Jess Harnell

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Harnell's connection to Animaniacs began in 1993 when he went on to voice Wakko Warner. He was not alone in this endeavor; the production relied heavily on a core trio of actors including Tress MacNeille and Rob Paulsen, creating an ensemble dynamic that felt like a real family. Harnell's specific contribution involved bringing a unique blend of rapid-fire delivery and genuine musical talent to the character. Unlike many voice actors who rely on pitch shifting, he performed most songs live using his own baritone range. This approach set a high standard for the series' comedic numbers.

In Their Own Story

In 1989, before his fame in Animaniacs, Harnell provided voices for Br'er Rabbit in the Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland Park, later recording new dialogue for the Walt Disney World version. He continued to reprise this role in projects like the 2011 video game Kinect: Disneyland Adventures. His career trajectory saw him serve as a casting director on DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp in 1990. By 1997, he appeared in the Star Wars fan film Troops as the principal stormtrooper. In 2006, he worked as a voice director on Pet Alien, and in 2007, he replaced Neil Flynn to voice The Plumber in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. His versatility was further highlighted when he voiced both an Autobot (Ironhide) and a Decepticon (Barricade) in the same Michael Bay-directed Transformers film.

Reader's Guide

In Animaniacs, he voiced Wakko Warner starting in 1993 and reprised the role for the revival series. His video game work is equally prominent; he voiced Crash Bandicoot in multiple titles including Crash Tag Team Racing, Crash of the Titans, Crash: Mind over Mutant, and the N Sane Trilogy. He also provided voices for characters like Jerry in the first two seasons of Totally Spies! and Cedric in Sofia the First from 2013 to 2018. His film work includes Ironhide in the first three Transformers films directed by Michael Bay (Revenge of the Fallen, Dark of the Moon) and Barricade in The Last Knight. Additionally, he has been the announcer for America's Funniest Home Videos since 1998 and voiced Wooton Bassett in Adventures in Odyssey.

Did You Know?

• Harnell voiced Barricade only in the 2007 Transformers film; Barricade did appear in the 2009 sequel Revenge of the Fallen, but was voiced by Frank Welker.
• He has served as the announcer for America's Funniest Home Videos continuously since 1998.
• In 2007, he replaced Neil Flynn to voice The Plumber in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction.
• He was born on December 23, 1963, in Teaneck, New Jersey.
• Harnell provided the singing voice of the father in the current version of Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress.