Who does the voice of Buzz Lightyear?
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Buzz Lightyear, one of the most iconic characters in the Toy Story saga, is a brave and determined space ranger, always ready to defend the universe. The character has gained immense popularity thanks to his adventures alongside Woody and the other toys in the animated films produced by Pixar and Disney. But one of the reasons Buzz is so memorable is his voice, both in the original English version and in the dubbed versions, including French.
In the original English version, Tim Allen is the voice of Buzz Lightyear. Tim Allen is a famous American actor and humorist, best known for his role in the TV series Home Improvement, as well as for his appearances in popular comedies such as The Santa Clause. The authoritative but sometimes comically exaggerated tone he sets for Buzz was essential in defining the character’s personality. Tim Allen has lent his voice to Buzz in every major film in the Toy Story saga, including the shorts and some spin-offs. His interpretation brings out the heroic aspect but also the often comic ego of Buzz, who sometimes thinks he’s a real space ranger.
In the French versions, Richard Darbois dubs Buzz Lightyear. Darbois is a leading figure in French dubbing. With his deep, charismatic voice, he has dubbed many famous actors, including Harrison Ford (Han Solo and Indiana Jones), Danny Glover, and of course Tim Allen for several of his films. Richard Darbois perfectly captured the essence of Buzz in the French versions of Toy Story, giving Buzz his trademark blend of bravura and comedy.
The impact of the voice on the character is undeniable. Buzz Lightyear is first introduced in the first Toy Story film as a toy who truly believes he’s a real space ranger, unaware at first that he’s just a toy. His language is often grandiloquent, with iconic lines such as Vers l’infini et au-delà! which, in the original version, is spoken with a mixture of determination and exaltation by Tim Allen. In French, this line becomes Vers l’infini et au-delà! and Richard Darbois manages to give it a similar intensity, reinforcing the heroic side of the character while underlining the humorous discrepancy between his toy status and his self-proclaimed role as savior of the galaxy.
In 2022, the Buzz Lightyear movie, a spin-off devoted to the character’s story, was released. Unlike the Toy Story films, it’s not Tim Allen who lends his voice to Buzz in this film, but Chris Evans, known for his role as Captain America in the Marvel films. The change of voice for this film is explained by the desire to differentiate the character of the toy Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story from the real character in the fictional universe that inspired the creation of the toy.
Buzz Lightyear’s voice has played a key role in the character’s immense popularity. Whether voiced by Tim Allen in the original English version or Richard Darbois in the French version, the two dubbing actors brought to life an unforgettable space ranger, both brave and comic, who has marked generations of children and adults alike through the Toy Story films.
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Who does the voice of Buzz Lightyear?
Answer
In the original version, Buzz Lightyear is dubbed by Tim Allen, while in the French version he is dubbed by Richard Darbois.