This article is about the voice actor Rob Paulsen. For the Fight Club character Robert Paulson, see Fight_Club#Robert_"Bob"_Paulson.

Robert Fredrick Paulsen, III (born March 11, 1956) (sometimes credited as Rob Paulson or "Vocal Magic") is an American voice actor best known as the voice behind "Raphael" from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, "Yakko Warner" from Animaniacs and "Pinky" from Pinky and the Brain. His role as "Yakko" won him a Daytime Emmy Award for male vocal performance; he won a second one for his portrayal of "Pinky". In the 1999 animated movie Wakko's Wish, Paulsen provided the voices of "Dr. Otto Scratchansniff" and "Yakko Warner". He was also "Prince Eric" in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.

In total, Paulsen has been the voice of over 250 different animated characters and performed in over 1000 commercials. He continues to play minor parts in dozens of cartoons as well as supporting characters in animated movies.

Biography

Paulsen was born in Detroit, Michigan. He is married to Parrish Todd and has one son. In an interview with a Chicago TV station, Paulsen described himself as "a singer who decided to become an actor." Growing up in Grand Blanc, Michigan, Paulsen sang in choir throughout his youth and adolescence and began performing in plays in grammar school. However, his idol growing up was Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings; he considered the arts to be a secondary career choice, primarily interested in becoming a professional hockey player.