Voice Actor's Corner - Jennifer Hale

 

It is time once again for another episode of Voice Actor's Corner. I already did the first three, but all male. I think this time around, I will do the female variety. In this latest blog, I will talk about the wild, fearless and beautiful wildcat, Jennifer Hale. Before we get started, I want to make a correction on my last Voice Actor's Corner blog. When I did my blog about the late Jack Angel, I thought he reprised his role as King Zarkon for the Sprite commercials. I was wrong. It was Kevin Michael Richardson (who voiced Zarkon for Voltron: The Third Dimension) voiced the King of Doom in those commercials. I will do one about him, cause his baritone voice is as deep as they come. Thanks for the correction, Stefan. I will double-check the facts next time. That being said, let's move on to the blog.

Born in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, Jennifer Hale's career began when she moved to the states and to Alabama, when she got a job doing voiceovers for a local radio station for $35. Then, in 1982, she graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts, when she was in the theater department at the time. When she did voiceovers through the PA system, she knew she had the voice acting bug. Once she graduated with a business degree, her journey into voice acting truly began. Since 1994, Jennifer Hale became one of the most popular voice artist, not just in animation, but also in gaming. So much so, she was recognized by Guinness World Records as the most prolific video game voice actress in 2013. What a proud achievement to have. Wish we would've hear more proud accomplishments, especially for all voice actors. That being said, although she voice so many characters, I will only list the ones I am more familiar with. If you got a favorite character she voiced, leave a comment. Now, let's get started, shall we?

Ivy, one of the finest detectives ACME ever had.

Ivy (Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?): Her first voice role ever in her career. Even though I grew up watching Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? on PBS with Greg Lee, Lynne Thigpen (God rest her soul) and of course Rockapella (ROCKAPELLA!!), Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? is what started my Saturday Mornings around 1994. Based on the educational computer games, this series revolves around former ACME detective turned international thief, Carmen Sandiego, who steals every rare artifact, treasure, monument and so forth all over the world and it is up to the very organization she once worked for, the ACME Detective Agency, to bring her and her co-horts of VILE to justice. One of those ACME detectives is Ivy, a fearless redhead who is skilled in Martial Arts, a good pilot and doesn't take any guff from anybody, even her little brother, Zack. Despite getting frustrated very easily, whether from Zack, Carmen herself or any other crook, on thing is for sure, as long as she remembers the ACME Triangle of Excellence (Vigilance, Dedication, Courage), she is one agent who will always gets the job done.

Brains and beauty, a winning combination for Sam, teenage spy and a proud good one, too!

Sam (Totally Spies!): From one redhead to another, I present to you the leader of the lovely trio of spies from the secret organization called the World Organization of Human Protection or WOOHP for short (don't ask). Together with Clover and Alex, Sam travels across the world fighting crime while living their lives as ordinary teenage girls. Level-headed and always self-assured, Sam always figures out solutions when foiling international crime, or dealing with the antics of her rival, Mandy (who Ms. Hale also voiced). 

Mandy: Mean Girl and Drama Queen! How Sam and the other girls put up with her, I'll never know.

Green, Red and Golden Yellow jumpsuits, huh? Reminds of three other fictional girls I know would wear them like Misty from Pokémon, Penny from Inspector Gadget and Jade from Jackie Chan Adventures. But that story is for another time.

"I'll slice you to pieces!"

Delma (Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits): A female Orcon, but with a mean-streak to boot. When we first meet her, she and the other Orcons made fun of Darc, who is a human/Deimos hybrid. As his story progressed, Delma was starting to have some feeling towards Darc until circumstances changed everything, especially when Darc was betrayed by her brother Densimo, which in turn, killed the Orcon leader in the process. That moment changed Delma's perspective on Darc after he killed Densimo. Although aligned with the human/Deimos hybrid, she vowed to kill Darc, when he least except it. Be prepared.

June: One bounty hunter with a flirtatious streak!

June (Avatar: The Last Airbender): Although appearing only in two episodes, June as deadly as she is beautiful. As a bounty hunter, she hunts her prey for the highest bidder. And with her Shirshu, Nyla (who has a strong scent), she is a bit more deadlier. One of her funnier moments was flirting with Uncle Iroh, who she calls the creepy grandpa, much to Zuko's chagrin. 

BTW, she also voiced Kyoshi, the Avatar before Roku, whose likeness was the inspiration for the Kyoshi Warriors, including Sokka's love interest, Suki.

We salute you, Jessie, for being a part of a proud family of adventurers!

Jessie Bannon (The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest): Originally voiced by Jesse Douglas for season 1, Hale took over as the daughter of Race Bannon for season 2, when most of the characters resemble their classic looks. First appearing in the 80s Jonny Quest episode, Deadly Junket, Jessie was portrayed as the daughter of Dr. Bradshaw, who was forced to do Dr. Zin's bidding. It was not until Jonny's Golden Quest that she was revealed to be the daughter of Race Bannon. Since then, after the events of Jonny Quest vs. the Cyber Insects, Jessie can be a bit adventurous and brave as both Jonny and Hadji, and a little bit more like her birth father. In season 1 of Real Adventures, she wore a green t-shirt and denim jeans. But in season 2, along with most of the characters retaining their classic style, Jessie sports an all-pink outfit, almost like the mark of a damsel in distress. But Jessie Bannon is no damsel, that's for sure.

Cinderella, armed with a broken glass slipper, shown in Ralph Breaks the Internet, alongside Jasmine from Aladdin and Pocahantas.

Cinderella (Disney): Originally voiced by Ilene Woods, starting with Cinderella II: Dreams Come True, Hale became the official voice of the second Disney princess after Snow White, displaying her kind, gentle nature Ms. Woods displayed in the movie. Not bad for a scully maid who is more of a lady than her evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine ever was. Name one Disney princess who would uses a glass slipper as a weapon? But this princess sure did in Ralph Breaks the Internet. I wouldn't be in a dark alley with her if you get on her bad side. But other than that, Cinderella reminds us that a dream is wish your heart makes, especially when trying hard in achieving your goals to be immortalized by your deeds.

Mallory McMallard: Fiery redhead, assistant captain, no-nonsense duck.

Mallory McMallard (Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series): The Assistant Captain of the Ducks of Puckworld. Mallary is no-nonsense, hot-tempered sometimes (especially dealing with the nonsense of Wildwing's little brother, Nosedive) and does have a strong sense of justice, thanks to years of training with the Puckworld Special Forces. If this show would've lasted more than 26 episodes, she would've mellowed out and start thinking a bit more level-headed, just like her captain, Wildwing. To the point of being more than just friends. For information about that, look up my Destiny League profile on Wildwing Flashblade himself. It is written on his backstory. Gee, what are redheads so fiery in more ways than one? It is almost like an occurring thing for Ms. Hale. But that's just me.

"Felicia Hardy, also known as the Black Cat, is one of Spider-Man's closest superhero friends." - Stan Lee

Felicia Hardy/Black Cat (Spider-Man: The Animated Series): From the Magical World of Disney to the exciting world of Marvel, here is the first of many characters Ms. Hale has voiced. Unlike her comic's counterpart, this version of Felicia Hardy is far more different than how she was originally portrayed. When we first meet Felicia, she goes to the same university (Empire State University) as Peter Parker aka Spider-Man and was originally one of two love interests for Peter, the other being Mary-Jane Watson. Filling the role of Gwen Stacy (who never appeared in the show until the final episode), in season 1, Felicia was a posh, elegant socialite, whose mother, Anastasia Hardy, was one New York's leading philanthropists, alongside J. Jonah Jameson and Wilson Fisk (aka The Kingpin, who uses his philanthropy to hide his true motives as a crime boss). Usually flirting around Peter from time to time and a little bothered every time he disappears when he does his "other" form of business. But by season 2, she starts having a romantic relationship with Michael Morbius, before (AND after) becoming the living vampire that he is today (who hungers for plasma. Stupid censors). Then, she had a relationship with Jason Philip Macendale until revealing that he was the Hobgoblin (way before knowing the existence of Roderick Kingsley being the man behind the Hobgoblin with Macendale and Ned Leeds being the decoys). She didn't become Black Cat until season 3 and her characterization of her is very different than her comic's counterpart. In the comics, Black Cat (who was Marvel's answer to DC's original femme fatale, Selina Kyle aka Catwoman) was a very skilled cat burglar, following in her father's footsteps and giving anyone that comes in contact with her, some bad luck, especially Spidey. In the show, after being tested by the very same Super-Soldier serum that turned Steve Rogers into Captain America (but with modifications), Felicia becomes the Black Cat and back again whenever the occasion calls. Though different from her comics counterpart, Felicia maintains her flirtation towards Spidey, just like in the comics, right down to addressing him as just Spider. Other than Mary Jane (who also voiced her in Spider-Man Unlimited), Hale reprised her role as Black Cat for the PS1 Spider-Man video game, where she aids Spidey in his quest to clear his name and stop the real villains who are planning Symbiosis all over New York. One thing's for sure, this cat does not has a shed of bad luck, that's for sure.

Before Pepper Potts returned to Tony Stark's life, Julia Carpenter did double duty for Iron Man, as Tony's secretary for Stark Industries, but fighting evil alongside Force Works as Spider-Woman.

Julia Carpenter/Spider-Woman (Iron Man: The Animated Series): Originally voiced by Casey Defranco for season 1, just like the 90s Fantastic Four cartoon, with the exception of the likes of Robert Hays and Dorian Harewood, most of the characters were re-casted for season 2, including Julia Carpenter, the second Spider-Woman. In the comics, Julia Carpenter was the second woman to carry the name Spider-Woman, after the first and well-known Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew (who had her own cartoon once upon a time), before changing her name to Arachne and then becoming the next Madame Web and a member of the Avengers West Coast, later renamed Force Works. Her powers are almost as similar to that of Spider-Man and her costume was the inspiration for Spidey's black costume during the Secret Wars (before revealing to be an alien symbiote, which was the basis for Venom). In the cartoon, she fills the role of Pepper Potts, one of the supporting characters from the Iron Man comics, doing double-duty as both Tony Stark's secretary and as Spider-Woman, fighting alongside the other heroes of Force Works. By season 2, Force Works broke up while she and Rhodey stayed behind to help Tony. Just like with Pepper, Julia at the course of that season, developed romantic feelings for Tony. And as Spider-Woman, Julia can hold her own, even against a foe as big as the Hulk. On a side note (and this is my take on it), the reason why Pepper Potts wasn't in this cartoon was because, with the exception for Rhodey/War Machine, Iron Man's supporting cast like Happy Hogan and especially Pepper Potts weren't well-known. But now, thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pepper Potts returned to support Tony as both secretary and has a suit of her own later as Rescue. But at the time, Julia filled in the Pepper role, and a little bit more. Why did the producers didn't use characters like Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan, I'll never know?

 

Star Sapphire, whose spectrum of love is as equal to Green Lantern's strong will (just don't get her on her bad side, or you will talk to the hand, literally)!

Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire (Green Lantern: The Animated Series): From one comic universe to another, we now head to world of DC Comics, but in the world of Green Lantern. Of all the characters in that one universe, the one character I liked the most, but with good reason was Hal Jordan's love interest, Carol Ferris.

Even before becoming a Star Sapphire, Carol Ferris was already beautiful and gorgeous, just like Elizabeth Taylor. Hal is one, lucky guy to have such a lovely woman.

Carol Ferris, the daughter of Carl Ferris who owns Ferris Air, is the love interest of Hal Jordan, Green Lantern of Sector 2814. Her beauty reminds me of the actress that inspired her existence, Elizabeth Taylor. In the comics, taking over the company after her father's passing, Carol, for the most part, has a business relation with Hal while working at Ferris Air, even though she loves him personally. And on some occasions, she sometimes becomes one of Green Lantern's enemies, Star Sapphire. But not in the animated series, though. Even though she didn't appear much in the show, Carol always thinks about her beloved Hal. As for her Star Sapphire persona, her origin is different from that of the comics (but with elements from the later revisions due to "Reality Shaping Shenanigans"). Selected by the spectrum of Love, Carol was sent to planet Zamarron and became a Star Sapphire. In the episode, In Love and War, after becoming a Star Sapphire, the first thing Carol did when becoming one was venting her jealously towards Hal, thinking he was cheating on her with the Zamarron maiden and another Star Sapphire, Ghia'ta, displaying the very type of villainy her comics counterpart displayed in full detail when throwing down at Hal. But thanks to Hal, Carol was reminded that she is the very thing that keeps his light shine the brightest. When the dust settled, Carol relinquished her ring and returned to Earth, reminding Ghia'ta that love cannot be forced, true love is about sacrifice and doing what's best for the one you love. In the episode, Love is a Battlefield, Carol became Star Sapphire once again, when forced to fight against the Red Lantern leader, Atrocitus, by the corrupted Aya and the robot Manhunters. In the assuring fight, Ghia'ta, who now understands true love, gave her life to save Hal and Carol. The Zamarron Queen, Aga'po, offers Carol to relinquish the powers of the Star Sapphire, but Carol decided to keep the ring in honor of Ghia'ta. It is because of this version of Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire that shined the light towards me away from the darkness.

My meme-ish response to Mary Hamilton's fall from grace in Batwoman, when she embraced her inner-Poison Ivy from within and comparing that to Caitlin Snow becoming Killer Frost, which was the catalyst for my friendship journey in the first place, which is, to this day, ongoing, with no resolution anytime soon.

During my journey to understand friendship better, I watched Batwoman and saw Mary Hamilton becoming this universe's new version of Poison Ivy. Her path towards the dark side reminded me of Caitlin Snow becoming Killer Frost, which was the catalyst that got me into this journey in the first place among other things. Then, I was looking at images of the GLTAS version of Star Sapphire and I picture her fighting against this version of Poison Ivy, who I call Poison Mary. This version of Carol is strong in her own right, Star Sapphire or not. If this show had a season 2, she would've joined Hal in his adventures, with a side of romance. Who knows, we might see more villains in that season, including Despero, who uses his third eye that controls people's minds, especially Star Sapphire. But only time will tell. Bottom line. Of all the characters Jennifer Hale voiced, Carol Ferris aka Star Sapphire is my most favorite of them all, not just personally, but also for a fanart's perspective. Star Sapphire's light is almost as bright as that of Green Lantern himself, that's saying something.

And that's all she wrote with Jennifer Hale. I didn't forget the other voices she did like Naomi Hunter from the Metal Gear series, Carol Danvers/Ms. Marvel from Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes or some females from some Star Wars video games. I just haven't got around those yet, especially those from Metal Gear Solid. I just went with what I know when growing up, just like any other voice actor I know. Anyway, if you have a favorite character she voiced, leave me a comment. You can make your own list of favorite characters she voiced, just like I did. Until next time, stay frosty, my friends.

Saraba da (Farewell), for now!

#RespectVoiceActors