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Viewers first met Arnold Shortman, Gerald Johanssen, and Helga Pataki, among others, on Oct. 7, 1996, when Hey Arnold! debuted on Nickelodeon. Over the course of five seasons, the beloved cartoon followed elementary school student Arnold as he navigated life in the city, challenges in the classroom, and the complex social situations of the fourth grade. Decades later, Arnold's legacy still lives on. Meet some of the voices behind your favorite animated characters, ahead.
Toran Caudell, Phillip Van Dyke, and Spencer Klein as Arnold
The role of the titular "football head" was largely shared by three actors. Toran Caudell (who also voiced King Bob on Recess) played Arnold in season 1, taking over for J.D. Daniels, who voiced the character in the pilot. Halloweentown star Phillip Van Dyke stepped in as Arnold for seasons 2 and 3. Mad About You alum Spencer Klein took his turn at the mic in 1999, voicing Arnold in seasons 4 and 5, in addition to the movie.
Francesca Marie Smith as Helga Pataki
Francesca Marie Smith has the most episodes of Hey Arnold! to her name at a whopping 87. The actress, who also lent her voice to Recess, brought the bullying Helga Pataki to the small screen forall five seasons.
Jamil Walker Smith as Gerald Johanssen
Hey Arnold! found its Gerald Johanssen in Jamil Walker Smith. The Sister, Sister alum, who went on to play Stargate Universe's Ronald Greer, voiced Arnold's best buddy for the show's entire run.
Justin Shenkarow as Harold Berman
Justin Shenkarow joined Hey Arnold! as insecure loudmouth Harold Berman. The Picket Fences actor voiced the elementary school student for the show's run, also earning vocal credits for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021).
Christopher Walberg as Stinky Petersen
Christopher Walberg is another actor who lent his voice to most of Hey Arnold!'s run, in the role of country boy Stinky Petersen. The actor, who had a previous gig in Little Giants, played the Southern-accented character for all five seasons.
Sam Gifaldi as Sid
After appearing in '90s sitcoms like The Mommies and Bless This House, Sam Gifaldi joined Hey Arnold! as the suspicious Sid, Arnold and Harold's pal.
Anndi McAfee as Phoebe Heyerdahl
Anndi McAfee, who also brought Recess' "Ashley A" to the small screen, took on the role of Hey Arnold!'s Phoebe Heyerdahl, the class' resident smarty-pants.
Craig Bartlett as Brainy
Hey Arnold! creator Craig Bartlett picked up additional vocal credits for his brainchild, lending his voice to class geek Brainy.
Olivia Hack as Rhonda
Olivia Hack joined Hey Arnold! as the popular Rhonda Wellington Lloyd. During her run on the animated show, Hack also played Tana Schrick on Gilmore Girls.
Dan Castellaneta as Grandpa Phil
Emmy-winning voice artist Dan Castellaneta played Arnold's grandpa Phil in 75 episodes of Hey Arnold! He is most well known as the voice of Homer Simpson, with additional voice credits for shows like Darkwing Duck, Aladdin, The Pink Panther, Rugrats, As Told by Ginger, and Futurama.
Tress MacNeille as Grandma Gertie
The role of eccentric Grandma Gertie—or, as Phil would call her, "Pookie"—featured the vocal stylings of Tress MacNeille. A prolific voice actor, MacNeille has also played Dot on Animaniacs, Charlotte Pickles on Rugrats, and Daisy Duck for various Mickey Mouse cartoons.
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