Voice Compare » Batman » Penguin
Comparision of the voice over actors who have been the voice of Penguin with sound clips and images.
Created by Pokejedservo on Sun Mar 6 2011, 44 Comments, Add Comment
Special thanks to NCZ for additional sound clips.
EDITOR'S OPINION
Today on the Batman VC section we have a little something for this portly gentleman whom is known as one of Gotham's sanest criminals (though that's only compared to most of the evil-doers there). Due to how enormous this VC is I shall be brief here as this is actually a hard one as a lot of these performances are actually pretty good. (I was even pleasantly surprised by Ted Knight and Lennie Weinrib's respective performances in which it was probably their best Batman Villain performances in their respective shows.) The weakest of the Penguin voices is probably Jeff Bennett though (but to be fair his performance was alright.) Well as for the performances that tried to make Penguin sound like a elegant gentleman I suppose I would go for Paul Williams' classic take on the role (though David Ogden Stiers is not too far off). Now as for the performances that seem to try to be more like the late great Burgess Meredith's work on the 60's Batman series I will actually go with David Jennison here. (I rather liked on how despite trying to sound like Burgress Meredith, David Jennison's performance actually makes the Penguin seem kind of menacing. However Tom Kenney is close behind in that regard as well since Tom's voice for role was very Burgess Meredith-inspired.) Overall I suppose I will go with Paul Williams and David Jennison the most but these performances for the most part did rather well.Pokejedservo
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VctrBnsn said at 1:04 PM on Thu Mar 7 2013
Paul H. Williams, David Ogden Steirs, Tom Kenny, Stephan Root, David Jennison, and Nolan North are my favorites. Steven Blum suprised me too.
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Grim Griefer said at 1:05 AM on Tue Sep 11 2012
Although Nolan North's cockney accent was refreshing, unique and really menacing it didn't suit the Penguin's backstory. He's an American born trust fund baby who was spend much of his childhood in a rigid proper boarding school in England.
I still respect actors for giving their own takes on established characters and finding the soul of a character by self.
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I still respect actors for giving their own takes on established characters and finding the soul of a character by self.
Anicomicgeek said at 12:51 PM on Sun Nov 18 2012
@Grim Griefer
No offense, but but AC Penguin could've picked up the accent while in England and his AC bio stated that he learned from the criminal underbelly of London after his parents fell on hard times.
ReplyNo offense, but but AC Penguin could've picked up the accent while in England and his AC bio stated that he learned from the criminal underbelly of London after his parents fell on hard times.
Torak said at 9:01 AM on Sat Aug 11 2012
Paul H Williams was a great fit for Penguin, but I'm going with Tom Kenny since I feel he had a lot more character in this role.
David was surprisingly good considering DC universe online has received a lot if criticism, he has a great serious type of voice for Penguin.
I also liked Nolan North and David Ogden Stires in this role.
ReplyDavid was surprisingly good considering DC universe online has received a lot if criticism, he has a great serious type of voice for Penguin.
I also liked Nolan North and David Ogden Stires in this role.
AustinTheVoiceKing said at 10:36 PM on Sat Jul 28 2012
I love Jeff Bennett's Classic Funny Penquin voice!LOL
But for the more serious type, I like these the most...
1.David
2.Tom and Paul
3.Nolan, David Ogden, and Stephen Root
ReplyBut for the more serious type, I like these the most...
1.David
2.Tom and Paul
3.Nolan, David Ogden, and Stephen Root
anarky said at 10:09 AM on Fri Jul 27 2012
tom kenny will always be penguin in my personal opinion..
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pete said at 4:29 PM on Sat Jul 21 2012
I like Steve Blum's Burgess Meredith impression though it can't top Tom Kenny's
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AMT (Moderator) said at 8:24 PM on Tue May 15 2012
I voted for Stephen Root because of the laugh! I mean come on, thats got penguin written all over it! XD
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AMT (Moderator) said at 5:49 PM on Tue Jul 17 2012
@AMT Now that I think about it, Paul's is much more iconic and even now I keep hearing that voice from that character style when I think of penguin... but I still like root's laugh!
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Bombermanp said at 3:45 AM on Fri May 4 2012
tom kenny cause he pulls penguin with voice that can really tell you that this guy is a bird obsessed freak
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EmpireGrotesk said at 12:14 PM on Sat Apr 21 2012
Paul H. Williams no question. Gave Penguin that dignity that the character needed. I've been keeping away from saying I outright dislike any of these voices but I'm just pointing it out there that I absolutely hated Nolan North's Cockney rendition.
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SparklyShake12 said at 4:44 AM on Fri Apr 20 2012
Loved Paul Williams' version, but I grew up with his voice so there might be a definite bias there.
I also really like Nolan's Cockney accent in AC. So fun to hear him go outside his normal voice.
ReplyI also really like Nolan's Cockney accent in AC. So fun to hear him go outside his normal voice.
Spider RedNight said at 2:15 AM on Tue Mar 13 2012
I actually voted for Paul Williams; I think he captured the right amount of class and dignity while still maintaining the fact that he's indeed a villain.
Tom Kenny and Nolan North jockey for second place, as I feel both of them were much more evil with the role and I love how North's was actually cockney. As for Kenny's, he was always visually appealing to me; he wasn't as unattractive as is usual for the Penguin and his gadgets were always awesome. Noting the Rock Hopper hairstyle, it was a nice touch.
ReplyTom Kenny and Nolan North jockey for second place, as I feel both of them were much more evil with the role and I love how North's was actually cockney. As for Kenny's, he was always visually appealing to me; he wasn't as unattractive as is usual for the Penguin and his gadgets were always awesome. Noting the Rock Hopper hairstyle, it was a nice touch.
CatsTuxedo said at 8:51 PM on Tue Jan 31 2012
I really liked Tom Kenny's version of the character, though North comes a close second.
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Wimbles said at 4:07 PM on Mon Jan 9 2012
I absolutely adore Williams and Norths renditions of Cobblepot, they are far different but I like to think Norths is minus the facade of high society. I do hope he finds his way into the third Arkham game when it's made and he is seen playing nice round some rich socialites at a new Iceberg Lounge.
I feel no need to explain why I like Williams version, he very much speaks for himself.
ReplyI feel no need to explain why I like Williams version, he very much speaks for himself.
Pgirts (AYVO S1 Winner / Master Of Memes) said at 1:17 PM on Thu Oct 27 2011
Gotta give it to Paul H Williams, who plays my favorite rendition of the character; physically deformed but still gives an air of sophistication despite his boorish nature.
Tom Kenny is really good as well; I would venture to say that he is the only voice actor that I enjoyed in "The Batman".
Not a fan of North; I find the accent very irritating, and I don't think it fits the character. The Penguin is a sophisticated monster, a very interesting combination, and that aspect of his character is totally lost in North's interpretation. Even Burton's Penguin was a character attempting to put forth a facade of being sophisticated in the public eye. North just makes him a brute.
ReplyTom Kenny is really good as well; I would venture to say that he is the only voice actor that I enjoyed in "The Batman".
Not a fan of North; I find the accent very irritating, and I don't think it fits the character. The Penguin is a sophisticated monster, a very interesting combination, and that aspect of his character is totally lost in North's interpretation. Even Burton's Penguin was a character attempting to put forth a facade of being sophisticated in the public eye. North just makes him a brute.
Aquafox84 said at 6:45 PM on Wed Oct 26 2011
That is funny someone says Penguin shouldn't sound british when 90 percent of the voices ARE British 90's version included.
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Anicomicgeek said at 12:31 AM on Sun Oct 23 2011
Despite completely loathing Burton's Penguin and the fact that the Penguin in Arkham City is basically that personality wise, I gotta give it to Nolan North on this one. I kinda like the accent, even if I don't like the personality.
That said, Paul Willaims, David Ogden Stiers, and Tom Kenny are good, too.
ReplyThat said, Paul Willaims, David Ogden Stiers, and Tom Kenny are good, too.
TheVengeanceKnight said at 4:28 AM on Fri Oct 21 2011
Hmph. Can't decide between Tom Kenny and Nolan North. I'll go with North, since he has an accent (even if it isn't perfect British).
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Weirdperson31 said at 1:43 PM on Wed Oct 19 2011
As much as I love Nolan North's voice acting, I can't go with him on this one.
I'm picking David Ogden Stiers.
ReplyI'm picking David Ogden Stiers.
D.A.V.E. said at 3:40 AM on Wed Oct 19 2011
I gotta say, Cockney Penguin quite worked for him. Easily the best version of the character. For the first time, I took him seriously.
Replyghelba2 said at 9:25 PM on Tue Oct 18 2011
No way should the Penguin have a British accent that is the worst thing ever
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Shrapnel Leader said at 3:59 PM on Fri Sep 23 2011
Paul H. Williams takes the cake for me, hands down. He has that sophistication that doesn't sound cheesy or over the top.
I can't take Tom Kenny seriously for two reasons;
1. His voice doesn't fit the Penguin's character
2. He's voiced by Spongebob / Patchy the pirate!
Reply
I can't take Tom Kenny seriously for two reasons;
1. His voice doesn't fit the Penguin's character
2. He's voiced by Spongebob / Patchy the pirate!
pete said at 12:18 AM on Wed Oct 19 2011
@Shrapnel Leader He based his Penguin on the live action 60's version and at beginning of the clip when he says I LOVE THIS MOVIE you can almost hear Spongebob
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Music Meister said at 4:26 PM on Wed Oct 19 2011
@pete
How does his Penguin sound like Spongebob?
ReplyHow does his Penguin sound like Spongebob?
Shrapnel Leader said at 8:54 PM on Sun Oct 30 2011
@Music Meister
Because he is voiced by the same actor as Spongebob/Patchy the pirate.
ReplyBecause he is voiced by the same actor as Spongebob/Patchy the pirate.
TheVengeanceKnight said at 1:15 AM on Mon Nov 19 2012
@Shrapnel Leader His Starscream sounded more like Spongebob than his Penguin did. Probably why I can't take him seriously. :-P
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AMT (Moderator) said at 9:51 PM on Thu Sep 1 2011
I like the laugh stephen root does for Penguin! =D
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Blue Paratroopa said at 11:38 PM on Sun Aug 14 2011
I like David Ogden Stiers, since the Penguin always struck me as more of an upper-class, professional criminal. In that respect, Paul Williams and Stephen Root also sound quite good.
Replyjrcarter said at 10:35 PM on Fri Mar 11 2011
I'm still not convinced that was Frank Welker voicing Penguin in Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians. It doesn't really sound like him. It sounds more like Robert Morse.
ReplyXattm said at 12:17 AM on Tue Mar 8 2011
i think it depends on how you want to portray the character. if you want him as a gentlemen, then I would def. go with Paul H. Williams. If you are going for the kinda goofy version of him I would say Tom Kenny hands down. Paul is my favorite here though with Kenny is second place.
Replyryano2099 said at 6:36 PM on Mon Mar 7 2011
Paul H Williams. I much more prefer the "gentleman" version of the Penguin vs the freak of nature type and he has the perfect balance between villian and aristocrat for the role.
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TylerMirage (Admin) said at 11:30 AM on Mon Mar 7 2011
Ted Knight's was the worst, in my opinion, and Lennie Weinrib's voice was where the character started to go in the right direction. I hate to say it, but Frank Welker's was...disappointing. :( I know, take me out and stone me for such blasphemy. It's okay, but it's just a little too campy for my liking. I had no doubt that he could pull it off, but there's just something 'off' about it, in my opinion. (Don't hate me, Mr. Welker). Paul H. Williams was good (though not too memorable), and David Odgen Stiers does the best "sophisticated" Penguin. Tom Kenny does a fantastic rendition, David Jennison's seemed too bland for my liking, and Jeff Bennett's was even adequate.
My top three choices would be:
1.) Tom Kenny
2.) Stephen Root
3.) David Odgen Stiers
ReplyMy top three choices would be:
1.) Tom Kenny
2.) Stephen Root
3.) David Odgen Stiers
VocalChameleon said at 10:16 PM on Sun Mar 6 2011
This is one of those rare instances where I actually don't have a strong opinion as all of these voices work well with the character!
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said at 7:10 PM on Mon Apr 22 2013
2. Tom Kenny (probably the first time I heard Kenny doing something serious)
3. Paul H. Williams (If you prefer the genuinely high class Penguin, you can't get any better.)
4. Stephen Root (eloquent yet enjoyingly manic)
5. David Ogden Steirs (sounds like an aged Paul but still quite goo)
Special mention to Jeff Bennett for almost perfectly capturing the Penguin from the Scooby Doo/Batman team-ups I grew up watching)