# 10 Best and Worst Speaking Voices **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 17, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725 "2011-04-17T15:06:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tyrannosaurus\_Volcano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a4c791/32.png) [@Tyrannosaurus\_Volcano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tyrannosaurus_Volcano)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/1 "2011-04-17T15:06:42Z")
Lists you can make: 10 Best Male Speaking Voices 10 Best Female Speaking Voices 10 Best Speaking Voices Period 10 Worst Male Speaking Voices 10 Worst Female Speaking Voices 10 Worst Speaking Voices Period Feel free to make other lists of your choice, such as Best/Worst Voices Living Today, etc. You don’t have to include ten people in any of your lists. If it’s all you can do, include more or less. You don’t have to include them in any order. I’ll start. Best Male Speaking Voices from Youngest to Oldest: Matthew MacFadyen Will Arnett Kelsey Grammer Geoffrey Rush Ron Perlman Jeremy Irons Kevin Kline Tom Netherton (no one’s ever heard of him) Willard White (an operatic bass) Sam Elliott (the southern accent and mumbling sometimes bothers me, though) Harrison Ford Michael Gambon Tom Brokaw Peter Jennings Dustin Hoffman Ned Beatty Morgan Freeman George Takei David Hartman Tom Baker Ted Cassidy Ron Gans Robert MacNeil James Earl Jones Geoffrey Holder Fred Gwynne Leslie Nielsen Fritz Weaver George Kennedy William Marshall (the actor who played Blacula) Cliff Robertson Ricardo Montalban Orson Welles Lorne Greene Thurl Ravenscroft Don Ameche George Sanders Paul Robeson Morris Robinson (an operatic age; I don’t know his age, so I placed him last) Best Female Voices from Youngest to Oldest (unfortunately, female voices don’t affect me the same way male voices do, so I could think of very few): Catherine Zeta-Jones Jodie Foster Kathleen Turner when she was younger Sigourney Weaver Anne Bancroft 10 Worst Male Voices: David Archuleta Josh Peck Jesse Eisenberg Michael Pitt when he was younger and horribly squeaky; his voice is much deeper now, but the mumbling still gets on my nerves Jaleel White Casey Affleck Tobey Maguire Ben Affleck Jay-Z Cuba Gooding, Jr. David Schwimmer Moses Kinikini - a contestant on The Biggest Loser John Pinette Charlie Kaufman Ethan Coen John Turturro Wayne Knight Bobby Slayton - the worst voice in history John Travolta Steven Tyler Bill Clinton Henry Paulson Rod Stewart George Lucas Joe Pesci Barney Frank Dick Vitale Reynolds Price (whose voice I used to like, but near his death it became unbearably gravelly) Myron Cope Mel Brooks Eli Wallach Brett Hoebel (a trainer on The Biggest Loser) Worst Female Voices from Youngest to Oldest: Rachael Ray Sarah Palin Rosie O’Donnell Fran Drescher Roseanne Barr Joan Rivers Sorry this post was so lengthy. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/2 "2011-04-17T15:13:02Z")
Reported. ---
**Author:** ![Tyrannosaurus\_Volcano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a4c791/32.png) [@Tyrannosaurus\_Volcano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tyrannosaurus_Volcano)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/3 "2011-04-17T15:25:38Z")
Is there a reason you reported my post?😕 ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/4 "2011-04-17T15:56:11Z")
**Best Female Voices** Barbara Feldon Blythe Danner Gwyneth Paltrow **Worst Female Speaking Voices** Jenny McCarthy ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/5 "2011-04-17T15:59:01Z")
Worst: Diane Rehm. I know she had some serious health issues impact the sound of her voice, but I don’t see why we should all have to suffer too. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/6 "2011-04-17T16:17:34Z")
Worst: Came in to say Diane Rehm. Though I like her show. And sympathize with her problem. Dr. Jan Garavaglia. She has a show on Discovery Health, called “Dr. G, Medical Examiner.” I constantly wonder how they picked her to star in this kind of show. She has a nasal whine that is quite grating. I have trouble believing she is the most telegenic medical examiner out there. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/7 "2011-04-17T16:28:49Z")
Worst Rachel Maddow ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/8 "2011-04-17T17:07:19Z")
Worst female: Joey Lauren Adams Worst male: old Marlon Brando ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/9 "2011-04-17T17:54:17Z")
Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada. Deep, velvet-like voice, very smooth and soothing. ---
**Author:** ![Meme\_Chose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Meme\_Chose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meme_Chose)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/10 "2011-04-17T18:16:33Z")
Back way back, there was a thread on these boards in which people posted clips of their voices. Some female Doper has the most glorious speaking voice, but I can’t remember precisely who it was. Possibly jsgoddess? ISTR she was from the eastern kinda southern part of the U.S. Whoever it was, I was instantly and insanely envious. Don’t really have a list, but I like Richard and David Attenborough, Carl Sagan, and Paul Winfield (I think that’s his name–he narrates City Confidential on A&E). ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/11 "2011-04-17T18:31:41Z")
> [@Tyrannosaurus\_Volcano](#): > > Is there a reason you reported my post?😕 You seem a little shaky on the concept of ten. But that’s not a reportable issue in my opinion. Adding to the best: Sean Connery Gene Hackman Rush Limbaugh Sally Kellerman Adding to the worst: Bobcat Goldthwait Gilbert Gottfried Brian Doyle-Murray Victoria Jackson Madonna (her speaking voice) Nautica Thorn ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/12 "2011-04-17T18:33:27Z")
I guess some people just like lists. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/13 "2011-04-17T19:13:23Z")
Moved MPSIMS --\> Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![ErinPuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/14 "2011-04-17T19:52:33Z")
> [@MadTheSwine](#): > > Worst > > Rachel Maddow I don’t mind Rachel’s voice, but I can’t stand listening to Chris Matthews talk. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/15 "2011-04-17T19:53:58Z")
> [@Tyrannosaurus\_Volcano](#): > > Is there a reason you reported my post?😕 I think just because it was in the wrong forum? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/16 "2011-04-17T20:05:49Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > You seem a little shaky on the concept of ten. But that’s not a reportable issue in my opinion. > [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > I think just because it was in the wrong forum? Actually because it looks like some of the weirder spam that shows up around here. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/17 "2011-04-17T20:13:48Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Actually because it looks like some of the weirder spam that shows up around here. Agreed, new poster and IMO, a strange thread topic for a first time poster. Anyways, I have a hard time listening to Mike Tyson and Walter Payton. Michelle Wie (golfer) talks horribly. Phil Mickelson is one of the most engaging speakers that I have heard amongst athletes. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/18 "2011-04-17T20:32:41Z")
Seth MacFarlane isn’t on there for best speaking voices? I think his voice is just all kinds of perfect…his singing voice is top notch too. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/19 "2011-04-17T20:35:41Z")
> [@Meme\_Chose](#): > > Back way back, there was a thread on these boards in which people posted clips of their voices. Some female Doper has the most glorious speaking voice, but I can’t remember precisely who it was. Possibly jsgoddess? ISTR she was from the eastern kinda southern part of the U.S. Whoever it was, I was instantly and insanely envious. My goodness! I will offer a flattered but provisional thanks since I’m not sure I’m the one you were talking about. I have definitely taken part in threads where we posted clips and I am from Appalachian Ohio, so I might fit the bill. So thanks! Maybe! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725/20 "2011-04-17T20:40:42Z")
My addition to best male speaking voice- Tim Curry. God I could listen to that man read the phone book & be mesmerized. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-and-worst-speaking-voices/578725.md?page=2)