American culture brings specific symbols to mind—apple pie, baseball, and an image of a loving, dependable mom. These cultural touchstones are familiar and iconic. They evoke a sense of nostalgia, comfort, and identity. But ever think about the voices that carry these symbols into the ears of people everywhere? When we think of American female voice overs, special features come to mind. Strength, warmth, confidence. These personalities, values, and traits are often seen universally as American.
From cartoons to video games, documentaries to digital assistants, American female voiceover artists have the power to create lasting impressions. These help shape our collective sense of identity. But what is it about these voices that resonate so deeply? And who are the voices that have come to symbolize American femininity in all its diversity and depth?
Welcome to my exploration of the powerful impact of female voiceover talent in American culture. I happen to be a voiceover artist in that category myself. In fact, in my work, I am inspired and led by some of the iconic examples of American women (revealed below) who’ve shaped the voiceover landscape across different mediums—from animation to commercials, from video games to voice assistants.
The American Female Voice: Comfort and Confidence
Before diving into the individual voices that define American women in the voiceover world, let’s look at what special features make American female voice over so recognizable and loved.
Americans are generally thought of as approachable, friendly and confident. An American woman’s voice often carries with it certain idealized qualities—warmth, approachability, confidence, and relatability. Other qualities long associated with American values include optimism, a caring kind of comfort, and sincerity. This is reflected in the performance style of American female voice over.
Think of the archetype of “mom”—someone who is nurturing but also strong, dependable, and endlessly supportive. This personality trait is alive in the world of voiceover, seen (or heard, rather) in the strength and warmth that Americans associate with family, tradition, and home.
And, the voice of an American woman exudes freedom. A sense of independence. Self-assurance. Think of the bravado of female protagonists in video games, or the confident charm of characters in animated series. These voices reflect our ideals of opportunity and personal agency. All, part of the American dream.
Iconic Female American Voice Overs in Animation
In animation, the voice is more than a storytelling tool. It’s a character in itself. Iconic female voices in animation are synonymous with American culture.
- Kristen Schaal (Bob’s Burgers, Gravity Falls, The Last Man on Earth)
Voice actress Kristen Schaal has a distinct, quirky voice which makes her an instant standout in the animation world. Schaal’s roles—like Louise Belcher in Bob’s Burgers and Mabel Pines in Gravity Falls—carry a captivating playful and unpredictable energy. Her voice performances represent the curious, adventurous side of American youth. She approaches her characters with humor and charm, and fans see them as ambitious and lovable.
- Tara Strong (The Powerpuff Girls, Rugrats, Teen Titans Go!)
I love Tara Strong. She’s another iconic American female voice actress, known for voicing staples in the animated television world. From Bubbles in The Powerpuff Girls to Raven in Teen Titans Go!, Strong’s ability to bring depth, humor, and personality to a wide range of characters has earned her a special place in animation history. Her (often) spunky voice choices display a playful yet bold view of American femininity.
Video Games: Female Voices That Empower and Inspire
In my opinion, the video game world could still use a lot more female representation, but we’ve seen a growth of female characters over the last decade, especially in American made games. These female voice over characters convey strength, vulnerability, intelligence, and leadership. They round out stories of personal triumph, heroism, and deep emotional connections.
- Laura Bailey (The Last of Us Part II, Critical Role)
Laura Bailey’s portrayal of Abby in The Last of Us Part II is one of the most iconic and groundbreaking performances in video game voice acting. Bailey brings an incredible emotional depth to her characters. It’s made her one of the most sought-after voice actresses in the industry. As Abby, she shows both physical and emotional strength. She’s a powerful example of a complex, multi-faceted female role in video games. - Ashly Burch (Horizon Zero Dawn, Life is Strange)
Ashly Burch’s performance as Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn has become an emblem of empowerment for female gamers. Aloy is resourceful, intelligent, and determined. Qualities that Burch brings to life through voiceover with grit and empathy. As an actor, Burch is versatile and has voiced many diverse characters, but her portrayal of Aloy stands out. In this role she reflects the values of perseverance and self-determination in a modern American heroine.
Documentaries: The Warmth and Authority of Female Narrators
In documentaries, the American female voice over narrators plays a critical role in shaping the tone and message of the story. The best documentary narrators combine the gravitas of authority with warmth and relatability. This resonates with audiences. Here are two iconic American female narrator examples:
- Sigourney Weaver (Planet Earth II)
Sigourney Weaver, perhaps best known for her roles in Alien and Ghostbusters, also brought her commanding yet soothing voice to the documentary world as the narrator for Planet Earth II. With a distinctive tone, Weaver underscores the majesty of nature while maintaining a sense of wonder and reverence. This aligns with American ideals of exploration and preservation. - Angela Bassett (Queens)
Angela Bassett’s narration in Queens, is powerful and graceful. This documentary celebrates the female aspect of nature. Bassett’s commanding voice is balanced between strength and warmth, underscoring the depth of these bold, resilient hunters and mothers. Her clear, confident delivery displays the American ideals of empowered matriarchy.
Commercials: Voices That Tell the American Dream
In this decade, commercials have become small films. Casting the right voice over is paramount to telling not selling in ads. American female voices in advertising embody confidence, optimism, and approachability. These values drive our consumer culture.
- Allison Janney (Kaiser Permanente Insurance)
Oscar winner (I, Tonya) Allison Janney, has licensed her voice to a number of commercials. Perhaps most notably as the calm, assured voice of Kaiser Permanente insurance commercials. Janney combines approachability with authority and is one of the most referenced voice over casting specs for roles casting voiceover artists over the age of 50 in the commercial world. - Rashida Jones (Expedia, SouthWest)
Rashida Jones is an “it-girl” reference in commercial voiceover. In her voice overs for Expedia and SouthWest airlines, she sounds comfortable, approachable, like the kind of person you’d like as a friend. Someone who instantly makes you feel comfortable and at the same time, has your back.
Voice Assistants: The Digital Voices of Modern America
Finally, in the realm of artificial intelligence, the female voice is a stand-out in modern America. Digital female voices have become ubiquitous in American homes. Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant fill our lives in our homes, cars and elsewhere. And they are predominantly female.
- Susan Bennett (Siri)
Susan Bennett is the voice behind the original Siri, Apple’s intelligent voice assistant released in October 2011 as part of the iPhone. Bennett’s voice, originally recorded in the early 2000s, became iconic. Siri grew into one of the most recognized digital voices worldwide. As a digital companion who embodies efficiency, Susan’s warm, friendly, tone became part of the daily life of millions of Americans. - Amazon’s Alexa (voiced by various artists)
Alexa’s voice is another example of a female digital voice that’s become synonymous with American technology. While there isn’t a single voice behind Alexa, through AI programming the character is designed to present a calm, friendly, and helpful voice assistant. Alexa represents convenience, trustworthiness, and constant connectivity. All key parts of American life in the digital age.
Conclusion: The American Female Voice
From cheerful characters in cartoons to the powerful protagonists in video games, and from knowledgeable narrators in documentaries to trustworthy voices in our digital assistants, the American female voice is a cornerstone of American culture. What makes up American female voice over is a blend of warmth and strength, humor and sincerity. At the same time, the diverse spectrum of women in the U.S. is also captured in voiceover. Whether through delivering a funny one-liner or deftly guiding us through an adventure, these female voices are reflections of unique American ideals.