Where do you recognise the voices from if Kung Fu Panda has such a strong performing cast? The 2008 DreamWorks film about a huge panda who is destined for martial arts fame has been seen again and again by many streamers who have their accounts locked down. Three full-length sequels to Kung Fu Panda have been produced since the original movie’s debut.
Po, the main character in Kung Fu Panda who is a fat cartoon Panda, fantasises about being one of the kung fu experts known as “The Furious Five.” He resides with Mr. Ping, his adoptive father, who believes the panda will eventually take over his noodle shop. Po is able to propel himself into an arena during a competition to find the rumoured “Dragon Warrior” who will bring peace to the valley, where Grand Master Oogway recognises him as a kung fu saviour. Po has a lot to learn, The Furious Five and their instructor Shifu understand after that. Kung Fu Panda, which cost $130 million to produce, made over $630 million at the box office and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
There are a tonne of A-list celebs in the Kung Fu Panda cast, many of them have distinctive and memorable voices. An American actor plays the primary character Po, who immediately sets the humorous tone and keeps a goofy energy throughout the entire film. The Kung Fu Panda core cast has actors and actresses who provide generally balanced performances as elder figures who instruct their proteges, in contrast to the central protagonist. There is a lot to admire in the DreamWorks movie, with so many distinctive characters and well-known actors. Here is a list of every character in Kung Fu Panda.
Angelina Jolie As Tigress
Tigress, the head of The Furious Five and a South China tiger, is portrayed by American actress Angelina Jolie.
Jolie is most recognised for playing the lead roles in the Lara Croft and Maleficent movie series. She won an Oscar for her work as Lisa in Girl, Interrupted, and she will shortly play Thena in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals.
Dan Fogler As Zeng
Chinese goose Zeng, voiced by American actor Dan Fogler, helps Shifu.
In Balls of Fury and Good Luck Chuck, Fogler played Randy Daytona and Stu, respectively. Jacob Kowalski was another character he played in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Currently, Fogler plays Luke in The Walking Dead and Marvin Goldberg on The Goldbergs in recurring roles.
David Cross As Crane
Crane, one of The Furious Five and a red-crowned crane, is portrayed by American comedian David Cross.
The HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show, in which Cross costarred with Bob Odenkirk, was his breakthrough performance. After playing a number of supporting roles in movies and television, he played Rob in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Tobias Fünke in Arrested Development. In the first three Alvin and the Chipmunk flicks, Cross served as Ian Hawke’s primary enemy. He most recently made an appearance in Goliath as Pete “The Broker” Oakland.
Dustin Hoffman As Shifu
Shifu is a red panda that teaches Po and The Furious Five, and it is voiced by American actor Dustin Hoffman.
Hoffman is most recognised in popular culture for his starring roles in the Oscar-winning films Rain Man and Kramer vs. Kramer. The actor initially gained notoriety in the late 1960s: After playing Ben Braddock in the iconic 1967 film The Graduate, he went on to play the legendary con artist “Ratso” in the pivotal film Midnight Cowboy (both roles earned Oscar nominations). Hoffman had major parts in numerous notable films across genres during his career in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, including Tootsie, Hook, Outbreak, and Meet the Fockers. Hoffman most recently played Harold in The Meyerowitz Stories, which came out in 2017.
Ian McShane As Tai Lung
The film’s main antagonist, Tai Lung, a snow leopard, is voiced by English actor Ian McShane.
McShane played Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Al Swearengen on Deadwood. He currently makes an appearance in American Gods as Mr. Wednesday.
Jack Black As Po
The lead character Po, a big Panda with aspirations of becoming a master of kung fu, is portrayed by American actor Jack Black.
In the films Bernie and School of Rock, Black played both Dewey Finn and Bernie Tiede. He recently played Oberon in Jumanji: The Next Level and is the lead vocalist for the band Tenacious D.
Jackie Chan As Monkey
A member of The Furious Five with a golden snub nose, Monkey is voiced by Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan.
Chan, a legendary figure in martial arts film, is most known for playing Lee in the Rush Hour series. Chan is well-known for his extravagant stunts, which he performs himself, and for his humorous action roles that have found tremendous acclaim around the world. In Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights, he played the role of Chon Wang.
James Hong As Mr. Ping
Mr. Ping, Po’s father, is portrayed by American actor James Hong. Mr. Ping wants Po to manage his noodle bar.
Character actor Hong is well-known and has appeared in a number of movies and TV shows. In Blade Runner and Big Trouble in Little China, he played David Lo Pan and Hannibal Chew, respectively. He provided the voices for Salt Shaker in Sherlock Gnomes and Chi-Fu in Mulan.
Lucy Liu As Viper
Viper, a green tree viper who is a member of The Furious Five, is portrayed by American actress Lucy Liu.
Liu is most recognised for playing O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Alex in Charlie’s Angels. She also played Simone Grove in Why Women Kill and Dr. Joan Watson on Elementary.
Michael Clarke Duncan As Commander Vachir
Commander Vachir, a Javan rhinoceros who serves as the guardian of Chorh-Gom Prison, is portrayed by American actor Michael Clarke Duncan.
In Armageddon, Duncan played Bear, and in The Green Mile, he played John Coffey. In Planet of the Apes, he played the role of Attar. At the age of 54, Duncan passed away in September 2012.
Randall Duk Kim As Oogway
Shifu’s mentor, a Galápagos tortoise named Oogway, is voiced by Korean-American actor Randall Duk Kim.
The Matrix Reloaded’s The Keymaker and John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’s Continental Doctor are two of Kim’s most well-known roles.
Seth Rogen As Mantis
The Furious Five’s Chinese mantis Mantis is voiced by Canadian actor Seth Rogen.
Rogen played Dale Denton in Pineapple Express and Ben Stone in Knocked Up. He also played Kyle in 50/50 and Ira Wright in Funny People. Rogen most recently appeared in An American Pickle opposite himself.
The Rest Of The Kung Fu Panda Voice Cast
Kyle Gass as KG Shaw: Before the Dragon Warrior Tournament, Po is seen being disturbed by Kyle Gass’ character, KG Shaw, a pig. Jack Black and Kyle Gass make up the band Tenacious D. Elf and The Cable Guy both featured him.
JR Reed as JR Shaw: JR Shaw. Tenacious D also includes JR Reed. He has made cameo appearances on Community and Black-ish.
Wayne Knight as Gang Boss: Wayne Knight played Nedry in Jurassic Park and Newman on Seinfeld.
Laura Kightlinger as Awed Ninja: played Nurse Sheila in Will & Grace and Tina in Lucky Louie before landing the role of Awed Ninja.
Stephen Kearin as Gong Pig: who also provided the voices of Mayor in Megamind and Technician Ben in Monsters vs. Aliens.
Kent Osborne as Pig Fan: In Room 104 and Digging for Fire, Kent Osborne played the role of Pig Fan.
Mark Osborne as Pig Patron: Mark Osborne directed Kung Fu Panda. The Little Prince, an animated film from 2015, was also directed by him.
John Stevenson as Rhino Guard: Rhino Guard is played by John Stevenson, who also co-directed Kung Fu Panda. In 2018, he was the director of the animated film Sherlock Gnomes.
