X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Jess Harnell Biography

Birth Name:Jess Q. Harnell

Birth Place:Teaneck, New Jersey, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Music department, Producer, Casting director

Fast Facts

  • Made his screen acting debut in the TV series "Throb" in 1987 and got his first voice acting role in the video game "Splash Mountain" in 1989
  • Quote: "There's so many great Wakko-isms․ I just love that he's just so clearly uninhibited, he'll say whatever is on his mind․ My favorite Wakko-ism is that he's happy 24/7, and that's kind of what I aspire to be too․ I try to learn from Wakko․"
  • Has provided voices for numerous TV series, including "Taz-Mania," "Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamp's Adventure," and "The Powderpuff Girls․"
  • Is the only actor to voice two characters in "Transformers," voicing both an Autobot and a Decepticon in the 2007 film
  • Best known as a voice actor who played Wakko Warner in "Animaniacs," Don in "Wreck-It Ralph," and Nurse AJ in "Up․"
  • Is the lead singer of Rock Sugar, a pop/metal mashup band
  • Originally modeled the voice of Wakko after Elvis Presley, but later decided on a higer-pitched version of Ringo Starr
  • Voices the characters Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox in the Splash Mountain attraction at both Disneyland and Disney World

Awards

  • 2006Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
  • 2012BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2012BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series: nominated
  • 2013BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short: nominated
  • 2013BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2013BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2013BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical: nominated
  • 2013BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role - Comedy/Musical: nominated
  • 2014BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical: nominated
  • 2014BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series - Children's/Educational: nominated
  • 2014BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series: nominated
  • 2015BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series: winner
  • 2016BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series: winner
  • 2017BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series: nominated
  • 2018BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short: nominated