Dee Bradley Baker: A Life in Voices
1. Early Life
Real Name: Dee Bradley Baker
Date of Birth: August 31, 1962
Birth Place: Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Residence: Los Angeles, California
Nationality: American
Religion: Not publicly disclosed
Horoscope: Virgo
Age: 62 (as of 2025)
Dee Bradley Baker was born in Bloomington, Indiana, but spent most of his childhood in Greeley, Colorado. From an early age, Dee exhibited an affinity for mimicry, performance, and animals. His household was a supportive and creative space, where curiosity was encouraged. He was drawn to performing impressions and vocal tricks, foreshadowing his career path as a voice actor.
While not much is publicly disclosed about his father and mother, it’s known that his family supported his early creative interests, which included acting in school productions and performing music.
2. Education & Formative Years
Dee attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where he majored in Philosophy, with a minor in German language. He also studied biology, an early passion of his, especially in relation to animals—something that would later influence his talent for creature and monster voices.
During college, he honed his stagecraft in local theater and sketch comedy. These formative years laid the foundation for his understanding of vocal control, performance, and comedic timing.
3. Career Beginnings
After college, Dee moved to Orlando, Florida, in the early 1990s to work for Nickelodeon Studios. His breakout came as the announcer and a performer on the children’s game show “Legends of the Hidden Temple”, voicing Olmec, the talking stone head.
This unique opportunity catapulted him into the world of professional voice acting. Around the same time, he began securing voiceover roles in animated shows and video games, starting with small, quirky parts that highlighted his broad vocal range and ability to create sounds from scratch.
4. Rise to Stardom
Dee’s voice acting career took off in the late 1990s and exploded in the 2000s. His greatest strength lies in non-human voices, including animals, monsters, aliens, and fantasy creatures.
Notable highlights of his career include:
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Klaus Heissler in American Dad! (talking German fish)
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Appa and Momo in Avatar: The Last Airbender
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Perry the Platypus in Phineas and Ferb
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The Clone Troopers in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Bad Batch, and related series
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Daffy Duck, Tweety, and Taz in Looney Tunes projects
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Roles in video games like Halo, Overwatch, and Portal 2
Dee became known in the industry as “the voice of animals and monsters,” and built a reputation for being able to produce nearly any vocal sound—without digital effects.
He also started a popular website, iwanttobeavoiceactor.com, to help aspiring voice actors navigate the industry.
5. Challenges & Successes
Despite his incredible vocal range and reputation, Dee Bradley Baker’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges:
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Typecasting: Early in his career, his proficiency at creature sounds led to being typecast in non-speaking or animal roles. However, he turned this into a signature strength.
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Underrated Profession: Voice actors often don’t get the same public recognition as on-screen actors. For many years, Dee remained a “voice behind the scenes.”
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Workload: As a top-tier voice actor, Dee juggles dozens of roles at once, which requires immense vocal stamina and adaptability.
Despite these hurdles, Dee’s consistency, humility, and passion for the art have earned him acclaim from fans and peers alike. He’s considered one of the best in the voice acting business, often mentioned alongside legends like Frank Welker and Jim Cummings.
6. Present Day & Legacy
As of 2025, Dee continues to work prolifically across animated television, films, and video games. He is revered not only for his talent but for his generosity toward newcomers and fans of the craft.
Partner: Married to Michelle Baker since 1990
Children: Two daughters
Residence: Los Angeles, California
Legacy: He’s seen as a vocal chameleon, and a mentor in the voice acting world
Personal Details (as available)
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Height: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
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Weight: Approx. 160 lbs (73 kg)
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Body Type: Average
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Eye Color: Blue
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Hair Color: Light brown (graying with age)
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Body Measurements / Bra Size / Hip Size: Not applicable or not publicly disclosed (as these metrics typically apply to models or public figures in fashion, not male voice actors)
Final Thoughts
Dee Bradley Baker is a master of a unique and often underappreciated art form. His journey from a curious child mimicking animals in Colorado to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in entertainment is a story of persistence, passion, and performance. With a legacy built on versatility, kindness, and dedication, Dee remains a voice that defines generations of animation fans.