National VO Day

Categories:: Arts & Entertainment
Tags:: Appreciation Career
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every March 15
Holiday emoji:: 🎙️

National VO Day, observed every March 15, is dedicated to appreciating the talented voice-over artists who lend their voices to countless forms of media. From animated characters and documentaries to commercials and audiobooks, these professionals shape our listening experiences. Take a moment to recognize their craft, explore the industry, and support their work.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected National VO Day Deals

For National VO Day, the focus shifts from traditional sales to industry-specific appreciation and educational opportunities. Expect leading platforms like Voice123 and Backstage to offer discounts on subscriptions or workshops, while equipment retailers such as Sweetwater and B&H Photo Video might feature promotions on microphones and recording gear. Professional organizations like SAG-AFTRA and the World-Voices Organization (WoVO) often host virtual events, webinars, or offer membership incentives. Look for studios like Edge Studio to provide trial classes or special rates for aspiring voice actors. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 15 approaches.

Platform Guide for National VO Day

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #NationalVODay. Share insights into the voice-over industry or highlight inspiring voice artists.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalVODay. Engage in discussions about favorite voice performances or industry trends in real-time.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalVODay. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of voice-over work or celebrate iconic voice actors with visual tributes.

National VO Day Hero

Mel Blanc

Known as 'The Man of 1,000 Voices,' Mel Blanc (1908-1989) was an American voice actor whose career spanned over 60 years. He famously voiced nearly 400 cartoon characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Sylvester the Cat, and many more for Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera. His distinctive vocal range and comedic timing made him a legend in the industry, shaping the sound of animation for generations.

History of National VO Day

Voice acting or voice-overs, is an art form that took years to master. This is because it is not easy to convey a message using just your tone of voice. This is why voice-over artists require years of training before they can find work that pays well. Here’s how the art form came into being. In the 1900s, work had started on radio-based communication that could reach out to a large number of people. However, the first step was taken by Reginald Fessenden, who reported on the weather while employed by the United States Weather Bureau.

In 1906, he made a transmission on Christmas Eve 1906 and opened up a doorway for radio communication. During this time, the radio was only used to broadcast ships at sea, messages to the public, and music. Fessenden changed the game by following up the usual broadcast with a speech.

Another notable instance in the history of voice-overs was when the Mickey Mouse cartoon used the voice of Walt Disney. From there on, forms of voice-overs continued to evolve. In 1926, the British Broadcasting Corporation (B.B.C.) was formed as a consortium of radio manufacturers. When the B.B.C. became a non-commercial public broadcaster, it began to inform, educate, and entertain the public. However, it was Orson Welles who bought the magic of the art of voice-overs in 1938. Welles broadcasted the drama “The War of the Worlds” on radio and narrated it so well that Americans began to believe the world was actually under attack.

National VO Day timeline

1928

The Mouse Does It

The Mickey Mouse episode “Steamboat Willie,” has the first voice-over.

1960s

Demand and Supply

An increase in the production of cartoons leads to an increase in demand for voice-over artists.

1962

Trailing Behind

Don LaFontaine records his first voice-over for a movie trailer.

1970s

The New Trend

Movie trailer narrations become popular.

National VO Day FAQs

When is National VO Day?

In 2027, National VO Day is observed on Monday, March 15, kicking off the week with a focus on the incredible talent behind our favorite voices. This year provides an opportunity for industry professionals to connect.

How many voice actors are there in the U.S.?

The voice-over industry in the U.S. is robust, with a large and diverse talent pool. Industry reports indicate that over 100,000 individuals identify as voice actors, contributing to various media sectors from animation to corporate narration.

What is the voice-over industry worth?

The voice-over industry’s valuation continues to climb, with market analyses suggesting it could reach over $5 billion globally in the coming years. This growth is fueled by increasing content creation and the need for diverse vocal talent across platforms.

What's the difference between voice acting and narration?

While both utilize vocal talent, voice acting focuses on performance and characterization, bringing fictional roles to life. Narration is generally about clear, engaging delivery of factual content or storytelling without embodying a character, though a good narrator still brings warmth and tone to the script.

National VO Day Activities

Watch the first cartoon with a voice-over
To celebrate the day, watch the first cartoon that used a voice-over. This will be an interesting experience as you will also begin to realize how much technology has advanced.
Pay tribute
Pay tribute to some of the greatest voice-over artists by posting their accomplishments and life stories on social media. Make a list of artists that were the voice of some of your favorite characters.
Watch a documentary
To truly discover the roots of the history of voice-overs, watch a detailed documentary that looks into the technological aspect, as well as the money that is spent to create the different sounds we hear in a film or a cartoon.

5 Interesting Facts About Voice-Overs

The voice of Shaggy from Scooby-Doo
Matthew Lillard screamed until his voice became hoarse and scratchy.
The actors who get the jobs
Roughly 5% of the voice-over actors get 95% of the work.
Auditions required for a V.O. job
It takes around 200 auditions.
The earnings of voice-over artists
10% of voice actors earn $90,000 and above.
The actor with the most voice-overs
Mel Blanc has been the voice of 400 different characters.

Why We Love National VO Day

It pays a tribute to the artists
We love this day because it pays a tribute to all the amazing voice-over artists that work hard day and night to lend their voices to documentaries, cartoons, and movies. Without them, no media platform would have the same impact.
It focuses on the history
The day is important because it focuses on the history of voice-over artists and educates the public on how the profession came into being. It also reintroduces some great V.O. artists to the world.
It highlights the importance of the profession
The day brings to light the fact that voice-over artists are crucial to television, radio, cinema, and now the digital world. This is also a talent that is hard to master and requires ample training.