Billy West

About Billy West

Billy West is a versatile voice actor known for bringing multiple iconic animated characters to life. He voiced Philip J. Fry, Professor Farnsworth, Dr. Zoidberg, and Zapp Brannigan on Futurama beginning in 1999. Earlier in his career, he voiced Stimpy on Nickelodeon's The Ren & Stimpy Show and performed Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in Space Jam. West was also a regular cast member on The Howard Stern Show in the late 1980s.

In this interview

• Describes preparing for voice roles by understanding character personality, history, and emotional range.
• Explains Fry's voice is basically his own, though the character is twenty-five.
• Notes Fry wasn't making it in the twentieth century and fares no better.
• Recalls growing up in Detroit, Michigan and discovering his voice talent early.

“He wasn't making it in the twentieth century and suddenly he's in the thirtieth century and he's not faring much better.”— Billy West, in this interview

Since this interview

West published his memoir Voice-A-Versa: Finding My Voice(s) Behind the Mic in July 2026, detailing his life, career, and struggles with childhood trauma and substance abuse. He wrote the book during the pandemic when unable to access recording studios. Futurama has been canceled and revived multiple times, with West continuing to voice his characters.