Pamela Adlon is a well-known actress, recognized for her performances in popular TV shows such as “Californication,” “Louie,” and the critically acclaimed series “Better Things.” However, what many people may not realize is that Adlon is also a prolific and highly successful voice-over artist. Her voice can be heard in various animated shows, where she has brought life to memorable characters.
Adlon’s breakthrough in the world of voice acting came at a time when her career was at a crossroads. After her child acting days, she found herself struggling and even had to sell her beloved record collection to make ends meet. It was during this challenging period that she started getting voice-over jobs, which ultimately helped her revive her career. In a 2008 interview with the New York Times, Adlon revealed, “I was at the unemployment office all the time… And then I started getting these voice-over jobs.”
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One of Adlon’s most iconic voice-over roles is that of Bobby Hill in the animated sitcom “King of the Hill.” She voiced Bobby from 1997 to 2010, and her portrayal of the perpetually preadolescent character garnered widespread acclaim. Adlon’s talent and dedication to the role were recognized when she won an Emmy Award in 2002 for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance. This victory held special significance for Adlon and the voice acting community, as it highlighted the often overlooked contributions of career voice actors. In a 2012 interview on “Fresh Air,” Adlon mentioned, “Winning an Emmy for ‘King of the Hill’ was a big victory for voice-over people… I felt like I was representing my community – my VO community – that doesn’t get recognized a lot.”
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What makes Adlon’s portrayal of Bobby Hill even more remarkable is the evolution of the character’s voice. Initially, Adlon approached the role differently but eventually settled on Bobby’s hyperactive and twangy voice, which became iconic. However, when it came to award recognition, Adlon learned that the Emmys evaluate voice-over performances based on individual episodes rather than considering the entire body of work. She explained in an interview with Terry Gross on “Fresh Air,” “They don’t look at a whole series, which is crazy.”
Adlon’s Emmy win came for the Season 6 episode titled “Bobby Goes Nuts.” In this episode, Bobby joins a women’s self-defense class to stand up against bullies. Adlon’s performance in the episode was exceptional, capturing the essence of Bobby as he defiantly declares phrases like “That’s my purse!” and “I don’t know you!” Interestingly, Adlon not only voiced Bobby but also lent her talent to other characters in the same episode. She played bullies Chane Wassonasong and Clark Peters, showcasing her versatility as a voice actor. Adlon later discovered that such multiple character portrayals often played a role in the judging process for awards. She cited Hank Azaria, who won multiple Emmys for his voice work on “The Simpsons,” as an example of this scope.
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When Adlon won the Emmy, she was elated to have the opportunity to acknowledge her fellow voice-over artists during her acceptance speech. She mentioned every single person who contributed their voices to the show, recognizing their talent and the integral role they played in bringing the characters to life. It was a proud moment for Adlon and a celebration of the voice acting community.
Pamela Adlon’s success in the world of voice acting has not only brought her personal recognition but has also shed light on the tremendous talent and dedication of voice actors. Her portrayal of Bobby Hill in “King of the Hill”.
