Born July 30, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York to a Jewish family, Michael Bell is a veteran actor and voice actor, specializing in heroic and occasionally villainous roles (he was equally adept at playing either stalwart heroes or flamboyant villains) in video games and animated TV series as well as on-screen appearances in films and television. He’s been described as being one of the most prominent voice actors of the 1980s. Fans of the 80s remember Bell for his voice work in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (where his character Duke bellowed the iconic battle cry "YOOOOOOOO JOE!!!" in the opening credit — his voice always remained in place even when the credits changed to feature Flint, voiced by Bill Ratner, in place of Duke), The Transformers and Voltron, while 90s fans may know him better as Drew Pickles and Chas Finster, Angelica and Chuckie's respective dads from Rugrats, and video game fans will likely know him best as Raziel from the Legacy of Kain series. He also has the distinction of being the first English voice of Guts from Berserk, voicing him in Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage. Bell provided the voice of the Parkay tub for the first five years of the Parkay Margarine commercials, has done commercials spoofing his Zan character for Cartoon Network on the cable channel as well as doing all the voice-overs for Zales Diamond Stores. BJ Ward was something of a leading lady for him during his heyday.
Along with being an animal civil rights activist who taught the voice acting workshop that trained voice actor Cam Clarke, but as of 2012, Michael Bell serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Screen Actors Guild, Hollywood Division.
Not only is Michael Bell the godfather of fellow actor Steve Guttenberg, but he and his actress wife, Victoria Carroll, have a daughter named Ashley Bell, who’s also an actress.
Michael Bell’s notable roles:
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Series
- DuckTales (2017) (2018) — Quackerjack
- Voltron: Legendary Defender (2018) — the Archivist
- Star Wars Rebels (2017) — General Dodonna
- Transformers: Rescue Bots (2015–2016) — High Tide
- All Grown Up! (2003-2004) — Drew Pickles, Grandpa Boris Kropotkin & Charles "Chas" Finster
- Garbage Island (2000) — Dad
- Voltron: The Third Dimension (1998-2000) — Lance & Coran
- Jonny Quest: The Real Adventures (1996-1997) — Ezekiel Rage
- Space Mutts (1996) — Space Ace
- Aladdin: The Series (1994-1995) — Aziz and Amal
- Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM) (1994) — Naugus
- Darkwing Duck (1991-1992) — Quackerjack
- Rugrats (1991-2005) — Grandpa Boris Kropotkin, Charles "Chas" Finster & Drew Pickles
- Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone (1990) — Sebastian
- Pryde of the X-Men (1989) — Cyclops
- Ruby-Spears Superman (1988) — Lex Luthor
- Spiral Zone (1987) — Hiro Taka & Crook
- Centurions (1986) — John Thunder
- InHumanoids (1986) — Dr. Edward "Auger" Augutter & Blackthorn Shore
- Foofur (1986) — Harvey
- The Flintstone Kids (1986-1988) — Mr. Bad
- Voltron: Fleet of Doom (1986) — Lance, Krik, Shannon, Sven & Viceroy Throk
- My Little Pony 'n Friends (1986) — Grogar
- Robotix (1985) — Lupus, Kontor, Traxis & Venturak
- G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra (1984) — Duke, Major Bludd, Scrap Iron, Clutch & Blowtorch
- Snorks (1984) — Allstar Seaworthy
- The Legendary Super Powers Show (1984) — Zan & Gleek
- The Transformers (1984-1987) — Bombshell, Brainstorm, First Aid, Prowl, Scrapper, Sideswipe & Swoop
- Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984) — Cric, Shannon, Wolo, Madoc, Lance, Prince Avok, Drak & General Kruegar
- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1983) — Blowtorch, Clutch, Duke, Lift-Ticket, Major Sebastian Bludd, Scrap-Iron, Tollbooth & Xamot
- Rubik, the Amazing Cube (1983) — Rudy Rodriguez & Reynaldo Rodriguez
- The Incredible Hulk (1982) — Bruce Banner
- The Smurfs (1981) (1981-1989) — Lazy Smurf, Grouchy Smurf, Handy Smurf & Johan
- Space Stars (1981)segment — Space Ace
- The Kwicky Koala Show (1981)segment — Ranger Rangerfield
- Trollkins (1981-1982) — Grubb Trollmaine
- The B. B. Beegle Show (1980) — B. B. Beegle
- Dallas (1980-1991) — Les Crowley & Pat Connors
- Star Trek: The Next Generation: Administrator Zorn, "Encounter at Farpoint"
- SuperFriends (1980-1982) — Zan, Gleek & The Riddler
- The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show (1979) — Plastic Man
- Challenge of the Super Friends (1978) — The Riddler
- Jana of the Jungle (1978) — Dr. Ben Cooper
- Three's Company (1978-1981) — Michael & Rama Mageesh
- The All-New Super Friends Hour (1977-1978) — Gleek & Zan
- CB Bears (1977)segment — Chief
- The World’s Greatest Super Friends (1979-1980) — Zan & Gleek
- Devlin (1974) — Ernie Devlin
- Speed Buggy (1973) — Mark
- The Houndcats (1972) — Stutz & The Raven
- The Bold Ones: The Protectors (1969) — Sergeant Jack Miller
Films
- Scooby-Doo! and the Loch Ness Monster (2004)note — Duncan MacGubbin & Mcintyre
- Rugrats Go Wild! (2003) — Drew Pickles & Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster Sr.
- Rugrats in Paris (2001) — Drew Pickles & Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster Sr.
- Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein (1999)note — Dr. Frankenstein
- The Rugrats Movie (1998) — Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster Sr., Grandpa Boris Kropotkin & Drew Pickles
- A Rugrats Vacation (1997)note — Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster Sr. & Drew Pickles
- A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996) — Marvis
- Homeward Bound 2: Lost in San Francisco (1996) — Stokey
- The Wind in the Willows (1995) — Ratty
- Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989) — Oompy
- G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987)note — Duke, Blow-Torch, Lift Ticket & Xamot
- The Little Troll Prince (1987)note — Ribo & Krill
- G.I. Joe: Arise, Serpentor, Arise! (1986)note — Duke, Lift Ticket, Scrap-Iron & Xamot
- GoBots: War of the Rock Lords (1986) — Slimestone,
- InHumanoids: The Moive (1986)note — Eddie "Auger" Auguter & Blackthorne Shore
- My Little Pony: The Movie (1986) — Grundle
- Transformers: The Movie (1986) — Bombshell, Junkion, Prowl, Scrapper & Swoop
- Robo Force: The Revenge of Nazgar (1984)note (1984) — Cruel
- The 25th Man (1982)note — Sergeant Bill Seeger
- Heidi's Song (1982) — Willie
- How To Beat The High Cost Of Living (1980) — Tom
- Go West, Young Girl (1978)note — Nestor
- The President’s Mistress (1978)note — Bradley
- Flo’s Place (1976)note — Al Held
- America, You're On (1975)note — Bill Kenyon
- The Law (1974)note — Cliff Wilson
- Egan (1973)note — Bobby
- Brother John (1971) — Cleve
- The Proud Rider (1971) — Eric
- Blue (1968) — Jim Benton
- Thunder Alley (1967) — Leroy Johnson
- War is Hell (1962) — Seldon
- V.D. (1961) — Monk Monahan
Video Games
- World of Warcraft: Legion (2016) — Medivh
- Heroes of the Storm (2016) — Medivh
- Transformers: Devastation (2015) — Sideswipe, Scrapper
- Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One (2011) – Lawrence
- Alpha Protocol (2010) – Alan Parker
- Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (2009) – Lawrence
- Clive Barker's Jericho (2007) – Governor Cassus Vicus
- Lost Odyssey (2007) Sed
- Age of Empires III (2005) – John Black
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence – The Fear
- Ratchet: Deadlocked (2005) — Gleeman Vox & Lawrence
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) – The Fear
- Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004) – Comic Narrator, Lawrence, Trooper #1 & Trooper #2
- Alter Echo (2003) – Echo
- Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits (2003) – Diekbeck
- Call of Duty (2003) – Sergeant Pavlov
- Legacy of Kain: Defiance (2003) – Raziel
- Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (2003) – Interview Announcer, Biker #2, Mutant Crab, Protopet Announcer & Security System
- Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002) – Peter Jacob & Dr. Maximilian Roivas
- Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix (2002) – Dr. Dmitri Sestrogor
- Warcraft III (2002) — Medivh, Druid of the Talon & Necromancer
- Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal (2001) – Haer'Dalis & Omar Haraad
- Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance (2001) – Karne
- Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 – Raziel
- Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage — Guts
- Baldur's Gate II -- Shadows of Amn (2000) – Haer'Dalis & Vittorio
- Icewind Dale (2000) – Larrel
- Diablo 2 (2000) — Druid, Nihlathak
- Legacy of Kain - Raziel & additional voices
- Soul Reaver (1999) – Melchiah
- Soul Reaver 2 (2001)
- Defiance (2004)
- Y2K: The Game (1999) – Colonel Rhion
- Baldur's Gate (1998) – Galkin, Gatewarden & Nimbul
- Orion Burger (1996) — Harry
Specials
- The Rugrats: All Growed Up (2001) – Drew Pickles / Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster Sr.
- A Wish for Wings that Work (1991) – Opus
Additional Voices
- The Le Brons (2011)
- Tangled (2010)
- Doom³ (2004)
- Shark Tale (2004)
- Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun (1999)
- Bonkers (1993)
- I Yabba-Dabba Do! (1993)
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)
- The Pirates of Dark Water (1991-1993)
- Jetsons: The Movie (1990)
- The Karate Kid (1989)
- The New Adventures of Jonny Quest (1986)
- Rambo: The Force of Freedom (1986)
- Galtar and the Golden Lance (1985)
- Challenge Of The Go Bots (1984)
- He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983)
- Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (1979)
Crew Work
- Peter Pan & the Pirates (1990-1991) as casting and voice director
- Kidd Video (1984-1985) as voice director
Tropes:
- Acting for Two: A lot of his voice work had him playing multiple characters across various shows and often had him playing two characters interacting in the same scene — such as Duke and Major Bludd on GI Joe. The full list of shared roles in a series include:
- Live-Action TV series
- Dallas - Les Crowley and Pat Connors
- Three's Company - Michael and Rama Mageesh
- Video Games:
- Baldur's Gate – Galkin, Gatewarden and Nimbul
- Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – Raziel and Melchiah
- Baldur's Gate II – Shadows of Amn – Haer'Dalis and Vittorio
- Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal – Haer'Dalis and Omar Haraad
- Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem – Peter Jacob and Dr. Maximilian Roivas
- Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando – Interview Announcer, Biker #2, Mutant Crab, Protopet Announcer and Security System
- Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal – Comic Narrator, Lawrence, Trooper #1 and Trooper #2
- Ratchet: Deadlocked – Lawrence and Gleeman Vox
- Films:
- Transformers: The Movie – Bombshell, Junkion, Prowl, Scrapper and Swoop
- InHumanoids: The Movie – Eddie 'Auger' Auguter and Blackthorne Shore
- G.I. Joe: Arise, Serpentor, Arise! – Duke, Lift Ticket, Scrap-Iron & Xamot
- The Little Troll Prince – Ribo and Krill
- G.I. Joe: The Movie – Duke, Blow-Torch, Lift Ticket and Xamot
- A Rugrats Vacation – Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster Sr. and Drew Pickles
- The Rugrats Movie – Drew Pickles, Grandpa Boris Kropotkin and Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster Sr.
- Rugrats in Paris – Drew Pickles and Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster Sr.
- Rugrats Go Wild! – Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster Sr. and Drew Pickles
- Scooby-Doo! and the Loch Ness Monster – Mcintyre and Duncan MacGubbin
- Western Animation Series
- The World’s Greatest Super Friends – Gleek and Zan
- The All-New Super Friends Hour – Zan and Gleek
- SuperFriends – Zan, Gleek and The Riddler
- The Smurfs (1981) – Handy Smurf, Lazy Smurf, Grouchy Smurf and Johan
- Rubik, the Amazing Cube – Rudy Rodriguez and Reynaldo Rodriguez
- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero – Blowtorch, Clutch, Duke, Lift-Ticket, Major Sebastian Bludd, Scrap-Iron, Tollbooth and Xamot
- Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984) – Cric, Shannon, Wolo, Madoc, Lance, Prince Avok, Drak & General Kruegar
- The Transformers – Bombshell, Brainstorm, First Aid, Prowl, Scrapper, Sideswipe and Swoop
- The Legendary Super Powers Show – Zan and Gleek
- G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra– Duke, Major Bludd, Scrap Iron, Clutch and Blowtorch
- Robotix – Lupus, Kontor, Traxis & Venturak
- Voltron: Fleet of Doom – Lance, Krik, Shannon, Sven andViceroy Throk
- InHumanoids – Dr. Edward "Auger" Auguter and Blackthorn Shore
- Rugrats – Grandpa Boris Kropotkin, Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster and Drew Pickles
- Voltron: The Third Dimension– Lance and Coran
- The Rugrats: All Growed Up – Drew Pickles and Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster Sr.
- All Grown Up! – Grandpa Boris Kropotkin, Drew Pickles and Charles ‘Chaz’ Finster
- Live-Action TV series
- Actor Allusion:
- Besides Lex Luthor in Ruby-Spears’ Superman, Michael Bell had played a young Luthor in a Challenge of the Superfriends episode.
- Bell’s role of “Duke” in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero isn’t the first time he played a character of the name. He played three other characters named ‘Duke’ in The Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Puppy Hour, The Puppy's Further Adventures and ABC Weekend Special.
- Michael Bell’s Chaz Finster character shares the last name of another character Bell voiced simply known as “Mr. Finster".
- Twice he played a character who built a humanoid being: The first one was Clockwork Smurf as Handy Smurf and the second time was Frankenstein's Monster as Dr. Frankenstein.
- From Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone, he plays a character named ‘Sebastian.’* The Danza:
- Plays ‘Michael’ on Three's Company.
- Also plays NIA Agent Mike Krasny on The Rockford Files and another ‘Mike’ in TV movie See the Man Run.
- The Other Darrin:
- For the 1990s Voltron animated series, he replaced Peter Cullen’s role of Coran from the 1980s series.
- Took over the voice of Dick Dastardly from Paul Winchell in The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera ride.
- Role Reprise:
- Reprises his role of Zan for an episode of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.
- Returned to “Space Ace” character from Space Stars fifteen years later in Space Mutts.
- Transformers: Devastation has him reprise the roles of Sideswipe and Scrapper.
- He has also reprised Medivh from the Warcraft and World of Warcraft franchise.
- The Community episode "G.I. Jeff" had him reprise his G.I. Joe role as Duke.
- On DuckTales (2017) , he reprises his Dark Wing Duck role as Quackerjack .
- What Could Have Been: He expressed interest in returning to the Transformers franchise before being cast as High Tide in Transformers: Rescue Bots, auditioning to reprise the roles of Prowl and Swoop for Transformers: Animated and auditioning for Ratchet and William Fowler for Transformers: Primenote . He also was planned to reprise his role of Scrapper and step in as Skywarp in a motion comic version of The Transformers: All Hail Megatron, only recording one test scene before the project got scrapped.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: A meta-sense. Bell had expressed interest in returning to the Transformers franchise, auditioning to reprise the roles of Prowl and Swoop for Transformers: Animated (Prowl went to Jeff Bennett and Swoop, along with Slag/Snarl, was The Speechless, instead) and auditioning for Ratchet and William Fowler for Transformers: Prime (whom instead went to Jeffrey Combs and Ernie Hudson respectively), before being cast as High Tide in Transformers: Rescue Bots and reprising two of his original roles in Transformers: Devastation.
