Richard Darbois is a very famous voice actor. This means he uses his voice to bring movie and show characters to life, mostly in French. He is known for his deep, strong, and very recognizable voice. Many people in French-speaking countries grew up listening to his voice in some of their favorite films and cartoons. He has given his voice to a huge number of different characters over many years.
He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1951. His family was involved in the arts, so it was perhaps no surprise that he would become an actor. He is especially famous for changing his voice in different ways to match the characters he plays. Sometimes his voice is funny, sometimes it is serious, sometimes it is big and powerful. This ability to change his voice is one reason he is so loved.
Richard Darbois started working as an actor a long time ago. In the 1970s, he began to focus on using his voice for movies and TV shows. This type of acting is called dubbing, when an actor replaces the original voice in a film or show with a voice in a different language. Richard Darbois became one of the best at this in France and other French-speaking places.
Bio
Name | Richard Joseph |
Date of Birth | December 7, 1951 |
Place of Birth | Verdun, Quebec, Canada |
Gender | Male |
Age | 73 years old (as of April 2025) |
Education | Not publicly disclosed |
Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
Nationality | French and Canadian |
Ethnicity | Caucasian |
Marital Status | Married |
Children | One son |
Father | Olivier Guimond (Comedian) |
Mother | Jeanne-d’Arc Charlebois (Singer) |
Legacy | Renowned French voice actor known for dubbing Harrison Ford, Danny Glover, Richard Gere, Jeff Goldblum, and others. Voiced iconic characters like Buzz Lightyear, the Genie in Aladdin, and Batman in animated series. Official voice of NRJ radio since 1993. |
Famous For | French voice dubbing for Hollywood actors and animated characters |
Profession | Voice actor, voice-over artist |
Giving Voice to Big Hollywood Stars
One of the things Richard Darbois is most known for is being the regular French voice for many big actors from Hollywood. When movies starring these actors came to France, Richard Darbois would often be the one speaking their lines in French. This made their characters feel familiar and real to French audiences.
For example, he has been the French voice for the famous actor Harrison Ford in many of his popular movies. Think about movies like Indiana Jones or Star Wars.
When you watch these movies in French, you hear Richard Darbois speaking for Harrison Ford’s characters, like the adventurous Indiana Jones or the cool space pilot Han Solo. His voice fits these characters very well, giving them a sense of strength and adventure.
Another big star he has voiced is Richard Gere. Movies like Pretty Woman, where Richard Gere plays a charming businessman, have Richard Darbois’s voice in the French version. He also voiced Danny Glover in some films, like the Lethal Weapon series.
These are action movies where Glover plays a police officer. Richard Darbois’s voice helped make these characters believable and exciting for French viewers.
He has also voiced actors like Jeff Goldblum in movies such as Jurassic Park. Goldblum’s character is a smart but sometimes nervous scientist, and Darbois captures that perfectly in French. Even action heroes like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone have been voiced by Richard Darbois in some of their films.
His powerful voice was a great match for their strong characters. He also voiced Patrick Swayze in the very popular movie Dirty Dancing. All these examples show how important Richard Darbois’s voice has been in bringing famous movie characters to French audiences.
Becoming Famous Cartoon Characters
While voicing live-action actors is a big part of his career, Richard Darbois is perhaps even more famous for giving life to some of the most loved cartoon characters in the world. His work in animation has made him a household name for many families.
One of his most iconic roles is the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story movies. Buzz Lightyear is the brave space ranger toy. Richard Darbois’s voice for Buzz is strong, heroic, and sometimes a little bit funny when Buzz is being overly serious.
Children and adults in French-speaking countries instantly recognize his voice as the one and only Buzz Lightyear. He voiced Buzz in all the main Toy Story films and related shows, making the character incredibly popular in French.
Another huge role is the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin. The Genie is a big, blue, magical character who is very funny and full of energy. Richard Darbois’s voice for the Genie is amazing because he makes it sound so lively and full of personality.
He sings the Genie’s famous songs in the French version too, showing he can also sing well! His voice work as the Genie is considered one of his best and most memorable performances.
He also voiced the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The Beast is a complex character, sometimes scary and sometimes kind. Richard Darbois’s voice captured both sides of the Beast, showing his anger and sadness, but also his gentle and loving heart as he changes.
Beyond Disney, he has voiced many other cartoon characters. He was the voice of Shan Yu, the scary villain in Disney’s Mulan. His deep voice made the character sound truly threatening. In The Nightmare Before Christmas, he voiced Oogie Boogie, the villain made of bugs. This role shows his ability to create unique and slightly spooky voices.
In the world of superheroes, Richard Darbois is known for voicing Batman in several animated series and movies from the 1990s. His voice for Batman was serious and strong, fitting for the dark knight character. He also voiced Wolverine in some animated shows, giving the tough mutant hero a fitting French voice.
He has voiced characters in many other animated films and shows, like Bruce the shark in Finding Nemo, Mr. Waternoose in Monsters, Inc., and Baloo in The Jungle Book 2. He was also the voice of Captain Harlock in the classic anime series Space Pirate Captain Harlock, a role that is very important to fans of that show.
Working in Television Shows
Richard Darbois’s voice work is not limited to movies. He has also lent his voice to many characters in popular television shows over the years. This includes both animated series and dubbing actors in live-action shows.
He continued to voice characters like Batman and the Genie in their animated television spin-offs. For example, he was the voice of the Genie in the Aladdin animated series. He also voiced Buzz Lightyear in the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command TV show, further cementing his connection with the character for TV audiences.
He has also dubbed actors in live-action television series. While not as extensively documented as his film roles, his voice has appeared in various shows, bringing characters played by American actors to French-speaking viewers. His work in television is a big part of why his voice is so familiar to many people.
He has also voiced characters in French animated series. For instance, he voiced characters in the show Wakfu. This shows he is not only dubbing foreign content but also contributing to French animation.
More Than Just a Voice
Richard Darbois’s impact goes beyond just speaking lines. He is known for putting a lot of energy and feeling into his voice acting. He doesn’t just read a script; he performs with his voice, using different tones, speeds, and emotions to make each character unique and memorable.
His voice is often described as powerful, warm, and versatile. He can sound like a hero, a villain, a funny friend, or a serious leader. This wide range is why he has been chosen to voice so many different types of characters over his career.
For many French-speaking people, the characters he voices are strongly linked to his voice. When they think of Buzz Lightyear or the Genie, they hear Richard Darbois. This shows how successful he has been in making these characters his own in the French language.
He is also known for being the voice of the French radio station NRJ for many years. Hearing his voice on the radio made him even more recognizable to the general public, even outside of movies and shows.
Richard Darbois continues to work, bringing his talent to new projects. His long career is a testament to his skill and the love people have for his voice.
The Impact of His Work
The work of voice actors like Richard Darbois is very important. They are the bridge that connects audiences who speak different languages to movies and shows from all over the world. Without talented voice actors, many people would not be able to enjoy foreign films and cartoons in their own language.
Richard Darbois’s voice has helped make many international movies and shows very popular in French-speaking countries. He has helped create the identity of many beloved characters for millions of viewers. His performances are often praised for being as good as, or sometimes even better than, the original voices.
His dedication to his craft and his ability to consistently deliver great performances have made him a legend in the world of French voice acting. He has inspired many other voice actors.
A Voice That Will Be Remembered
Richard Darbois has had a long and successful career using his incredible voice to entertain people of all ages. From voicing iconic Hollywood actors to bringing beloved cartoon characters to life, his work is a significant part of the movie and television experience for French-speaking audiences.
His famous roles as Buzz Lightyear, the Genie, the Beast, and many others have left a lasting mark. His voice is not just heard; it is felt. It brings characters to life, adds excitement to stories, and creates a connection with the audience.