Tom Kenny

Tom Kenny Headshot

Actor

Birth Name: Thomas James Kenny

Birth Date: July 13, 1962

Age: 62 years old

Birth Place: Syracuse, New York

Many lay claim to the title "voice of a generation," but voice actor Tom Kenny takes the phrase to a whole new level. A stand-up comedian with an ear for music, Kenny first gained notice with appearances on late-night talk shows and sketch comedy series such as "The Edge" (Fox, 1992-93) and "Mr. Show with Bob and David" (HBO, 1995-98). But as funny as his live performances were, it was Kenny's distinctively reedy, shape-shifting voice that turned out to be his greatest talent.

Starting in the 1990s, Kenny became an in-demand voice actor, giving life to such characters as the nervous Heffer Wolfe in "Rocko's Modern Life" (Nickelodeon, 1993-96); the suave narrator and bumbling Mayor on "The Powerpuff Girls" (Cartoon Network, 1998-2005); and the eponymous, optimistic sea sponge in "SpongeBob SquarePants" (Nickelodeon, 1999- ). His affinity for fast-paced, slightly absurd comedy later found him work on cult shows such as "Futurama" (Fox/Comedy Central, 1999-2003, 2010-13) and "Adventure Time" (Cartoon Network, 2010- ). And with his expansion into video game series such as "Spyro the Dragon" (1999) as well as feature films including "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009) and "Frankenweenie" (2012), Tom Kenny's status as the hardest-working voice in show business was complete.

Born in the summer of 1962 in Syracuse, New York, Kenny counted future comedy star Bobcat Goldthwait among his friends and pursued his musical interests in The Tearjerkers, a local pop band. Though the band achieved only minor success with the single "Syracuse Summer," Kenny's experiences in the spotlight emboldened him to pursue comedy full-time.

After appearing as a rival clown in Goldthwait's directorial debut "Shakes the Clown" (1992), Kenny landed his first TV stand-up gig on an episode of "Late Night with David Letterman" (NBC, 1982-1993), which he followed with a stint as host of the weekly music video series "Friday Night Music" (NBC, 1990-94) and a series regular role alongside wife Jill Talley on the freewheeling cable series "Mr. Show with Bob and David" (HBO, 1995-98). It was Nickelodeon who first took a chance on Kenny's expressive voice when, in 1993, they hired him as the voice of Heffer Wolfe, among others, in "Rocko's Modern Life," centered on an Australian wallaby and his gang of quirky friends.

Other roles soon followed on shows such as the sci-fi themed "Dexter's Laboratory" (Cartoon Network, 1996-2003); "CatDog" (Nickelodeon, 1998-2005); and the superhero-powered "The Powerpuff Girls," which spawned a feature film in 2002. His work even caught the eye of music video directors -- and future "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) helmers --Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, who in 1996 cast Kenny and Jill in the fantastical Georges Mélies-inspired video for Smashing Pumpkins' orchestral single "Tonight, Tonight."

But it was 1999 that proved to be the turning point for the motor-mouthed actor. In quick succession he landed the prime roles of SpongeBob, Gary the Snail and others in "SpongeBob Squarepants"; was cast as multiple voices on the slacker-centric "Mission Hill" (The WB, 1999-2000, Cartoon Network, 2002); and contributed voices to the adaptation of the popular comic strip "Dilbert" (UPN, 1999-2000). Kenny's pop background and vocal talent clearly influenced his work, with musical numbers peppering episodes of "PowerPuff" and "SpongeBob."

In fact, Kenny later went on to record an entire album in character, SpongeBob Squarepants: Best Day Ever, with the help of Beach Boys visionary Brian Wilson and former Ramones drummer Tommy Ramone. Another box Kenny checked off that year was in the digital realm, when he was chosen to voice the title purple dragon in "Spyro the Dragon" (Playstation, 1999), a fantasy adventure game, a character he revisited several sequels.

The 2000s saw Kenny's reign over the animated landscape grow even larger. His reedy, flexible voice was heard on a wide variety of animated series, including the fairytale farce "The Fairly Oddparents" (Nickelodeon, 2001- ); the whimsical "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends" (Cartoon Network, 2004-09); and the martial arts adventure "Xiaolin Showdown" (The WB, 2003-06). Kenny's ability to inhabit virtually any character was on full display when he was cast as the possibly-insane-but-really-just-lonely Ice King in "Adventure Time," a surreal story about a boy and his magical dog brother.

In addition to lending his voice to fan-resurrected TV favorite "Futurama" and the best-selling video games "Final Fantasy X" (PlayStation 2, 2001) and "Final Fantasy X-2" (PlayStation 2, 2003), it was also during this time that Kenny branched out into feature films. After working on high-profile movies such as "Hoodwinked" (2005) and "The Ant Bully" (2006), Kenny landed the role of Wheelie, a peaceful Autobot, in Michael Bay's raucous blockbuster "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009). And, in a whiplash-inducing turn, Kenny brought the classic Rabbit to life in "Winnie the Pooh" (2011) before reprising Wheelie in the even-less comprehensible "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (2011).

The dawning of Kenny's second decade as a voice actor found him even busier than before. Having voiced numerous characters in Tim Burton's stop-motion adventure "Frankenweenie," about a boy who loves his dog beyond the grave, Kenny lent his voice to a slacker forest ranger on "Brickleberry" (Comedy Central, 2012-15) and the nefarious Doctor Octopus in "Ultimate Spider-Man" (Disney XD, 2012-17).

Credits

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Self
Special
2024

Batman: Caped CrusaderStream

Voice
Firebug
Series
2024
94%

Kids Choice Awards 2024

Host
Show
2024

Super Bowl LVIII Live From Bikini Bottom

Host
Sports
2024

Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks MovieStream

Voice
SpongeBob
Movie
2024

Adventure Time: Fionna and CakeStream

Voice
Simon Petrikov
Series
2023
100%

Frog and ToadStream

Voice
Mink
Series
2023

Agent ElvisStream

Voice
Scatter
Series
2023
64%

KiffStream

Guest Voice
Trevor/Additional Voices
Series
2023

Dicks: The MusicalStream

Actor
Backpack
Movie
2023
67%

Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons

Voice
Green Arrow / Penguin
Movie
2022

Primeiros Anos

Actor
SpongeBob
Show
2021

He-Man and the Masters of the UniverseStream

Voice
Ork-0/RK Units
Series
2021

The Patrick Star ShowStream

Guest Voice
Slappy / Old Man Walker / Roller Skate Fish / Guys / Snail / Lawnies / Crowd / Kids / Shmandorians
Series
2021

The Patrick Star ShowStream

Voice
Laszlo
Series
2021

HouseBrokenStream

Guest Voice
Diablo's Human Dad/Litter Box Cat
Series
2021
50%

Kid Cosmic

Voice
Chuck
Show
2021

Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under YearsStream

Voice
SongeBob SquarePants
Series
2021

Pinocchio: A True Story

Voice
Geppetto
Movie
2021

Bob Esponja, Calça Quadrada - Maratona Bob Esponja

Actor
Show
2020

The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! Sing-Along

Actor
Patchy the Pirate
Show
2020

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the RunStream

Voice
SpongeBob/Gary/French Narrator
Movie
2020
66%

Fearless

Voice
Fleech
Movie
2020

The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!

Actor
Patchy the Pirate
Show
2019

SpongeBob Appreciation Day: Patchy's Beach Bash!

Voice
Show
2019

Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling

Voice
Heffer Wolfe
Show
2019

Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?Stream

Voice
Series
2019

Where's Waldo?

Voice
Wizard Blizzardbeard
Show
2019

Justice League vs the Fatal Five

Voice
Bloodsport
Movie
2019

Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Voice
The Penguin
Movie
2019

LEGO DC: Batman: Family Matters

Voice
Gordon / Penguin
Movie
2019

Woody Woodpecker

Voice
Wally Walrus
Show
2018

Bird Gone Wild: The Woody Woodpecker Story

Voice
Show
2018

Paradise PDStream

Voice
Chief Randall Crawford
Series
2018

Final SpaceStream

Voice
HUE
Series
2018

Mission Force One: Connect and Protect Shorts

Voice
Leo
Show
2018

Pica-Pau

Actor
Show
2018

Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Voice
Penguin / Plastic Man
Movie
2018

LEGO DC Super Heroes: The Flash

Voice
Plastic Man / Patrick 'Eel' O'Brian / The Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot
Movie
2018

Teen Titans GO! to the Movies

Voice
Machine Voice
Movie
2018

Batman Ninja

Voice
Penguin
Movie
2018

DC Super Hero Girls: Legends of Atlantis

Voice
Crazy Quilt
Movie
2018

CharmingStream

Voice
Blessing Fairy
Movie
2018

Mission Force One

Actor
Leo Callisto
Show
2017

Mission Force One

Voice
Leo Callisto
Show
2017

Mission Force One: Connect and Protect

Voice
Leo
Show
2017

Les fous du volant

Voice
Bella
Show
2017

Billy Dilley's Super-Duper Subterranean Summer

Voice
Zeke
Show
2017

Soundtracks: Songs That Defined HistoryStream

Actor
Bob Sanders
Series
2017

Puppy Dog PalsStream

Voice
A.R.F.
Series
2017

The Nut Job 2: Nutty by NatureStream

Voice
Buddy
Movie
2017
15%

Apollo Gauntlet

Voice
King Bellenus
Show
2016

Jeff Dunham: Achmed Saves America

Voice
Wayne
Show
2016

Gentlemen Lobsters

Guest Voice
Show
2016

Talking Tom and FriendsStream

Actor
Hank
Series
2016

DC Super Hero Girls: Super Hero High

Voice
Commissioner Gordon
Show
2016

The Powerpuff GirlsStream

Voice
Mayor
Series
2016

LEGO DC Comics Superheroes: Justice League -- Gotham City Breakout

Voice
Penguin
Movie
2016

DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year

Voice
Crazy Quilt / Commissioner Gordon / Parasite
Movie
2016

DC Super Hero Girls: Super Hero High

Voice
Commissioner Gordon
Movie
2016

TV's Funniest Animated Stars: A Paley Center for Media Special

Guest
Show
2015

At Midnight With Chris HardwickStream

Guest
Game Show
2015

Tom And Jerry: The Fast And The Furry

Voice
Gorthan/Whale
Show
2015

We Bare Bears: Ice Bear

Guest Voice
Show
2015

A Gentlemen's Duel

Actor
Show
2015

We Bare BearsStream

Actor
Gerald/Pilot
Series
2015

We Bare BearsStream

Guest Voice
Series
2015

We Bare Bears: Nom Nom

Actor
Gerald/Pilot
Show
2015

Cake WarsStream

Judge
Reality
2015

Fresh Beat Band of Spies

Voice
Show
2015

Miles From TomorrowlandStream

Voice
Leo Callisto
Series
2015

Bienvenue chez les Ronks !

Voice
Show
2015

Niko and the Sword of Light

Voice
Mandok
Show
2015

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of WaterStream

Voice
SpongeBob SquarePants/Gary the Snail
Movie
2015
81%

LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League

Voice
Penguin / Plastic Man
Movie
2015

Clash-A-Rama

Voice
Barbarian; Wizard; Goblin
Show
2014

Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers

Voice
Silent Sven
Show
2014

Flip and Flash

Voice
Rabbit
Show
2014

Lego: Batman Be-Leaguered

Voice
Penguin
Show
2014

LEGO DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered

Voice
Penguin
Show
2014

SpongeBob SquarePants: Bizarro Bikini Bottom

Voice
Spongebob Squarepants
Show
2014

The Tom and Jerry ShowStream

Actor
Series
2014

ClarenceStream

Voice
Sumo
Series
2014

BreadwinnersStream

Voice
SwaySway's Dad/Bear Ruffinbuff
Series
2014

Spongebob and Friends: Patrick SquarePants

Actor
Show
2014

The Powerpuff Girls: Dance Pantsed

Voice
The Mayor
Show
2014

Rocky and Bullwinkle

Voice
Bullwinkle
Movie
2014

LEGO DC Super Heroes: Batman Be-leaguered

Actor
Penguin
Movie
2014

Rick and MortyStream

Guest Voice
Bad Cop/Mr. Jellybean
Series
2013
90%

Rick and MortyStream

Voice
Squanchy
Series
2013
90%

Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload

Voice
Doctor Octopus
Show
2013

The MillersStream

Guest Star
Cappy
Series
2013
47%

Uncle GrandpaStream

Voice
Dennis
Series
2013

Wander Over YonderStream

Voice
Commander Peepers
Series
2013

Teen Titans Go!Stream

Guest Voice
Mockingbird 1
Series
2013

Henry Hugglemonster

Voice
Daddo/Grando
Show
2013

It's a SpongeBob Christmas!

Voice
SpongeBob / Patchy the Pirate / SpongeBob's Tastebuds / Caroler #3 / Extra #1 / Toybob / Postman
Show
2012

Winnie the Pooh: Extras

Actor
Show
2012

Frankenweenie: Extras

Actor
Show
2012

Brickleberry

Voice
Woody Johnson
Show
2012

SpongeBob SquarePants: Ghouls Fools

Voice
SpongeBob SquarePants
Show
2012

The Legend of KorraStream

Guest Voice
Referee
Series
2012
89%

Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors

Voice
Doctor Octopus
Show
2012

Ultimate Spider-ManStream

Voice
Doctor Octopus
Series
2012

WordGirl: The Rise of Miss Power

Voice
Show
2012

Handy Manny: The Great Garage Rescue

Voice
Mr. Lopart / Pat 'the Hammer'
Show
2012

SpongeBob SquarePants: SpongeBob's Frozen Face-Off

Voice
SpongeBob Squarepants
Show
2012

The Adventures of Panda Warrior

Voice
Bernie Hothead/Manny Mantis/Spinny
Movie
2012

Back to the Sea

Voice
Ben
Movie
2012

FrankenweenieStream

Voice
Fire Chief/Soldier/Townsfolk
Movie
2012
88%

Twinkle Toes: The Movie

Voice
Benjamin
Movie
2012

Dino Time

Voice
Borace
Movie
2012

Delhi Safari

Voice
Alex the Parrot
Movie
2012

Green Lantern: The Animated Series

Voice
Zilius Zox
Show
2011

Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Voice
Rabbit
Show
2011

Happy EndingsStream

Guest Voice
Tyler the Parrot
Series
2011
76%

Bob's BurgersStream

Guest Star
Guy/Box Puppet/Paramedic 1
Series
2011

Winnie the PoohStream

Voice
Rabbit
Movie
2011
90%

The Voyages of Young Doctor Dolittle

Voice
Chomps
Movie
2011

R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: The Series

Actor
Show
2010

Adventure TimeStream

Voice
The Ice King
Series
2010
100%

Scooby-Doo: Mystery IncorporatedStream

Guest Voice
Broccoli Head/Mr. Baywosenthal
Series
2010

SpongeBob SquarePants: Viking-Sized Adventures

Actor
Show
2010

Kung Fu Magoo

Voice
Dr. Malicio
Movie
2010

Shelldon

Voice
Herman
Show
2009

The Cleveland ShowStream

Guest Voice
Dr. Fist
Series
2009

The Super Hero Squad Show

Voice
Iron Man
Show
2009

Sit Down, Shut UpStream

Voice
Series
2009

Deseando deseos

Voice
Movie
2009

World's Greatest DadStream

Actor
Jerry Klein
Movie
2009
88%

The Haunted World of El Superbeasto

Voice
Rover/Otto/Old Man/Herbie
Movie
2009

Foster's Movie: Destination Imagination

Voice
Eduardo
Show
2008

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Voice
Show
2008

True Jackson, VPStream

Guest Star
Bingo
Series
2008

SpongeBob SquarePants: Pest of the West

Voice
SpongeBob / SpongeBuck / Skull #2 / Jellyfish
Show
2008

Unstable Fables: 3 Pigs and a Baby

Voice
Dr. Wolfowitz/Musical Comedy Wolf
Movie
2008

Fairly OddBaby

Actor
Cupid
Movie
2008

Cosmic Quantum Ray

Actor
Kronecker
Show
2007

Cosmic Quantum Ray

Voice
Show
2007

WordGirlStream

Voice
Dr. Two-Brains/TJ Botsford
Series
2007

Meet the RobinsonsStream

Voice
Mr. Willerstein
Movie
2007
67%

Superman: Doomsday

Voice
Movie
2007

Elf Bowling the Movie: The Great North Pole Elf Strike

Voice
Dingle Kringle / Wrapple / Pirate No. 1
Movie
2007

Futurama: Bender's Big Score

Voice
Abner Doubledeal/Additional Voices/Adlai Atkins
Movie
2007

Handy Manny

Actor
Mr. Lopart; Pat
Show
2006

Handy Manny

Guest Star
Mr. Lopart; Pat
Show
2006

Handy Manny

Guest Voice
Mr. Lopart; Pat
Show
2006

Handy Manny

Voice
Mr. Lopart
Show
2006

Korgoth of Barbaria

Voice
Show
2006

Squirrel Boy

Voice
Leon
Show
2006

Re-Animated

Voice
Tux
Movie
2006

Korgoth of Barbaria

Actor
Hargon / Henchman #3
Movie
2006

My Gym Partner's a MonkeyStream

Voice
Jake
Series
2005

Camp Lazlo

Voice
Algonquin C. Lumpus/Slinkman
Show
2005

Robot ChickenStream

Guest Voice
Series
2005

American DadStream

Guest Voice
Jo-Jo
Series
2005

Tom and Jerry: Blast Off to Mars

Voice
Grob
Show
2005

Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild

Voice
Forest Animal
Movie
2005

Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie

Voice
Peter Cottontail/Junior/Antoine
Movie
2005

The Batman vs. Dracula

Voice
The Penguin
Movie
2005

Tom and Jerry: The Fast and the Furry

Voice
Gorthan/Whale
Movie
2005

The Legend of Frosty the SnowmanStream

Voice
Mr. Tinkerton
Movie
2005

Tom and Jerry Blast Off to Mars!

Voice
Grob
Movie
2005

Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!

Voice
Show
2004

The BatmanStream

Actor
The Penguin
Series
2004

Brandy & Mr. Whiskers

Voice
Ed
Show
2004

Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends

Voice
Eduardo
Show
2004

Game Over

Guest Voice
Show
2004

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Trailer

Actor
Movie
2004

The SpongeBob SquarePants MovieStream

Voice
SpongeBob/Narrator/Gary/Clay/Tough Fish #2/Twin #2/Houston Voice
Movie
2004
68%

Comic Book: The Movie

Actor
Derek Sprang
Movie
2004
40%

Powerpuff Girls: 'Twas the Fight Before Christmas

Voice
Show
2003

Looney Tunes: Stranger Than Fiction

Voice
Vampire Tweety Bird / Major Snake / Stone Cold Duck / Emeril / Tech Suppork Narrator
Show
2003

Looney Tunes: Reality Check

Voice
Emeril
Show
2003

A Scooby-Doo Halloween

Guest Voice
Show
2003

Scooby-Doo! And the Legend of the VampireStream

Voice
Harry / Stormy Weathers / Barry / Lightning Strikes / Lifeguard 2
Movie
2003

Windy City Heat

Actor
Gay Costume Designer
Movie
2003

What's New, Scooby-Doo?Stream

Voice
Sam / Harry Harrison
Movie
2002

Crank YankersStream

Guest Voice
Larson Grier
Series
2002

The Powerpuff Girls Movie

Voice
Mayor/Narrator
Movie
2002

The Mummy: Quest for the Lost Scrolls

Actor
Movie
2002

Samurai JackStream

Voice
Manager
Series
2001

The Fairly OddParentsStream

Guest Star
Cupid / Fairy Soldier
Series
2001

The Fairly OddParentsStream

Guest Voice
Cupid
Series
2001

SpongeBob SquarePants: Rock Bottom

Voice
SpongeBob SquarePants/Gary/Mr. SquarePants/Patchy The Pirate/Narrator
Show
2000

Mission Hill

Voice
Wally
Show
1999

SpongeBob SquarePantsStream

Actor
SpongeBob SquarePants/Gary/Mr. SquarePants/Patchy The Pirate/Narrator
Series
1999

SpongeBob SquarePantsStream

Voice
SpongeBob SquarePants/Gary/Mr. SquarePants/Patchy The Pirate/Narrator
Series
1999

FuturamaStream

Guest Voice
Robot Passerby/Resin Offering Robot
Series
1999

Family Guy

Guest Voice
Death
Show
1999

Family GuyStream

Guest Voice
Death
Series
1999

DilbertStream

Guest Voice
Series
1999

The Powerpuff GirlsStream

Voice
Series
1998

The Best of Mr. Show With Bob and David: The Incredible, Fantastical News Report

Actor
Show
1998

Godzilla: The SeriesStream

Voice
Series
1998

The Wild ThornberrysStream

Guest Voice
Series
1998

That '70s ShowStream

Guest Star
Series
1998

CatDogStream

Voice
Series
1998

The Online Adventures of Ozzie the Elf

Voice
Show
1997

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Johnny BravoStream

Voice
Series
1997

Just Shoot MeStream

Guest Star
Persky
Series
1997

Dexter's LaboratoryStream

Voice
Valhallen
Series
1996

Mr. Show With Bob and DavidStream

Actor
Series
1995

Mr. Show With Bob and DavidStream

Guest Star
Series
1995

Dumb and Dumber

Voice
Show
1995

Brotherly Love

Guest Star
Series
1995
86%

Unhappily Ever After

Guest Star
Series
1995

Dead Weekend

Actor
Joe Blow
Movie
1995

Out There

Actor
Man in Lobby
Movie
1995

National Lampoon's Attack of the 5' 2" Women

Actor
Director
Movie
1994

Plughead Rewired: Circuitry Man II

Actor
Guru
Movie
1994

Rocko's Modern LifeStream

Voice
Series
1993

The Edge

Actor
Show
1992

Shakes the ClownStream

Actor
Binky the Clown
Movie
1991
43%

MaudeStream

Guest Star
Series
1972

News aboutTom Kenny