in Santa Fe.

Trivia: In 2019, The New York Times ranked him #19 on its list of the “25 Greatest Actors of the 21^st Century (So Far).” 6^th great-grandson of Ghiagu and Cherokee leader Nancy Ward. Received an honorary Academy Award in 2019 becoming the first Native American and one of indigenous heritage to receive one. That same year, he was inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum. Was a presenter at the Golden Globes in 1994.

515. Fortune Feimster

Dates: 1980-present

Early Life and Career: Born Emily Fortune Feimster in Charlotte, North Carolina. Grew up in Belmont, North Carolina where she attended Belmont Central Elementary School and Belmont Junior High. Graduated from South Point High School in 1998, where she played basketball, softball, and tennis. That same year, she was presented to society at the Gastonia Debutante Ball. Attended Peace College where she was elected class president, majored in communications, and played soccer and tennis. Graduated summa cume laude and was the student speaker at her college’s commencement ceremony in 2002. After spending a year living in Spain, Feimster moved to Los Angeles in 2003 to become a personal assistant to actress Emily Procter and pursue comedy. After connecting with Procter’s neighbor, a journalist for the Lost Angeles Daily News, she began a 7-year career in entertainment journalism. In 2005, she joined The Groundlings Theatre, studying improv and sketch comedy. After 4 years, she was selected to join The Groundlings Sunday Company. Made her TV debut in Last Comic Standing.

Movies and Cartoons: Soul (2020)

Characters: Soul Counselor Jerry D

Also Known For: Writer, comedian, and actress best known as Colette in The Mindy Project and Heather in The L Word: Generation Q. Film appearances include The Secret Life of Dorks, Life in Color, Office Christmas Party, Social Animals, Father of the Year, The Happytime Murders, Friendsgiving, Chick Fight, Bar and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, Yes Day, Sex Appeal, Family Switch, and You’re Cordially Invited. TV appearances include Last Comic Standing, After Lately, Chelsea Lately, 2 Broke Girls, Workaholics, Mulaney, Glee, Drunk History, Chelsea, Life in Pieces, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Nobodies, Another Period, Dear White People, Champions, Summer Camp Island, Craig of the Creek, Historical Roasts, Tales of the City, Sunnyside, Bless the Harts, Nailed It!, iCarly, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Kenan, Is It Cake?, RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars, Madagascar: A Little Wild, Frog and Toad, Strange Planet, The Morning Show, Velma, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and StuGo. Podcast appearances include Queery, The Margaret Cho, Anna Faris Is Unqualified, Lovett or Leave It, The Joe Rogan Experience, Good for You, Life Is Short with Justin Long, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Scam Goodness, Don’t Ask Tig, We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle, and You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes.

Personal Life: Came out as a lesbian in 2005. Married to kindergarten teacher Jacklyn Smith since 2020. But they’ve been separated as of 2025.

Later Life: Is said to appear as Nibbles in Zootopia 2. Owns homes in Los Angeles and Belmont, North Carolina.

Trivia: None.

516. Zenobia Shroff

Dates: 1965-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Bombay, India (now Mumbai) to a Parsi family. Began her professional career as a commercial print model at 16. After 7 successful modeling years, she switched to acting. Got her acting start in Mumbai under the mentorship of Pearl Padmanese before moving to study acting at New York City’s Circle in the Square Theatre School. Soon after, she appeared at the Broadway Castillo Theatre and the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. Appeared in her first film in 1989.

Movies and Cartoons: Soul (2020)

Characters: Soul Counselor Jerry E

Also Known For: Indian-American actress best known as Muneeba Khan in Ms. Marvel and The Marvels. Film appearances include The Big Sick, Percy, Little Zizou, When Harry Tries to Marry, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Save Yourselves!, and 7 Days. TV appearances include The Resident, The Affair, and Madam Secretary.

Personal Life: Has a master’s degree in psychology.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Has also been a lifelong dancer and is a founding member of the Shiamak Davar dance company with whom she toured nationally doing musical theatre.

517. Phylicia Rashad

Dates: 1948-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Houston, Texas. Mother was Pulitzer Prize-nominated artist, poet, playwright scholar, and publisher Vivian Ayers. Father was an orthodontist. Parents divorced when she was 6. At 13, she moved with her mother and sister to Mexico City, Mexico in order to avoid segregation. Rashad later returned to the United States to study at Howard University, graduating in magna cume laude in 1970 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and was a member of the Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. First became known for her Broadway performances before she appeared on The Cosby Show.

Movies and Cartoons: Soul (2020) as well as the special Mickey’s 60^th Birthday and the series Sofia the First and The Rocketeer.

Characters: Libba Gardner

Also Known For: Actress best known as Clair Huxtable in The Cosby Show, Ruth Lucas in Cosby, and Brenda Glover in Little Bill. Film appearances include For Colored Girls, Good Deeds, Creed, Creed II, The Beekeeper, Once Upon a Time…When We Were Colored, The Visit, Just Wright, Frankie & Alice, Gods Behaving Badly, Emily & Tim, A Fall from Grace, Black Box, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, Tick, Tick…Boom!, Creed III, and Our Son. TV appearances include A Raisin in the Sun, This Is Us, One Life to Live, Santa Barbara, The Love Boat, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, A Different World, False Witness, Polly, Reading Rainbow, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Earth Day Special, Blossom, Jailbirds, American Playhouse, Ghostwriter, The Cosby Mysteries, Touched by an Angel, Intimate Portrait, Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child, Bull, Biography, Everybody Hates Chris, Psych, Steel Magnolias, The Cleveland Show, Do No Harm, Jean-Claude Van Johnson, Empire, When We Rise, David Makes Man, Station 19, 13 Reasons Why, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Fight, Curses!, and Diarra from Detroit. Stage appearances include A Raisin in the Sun, Skeleton Crew, Into the Woods, Jelly’s Last Jam, Gem of the Ocean, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death, The Wiz, Dreamgirls, A Wonderful Life, Cymbeline, and August: Osage County.

Personal Life: Sister of actress, choreographer, and director Debbie Allen. Aunt of DeVaughn and Vivian Nixon. Married 3 times. First husband was William Lancelot Bowles Jr. from 1972 to their divorce in 1975. They have a son named William Lancelot Bowles III born in 1973. Second husband was original Village People front man Victor Willis from 1978 to their divorce in 1982. Third husband was former NFL wide receiver and sportscaster Ahmad Rashad from 1985 to their divorce in 2001. Their daughter is actress Condola Phylea Rashad who was born in 1986. Is a vegetarian.

Later Life: Has long been friends with Bill Cosby who gave her away at her third wedding. She also defended him during his 2018 sexual assault trial. Appointed dean of Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts from 2021 to 2024. Has directed 3 revivals of August Wilson plays in Princeton, New Jersey and Los Angeles. Also directed Purpose during its 2024-2025 run at the Helen Hayes Theater on Broadway.

Trivia: Has won 2 Tony Awards and is the first black woman to win a Tony Award for Best Actress. Has been nominated for 6 Emmys and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Dubbed “Mother of the Black Community” by the NAACP Image Awards. Received an honorary doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University.

518. Donnell Rawlings

Dates: 1968-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Washington D.C. Grew up in Alexandria, Virginia with his mother where he attended T.C. High School. Served in the US Air Force. Stationed in South Korea and at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C. during the late 1980s to early 1990s. Made his first screen appearance in 1996.

Movies and Cartoons: Soul (2020)

Characters: Dez

Also Known For: Comedian, actor, and radio host best known as a cast member on Chappelle’s Show and The Wire. Film appearances include Fever, Spider-Man 2, Fifty Pills, Car Babies, Legacy, Last Day Summer, The Last Film Festival, Inside the Rain, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, and Clerks III. TV appearances include Def Comedy Jam, Law & Order, The Corner, It’s Showtime at the Apollo, Third Watch, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Premium Blend, BET’s Top 25 Countdown, Reality Bites Back, Laugh Factory, Guy Code, Black Dynamite, Guy Court, Black Jesus, Unsung Hollywood, Saturday Night Live, The Last O.G., Historical Roasts, Twenties, BMF, Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip Hop Comedy, and Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.

Personal Life: Has a son named Austen.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

519. Daveed Diggs

Dates: 1982-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Oakland, California. Mother’s a Jewish social worker. Father’s a black bus driver. Attended Berkeley High School and graduated from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in theater arts. Although he was originally recruited by Brown for his track skills and broke his college’s record for the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.21 seconds. Worked as substitute teacher after graduating. Began his career in experimental theater. Met Lin-Manuel Miranda through Thomas Kail while performing with freestyle rap group Free Love Supreme or FLS. In 2012, Miranda invited Diggs to read and hear the demo versions of Hamilton. The rest is history.

Movies and Cartoons: Soul (2020) as well as the live action The Little Mermaid.

Characters: Paul

Also Known For: Actor, rapper, and singer-songwriter. Vocalist of the experimental hip-hop group Clipping. Best known for originating the roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton. Film appearances include Wonder, Velvet Buzzsaw, Blindspotting, Ferdinand, The Starling, Trolls Band Together, Nickel Boys, DC League of Super Pets, A Tree Fell in the Woods, and Magic Hour. TV appearances include Black-ish, Snowpiercer, Blindspotting, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Get Down, Sesame Street, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, BoJack Horseman, Bob’s Burgers, Green Eggs and Ham, Star Wars Resistance, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Star Trek: Prodigy, Central Park, The Good Lord Bird, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Extrapolations, The Crossover, and Star Wars: Visions. Stage appearances include Temptation, The Tempest, Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train, Six Degrees of Separation, Troilus and Cressida, Red Light Winter, In the Red Brown Water, A Behanding in Spokane, White Noise, and Freestyle Love Supreme. Albums include Small Things to a Giant, midcity, CLPPNG, Wriggle, Splendor & Misery, There Existed an Addiction to Blood, Visions of Bodies Being Burned, Thumbs, Good for You, and x Infinity.

Personal Life: In a relationship with actress and singer Emmy Raver-Lampman since 2015.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Wrote and performed “Parlez-Vous Rap” for Zootopia (2016). Has won a Tony and a Grammy as well as been nominated for a Grammy for Hamilton.

520. Cody Chesnutt

Dates: 1968-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Atlanta, Georgia. After moving to Los Angeles, Chesnutt found work with Death Row Records, writing and producing 5 songs for the R&B Group Six Feet Deep. Chesnutt and his former band, The Crosswalk with James (Jaime) O’Connell, John Maggio and Jay Gordon, had a brief stint with Hollywood Records. But the label later released them and the band later broke up. He released a double LP called The Headphone Masterpiece, which was recorded on a 4-track cassette recorder in his bedroom recording studio that he calls “The Sonic Promisedland.” Closest he came to mainstream success was when The Roots remade his song “The Seed” for their album Phrenology in 2002.

Movies and Cartoons: Soul (2020)

Characters: Street Singer

Also Known For: R&B and neo soul musician whose music blends rock, funk, soul, hip hop, and blues. Albums include The Headphone Masterpiece and Landing On A Hundred. Single includes “The Seed (2.0).”

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

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Wrote and performed “Parting Ways” for Soul (2020).

              In 2019, the Walt Disney Company acquired 21^st Century Fox’s assets from Rupert Murdoch for $71 billion, making it the biggest acquisition in Disney’s history. The New York Times described Disney as “an entertainment colossus the size of which the world has never seen.” Through this deal, Disney got 20^th Century Fox, 20^th Century Fox Television, Fox Searchlight Pictures, National Geographic Partners, Fox Networks Group, a 30% stake in Hulu, and more. That same year, it became the first studio to have 7 films gross $1 billion. In November, Disney launched the Disney+ streaming service which had 500 movies and 7,500 TV episodes from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and other brands. Within its first day, the streaming service had over 10 million subscriptions. By 2022, it had over 135 million. In 2020, Disney removed the name Fox from its assets. During the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020, Disney temporarily closed all its theme parks, delayed the releases of several movies, and stopped all cruises. Due to closures, Disney then announced it would cease paying 100,000 employees but still provide healthcare benefits, as well as urged US employees to apply for government benefits, saving the company $500 million a month. While Disney executive chairman Bob Iger gave up his salary and CEO Bob Chapek took a 50% pay cut. The company later reported a $1.4 billion loss with earnings declining 91% to $475 million from $5.4 billion in 2019. By August financial institutions owned 2/3 of the company. The next month, it dismissed 28,000 employees, 67% who were mostly part-time from its Parks, Experiences, and Products Division. Division chairman Josh D’Amaro wrote: “We initially hoped that this situation would be short-lived, and that we would recover quickly and return to normal. Seven months later, we find that has not been the case.” In its third quarter, Disney lost $4.7 billion and laid off another 4,000 employees. While Touchstone Television ceased operations that December. In 2021, Disney announced it would be launching 20^th Century Animation for mature audiences and closed down Blue Sky Studios. In 2022, Disney ceased operations in Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine and was the first major Hollywood studio to do so. Other studios followed. In 2023, Disney began its “100 Years of Wonder” in celebration of its centennial anniversary of the company’s founding. Today the Walt Disney Company is one of the world’s largest entertainment companies and is considered a pioneer in the animation industry.

In 2014, producer Peter Del Vecho said that he, Chris Buck, and Jennifer Lee made a good team and he envisioned another Frozen-related project. However, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan F. Horn said that a sequel won’t immediately happen because the studio was more focused on the Frozen Broadway adaptation. While Disney CEO Bob Iger said in an CNBC interview that the company won’t force any sequel development, because it was concerned about not living up to the first film. Later saying that the Frozen franchise “is something that is kind of forever for the company”, similar to The Lion King. That summer, Lee confirmed that John Lasseter had authorized her and Buck to explore Frozen sequel ideas. While working on the short Frozen Fever, they realized that they missed the characters and decided to go ahead. But although they didn’t get all the details right, Del Vecho, Buck, and Lee decided to end the sequel with Anna as Queen of Arendelle and Elsa as “free.” Once again, the production team traveled to Norway, Finland, and Iceland for background research. They also decided to make Elsa a “mythic hero” with magic ice powers and Anna a “fairytale hero” who lives in a magical world but has no magical powers to speak of. In addition, the filmmakers collaborated with Sami experts on the Northuldra people’s depiction with Verdett, and advisory group which was a result of an agreement with the Walt Disney Company, the transnational Saami Council, and the Sami parliaments of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Frozen II later underwent significant revisions in order to clarify the Voice and the point of Elsa’s transformation as well to add more comedy and the shots of Bruni the salamander. One scene of expository dialogue where the lead characters explained to the people trapped in the Enchanted Forest why they had come there was switched with Olaf’s Frozen recap. While technological advancements allowed the designer to create more detailed outfits with extra beads and sequins. Upon its 2019 release, Frozen II received positive reviews from critics but wasn’t seen as good as the first film. Yet, it also grossed $1.45 billion at the box office and 2 Academy Award nominations.

              While directing Monsters University, filmmaker Dan Scanlon was encouraged to develop personal stories. He didn’t tell his brother about the film since these movies take long to make. In 2017,then-Pixar chief John Lasseter announced a “suburban fantasy” at the D23 Expo was in development. The inspiration behind Onward was the death of Scanlon’s father when he was only a year old and his older brother was 3, and their relationship with each other. They had seen home videos of their dad but there was no audio. Scanlon became inspired to write the story after a family member found an old cassette with his dad’s voice on it. He listened to it along with his mom and brother with only the words “Hi” and “Goodbye” being heard from his dad, which Scanlon described as “magical.” When it came to animation, animators first developed Onward’s magic using hand-drawn animated drawings before turning them into computer-animated effects. With effects supervisor Vincent Serritella saying, that “[they] made shapes and graphic elements that really lend themselves to what’s happening in a 2D environment.” He also said that “the key” was mixing hand-drawn and computer animation, arguing that “[g]oing one way or the other didn’t work. Going too graphic didn’t fit into the world that the background and the characters were created in. And going too physical in an animated world seemed too real” so “[they] found the right balance” by turning hand-drawn animated graphics into “light objects” and giving them “[a] true volumetric, glowing atmosphere.” Unfortunately, while Onward received positive reviews, it only grossed $142 million at the box office against a $175-200 million budget. And that was mainly because it came out during the start of the Covid 19 pandemic. But it found greater success through streaming. In this post, we’ll meet the voices behind Harmony’s Mom, Young Elsa, Yelena, Ryder, Honeymaren, Queen Iduna, King Runeard, the Voice, Cold Bronco, and Gaxton.

501. Patricia Arquette

Dates: 1968-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Chicago, Illinois. Father was an alcoholic actor and puppeteer Lewis Arquette who’s best known as J.D. Pickett from The Waltons. Mother was involved in the arts and worked as a therapist but was violently abusive. Grandfather was comedian Cliff Arquette. Refused to get braces as a child because she didn’t want to look perfect. For a time, her family lived in a commune in Bentonville, Virginia where she claimed the longer they lived there, the poorer they became. At 7, her family moved back to Chicago and later settled in Los Angeles, California. Attended Catholic school and wanted to be a nun as a teenager (although she was clearly not raised Catholic). At 14, she ran away from home after learning that her dad was having an affair, ultimately settling with her sister Rosanna in Los Angeles. Before pursuing an acting career, Arquette also considered working as a midwife. Yet, she briefly put the career prospect aside in an attempt to gain acting jobs and gained success in the industry. Made screen debut in 1987.

Movies and Cartoons: Toy Story 4 (2019)

Characters: Harmony’s Mom

Also Known For: Actress best known as Kristen Parker in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Allison DuBois in Medium, and Dee Dee Blanchard in The Act. Film appearances include True Romance, Ed Wood, Flirting with Disaster, Lost Highway, The Hi-Lo Country, Bringing Out the Dead, Holes, Boyhood, Pretty Smart, Uncle Buck, Prayer of the Rollerboys, The Indian Runner, Inside Monkey Zetterland, Trouble Bound, Ethan Frome, Holy Matrimony, Infinity, The Secret Agent, Nightwatch, Goodbye Lover, Stigmata, Little Nicky, Searching for Debra Winger, The Badge, Tiptoes, A Single Woman, Girl in Progress, A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III, Vijay and I, Electric Slide, The Wannabe, Permanent, Waves for Water, Otherhood, You Cannot Kill David Arquette, and Gonzo Girl. TV  appearances include Escape at Dannemora, Severance, CBS Schoolbreak Special, Tales from the Crypt, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Boardwalk Empire, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Cyber, Inside Amy Schumer, and High Desert.

Personal Life: Sister of Rosanna, Alexis, and David Arquette. Married twice. First husband was actor Nicholas Cage from 1995 to their divorce in 2000. Although they separated 9 months into their marriage (which doesn’t surprise me because she probably had no idea what being married to a guy like Cage would entail. Seriously, the guy has a reputation). Second husband was actor Thomas Jane from 2006 to their divorce in 2011. She has a daughter named Harlow Jane with her second husband born in 2003 and a son named Enzo Rossi with musician Paul Rossi born in 1989. Was in a relationship with painter Eric White from 2014-2023.

Later Life: After the 2010 Haitian earthquake, she and childhood friend Rosetta Millington-Getty formed GiveLove, a non-profit organization supporting ecological sanitation and composting, community development projects and housing construction in Haiti. After losing her mother to breast cancer in 1997, Arquette has run for the Race for the Cure and was a spokesperson for Lee Denim Day in 1999. In 2010, she teamed up with welding students of the Robert Morgan Education Center in Miami, Florida to build shelters in Haiti from 20 used shipping containers to provide housing to those the earthquake displaced. In 2017, Arquette participated in in the Women’s March against Donald Trump.

Trivia: Has won an Academy Award, 3 Golden Globes, 2 Emmys, 2 SAG Awards, a Critics’ Choice, and an Independent Spirit Award.

502. Mattea Conforti

Dates: 2006-present

Early Life and Career: Born in West Caldwell, New Jersey. First appeared onscreen in a Charmin commercial at 7. At a young age, Conforti bought tickets to see Matilda the Musical with her grandmother. But she felt a “tinge of disappointment” since she could “easily see herself [starring as the lead character]” and “[she] could have done that.” At 8, Conforti attended an open casting call for Matilda the Musical where she was later cast as the titular character as a replacement 2 months later.

Movies and Cartoons: Frozen II (2019) and the stage version of Frozen in 2017.

Characters: Young Elsa

Also Known For: Actress best known as Matilda Wormwood in Matilda the Musical (2015), Louise in Sunday in the Park with George, and Moon in The Ollie & Moon Show. Film appearances include 3 Generations, The Super, Viper Club, and The Many Saints of Newark. TV appearances include Gotham, Power, The Good Cop, and NOS4A2.

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

Later Life: Enrolled in Harvard University in the fall of 2024 and is a member of Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

Trivia: None.

503. Martha Plimpton

Dates: 1970-present

Early Life and Career: Born in New York City. Daughter of actors Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton. Granddaugther of actor John Carradine. Attended the Professional Children’s School in Manhattan. First stage appearance was when her mother brought her on stage for the curtain call of a short-lived Broadway play The Leaf People and another called The Ass in the Heart. Began her career as a model, securing an early 1980s campaign for Calvin Klein, making an impression as a sophisticated but tomboyish little girl. Made her film debut in 1981.

Movies and Cartoons: Frozen II (2019) as well as the series Doc McStuffins.

Characters: Yelena

Also Known For: Actress from the Carradine family who began her career in her teens in film before transitioning to adult roles. Best known as Virginia Chance in Raising Hope. Film appearances include Rollover, The Goonies, The Mosquito Coast, Running on Empty, Parenthood, Samantha, Beautiful Girls, Small Town Murder Songs, Mass, The River Rat, Stars and Bars, Another Woman, Stanley & Iris, Inside Monkey Zetterland, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, Last Summer in the Hamptons, I Shot Andy Warhol, Colin Fitz, Eye of God, Music from Another Room, Pecker, 200 Cigarettes, Hair High, Marvelous, Dante’s Inferno, Remember Me, Company, Hello Again, and Honey Bee. TV appearances include The Good Wife, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Rea O’Neals, Family Ties, ER, 7^th Heaven, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Surface, Medium, Grey’s Anatomy, Fringe, How to Make It in America, The Blacklist, Generation, Sprung, A Town Called Malice, Family Guy, The Regime, and Prime Target. Stage appearances include The Coast of Utopia, Top Girls, Pal Joey, Shining City, Cymbeline, A Delicate Balance, The Heidi Chronicles, SubUrbia, Uncle Vanya, The Playboy of the Western World, The Glass Menagerie, Hedda Gabler, Absolution, Hobson’s Choice, Boston Marriage, The False Servant, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Company, Other Desert Cities, Sweat, As You Like It, and Here We Are.

Personal Life: Niece of actor David and Robert Carradine. Had a romantic relationship with River Phoenix from 1986-1989.

Later Life: Is an active campaigner for abortion rights who’s lobbied for Congress on behalf of Planned Parenthood and is on the board of directors of the women’s rights organization “A Is For.” In 2014, she wrote a lengthy article both U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby and McCullen v. Coakley, revealing that she’s had at least 2 abortions in the past. She wrote that her purpose was “A) to contribute to the dismantling of an oppressive, artificial and unfair shaming of women who seek abortion care, B) make clear just how normal, common, and healthy a decision it is for the women who make it, and C) to encourage women who are part of this one third to be unashamed and come out of the abortion closet.” Is also a big campaigner for LGBT+ rights. In addition, she resides part-time in London.

Trivia: Has won a Primetime Emmy and an Independent Spirit Award. Has been nominated for 3 Tony Awards.

504. Jason Ritter

Dates: 1980-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles. Son of actors John Ritter and Nancy Morgan. Grandson of country singer Tex Ritter and actress Dorothy Fay. Stepson of Amy Yasbeck. Began his career by appearing as a toddler on his father’s show Three’s Company with Joyce DeWitt. His appearance was unplanned but the producers liked the added touch so they kept it. Attended middle and high school at the Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California. Attended and graduated from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University where he studied at the Atlantic Theater Company. Later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Made his professional acting debut at 10, playing Harry Neal Baum in the 1990 TV movie The Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story.

Movies and Cartoons: Frozen II (2019) as well as the series Gravity Falls.

Characters: Ryder

Also Known For: Actor known as Mark Cyr in Parenthood. Film appearances include Mumford, Swimfan, Freddy vs. Jason, Raise Your Voice, Happy Endings, The Education of Charlie Banks, W., The Perfect Family, Wild Canaries, The Meddler, Carrie Philby, Bitch, The Tale, Our Very Own, The Wicker Man (2006), The Deal, Good Dick, The Perfect Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Peter and Vandy, The Dry Land, Hammer, The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best, The End of Love, Free Samples, The Big Ask, The East, Hits, About Alex, We’ll Never Have Paris, The Steps, Embers, and The Intervention. TV appearances include Joan of Arcadia, Another Period, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, Raising Dion, Matlock, Days of Our Lives, Undressed, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Class, All Grown Up!, WWII HD, The Event, Robot Chicken, Drunk History, Person of Interest, Key & Peele, Garfunkel and Oates, Girls, Wander Over Yonder, Goliath, Gillmore Girls: A Year in the Life, The Long Road Home, Skylanders Academy, A Million Little Things, Superstore, Candy, The Last of  Us, and  Captain Fall.

Personal Life: Brother of Tyler River. Was in a relationship with Scottish actress Marianna Palka from 1999-2013. Married to New Zealand actress Melanie Lynskey since 2020. They have a daughter together born in 2018. Has also struggled with alcoholism and credits his relationship with Lynskey for giving him the strength to get sober.

Later Life:

Trivia: Was roommates with actor and comedian Simon Helberg at New York University. Has been nominated for 2 Primetime Emmy Awards.

505. Rachel Matthews

Dates: 1993-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Los Angeles. Daughter of actress Leslie Landon. Granddaughter of actor Michael Landon Sr. Became interested in acting at an early age after watching Shirley Temple movies, leading to tap and voice classes, and ultimately joining a local theater program at 10. Continued to pursue the stage by studying acting at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Made her film debut in 2017.

Movies and Cartoons: Frozen II (2019)

Characters: Honeymaren

Also Known For: Actress best known for starring in Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U. Film appearances include Tankhouse, Do Revenge, and Upgraded.  TV appearances include Batwoman and Looking for Alaska.

Personal Life: Niece of Michael Jr., Christopher, Jennifer, and Mark Landon.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Friends with actress Camilla Mendes and musician Maggie Rogers.

506. Evan Rachel Wood

Dates: 1987-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mother’s an actress, director, and acting coach. Father is actor, theater director, and playwright Ira Wood III. Father also co-founded and serves as executive director of a community theater company called Theater in the Park, where she was an active member since she was a few months old. Attended Cary Elementary School in Cary, North Carolina. When her parents divorced, she moved to Los Angeles with her mother to further her acting career. Attended public school in California before leaving at 12 for homeschooling, earning her high school diploma at just 15. Began her career by appearing in several made-for-television movies that were shot in her native North Carolina from 1993 onwards. Made Hollywood debut in 1997. Made her teenage debut as a leading actress in 2001.

Movies and Cartoons: Frozen II (2019)

Characters: Queen Iduna

Also Known For: Actress best known as Sophie-Anne Leclerq in True Blood, Veda Pierce in Mildred Pierce (miniseries), Dolores Abernathy in Westworld, and Madonna in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Film appearances include Digging to China, Thirteen, The Wrestler, Whatever Works, The Ides of March, Practical Magic, Little Secrets, Simone, The Missing, Pretty Persuasion, The Upside of Anger, Down in the Valley, Asterix and the Vikings, Shark Bait, Running with Scissors, King of California, The Life Before Her Eyes, Battle for Terra, Across the Universe, The Conspirator, Charlie Countryman, Barefoot, Strange Magic, Into the Forest, Allure, Flavors of Youth, Kajillionaire, Viena and the Fantomes, and Backspot. TV appearances include Once and Again, Search for Grace, A Father for Charlie, American Gothic, Profiler, Touched by an Angel, The West Wing, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Robot Chicken, Doll & Em, Drunk History, What We Do in the Shadows, and Phoenix Rising.

Personal Life: Aunt was a Hollywood production designer. Admitted to being bisexual in 2011. Has been married to British actor Jamie Bell from 2012 to their divorce in 2014. They have a son born in 2013 who was subject to a heated custody battle between the two during the early 2020s. Was in a relationship with bandmate Zach Villa from 2015-2017. In the late 2010s, she claimed that singer Marilyn Manson raped her twice during their relationship when she as 18 and he was 37. Although she was among 16 women who accused him while 4 had sued him for sexual assault, Wood was the most high profile name that Manson sued her in 2022 for defamation. Despite that he later dropped the case and later agreed to pay  her legal fees, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department declined to file charges against Manson  due to lack of evidence.

Later Life: In 2012, she recorded “I’d Have You Anytime” which is on the fourth CD of Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International, a compilation production for the benefit of the organization. Performed as electro-pop duo Rebel and a Basketcase with multi-instrumentalist Zach Villa in 2016. But they disbanded in 2017. Is currently one half of cover band Evan + Zane which she formed with guitarist/singer-songwriter Zane Carney with whom she released the album Dreams in 2022. Told some of the stories of the Orlando night club shooting in a video that the Human Rights Campaign released in 2016. Testified before the United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations in support of the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act in 2018. Also testified before the California State Senate to help pass the Phoenix Act, which extended the statute of limitations in domestic violence cases from three to five years and requires police to have additional training. In her testimonies, Wood said that singer Marilyn Manson had physically, sexually, and emotionally abused her and that she was subsequently diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

Trivia: Earned a black belt in taekwondo at 12 and participated in the AAU Junior Olympic Games. Has received a Critics’ Choice Award. Has been nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys and 3 Golden Globes.

507. Jeremy Sisto

Dates: 1974-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Grass Valley, California. Mother’s an actress. Father’s a jazz musician and educator. Parents divorced and his father later remarried a fabric artist. He lived with his mother and said that his father’s absence has made parenting his own son difficult. Was raised in the lower Sierra Nevada Mountains before moving to Chicago at 7. Attended The Hayfield Montessori School in Louisville, Kentucky for first grade, then the Francis Parker School in Chicago. He and his sister performed in A House Not Meant to Stand at the Goodman Theatre. Also, Sisto worked with local theater companies such as the Cherry Street Theater and the Absolute Theater Company. Appeared in the film Grand Canyon while in high school. Despite his lack of achievement in high school, Sisto was accepted to the University of California, Los Angeles with the stipulation that he sign a non-disclosure agreement to keep it quiet unless or until he became a well-known actor. However, he didn’t really attend UCLA or any other college because his career took off and he began acting full-time.

Movies and Cartoons: Frozen II (2019)

Characters: King Runeard

Also Known For: Actor best known as Billy Chenowith in Six Feet Under, NYPD Detective Cyrus Lupo in Law & Order, George Altman in Suburgatory, Jubal Valentine in FBI, Shane Mungitt in Take Me Out, and Freddy Green in Ice. Film appearances include Clueless, Suicide Kings, Thirteen, Waitress, Break Point, Grand Canyon, Hideaway, Moonlight and Valentino, White Squall, Bongwater, Some Girl, Without Limits, Playing by Heart, The Space Between Us, Track Down, Don’s Plum, Angel Eyes, May, Showboy, Now You Know, The Movie Hero, Wrong Turn, In Enemy Hands, Dead & Breakfast, The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things, A Lot Like Love, In Memory of My Father, Population 436, The Thirst, Unknown, Broken, Gardens of the Night, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Into Temptation, Robot & Frank, Sironia, Hangman, The Other Side of the Door, Ferdinand, and Last Straw. TV appearances include Jesus, The Return, The Shaggy Dog, Duckman, Rugrats, The Day Lincoln Was Shot, The Wild Thornberrys, The Outer Limits, Julius Caesar, The Twilight Zone, Dawson’s Creek, Ancient Egyptians, Punk’d, Celebrity Poker Showdown, World Poker Tour, American Dad!,  Kidnapped, Numb3rs, Saturday Night Live, Hell’s Kitchen, Last Week with John Oliver, Wicked City, The Long Road Home, Hollywood Game Night, Robot Chicken, and To Tell the Truth.

Personal Life: Younger brother of actress Meadow Sisko. Married twice. First wife was actress Marisa Ryan from 1993 to 2002. Although they separated shortly after their wedding. Second and current wife is Addie Lane since 2009. They have 2 children born in 2009 and 2012.

Later Life: Resides in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles.

Trivia: Has been nominated for a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.

508. Aurora

Dates: 1996-present

Early Life and Career: Born Aurora Aksnes at Stavanger University Hospital in Stavanger, Norway. Mother’s a midwife. Father’s a garage door salesman. Spent her first 3 years in Hole where she developed her taste in nature, singing, and traditional clothing. Family later moved further north in western Norway to a house in the small village of Drange, located in the woodlands of the Os mountains, a remote municipality in Hordaland, near Bergen and Lysefjord. One of her earliest memories is finding an electric piano in her parents’ attic that once belonged to one of her sisters and was fascinated by the melodies that instrument could produce. Started learning how to play the piano at 6 by playing the songs she listened to. Began writing songs at 9, crediting Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Enya, and the Chemical Brothers as influences. Parents didn’t encourage her to pursue music as a career or hobby. But Aurora went from imitating classical music to composing her own music, preferring to keep her music private. Also aspired to be a doctor, physicist, or a dancer. Took dancing lessons from 6 to 16 and performed in a contemporary dance group that twice participated in the Norwegian Youth Festival of Art. First song she finished writing was “The Lonely Man.” First job before embarking on her music career was washing a pizza restaurant on the outside using a hose. Wrote several songs at this stage in her life. Another of her songs is “I Had a Dream” which she performed at her high school’s graduation ceremony. Her recording and video of “Puppet” was uploaded online without permission, which angered her. Although this soon led to her discovery by Artists Made Management who invited Aurora to visit their office for a meeting in 2013. Although she initially declined, she later agreed. In a few hours, her songs “I Had a Dream” and “Puppet” received thousands of visits in Norway, earning her a fan base on Facebook.

Movies and Cartoons: Frozen II (2019)

Characters: The “Voice”

Also Known For: Norwegian singer, songwriter, and record producer. Referred as the “Norwegian Art-pop Pioneer,” she’s one of the biggest breakout acts in the country during the 2010s. Her debut studio album All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend charted in various European countries and earned a platinum certificate in Norway twice. Music is primary electro-pop, folk, and art pop with vocals referred as “ethereal.”

Personal Life: Her 2 older sisters are her personal costume designer and makeup artist. Is an admitted introvert and bisexual. Experienced a string of tragedies from an early age including a family friend at 11, a friend who died in a car accident, a friend who died by suicide, and a friend who died in the Utoya Massacre.

Later Life: Lives is Bergen but often travels to Os to visit her parents. Identifies as a feminist as well as done work for causes related to environmental protection and human rights.

Trivia: Worked alongside film composer Hans Zimmer, providing vocal work for the soundtrack to Frozen Planet II.

509. Mel Rodriguez

Dates: 1973-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Miami, Florida. Grew up in its Little Havana neighborhood. First pursued a career in boxing until a high school teacher at his encouraged him to pursue acting, first starring in a play about AIDS awareness titled The Inner Circle with Pedro Zamora. Dropped out of high school but managed to receive a scholarship at the prestigious arts and film conservatory at SUNY Purchase. After his graduation, he stayed in New York, managed a cigar shop, and worked primarily in theatre. After his first screen role on Law & Order in 1999, he moved to Los Angeles.

Movies and Cartoons: Onward (2020)

Characters: Colt Bronco

Also Known For: Actor best known as Nurse Patsy de la Seda in Getting On, Todd Rodriguez in The Last Man on Earth, Ernie Gomes in On Becoming a God in Central Florida, and Marco Pasternak in Better Call Saul. Film appearances include Wirey Spindle, Panic Room, Deuces Wild, Showtime, The Terminal, Garfield: The Movie, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, Shark Bait, Unknown, Little Miss Sunshine, Lakeview Terrace, The Watch, Fat, Suburban Gothic, Brave New Jersey, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, Overboard (2018), The Last Thing He Wanted, and We Bare Bears: The Movie. TV appearances include Running Wilde, Enlisted, CSI: Las Vegas, Law & Order, Third Watch, Spin City, George Lopez, Malcolm in the Middle, Gillmore Girls, CSI: NY, NYPD Blue, The Bernie Mac Show, Ghost Whisperer, Without a Trace, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, The Middle, Big Love, Workaholics, Community, Hot in Cleveland, Grace and Frankie, Animals, The Afterparty, Carol & The End of the World, and The Residence.

Personal Life: Has 2 daughters named Stella and Pearl.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

510. Wilmer Valderrama

Dates: 1980-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Miami, Florida. Moved to Venezuela at 3 but family returned to the United States when he was 13. Father is Venezuelan. Mother is Colombian. Got his start performing in numerous plays. Made his debut in a Spanish-language Pacific Bell commercial. At his drama teacher’s suggestion, he got an agent and was cast in a couple of series. Made his big-screen debut in Summer Catch.

Movies and Cartoons: Onward (2020) and Encanto (2021) as well as various series for the Disney Channel.

Characters: Gaxton and Augustin Madrigal

Also Known For: Actor best known as Fez from That ‘70s Show, Special Agent Nick Torres in NCIS, Manny in Handy Manny, Carlos Madrigal in From Dusk till Dawn: The Series, and Prince Philippe Charming in Charming. Film appearances include Party Monster, Beauty Shop, Fast Food Nation, Unaccompanied Minors, Larry Crowne, The Adderall Diaries, Summer Catch, Clifford’s Really Big Movie, The Darwin Awards, Zoom, El Muerto, The Condor, Columbus Day, Days of Wrath, The Dry Land, From Prada to Nada, The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best, Trouble, Blast Beat, and A Sudden Case of Christmas. TV appearances include Grey’s Anatomy, The Ranch, Four Corners, Grounded for Life, MADtv, Punk’d, Robot Chicken, Yo Momma, Higglytown Heroes, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Cleveland Show, Royal Pains, Suburgatory, Awake, Men at Work, Raising Hope, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Minority Report, Lip Sync Battle, NCIS: New Orleans, The Price Is Right, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, NCIS: Hawai’i, NCIS: Los Angeles, and The ‘90s Show.

Personal Life: Has dated actress Mandy Moore, actress Lindsay Lohan, and singer Demi Lovato. Has been engaged to Amanda Pacheco since 2020. They have a daughter and are currently expecting a second child as of February 2025.

Later Life: Has taken multiple tours with the United Services Organization since 2007, traveling more than 46 times as well as made hosting appearances in Afghanistan, Iraq, Germany, Poland, South Korea, and Bahrain. Was named USO global ambassador in 2021. Co-founded Harness with America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams in 2017 that aims to improve representation in historically marginalized communities. Has also worked with the organization Voto Latino since its founding in 2004 and currently serves on its impact council. From 2009-2012, Valderrama served as spokesman for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Ready to Lead program. Launched a podcast called Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama which highlights the experiences of key workers.

Trivia: Is an avid car collector.