John Russell
·4-min read
Take a look back at the '90s cartoon's villains — and the big stars who played them
In 1990, a brand new superhero emerged to save the earth, not by punching out costumed criminals, but by raising awareness of environmental issues.
Captain Planet was the brainchild of media mogul Ted Turner, who specifically wanted to create a cartoon that would teach kids about the dangers of pollution and overconsumption while empowering them to take action themselves. The show was a hit, and if you grew up in the ’90s, you can probably remember its theme song without even trying too hard!
But what you may not remember is that the show featured an impressive roster of celebrities lending their vocal talents to bring Captain Planet’s rogue gallery of polluters and profiteers to life — along with a few of his allies.
Here, take a look back at all the A-listers who voiced Captain Planet characters.
Tom Cruise as Captain Planet
It may come as a surprise to many fans, but Tom Cruise was initially cast as the voice of Captain Planet’s titular hero. As Marsha Goodman, the show’s original voice director, told Slate’s Decoder Ring podcast recently, the Mission Impossible star himself reached out to her office wanting to voice the role. Ultimately, however, Cruise had to bow out after recording several episodes, and his vocals were rerecorded by David Coburn.
Whoopi Goldberg as Gaia
While many of the show's biggest names guest 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 role for seasons 4 to 6.
LeVar Burton as Kwame
Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: The Next Generation star LeVar Burton voiced another good guy on Captain Planet: African Planeteer Kwame.
Sting as Zarm
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 role, before being replaced by Malcolm McDowell from 1993 to 1995.
Meg Ryan as Dr. Barbara Blight
Meg Ryan provided the voice for mad scientist Dr. Barbara Blight from 1990 to 1991. She was replaced by voice actress Mary Kay Bergman beginning in 1992.
Tim Curry as MAL
Dr. Blight's A.I. sidekick MAL was initially voiced by Time Bandits star David Rappaport. Following Rappaport's death in 1990, Tim Curry took over the role for the remainder of the series.
Jeff Goldblum as Verminous Skumm
Jeff Goldblum brought villainous rat-human mutant Verminous Skumm to life in Captain Planet's first season. But in the years since, he's continued to speak out on environmental issues.
Ed Asner as Hoggish Greedly
Ed Asner gobbled up his scenes as Hoggish Greedly in episodes throughout Captain Planet's six-season run.
Martin Sheen as Sly Sludge
Martin Sheen may have garnered six Emmy nominations and the admiration of a generation of American idealists for his performance on The West Wing, but in Captain Planet's first three seasons, he was the voice of President Jed Bartlet's polar opposite: the evil Sly Sludge.
Dean Stockwell as Duke Nukem
Radioactive baddy Duke Nukem was voiced by Quantum Leap and Battlestar Galactica's Dean Stockwell in Captain Planet seasons 1 through 3.
James Coburn as Looten Plunder
In seasons 1–3, Academy Award winner James Coburn gave voice to Captain Planet's ruthless poacher and crooked business mogul Looten Plunder.
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