Even if you don’t recognize his name, you’ve almost certainly heard Frank Welker’s voice. Since the 1970s, he’s been one of animation’s most prolific performers (more than 900 credits and counting), specializing in animal characters that don’t need words to warm audience’s hearts.
If you’re dreaming of a career in voiceover, it can help to study the professional paths of icons like Welker. You never know how your next gig could start you on the road to superstar status.
“Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” (1969–1978) — Fred Jones, Scooby-Doo
Welker is proof that you never know where your big break may come from. His very first voiceover job was a dog food commercial, which he only booked because a producer saw him do an animal impression in a stand-up act. The producer’s girlfriend worked at ABC, and she suggested that Welker audition for a new animated series called “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!”
Welker hit the ground running when he was cast as Fred Jones. The show was a monumental hit, with audiences of all ages falling in love with the Mystery Inc. gang and their crime-solving Great Dane. Fred is Welker’s longest-running character, and he has voiced him in almost every animated “Scooby-Doo” iteration since 1969, evolving effortlessly over different eras while still capturing the original boyish charm.
In 2002, Welker also started voicing the titular Scooby-Doo, taking over from Don Messick. He remains the only original member still with the franchise—all because of a spontaneous commercial gig.
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“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) — Capuchin Monkey
An uncredited role as a monkey in a feature film may not seem like a big career step up—even if that movie is directed by Steven Spielberg. But Welker provided the sounds for the back-stabbing capuchin monkey in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and turned the job into a decades-long relationship with Spielberg’s Amblin entertainment. A few years later, Welker provided the vocal performance for the villainous Stripe in Joe Dante’s “Gremlins” (1984), produced by Spielberg.
Welker has been part of many a Spielberg production, from Robert Zemeckis’ “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988) to the animated series “Tiny Toon Adventures” and “Animaniacs” (on which he voiced Spielberg himself). If you come across an audition on the same level as “uncredited animal noises,” think twice about passing.
“The Transformers” (1984–1987) — Megatron, Soundwave
They may not know his name, but Welker has terrified millions of kids across the globe for over 40 years with his many roles as the Decepticons in the original “Transformers” cartoon. Most prominently, Welker gave life to the group’s leader, Megatron, the archenemy of Optimus Prime. He gave the antagonist an incomparable gravitas and menace that has stayed with the character throughout his many incarnations. Welker has also played Soundwave, Megatron’s most loyal follower, since 1984.
Starting with the 2009 sequel, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” Welker joined the live-action fray as a slew of Decepticons (including his go-to, Soundwave). He eventually reprised the role of Megatron in the fifth installment, “Transformers: The Last Knight” (2017). In addition to TV and film, Welker can be heard in video games based on the movies, as well as “Transformers: The Ride” at three Universal Studios theme parks.
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“Oliver & Company” (1988) — Louie the Sausage Vendor
Here is another small role that led to big things. Welker voiced a minor character in George Scribner’s 1988 Disney film “Oliver & Company,” giving Louie the Sausage Vendor a memorable temperament. That started a working relationship with Disney Animation that continued with small yet significant roles in many titles that showed off his unique niche: animal sounds bursting with personality.
That includes Max the dog in Ron Clements and John Musker’s “The Little Mermaid” (1989), monkey companion Abu and the tiger-faced Cave of Wonders in Clements and Musker’s “Aladdin” (1992), and Bigfoot in Kevin Lima’s “A Goofy Movie” (1995). Welker was a staple of the Disney Renaissance, all because he identified a quirky corner of the animation world that he could do better than anyone.
“Curious George” (2006) — George
Welker made an entire career out of monkeying around. Arguably his most famous monkey role is Curious George, one of the most recognizable characters of all time. Welker first voiced George in Matthew O’Callaghan’s 2006 film based on the long-running book series by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey. He followed that up with 199 episodes of a Curious George TV series, a 2006 video game, and nine more movies. Not a bad gig for a character that doesn’t use words.
“Garfield Gets Real” (2007) — Garfield
Welker has been a part of the “Garfield” franchise for decades, voicing 24 supporting characters across over 100 episodes of the original 1988 cartoon, “Garfield and Friends,” based on the comic strip by Jim Davis. But it wasn’t until 2007 that Welker finally took on the part of the iconic lazy cat himself in Mark A.Z. Dippé and Kyung Ho Lee’s “Garfield Gets Real,” taking over from Bill Murray. The eighth actor to officially take on the role since 1980, Welker has since reprised the role in a handful of video games, 119 episodes of the TV series “The Garfield Show,” and two more movies. If you persevere through 100 episodes of supporting roles, the lead part may eventually come your way.
