Meg Ryan, Sting, Jeff Goldblum and More Surprise Celebs Who Voiced “Captain Planet”’s Bad Guys

Take a look back at the '90s cartoon's villains — and the big stars who played them

<p>Alamy</p> Captain Planet and the Planeteers in 1990

Alamy

Captain Planet and the Planeteers in 1990

In 1990, a brand new superhero emerged to save the earth, not by punching out costumed criminals, but by raising awareness of environmental issues.

Captain Planet was the brainchild of media mogul Ted Turner, who specifically wanted to create a cartoon that would teach kids about the dangers of pollution and overconsumption while empowering them to take action themselves. The show was a hit, and if you grew up in the ’90s, you can probably remember its theme song without even trying too hard!

But what you may not remember is that the show featured an impressive roster of celebrities lending their vocal talents to bring Captain Planet’s rogue gallery of polluters and profiteers to life — along with a few of his allies.

Here, take a look back at all the A-listers who voiced Captain Planet characters.

Tom Cruise as Captain Planet

<p>JC Olivera/Getty; Alamy</p> Tom Cruise and Captain Planet

JC Olivera/Getty; Alamy

Tom Cruise and Captain Planet

It may come as a surprise to many fans, but Tom Cruise was initially cast as the voice of Captain Planet’s titular hero. As Marsha Goodman, the show’s original voice director, told Slate’s Decoder Ring podcast recently, the Mission Impossible star himself reached out to her office wanting to voice the role. Ultimately, however, Cruise had to bow out after recording several episodes, and his vocals were rerecorded by David Coburn.

Whoopi Goldberg as Gaia

<p>Roy Rochlin/Getty; Alamy</p> Whoopi Goldberg voiced Gaia on Captain Planet

Roy Rochlin/Getty; Alamy

Whoopi Goldberg voiced Gaia on Captain Planet

While many of the show's biggest names guest starred as villains, Whoopi Goldberg voiced Gaia, the benevolent spirit of the Earth in Captain Planet's first three seasons. Superman star Margot Kidder took over the role for seasons 4 to 6.

LeVar Burton as Kwame

<p>Kevin Winter/Getty; Alamy</p> LeVar Burton voiced Kwame on Captain Planet

Kevin Winter/Getty; Alamy

LeVar Burton voiced Kwame on Captain Planet

Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: The Next Generation star LeVar Burton voiced another good guy on Captain Planet: African Planeteer Kwame.

Sting as Zarm

<p>Slaven Vlasic/Getty; TBS</p> Sting voiced Zarm on Captain Planet

Slaven Vlasic/Getty; TBS

Sting voiced Zarm on Captain Planet

Gaia's evil counterpart Zarm was voiced by Sting in episodes that aired between 1991 and 1992. The Omen star David Warner briefly took over the role, before being replaced by Malcolm McDowell from 1993 to 1995.

Meg Ryan as Dr. Barbara Blight

<p>Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; TBS</p> Meg Ryan voiced Dr. Barbara Blight on Captain Planet

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; TBS

Meg Ryan voiced Dr. Barbara Blight on Captain Planet

Meg Ryan provided the voice for mad scientist Dr. Barbara Blight from 1990 to 1991. She was replaced by voice actress Mary Kay Bergman beginning in 1992.

Tim Curry as MAL

<p>Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic; TBS</p> Tim Curry voiced MAL on Captain Planet

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic; TBS

Tim Curry voiced MAL on Captain Planet

Dr. Blight's A.I. sidekick MAL was initially voiced by Time Bandits star David Rappaport. Following Rappaport's death in 1990, Tim Curry took over the role for the remainder of the series.

Jeff Goldblum as Verminous Skumm

<p>Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; TBS</p> Jeff Goldblum voiced Verminous Skumm on Captain Planet

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; TBS

Jeff Goldblum voiced Verminous Skumm on Captain Planet

Jeff Goldblum brought villainous rat-human mutant Verminous Skumm to life in Captain Planet's first season. But in the years since, he's continued to speak out on environmental issues.

Ed Asner as Hoggish Greedly

<p>Paul Archuleta/Getty; TBS</p> Ed Asner voiced Hoggish Greedly on Captain Planet

Paul Archuleta/Getty; TBS

Ed Asner voiced Hoggish Greedly on Captain Planet

Ed Asner gobbled up his scenes as Hoggish Greedly in episodes throughout Captain Planet's six-season run.

Martin Sheen as Sly Sludge

<p>Phillip Faraone/Getty; TBS</p> Martin Sheen voiced Sly Sludge on Captain Planet

Phillip Faraone/Getty; TBS

Martin Sheen voiced Sly Sludge on Captain Planet

Martin Sheen may have garnered six Emmy nominations and the admiration of a generation of American idealists for his performance on The West Wing, but in Captain Planet's first three seasons, he was the voice of President Jed Bartlet's polar opposite: the evil Sly Sludge.

Dean Stockwell as Duke Nukem

<p>Timothy Hiatt/FilmMagic; TBS</p> Dean Stockwell voiced Duke Nukem on Captain Planet

Timothy Hiatt/FilmMagic; TBS

Dean Stockwell voiced Duke Nukem on Captain Planet

Radioactive baddy Duke Nukem was voiced by Quantum Leap and Battlestar Galactica's Dean Stockwell in Captain Planet seasons 1 through 3.

James Coburn as Looten Plunder

<p>Vinnie Zuffante/Getty; TBS</p> James Coburn voiced Looten Plunder

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty; TBS

James Coburn voiced Looten Plunder

In seasons 1–3, Academy Award winner James Coburn gave voice to Captain Planet's ruthless poacher and crooked business mogul Looten Plunder.

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