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These performances wouldn’t be the same without those unforgettable voices! Join us as we highlight the stars whose distinctive accents have set them apart on screen and stage. From captivating British tones and Southern drawls to legendary Mid-Atlantic and unmistakable New York voices, these celebrities’ accents are as iconic as their roles. Which memorable star left the biggest impression with their way of speaking?
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00:00I want a chance to talk to people who believe me. The people of my state, they know me.
00:04Welcome to Miss Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most identifiable,
00:08effective, and or memorable accents by celebrities.
00:12As you can tell, Miss Eulabies, I have a legitimate voice.
00:16Number 20, Fran Drescher. Before being the president of the Screen Actors Guild,
00:21Fran Drescher achieved stardom for her work on The Nanny. The TV show helped to make her voice
00:26iconic. In the program, her eccentric part allowed her to exaggerate her vocals for comedic effect.
00:42Her earlier roles, in the likes of This Is Spinal Tap, feature a slightly more subdued take.
00:52Regardless, Drescher's comic timing and persona would be incomplete
00:56without mentioning her accent. She seems to embody much of the New York essence. Some
01:00might only associate her with television, but she has a much deeper catalogue worth hearing.
01:05That mustard really clears up the nasal passage.
01:18I like it.
01:23I wonder how long it's gonna last.
01:25Number 19, Alan Rickman.
01:27Earning acclaim on the stage, he only needed one film role to make him a screen icon.
01:32Alan Rickman's turn as Hans Gruber was an impressive debut.
01:35Due to the Nakatomi Corporation's legacy of greed around the globe,
01:39they are about to be told a lesson in the real use of power.
01:45You will be witnesses.
01:46Rather than being a more macho villain, the actor played a German to great effect.
01:50He then famously used his British accent to play Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series.
01:54I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses.
02:01I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death.
02:09As a potions instructor, Rickman developed one of his most beloved roles.
02:12The series allowed him to showcase his dynamic and dry voice.
02:16He could utilise it for humour, speak with authority, or give you a touching monologue.
02:21The actor could make everything from Jane Austen to sci-fi comedy sing.
02:25He had the sophisticated vocals of a thespian, but the natural ability of a movie star.
02:29I played Richard III.
02:30Five curtain calls.
02:32There were five curtain calls.
02:33I was an actor once.
02:34Damn it, now look at me, look at me!
02:35Number 18, Cary Grant.
02:37He's among the more sophisticated men Hollywood ever produced.
02:40His charms were second to none, but his voice is equally famous.
02:44You think so?
02:45I wouldn't say it if I didn't.
02:47Oh, you're that type.
02:49What type?
02:51Honest.
02:52Not really.
02:54Good, because all these women fighting me.
02:56Cary Grant has a transatlantic accent that blends his British origins with some Americanised influence.
03:02This arguably made him sound more aristocratic, but he often played men undone by the world around them.
03:08You wouldn't want to set up housekeeping in a padded cell.
03:10Oh, that'd be bad.
03:11What are you talking about?
03:13Well, I don't quite know, Elaine.
03:15Look, I probably should have told you this before, but you see, well, insanity runs in my family.
03:22Practically gallops.
03:23It became something of his trademark to be out of his depth.
03:26Trying to hold it together with his amazing delivery.
03:29He also makes romantic moments sing with his lilting voice.
03:32By having this multifaceted personality, he could blend into any genre and make it work.
03:37Looks as if Sebastian knows how to pick them.
03:40Is that all you have to say to me?
03:43Dry your eyes, baby.
03:44It's out of character.
03:45Except keep on your toes.
03:46It's a tough job we're on.
03:48Number 17.
03:48Al Pacino.
03:49If you're a fan of this man, you know that he's had many eras of highs and lows.
03:53His New York accent and higher tone accompany many of his early films.
03:57They might like a story like that.
03:59They might.
04:00They just might.
04:04It's not personal, Sonny.
04:07It's strictly business.
04:08From The Godfather to Dog Day Afternoon, he captured a variety of young and brash personalities in The Big Apple.
04:14He could be more tremendously subtle, or he could shout like the best of them.
04:18Pacino even tried out a few foreign accents.
04:21You know why?
04:24You don't have the guts to be what you want to be.
04:31You need people like me.
04:33His voice seemed to change in his later career.
04:35His Oscar-winning role in Scent of a Woman showcased his deeper transformation and bold inflections.
04:41Some people might criticize it, but he makes some interesting choices in his later work.
04:45If I were the man I was five years ago, I'd take a flamethrower to this place.
04:53Out of order.
04:54Who the hell do you think you're talking to?
04:56Number 16, Ingrid Bergman.
04:58Hailing from Sweden, Ingrid Bergman got her start in Europe before skyrocketing in Hollywood.
05:03Her extraordinary career in America led to three Academy Awards.
05:06Because I am mad, I have betrayed you, and because I am mad, I'm rejoicing in my heart without a shred of pity, without a shred of regret.
05:14Watching you go with glory in my heart.
05:16Through it all, Bergman flaunted her native accent through many English language roles.
05:20She became part of film history as one half of the iconic duo in Casablanca.
05:24Strange. I know so very little about you.
05:28I know very little about you. Just the fact that you had your teeth straightened.
05:34But be serious, darling. You are in danger, and you must leave Paris.
05:37No, no, no, no. We must leave.
05:39Yes, of course we.
05:41Opposite the likes of Humphrey Bogart and Charles Boyer, she built up a slate of incredible leading parts.
05:46Her voice arguably became one of her signatures, helping her create some searing and emotional performances.
05:51The actress provided years of compelling work while holding on to her Swedish heritage.
05:56I speak Swedish to big audiences in Swedish-American institutions, in Minneapolis and other big cities.
06:09Number 15. Elvis Presley
06:11In the 1950s, Elvis Presley quickly became an international icon.
06:15He holds a king-like status in the world of rock music.
06:18When I sing, when I sing, when I sing, when I sing, when I sing, when I sing, when I sing...
06:22You know, when I sing my song, when I sing my song, when I sing my song, when I sing my song, when I sing my song.
06:25From hit records to screen musicals, the singer had a widely identifiable voice.
06:30His singing and dancing shook up pop culture.
06:33While his movies didn't always get great reviews, they helped to sell the man's distinct vocal phrasing.
06:38I never looked for trouble, but I never ran.
06:42I don't take no orders, no kind of man. I'm only made out of flesh, blood and bone.
06:53But if you're gonna start a rumble, don't you try it hard enough.
06:59His southern accent comes out as both rich and authentic. Presley is so famous that his speech
07:04and image have been parodied for decades. The many films about the legend only help to make
07:08him sound more mythical. 14. Samuel L. Jackson
07:26If you don't know this man's voice, you haven't been watching movies for the last several decades.
07:31Samuel L. Jackson pulls together a mix of regional influences with time spent in both Tennessee and
07:36Georgia. The actor doesn't have the thickest southern accent, but he does like to emphasize
07:48certain words. He's practically made yelling and swearing an art form at this point.
07:52In his storied career, he's also shouted in some of the more successful movies ever made.
07:57What country are you from? What? What ain't no country I ever heard of. They speak English in
08:02what? Few people can say they've delivered Tarantino speeches and used a lightsaber. For
08:06every single role, Jackson gives it 100% with his booming intonation. The public is in danger!
08:12My evening's in danger! You tell me when I sue this woman, we are talking about the greater good!
08:1813. Marlon Brando Chances are that your favorite actor was partly influenced by Marlon Brando.
08:23You should have taken care of me just a little bit so I wouldn't have to take them dives for the
08:27short-end money. I had some bets down for you. You saw some money. You don't understand! I could
08:32have had class. I could have been a contender. I could have been somebody.
08:38The Omaha, Nebraska native went to Broadway and became an icon. His method acting made
08:43performances feel real, with his voice leading the way. The performer created the ultimate
08:47Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, giving a masterclass in vocalization.
08:52Hey, Stella! Hey, Stella!
09:00Brando could mumble his lines and turn it into a smart character choice. This makes his exceptional
09:05roles in On the Waterfront and Even the Godfather more engaging. As one of the most admired artists
09:10of his generation, the man knew how to modulate his accent for huge results.
09:15And I thought, my God, the genius of that. The genius, the will to do that. Perfect, genuine,
09:27complete, crystalline, pure.
09:30Number 12. Sir Ian McKellen
09:32Long before his mainstream popularity in film, Ian McKellen had a reputation as an excellent
09:38stage performer. This made him an asset in several of the biggest franchises of the last 30 years.
09:43You're late.
09:48A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.
09:57His deep British accent lent credibility to his work as Gandalf. In Tolkien adaptations and superhero
10:03movies, the actor could do no wrong. His turn as Magneto has even more gravitas thanks to his dialect.
10:08Why do none of you understand what I'm trying to do? Those people down there, they control our fate
10:15and the fate of every other mutant. McKellen once again proves that many Brits play great villains,
10:21putting his theatrical background to good use. Whether he's playing real-life figures or literary
10:25characters, he makes every role sound more elegant.
10:28Making movies is the most wonderful thing in the world. Working with friends, entertaining people.
10:38Yes, I suppose I miss it.
10:39Number 11. Marlene Dietrich
10:41Working with directors like Josef von Sternberg, Marlene Dietrich was a German star.
10:46Her efforts in Hollywood brought her accent to an even larger audience.
10:50There's a foreign legion of women.
10:53Two.
11:02But we have no uniforms.
11:06No flags.
11:10And no medals.
11:12Dietrich could play heroines and femme fatales with equal success.
11:15Her role in stage fright and witness for the prosecution also let her show off her range.
11:20The voice made her career all the more notable, giving her another intriguing element with her performances.
11:25Want to buy some illusions?
11:29Slightly you
11:30Just like you
11:33Such romantic illusions
11:38And they're all
11:41About you
11:43She can lure you into a scene while preparing to surprise you.
11:47Even a supporting part in an Orson Welles movie let her work some magic.
11:51In the end, she's so iconic that Madeline Kahn parodied her for Blazing Saddles.
11:56Brigades.
11:57Man a shot, see?
12:00Far out.
12:02For you.
12:04Ooh.
12:06A red rose.
12:07How romantic.
12:09Number 10.
12:10Sam Elliott
12:11He's not just known for his bushy mustache.
12:13Sam Elliott might be from California, but he also carries the low-key spirit of a Texas cowboy.
12:18He's brought his deep voice to many large and small screen projects over the years.
12:22Same down new story, huh, pal?
12:27Let's get a beer.
12:29Roadhouse is just one project that brings out his somewhat ageless persona, becoming a cool guy in the process.
12:35His inviting tone is the personification of a warm hug.
12:38With The Big Lebowski, he became a narrator for a cult comedy.
12:42Sometimes there's a man.
12:44Well, he's the man for his time and place.
12:49He fits right in there.
12:51Elliott clearly has a presence even when he's not on screen.
12:54More importantly, his lower delivery makes you sit up and listen to him.
12:58It's the same story.
13:01Told over and over.
13:05Forever.
13:08All any artist can offer in the world is how they see those 12 notes.
13:14That's it.
13:15Number 9.
13:16Dolly Parton
13:16As a singer and personality, Dolly Parton continues to build an awesome legacy for herself.
13:21She first came to prominence for her singing.
13:24The country performer wrote and recorded some of the most popular songs in her genre.
13:37Not only that, Parton later became an actor in many successful films like 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.
13:43You got tiny little hairs and fuzzies all over you.
13:45There's so much static electricity in this room, I pick up everything with boys and money.
13:50She epitomizes southern hospitality and never forgets her home state of Tennessee.
13:55Her charity foundation proves that, while her accent is part of her upbeat presence.
13:59Her speaking voice is arguably as famous as her singing performances now.
14:03Oh God, you look exactly how I knew you would.
14:07No, no, I'm not the almighty.
14:09Hardly.
14:10I'm Agnes, just a working class angel.
14:13Number 8.
14:14Humphrey Bogart
14:15Whether he played a good guy or a villain, Humphrey Bogart had an extraordinary presence.
14:19This included a voice that's sometimes parodied and otherwise legendary.
14:24He might be the definitive American actor of the 1940s.
14:27Harry, what is it?
14:34The stuff that dreams are made of.
14:38In Casablanca alone, he turned Rick Blaine into the most compelling and reluctant hero.
14:45He's looking at you, kid.
14:47Bogart can't help but be cool with his unorthodox speech and stone-cold look.
14:52His turn as prospectors, military men and detectives give him a chance to utilize his vocal abilities.
14:58Rather than masking his voice, he creates some of his best moments by embracing his lisp.
15:02He was among a group of leading men that brought a grittier and more natural sound to his dialogue.
15:08There's no sacrifice too great for a chance at immortality.
15:12Yes, sir.
15:13Number 7.
15:13Judy Garland
15:14For her role in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland became a Hollywood icon.
15:18She came from Minnesota and honed her talents in vaudeville.
15:22At an early age, the performer was a superstar with a definitive voice.
15:26I may be a sap about the men I pick, but I'm no quitter.
15:29So there, my family are all troopers, and we don't walk out on any show.
15:33Garland's accent added to her girl-next-door persona.
15:36There was also her more theatrical side, with her awe-inspiring singing voice always ready to come out.
15:41Then I started to know how it feels when the universe reals.
15:50The actress's storied career includes some classic musicals and incredible dramatic works.
15:55In each and every one, the star knew how to make every line of dialogue glow.
15:59She often projected pure happiness on screen, even as her personal life turned tragic.
16:04Sun is shining, come on, get happy.
16:07Lord, it's ready to take your hand.
16:10Hallelujah, come on, get happy.
16:13We're going to the promised land.
16:16Number 6.
16:16Sidney Poitier
16:17Nothing short of a trailblazer, Sidney Poitier made a tremendous impact on American film.
16:23His accent was unmistakable, giving movies like In the Heat of the Night an additional power.
16:28Virgil Tibbs is a hero who pushes back against a racist town.
16:31What do they call you up there?
16:33They call me Mr. Tibbs.
16:36With his determination and voice.
16:38His roots in the Bahamas likely added to his unique tone.
16:41Poitier couldn't be boxed into one kind of role, playing multiple genres across a stellar career.
16:46When you're finished, I could use a foreman, Mr. Smith.
16:52Thanks, Mr. Ashton.
16:55When I'm finished here, I'll be moving on.
16:58But thanks.
16:59Every step of the way, he had an extraordinary way of selling his lines.
17:02He could easily convey his character's emotional state, setting up some subtle inflections and larger outbursts.
17:08The icon directed and acted across many decades, while never losing his smooth delivery.
17:13In that country, under that system, staggering.
17:19Number 5, Julie Andrews.
17:21The hills are alive with the sound of her voice.
17:23Julie Andrews has a British accent that helped make Mary Poppins better.
17:27Practically perfect in every way.
17:30Mary Poppins, is that your name?
17:33It's lovely.
17:34Thank you, I've always liked it.
17:36Now, shall we get on with it?
17:38Along with the sound of music, the star became a popular household name by the mid-1960s.
17:43She can sing and fill the scene with wonderfully said dialogue.
17:47Making an art out of every syllable, the performer knows how to make her mark through enunciation.
17:52In spite of what you think, Monsieur Le Beast, there are some professions where practice does make perfect.
17:57When she played royalty in The Princess Diaries, the actress didn't need much time to establish her character.
18:09It's hard to imagine her without the posh sensibility.
18:12Across 50 years of work, she developed a reputation for her refined presence.
18:16Waving even more gently, you sort of say, thank you for being here today.
18:22Thank you for being here.
18:24Number 4. Michael Caine
18:25You could argue that Michael Caine helped revolutionise British acting.
18:29His Cockney accent wasn't the standard when he started, but it helped make him a new kind of movie star.
18:35I always say, make a married woman laugh and you're halfway there with her.
18:39Of course, it don't work with a single bird.
18:42Start you off on the wrong foot.
18:43You get one of them laughing, you won't get nothing else.
18:45His work in Zulu and Alfie were among his breakout roles, bringing him to larger audiences and critical notice.
18:52Get Carter and The Italian Job helped to make him an elite English actor.
18:56I can always take it to the Americans.
18:59They're people who recognise young talent and give it a chance.
19:05They are.
19:05He's both disarming and charming, making his parts as certified anti-hero soar.
19:10By the start of the 21st century, he garnered two Academy Awards and the respect of the industry.
19:16He's also had a widely imitated accent.
19:19From working-class veteran to movie icon, the performer uses his dialect to great effect.
19:24You must achieve a zen-like state.
19:26Listen to your breathing.
19:28Feel your heartbeat.
19:29Think of the Dalai Lama.
19:31Number 3.
19:33James Stewart
19:33As an archetype of the ordinary guy, James Stewart also has a signature drawl.
19:38He's one of the few Hollywood superstars that could truly capture the spirit of Middle America.
19:43I've said too much.
19:44You're the board here.
19:46You do what you want with this thing.
19:47There's just one thing more, though.
19:49This town needs this measly one-horse institution,
19:52if only to have some place where people can come without crawling to Potter.
19:55The entertainer could do drama and comedy with equal measure,
19:58bringing an authenticity to his parts.
20:01He rarely did an accent, and instead relied on his native sound.
20:04That's pretty important, all that.
20:06It's just the blood and bone and sinew of this democracy
20:11that some great men handed down to the human race, that's all.
20:14In some of his more iconic roles, including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,
20:18Stewart's way of speaking helped to power his performance.
20:22He also utilised it in a handful of Alfred Hitchcock's best films,
20:25making him the perfect choice to play the average man in trouble.
20:29Trips at night in the rain, and knives, and saws, and trunks with rope,
20:32and now this wife that isn't there anymore.
20:34I admit it all has a mysterious sound.
20:37Number two, Sean Connery.
20:39Along with being James Bond, Sean Connery is perhaps best known for his voice.
20:43The actor's native brogue is among his defining characteristics.
20:46Where are you off to?
20:48Well, I have a homeland I haven't seen for too long.
20:51Oh, you mean Ireland?
20:53Scotland, for God's sake.
20:55His natural Scottish itonations elevated some of his greatest roles,
20:58and became the saving grace for his lesser ones.
21:00He was not much for doing other accents,
21:02making his own standout on films such as Highlander,
21:06and The Hunt for Red October.
21:08The distinguished and deep tone helped to make him a movie star.
21:11This is the job.
21:13Don't wait for it to happen.
21:15Don't even want it to happen.
21:17Just watch what does happen.
21:20Even if you close your eyes, there is no mistaking him from any of his co-stars.
21:31Many still believe he is the definitive 007,
21:34and his booming vocals make for a strong argument.
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22:051. Catherine Hepburn
22:06Her strong personality wasn't the only thing audiences loved.
22:10This actress also possessed a notable and sharper voice,
22:13separating her from many contemporaries.
22:15Her Connecticut roots combined with a put-on accent known as Mid-Atlantic.
22:19I do hope you'll stay for my wedding.
22:20We'd like to very much.
22:22Well, that was our idea.
22:23I'm so glad that it occurred to you.
22:25The house is in rather a mess, of course.
22:27We'll all have to huddle here and overflow under the board.
22:31You hang on her every word through period films, rom-coms, and important social dramas.
22:37She could hold her own against any performer, from Spencer Tracy to Henry Fonda,
22:41using her speech patterns to assert herself.
22:43Listen to me, master. You're my knight in shining armour. Don't you forget it.
22:52You're going to get back on that horse, and I'm going to be right behind you, holding on tight.
22:58And away we're going to go, go, go.
23:01The star could take control of a scene with only a few piercing lines, or a stern monologue.
23:06Hepburn is partly remembered for her pronounced vocals,
23:09utilising the latter to play smart lawyers and queens alike.
23:12To top it all off, she was awarded four Oscars.
23:15I dressed my maids as Amazons and rode bare-breasted halfway to Damascus.
23:21Louis had a seizure, and I damn near died of windburn.
23:28Like the troops were dazzled.
23:31Did we forget another star's iconic voice? Let us know in the comments below.
23:35There'll be food and drink and ghosts, and perhaps even a few murders.
23:40You're all in pride.
23:42You're all in pride.
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