Tara Strong
Tara Lyn Strong (born Charendoff) is a Canadian actress, voice actress, voice-over artist and singer, who is best known for her voice work in cartoons. She has been given the nickname "The woman of a thousand voices".
Early life and career
Tara Lyn Charendoff was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, to Jewish Canadian parents Syd (1935–present) and Lucy Charendoff (1936–2004), who ran a convenience/toy/candy store called The Wiz. Strong's acting career began when she volunteered to be a soloist in the school production at age four. Soon, she began acting in the Yiddish Theater; though she did not know Yiddish, she memorized her lines phonetically. During this time, she also performed at the Toronto Jewish Theater, where she acted in A Night of Stars, and was featured in an audiotape for "Lay Down Your Arms" with the Habonim Youth Choir, where she sang the lyrics in both English and Hebrew,[1] a feat she repeated on February 10, 2005, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel during the March of the Living dinner in honor of Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.[1]
At age thirteen, Strong was accepted into a performing arts school, where she landed her first professional role: the role of Gracie in the Limelight Theater's production of The Music Man. That same year, she booked a guest starring role in Mr. T's T. and T. Afterwards, she landed the title role in Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater and starred in the short-lived CBC Television sitcom Mosquito Lake before moving to Los Angeles in the midst of the 1994 Northridge earthquake.[1]
Strong is the voice behind a multitude of North American animated characters, including main roles in The New Batman Adventures as Batgirl; Fillmore! as Ingrid Third; Rugrats and All Grown Up! as Dil Pickles; The Powerpuff Girls as Bubbles; Ben 10 as Ben Tennyson, Upgrade, Benwolf, and Buzzshock; The Fairly OddParents as Timmy Turner and Poof; Xiaolin Showdown as Omi; Teen Titans as Raven; Drawn Together as Princess Clara and Toot Braunstein; The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World as Hip/Lemmy and Hop/Iggy Koopa; Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends as Terrence; Transformers Animated as Sari Sumdac, Slipstream, Slo-Mo, Strika, Red Alert, Mayor Edsel's press secretary, and additional voices; Sym-Bionic Titan as Ilana Lunas; Chowder as Truffles; the singing voice of Meg Griffin and additional voices on Family Guy; My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic as Twilight Sparkle; and currently voices Betty Boop in commercials with Tress MacNeille.
She has also lent her voice to English-language localizations of Japanese anime such as Spirited Away, Sailor Moon, Shaman King, and Princess Mononoke, as well as several video games, including her work as Elisa and Ursula in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops; Paz Ortega Andrade in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker; Seth Balmore in Lost Odyssey; Rikku in Final Fantasy X, its sequel Final Fantasy X-2, and Kingdom Hearts II; Norma Beatty in Tales of Legendia; and Talwyn Apogee in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and its sequel, Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty (both of which reunite her with her Final Fantasy X/Drawn Together co-star James Arnold Taylor). Numerous sources have stated that she also voiced Bowser Jr. in Super Mario Sunshine and went uncredited for the role.
She has appeared in live roles in National Lampoon's Senior Trip, Sabrina Goes to Rome, Sabrina, Down Under, Mosquito Lake, and The Last White Dishwasher. She also made guest appearances on such shows as Forever Knight, Street Legal, Touched by an Angel, Take Home Chef, Party of Five, Comic Book: The Movie, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, and 3rd Rock from the Sun.[1] She has the role of the character Miss Collins in Nickelodeon's live action series Big Time Rush. Strong has been nominated four times for an Annie Award, and once for a Daytime Emmy and she will voice Roxy of Winx Club,which will be broadcast on Nickelodeon.[1]
In 2004, she won an Interactive Achievement Award for her role as Rikku in Final Fantasy X-2. She also served as the announcer for the 2000 Kids' Choice Awards, appeared as a guest at several fan conventions (including BotCon, Jacon, Comic-Con International, and Anime Overdose), and was featured on the front cover of the July/August 2004 issue of Working Mother magazine, saying, "My son is now old enough to respond to my work. To me, that's what it's all about."[1][2]
Personal life
Strong was raised Jewish in a kosher household. She is a vegetarian.[3] Prior to her marriage, she was originally credited under her maiden name, Tara Charendoff. She has one sister, Marla Charendoff (born October 18, 1971). Strong's parents ran a candy/toy store business in the Toronto area. Tara attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, class of 1991. After leaving high school she studied at The Second City in Toronto for two years before moving to Los Angeles in January 1994. Strong and actress Neve Campbell lived together when they both moved to Los Angeles at the same time. They both auditioned for the same role, Julia, in the '90s TV series Party of Five which would prove to be Campbell's big break. Strong appeared in a few episodes as Lorna.
Among her favorite voicework roles are: Melody in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (the original The Little Mermaid is her favorite Disney film), Toot Braunstein in Drawn Together,[4] and Raven in Teen Titans.[5]
Tara met American actor Craig Strong in early 1999 at a party hosted by Sharon Stone's sister. Tara and Craig married on May 14, 2000. They have two sons. The family resides in Toluca Lake, California with their two dogs, Abbey and Baci.[1] She and Craig are the founders of VoiceStarz, Inc., an Internet-based company which teaches people how to get into the voiceover business. Craig is the CEO.
Filmography
Films
| Films |
| Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
| 1995 |
National Lampoon's Senior Trip |
Carla Morgan |
|
| 1997 |
Princess Mononoke |
Kaya |
|
| 1998 |
The Rugrats Movie |
Dil Pickles |
|
| Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island |
Lena |
|
| 1999 |
Can of Worms |
Lula |
|
| The Iron Giant |
Additional Voices (uncredited) |
|
| 2000 |
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker |
Batgirl |
|
| The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea |
Melody |
|
| Rugrats in Paris: The Movie |
Dil Pickles |
|
| 2001 |
Spirited Away |
Boh |
|
| 2002 |
The Hunchback of Notre Dame II |
Additional Voices |
|
| Ice Age |
Baby Moeritherium |
|
| The Powerpuff Girls Movie |
Bubbles, Female Child 1, Female Citizen 1 |
|
| Tarzan & Jane |
Hazel |
|
| Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring |
Nibbles |
|
| The Wild Thornberrys Movie |
Schoolgirl |
|
| 2003 |
The Animatrix: Final Flight of the Osiris |
|
|
| 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure |
Two-Tone, additional voices |
|
| Rugrats Go Wild |
Dil Pickles |
|
| Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman |
Barbara Gordon |
|
| 2004 |
The Toy Warrior |
|
|
| 2005 |
The Batman vs. Dracula |
Vicki Vale |
|
| Dinotopia: Quest for the Ruby Sunstone |
Mara |
|
| The Proud Family Movie |
Bebe, Cece, Cashew |
|
| 2006 |
Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas |
Priscilla Pig |
|
| Bratz Genie Magic |
Katia |
|
| Leroy & Stitch |
Angel[6] |
|
| Superman: Brainiac Attacks |
Mercy Graves |
|
| Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo |
Raven |
|
| 2007 |
Ben 10: Secret of the Omnitrix |
Ben Tennyson |
|
| Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams |
Sharma |
|
| Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme |
April Strange |
|
| TMNT |
Additional Voices |
|
| Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale |
Le Petite Ballerina |
|
| 2008 |
Bolt |
Additional Voices |
|
| The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning |
Adella and Andrina (various voices) |
|
| Secrets of the Furious Five |
Young Tigress |
|
| The Last White Dishwasher |
Tamara Swanson |
|
| Bratz Girlz Really Rock |
Cloe's Singing Voice |
|
| 2009 |
Wonder Woman |
Alexa |
|
| 2010 |
Bratz Genie Magic 2: Desert Jewelz |
Katia |
|
| The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie! |
Princess Clara, Toot Braunstein, Betty Rubble, The "Real" Princess, Blonde Woman, Jew Producer's Wife |
|
| Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare |
Trudy |
|
| 2011 |
A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner! |
Poof |
|
|
Thor: Tales of Asgard |
Sif |
|
| 2012 |
Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens |
Ben Tennyson |
|
Television (live action)
Television (animation)
| Television (Animation) |
| Year |
Film |
Role |
Notes |
| 1986 |
The Care Bears |
|
|
| 1987 |
Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater |
Hello Kitty |
|
| Garbage Pail Kids |
Patty Putty |
|
| Maxie's World |
|
|
| My Pet Monster |
Anne |
|
| The Wild Puffalumps |
Holly |
|
| 1989 |
Babar |
Young Celeste |
|
| Beetlejuice |
Clare, Bertha |
|
| 1990 |
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 |
Lemmy "Hip" Koopa and Iggy "Hop" Koopa |
|
| Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures |
|
|
| Madeline |
Chloe |
|
| Piggsburg Pigs! |
|
|
| Tiny Toon Adventures |
Dizzy Devil |
|
| 1991 |
Here's How! |
|
|
| ProStars |
|
|
| Rupert |
Frances |
|
| Super Mario World |
Lemmy "Hip" Koopa and Iggy "Hop" Koopa |
|
| Wish Kid |
|
|
| 1992 |
X-Men |
Magik |
|
| 1993 |
The Incredible Dennis the Menace |
|
|
| Tales from the Cryptkeeper |
|
|
| 1994 |
Tekkaman Blade II |
Yumi Francois/Tekkaman Hiver |
|
| 1995 |
Gadget Boy & Heather |
Heather |
|
| Little Bear |
Tutu |
|
| 1996 |
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective |
Additional voices |
|
| Adventures from the Book of Virtues |
Girl |
|
| The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest |
Kazrina |
|
| 1997 |
101 Dalmatians: The Series |
Spot, Two-Tone |
|
| Channel Umptee-3 |
|
|
| Extreme Ghostbusters |
Kylie Griffin |
|
| Healthspells |
|
|
| The New Batman Adventures |
Batgirl/Barbara Gordon |
|
| Pepper Ann |
Brenda |
|
| King of the Hill |
|
|
| Jay Jay & Jayime:3D Movie |
Jay Jay |
|
| 1998 |
Rugrats |
Dil Pickles, Timmy McNulty |
|
| Gadget Boy's Adventures In History |
Heather |
|
| The Powerpuff Girls |
Bubbles |
|
| Histeria! |
Big Fat Baby Girl
Additional voices |
|
| Sabrina the Teenage Witch |
Molly Dolly |
|
| 1999 |
Detention |
Shareena Wickett |
|
| The Kids from Room 402 |
Penny |
|
| Recess |
Becky Benson |
|
| Sonic Underground |
Additional Voices |
|
| 2000 |
Clerks: The Animated Series |
Giggling Girl |
|
| Sailor Moon S |
Additional voices |
|
| 2001 |
The Proud Family |
Bebe and Cece Proud, Puff |
|
| The Fairly OddParents |
Timmy Turner, Poof, Britney Britney, Additional voices |
|
| Lloyd in Space |
Cindy's Nice Head |
|
| 2002 |
Scruff |
Scruff, Princess |
|
| Codename: Kids Next Door |
Mushi Sanban, Numbuh 10, Sally Sanban, Katie and The Interesting Twins From Beneath The Mountain |
|
| Fillmore! |
Ingrid Third |
|
| Gotham Girls |
Batgirl/Barbara Gordon, Elizabeth Styles |
|
| ¡Mucha Lucha! |
Penny Plutonium
Additional voices |
|
| The Paz Show |
Additional voices |
|
| Kim Possible |
Tara, Joss Possible, Britina |
|
| Totally Spies! |
Various characters |
|
| What's New, Scooby-Doo? |
Terry/Alexandra Viggi/Trudy |
|
| 2003 |
The Animatrix |
Crew Woman ("Final Flight of the Osiris") / Nurse ("World Record") / Misha ("Beyond") |
|
| Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks |
Dannan 'O Mallard / Molly Winks |
|
| Justice League |
Sera, Queen |
|
| Lilo & Stitch: The Series |
Angel, Adult Lilo |
|
| Shaman King |
Young Yoh |
|
| Teen Titans |
Raven, Kitten, Kole, Jinx ("Titans Together"), Gizmo ("Titans Together") |
|
| Xiaolin Showdown |
Omi |
|
| All Grown Up! |
Dil Pickles |
|
| 2004 |
Mack & Vanessa |
Melody |
|
| Danny Phantom |
Ember McLain, Star, and Penelope Spectra |
|
| Drawn Together |
Princess Clara, Toot Braunstein, Wilma Flintstone, Unusually Flexible Girl, Paper Baby |
|
| Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |
Terrence, Various Characters |
|
| The Infinite Darcy |
|
|
| Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi |
Little Girl |
|
| Megas XLR |
Pulsar, Comet |
|
| 2005 |
American Dragon: Jake Long |
Kara & Sara, Veronica, Stacey |
|
| Avatar: The Last Airbender |
Mai's mother |
|
| Ben 10 |
Ben Tennyson, Upgrade, Adult Gwendolyn Tennyson ("Ben 10,000" and "Ken 10"), Benwolf ("Benwolf"), Ken Tennyson, Buzzshock, ("Ken 10"), Cousin Lucy ("Big Fat Alien Wedding"), Sandra Tennyson ("Goodbye and Good Riddance"), Additional voices |
|
| Brandy & Mr. Whiskers |
Gabriella/Mom Howler |
|
| The Buzz on Maggie |
Dawn Swatworthy |
|
| Camp Lazlo |
Amber, Tootie, & Honey |
|
| Celebrity Deathmatch |
Paris Hilton |
|
| Family Guy |
Meg Griffin's singing voice |
|
| The Life and Times of Juniper Lee |
Roger, Lila the Sasquatch |
|
| 2006 |
Justice League Unlimited |
Johnny |
|
| Family Guy |
additional voices |
|
| Legion of Super-Heroes |
Alexis Luthor/Esper/Emerald Empress |
|
| The Replacements |
Sierra, additional voices |
|
| 2007 |
My Friends Tigger & Pooh |
Porcupine |
|
| The Boondocks |
Cindy McPhearson |
|
| Chowder |
Truffles |
|
| Phineas and Ferb |
Additional Voices, including a bird. |
Episode: "Interview With a Platypus" |
| Sushi Pack |
Maguro |
|
| Transformers Animated |
Sari Sumdac, Slipstream, Slo-Mo, Strika, Red Alert, Mayor Edsel's press secretary, Carly, Teletran-1 |
|
| 2008 |
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! |
Daizy |
|
| Ben 10: Alien Force |
Princess Attea |
|
| Wolverine and the X-Men |
Marrow, Dust, X-23, Firestar, Stepford Cuckoos, Magik/Illyana |
| The Garfield Show |
Monica the Cat |
|
| 2009 |
The Powerpuff Girls Rule! |
Bubbles |
|
| Batman: The Brave and the Bold |
Professor Helena Bertinelli/Huntress, Billy Batson, Mary Batson[7] |
|
| The Goode Family |
|
|
| The Penguins of Madagascar |
Eggy the duckling, Mother Duck, Know-it-all Kid, Additional Voices |
|
| The Super Hero Squad Show |
H.E.R.B.I.E., Invisible Woman, Scarlet Witch, Brynnie Bratton, |
|
| Random! Cartoons |
Beth, New Alien |
|
| El Chavo |
Doña Florinda, La Popis |
|
| 2010 |
Sym-Bionic Titan |
Ilana |
|
| Fish Hooks |
Piranhica Courtney |
|
| My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic |
Twilight Sparkle |
Speaking Voice only |
| Ben 10: Ultimate Alien |
Ben Tennyson (age 10), Serena |
|
| MAD |
Meredith Grey, Ariel Moore, Kit Kittredge, Patti Stanger |
|
| 2011 |
Young Justice |
Dr. Serling Roquette, Lunchlady |
|
| Dan Vs. |
Timmy |
|
| The Looney Tunes Show |
Sniffles, Penelope Pussycat |
|
Video games
| Video games |
| Year |
Game |
Role |
Notes |
| 2000 |
Icewind Dale |
Yxunomei |
|
| Orphen: Scion of Sorcery |
Mar |
|
| Sacrifice |
|
|
| Rugrats in Paris: The Movie |
Dil Pickles |
|
| 2001 |
Batman: Vengeance |
Batgirl/Barbara Gordon |
|
| Final Fantasy X |
Rikku |
|
| Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 |
|
|
| Rugrats: All Growed Up – Older and Bolder |
Dil Pickles |
|
| 2002 |
Pirates: The Legend of Black Kat |
Mara |
|
| Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 |
|
|
| Whacked! |
Lucy, Charity |
|
| 2003 |
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu |
Batgirl / Barbara Gordon |
|
| Final Fantasy X-2 |
Rikku |
|
| Tony Hawk's Underground |
|
|
| Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic |
Ada |
|
| 2004 |
Hot Shots Golf Fore! |
Emma |
|
| Jak 3 |
Keira, Seem |
|
| La Pucelle: Tactics |
Goddess Poitreene, Chocolat |
|
| Ninja Gaiden |
Rachel |
|
| Robotech: Invasion |
Guppy |
|
| Shrek 2 |
Lil' Red |
|
| Spyro: A Hero's Tail |
Ember, Flame, Blink |
|
| Tales of Symphonia |
Presea Combatir, Corrine |
|
| Tony Hawk's Underground 2 |
|
|
| 2005 |
Jak X: Combat Racing |
Keira |
|
| Killer7 |
Kaede Smith |
|
| Psychonauts |
Sheegor |
|
| Shrek SuperSlam |
Red Riding Hood, Dronkey, Luna (Witch), Anthrax (Unicorn) |
|
| Tales of Legendia |
Norma Beatty |
|
| Tony Hawk's American Wasteland |
|
|
| Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble |
Captain Blue Jr. |
|
| Xenosaga II |
Sakura Mizrahi |
|
| X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse |
Blink |
|
| 2006 |
Blue Dragon |
Kluke |
|
| Cartoon Network Racing |
Bubbles |
|
| Family Guy Video Game! |
additional voices |
|
| Justice League Heroes |
Supergirl |
|
| Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops |
Elisa & Ursula |
|
| Ninja Gaiden Sigma |
Rachel |
|
| Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams |
Arin |
|
| Xiaolin Showdown |
Omi |
|
| Teen Titans (console game) |
Raven |
|
| Shrek Smash n' Crash Racing |
Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks |
|
| 2007 |
Ben 10: Protector of Earth |
Ben Tennyson |
|
| Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure |
Cream, Mosby, and Baby Tokaron |
|
| Lost Odyssey |
Seth |
|
| Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction |
Talwyn |
|
| 2008 |
Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty |
Talwyn |
|
| Line Rider 2: Unbound |
Bailey |
|
| Eternal Sonata |
Salsa, March |
|
| Wii Music |
Melody Tute |
|
| Crash: Mind over Mutant |
Additional Voices |
|
| Lego Batman: The Videogame |
Batgirl |
|
| 2009 |
Fat Princess |
Princess, Female Army Member |
|
| Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall |
Bubbles |
|
| Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier |
Keira |
|
| Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs |
|
|
| Watchmen: The End Is Nigh |
|
|
| Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 |
Rachel, Sanji |
|
| Marvel Super Hero Squad |
Invisible Woman |
|
| 2010 |
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker |
Paz |
|
| No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle |
Cloe Walsh, Margaret |
|
| Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions |
Doctor Octopus 2099 |
|
| Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet |
Scarlet Witch, H.E.R.B.I.E., Invisible Woman |
|
| 2011 |
Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds |
X-23 |
|
| Rango |
Priscilla |
|
| Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion |
Bubbles, Buttercup, Chowder, Dexter, Cheese, Young Ben Tennyson |
|
| Shadows of the Damned |
Justine |
|
| Rage |
Elizabeth |
|
| Batman: Arkham City |
Harley Quinn |
|
| Star Wars: The Old Republic |
Risha |
|
| 2012 |
Lollipop Chainsaw |
Juliet Starling |
|
| Kid Icarus: Uprising |
Palutena |
|
References
External links
| Persondata |
| Name |
Strong, Tara |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
|
| Date of birth |
March 12, 1973 |
| Place of birth |
Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|