Summary

• Celebrating 14 years, Kung Fu Panda boasts a stellar voice cast with stars like Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and Dustin Hoffman.
• Kung Fu Panda grossed $630 million worldwide and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
• Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, and Lucy Liu are just a few of the recognizable talents that brought the animated characters to life.

The Kung Fu Panda voice actors are a heavy-duty lineup of acting talent that's almost unrivaled animated movie. The 2008 DreamWorks movie about Po, the giant panda who is destined for martial arts greatness, captured the hearts of audiences and went on to spawn three sequels, as well as a host of spin-off TV shows. Over a decade after its release, the franchise is a recognized property, but it's the star-studded list of Kung Fu Panda voice actors that helped it get off the ground when it first hit theaters.

The Kung Fu Panda cast is stacked with distinct and recognizable voices. Jack Black establishes the comedic tone right away as Po, and he maintains a zany type of energy from sequence to sequence. However, Jack Black is far from the only recognizable name in the cast of Kung Fu Panda, and while the actor is a global superstar, at the time of the film's release he was perhaps not even the biggest associated with the Dreamworks movie. Almost all the Kung Fu Panda voice actors continue to have prominent careers, can can be recognized from some of the biggest movies of the last few decades.

Produced for $130 million, Kung Fu Panda earned over $630 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo) and received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.

Jack Black As Po

Other Notable Movies: School Of Rock, Nacho Libre, Super Mario Bros.

Jack Black stars as the protagonist Po, a large Panda who dreams of becoming a kung fu master. While leading the Kung Fu Panda cast as Po is now one of Jack Black's most celebrated roles, he's had a prominent career both before and since the movie's release. A regular in comedy movies in the 2000s, Jack Black starred as Dewey Finn in School of Rock and the titular wrestler in the luchador-themed comedy Nacho Libre, among others.

Initially, Jack Black rose to fame as the lead vocalist for the band Tenacious D, leading to him playing a fictionalized version of himself in 2006's Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. More recently, Jack Black portrayed Oberon in the rebooted Jumanji movies, and flexed his voice-acting skills once more as Bowser in Super Mario Bros.

Dustin Hoffman As Shifu

Other Notable Movies: Rain Man, Kramer vs. Kramer, The Graduate, Tootsie

American actor Dustin Hoffman voices the red panda Shifu, who teaches Po and The Furious Five. Outside being one of the most widely recognized Kung Fu Panda voice actors, Dustin Hoffman is best known for his Oscar-winning lead performances in Rain Man and Kramer vs. Kramer. The actor first rose to prominence in the late 1960s after starring as Ben Braddock in the 1967 classic The Graduate.

Hoffman then portrayed the memorable conman "Ratso" in the career-defining movie Midnight Cowboy (both roles earned Oscar nominations). Hoffman worked throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s, having starring roles in various iconic movies across genres, such as Tootsie, Hook, Outbreak, and Meet the Fockers. Hoffman recently portrayed Harold in the 2017 film The Meyerowitz Stories.

Angelina Jolie As Tigress

Other Notable Movies: Tomb Raider, Maleficent, Salt, Girl Interrupted, Those Who Wish Me Dead

One of the most widely known Kung Fu Panda voice actors is Angelina Jolie, who portrays Tigress, a South China tiger who leads The Furious Five. Jolie is best known for starring as the title characters in the Maleficent and Lara Croft movie franchises, though she has an incredibly vast filmography that also includes action movies such as Salt and Wanted.

She delivered an Oscar-winning performance as Lisa in Girl, Interrupted, and also appeared as Thena in the MCU film Eternals. Angelina Jolie continues to be incredibly active, starring in complex movies such as 2020's Those Who Wish Me Dead as Hannah.

Ian McShane As Tai Lung

Other Notable Projects: The John Wick Franchise, American Gods, Deadwood, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

English actor Ian McShane voices Tai Lung in the Kung Fu Panda cast, a snow leopard who is the primary villain of the film, a role he reprized in 2024's Kung Fu Panda 4. Outside of being one of the Kung Fu Panda voice actors, the actor was mostly known for his roles in TV, though his movie career is by no means unextensive, with his earliest role being Harry Brown in 1962's The Wild and the Willing.

When it comes to the big screen, he was most known for playing Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides — until he portrayed Winston Scott in the John Wick franchise, that is.

McShane starred as Al Swearengen in Deadwood and portrayed Mr. Wednesday in American Gods. He also had a brief role as Brother Ray in HBO's Game of Thrones, playing one of the few characters in the show who didn't seem to harbor murderous intentions. When it comes to the big screen, he was most known for playing Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides — until he portrayed Winston Scott in the John Wick franchise, that is.

Seth Rogen As Mantis

Other Notable Movies: Sausage Party, Knocked Up, An American Pickle

Another one of the Kung Fu Panda voice actors whose career has progressed significantly since starring in the 2008 movie, Canadian actor Seth Rogen voices Mantis, a Chinese mantis who is part of The Furious Five. Though he starred in the ensemble cast of 1999 teen drama TV show Freaks and Geeks, Seth Rogen has been active on the big screen since 2001 with a minor role in Donnie Darko, which was followed by another brief part in 2004's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy as Scotty the Cameraman.

It was when he began working closely with Judd Apatow and starred in roles like Ben Stone in Knocked Up and Dale Denton in Pineapple Express that his career really took off.

However, it was when he began working closely with Judd Apatow and starred in roles like Ben Stone in Knocked Up and Dale Denton in Pineapple Express that his career really took off. He also portrayed Ira Wright in Funny People and Kyle in 50/50, and the titular Zack in Zack and Miri Make A Porno. Most recently, Rogen has starred in more experimental projects, such as voicing a talking hot dog in 2016's Sausage Party and playing opposite himself in 2020's An American Pickle.

Seth Rogen is among the most experienced voice actors in the Kung Fu Panda cast, and has voice credits that include playing Pumbaa in 2019's The Lion King and Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. His signature "Seth Rogen laugh" has become a staple of his work in animated features, so much so that 2022's Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers had him voice several of his previous characters all doing the same laugh in a single scene.

Lucy Liu As Viper

Other Notable Movies: Kill Bill Vol. 1, Charlie's Angels, Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Though she isn't as active in the 2020s, Lucy Liu was another name that brought significant star power to the Kung Fu Panda cast by playing Viper, a green tree viper who is part of The Furious Five. Liu is best known for starring as Alex in Charlie's Angels and O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill: Vol. 1. She also portrayed Dr. Joan Watson in Elementary and Simone Grove in Why Women Kill. Her most notable recent roles include playing Kalypso in the DC movie Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

David Cross As Crane

Other Notable Projects: Mr. Show, Arrested Development, Alvin and The Chipmunks, Megamind

American comedian David Cross ed the Kung Fu Panda cast as Crane, a red-crowned crane who is part of The Furious Five. Cross' breakout role was the HBO sketch comedy show Mr. Show, which he co-starred in with Bob Odenkirk. After a string of ing roles in TV and film, he portrayed Tobias Fünke in Arrested Development and Rob in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Cross was also the main antagonist, Ian Hawke, in the first 3 Alvin and the Chipmunk movies, and also appeared as Pete "The Broker" Oakland in Goliath. David Cross would also work alongside Jack Black again in 2009's Year One, in which he had a brief role as Cain, and the following year he had a more prominent voice role as Minion in 2010's Megamind.

Randall Duk Kim As Oogway

Other Notable Projects: The Matric Trilogy, The John Wick Franchise, Avatar: The Last Airbender

Korean-American actor Randall Duk Kim voices Oogway, a Galápagos tortoise who mentors Shifu. Kim is best known for portraying The Keymaker in The Matrix Reloaded and the Continental Doctor in John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. He also portrayed Grandpa Gohan in 2009's ill-fated live-action Dragonball Evolution, though his career stretches back to 1970, when he had an uncredited role in The Hawaiians.

In recent years, Randall Duk Kim has lent his distinctive voice to several prominent projects. These include playing John in the episode "John and Sun-Hee" of The Boys animated spin-off The Boys Presents: Diabolical. Interestingly, he's also one of the few actors to star in both the animated and Avatar: The Last Airbender, playing Wan Shi Tong in the live-action Netflix show and having a small role as "Old Man in Temple" in the animated show.

James Hong As Mr. Ping

Other Notable Movies: Big Trouble In Little China, Bladerunner, Mulan, Everything Everywhere All At Once

One of the most memorable voice-actors in the Kung Fu Panda cast was James Hong as Mr. Ping, Po's adoptive father who wants nothing more than to see his son run his noodle restaurant. Hong is a prolific character actor and has appeared in several films and TV series. He portrayed Hannibal Chew in Blade Runner and David Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China. He also voiced Chi-Fu in Mulan and Salt Shaker in Sherlock Gnomes. In 2022, Hong ed Michelle Yeoh in the critically acclaimed multiversal comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Jackie Chan As Monkey

Other Notable Movies: Shanghai Noon, Rush Hour, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Perhaps the most well-known name among the Kung Fu Panda voice actors, marital arts movie legend Jackie Chan voices Monkey, a golden snub-nosed monkey who is part of The Furious Five. Chan is an icon of martial arts cinema who is best known for starring as Lee in the Rush Hour franchise. Chan enjoyed widespread success globally for his comedic action work, and is known for his elaborate stunts, which the actor does himself. He also starred as Chon Wang in Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights.

In the latter half of his career, Jackie Chan has become an increasingly prominent voice actor.

While the actor has been incredibly active since the release of Kung Fu Panda, one of the roles he was most known for in the immediate years since was as the Mr. Miyagi replacement Mr. Han in the 2010 Karate Kid remake. In the latter half of his career, Jackie Chan has become an increasingly prominent voice actor. In addition to voicing Monkey in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, he voiced Master Wu in the Lego: Ninjago movie, and in 2023 lent his voice to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem as Splinter.

Jackie Chan has appeared in almost 150 films.

The Rest Of The Kung Fu Panda Voice Cast

There Are Several More Kung Fu Panda Voice Actors Rounding Out The Ensemble

Dan Fogler as Zeng: Dan Fogler voices Zeng, a Chinese goose who assists Shifu. Fogler portrayed Stu in Good Luck Chuck and Randy Daytona in Balls of Fury. He also appeared as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Currently, Fogler has a recurring role as Marvin Goldberg on The Goldbergs, and portrayed Luke in The Walking Dead.

Michael Clarke Duncan as Commander Vachir: American actor Michael Clarke Duncan portrays Commander Vachir, a Javan rhinoceros who is the warden at Chorh-Gom Prison. Duncan portrayed Bear in Armageddon and John Coffey in The Green Mile. He also appeared as Attar in Planet of the Apes. Duncan ed away in September 2012 at age 54.

Kyle Gass as KG Shaw: A pig who spots a concerned Po before the Dragon Warrior Tournament. Kyle Gass is part of the band Tenacious D with Jack Black. He has appeared in The Cable Guy and Elf.

JR Reed as JR Shaw: KG's brother. JR Reed is also from Tenacious D. He has appeared in Community and Black-ish in guest roles.

Wayne Knight as Gang Boss: Wayne Knight portrayed Newman in Seinfeld and Nedry in Jurassic Park.

Laura Kightlinger as Awed Ninja: Laura Kightlinger portrayed Tina in Lucky Louie and Nurse Sheila in Will & Grace.

Stephen Kearin as Gong Pig: Stephen Kearin voiced Technician Ben in Monsters vs. Aliens and Mayor in Megamind.

Kent Osborne as Pig Fan: Kent Osborne has appeared in Digging for Fire and Room 104.

Mark Osborne as Pig Patron: Mark Osborne directed Kung Fu Panda with John Stevenson. He also directed the 2015 animated feature The Little Prince.

John Stevenson as Rhino Guard: John Stevenson co-directed Kung Fu Panda. He also directed the 2018 animated feature Sherlock Gnomes.