Tom Kenny (SpongeBob) Reviews Impressions of His Voices | Vanity Fair - Summary

Summary

Tom Kenny, a renowned voice actor, reviews and reacts to fan impressions of his iconic animated characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, the Ice King from Adventure Time, Heifer from Rocko's Modern Life, and the Mayor from The Powerpuff Girls. He shares his insights on what makes each character unique and how the fans have managed to capture their essence. Kenny also discusses the challenges of voice acting, the importance of versatility, and how playing positive characters can impact one's outlook on life. Throughout the review, he is impressed by the fans' creativity and enthusiasm, finding it "mind-blowing and flattering" that his characters remain a part of people's lives.

Facts

Here are the key facts extracted from the text:

1. Tom Kenny is a voice actor known for his roles in SpongeBob SquarePants, Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, and Rocko's Modern Life.
2. Tom Kenny has been voicing characters for over 20 years.
3. The union contract for voice actors in TV requires a pay bump when an actor is asked to voice a fourth character.
4. Tom Kenny has worked with Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, on the animated series Rocko's Modern Life.
5. Tom Kenny's impression of Heifer from Rocko's Modern Life was inspired by his nephew's way of speaking.
6. The character of Heifer has a distinctive way of speaking, with a rising intonation at the end of sentences.
7. Tom Kenny has played many characters without filters, including Heifer and SpongeBob.
8. The character of the Mayor from The Powerpuff Girls was inspired by a mix of the Wizard from The Wizard of Oz and an old lady from the Clint Eastwood movie Every Which Way But Loose.
9. The Mayor's voice was influenced by the actress Ruth Gordon, who played the old lady in the movie.
10. Tom Kenny remembers a line from his childhood, "Give me back those Oreos!", which he incorporated into the Mayor's character.
11. The Mayor's voice is a mashup of different impressions and influences.
12. Tom Kenny appreciates the enthusiasm and creativity of people who do impressions of his characters.
13. He believes that animated characters can have a lasting impact on people's lives, especially those they encounter during their formative years.