In 1990, a model new superhero emerged to avoid wasting the earth, not by punching out costumed criminals, however by elevating consciousness of environmental points.
Captain Planet was the brainchild of media mogul Ted Turner, who particularly wished to create a cartoon that might train youngsters concerning the risks of air pollution and overconsumption whereas empowering them to take motion themselves. The present was successful, and should you grew up within the ’90s, you possibly can in all probability keep in mind its theme song with out even making an attempt too onerous!
However what you could not keep in mind is that the present featured a powerful roster of celebrities lending their vocal skills to carry Captain Planet’s rogue gallery of polluters and profiteers to life — together with a number of of his allies.
Right here, have a look again in any respect the A-listers who voiced Captain Planet characters.
Tom Cruise as Captain Planet
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It might come as a shock to many followers, however Tom Cruise was initially forged because the voice of Captain Planet’s titular hero. As Marsha Goodman, the present’s unique voice director, advised Slate’s Decoder Ring podcast not too long ago, the Mission Unimaginable star himself reached out to her workplace eager to voice the position. In the end, nonetheless, Cruise needed to bow out after recording a number of episodes, and his vocals have been rerecorded by David Coburn.
Whoopi Goldberg as Gaia
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Whereas lots of the present’s greatest names visitor starred as villains, Whoopi Goldberg voiced Gaia, the benevolent spirit of the Earth in Captain Planet‘s first three seasons. Superman star Margot Kidder took over the position for seasons 4 to six.
LeVar Burton as Kwame
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Studying Rainbow and Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology star LeVar Burton voiced one other good man on Captain Planet: African Planeteer Kwame.
Sting as Zarm
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Gaia’s evil counterpart Zarm was voiced by Sting in episodes that aired between 1991 and 1992. The Omen star David Warner briefly took over the position, earlier than being changed by Malcolm McDowell from 1993 to 1995.
Meg Ryan as Dr. Barbara Blight
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Meg Ryan supplied the voice for mad scientist Dr. Barbara Blight from 1990 to 1991. She was changed by voice actress Mary Kay Bergman starting in 1992.
Tim Curry as MAL
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Dr. Blight’s A.I. sidekick MAL was initially voiced by Time Bandits star David Rappaport. Following Rappaport’s dying in 1990, Tim Curry took over the position for the rest of the sequence.
Jeff Goldblum as Verminous Skumm
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Jeff Goldblum introduced villainous rat-human mutant Verminous Skumm to life in Captain Planet‘s first season. However within the years since, he is continued to talk out on environmental points.
Ed Asner as Hoggish Greedly
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Ed Asner devoured up his scenes as Hoggish Greedly in episodes all through Captain Planet‘s six-season run.
Martin Sheen as Sly Sludge
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Martin Sheen could have garnered six Emmy nominations and the admiration of a era of American idealists for his efficiency on The West Wing, however in Captain Planet‘s first three seasons, he was the voice of President Jed Bartlet’s polar reverse: the evil Sly Sludge.
Dean Stockwell as Duke Nukem
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Radioactive baddy Duke Nukem was voiced by Quantum Leap and Battlestar Galactica‘s Dean Stockwell in Captain Planet seasons 1 by way of 3.
James Coburn as Looten Plunder
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In seasons 1–3, Academy Award winner James Coburn gave voice to Captain Planet‘s ruthless poacher and crooked enterprise mogul Looten Plunder.
