“It sounded like he was on the toilet”: Tim Daly’s Voice Work for Superman: The Animated Series Gave Him the “Hardest time” During Recording Sessions
Bruce Timm’s Superman: The Animated Series offers an iconic portrayal of the Man of Steel, capturing the essence of the character differently. Debuting in 1996, this series broke new ground by presenting Superman in a manner that felt the most unique and relatable.
Yet, amidst the creative process, there’s a delightful anecdote that took a crucial part in making the Clark Kent character justified with its narrative arc.
Tim Daly, who lent his voice to the role of Superman, encountered unexpected challenges during recording sessions. However, despite the seriousness of the character’s mission, the recording room was filled with laughter as Daly navigated through the spectrum of Superman’s vocal expressions.
Tim Daly’s Dedication to Bringing Authenticity to Superman’s Struggles
Superman: The Animated Series holds a special place in the hearts of fans, largely thanks to Tim Daly’s significant contribution to the show’s success. What makes this series stand out is its portrayal of Superman as less powerful compared to previous versions.
To achieve this authenticity, the creators incorporated sounds of grunting and panting into scenes where Superman struggles to fight with enemies or lift heavy objects. These audios accurately emphasize the physical strain and effort required for Superman to accomplish his heroic deeds.
However, behind the scenes, the process of creating these sounds was a significantly funny approach. The challenge for Daly was to generate the right sounds for Superman’s grunts and groans. Dana Delany, who voiced Lois Lane in the show, recalled that recording these scenes was the most enjoyable part of the job.
Delany told DC Comics,
“My memory of Tim Daly is grunting and groaning. He and I had the hardest time getting through recording sessions. What I love about the show is that even though Superman is super, he still has to struggle. Tim was constantly having to grunt, groan, and make these straining noises. We were always joking about how it sounded like he was on the toilet.”
Despite the hilarity of the situation, Daly poured his dedication into each agonized sound, ensuring that Superman’s struggles felt genuine and compelling. This commitment shines brightly with the refreshing portrayal of Superman within the series, captivating viewers with its innovative approach.
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Tim Daly’s Unforeseen Journey in Superman: The Animated Series
The success of an animated series often depends on the talent and skill of its voice-over artists. In the case of Superman: The Animated Series, which spanned four seasons, the spotlight shone brightly on Tim Daly. Working as the voice-over artist in the Superman role was a significant milestone in Tim Daly’s career.
However, Tim Daly had never expected to be the lead voice on a superhero animated project before signing on to voice Superman. While working on the beloved NBC sitcom Wings, Daly got the opportunity to lend his voice to Superman.
Tim Daly told DC Comics,
“It was the weirdest thing. Chris Lloyd, who was one of the writers on Wings, his wife showed up for rehearsal one day and said, ‘Hey listen, how would you like to audition for the voice of Superman? They are tearing their hair out trying to figure out who it is.”
Despite initial uncertainties, Daly seized the chance, diving into the role with dedication and enthusiasm. Daly further mentioned,
“I drove to Warner Bros. and met up with Andrea Romano, Bruce Timm and some other folks. I started reading and they said, ‘Okay, stop. Try it again and be more natural.’ I think I was doing something really over the top. I did it, and they said, ‘Great, you’re hired.’ It happened so quickly.”
Even with just a rehearsal, he effortlessly embodied the essence of Superman through his voice. Yet, it was a difficult but enjoyable journey for Daly. As a result, Daly’s portrayal as Superman/Clark Kent continues to echo in the hearts of audiences even now.
