The Theodore Chipmunk Voice: From Ross Bagdasarian to Jesse McCartney

In the long and storied history of the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise, Theodore Chipmunk has had several voice actors over the various media. Let's delve into the evolution of Theodore's voiceover beginning with Ross Bagdasarian and ending with Jesse McCartney.

Voices of the Chipmunks: A Brief History

Back in the early days of the franchise, the original creator and voice behind the Chipmunks, Ross Bagdasarian (also known as David Seville), voiced all the Chipmunks, including Theodore. However, when Ross died in 1972 at the young age of 52, the franchise was restarted and expanded by his son Ross Jr. This restarted version introduced different voices for the characters, and the third series, "Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks," was more modern, featuring better voice acting.

The first cartoon series, "The Alvin Show," ran from 1961 to 1962, while the second series, "Alvin and the Chipmunks," aired on NBC from 1983 to 1990. The third series, "Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks," was a French-American collaboration with CGI animation and a slicker presentation, premiering in 2015.

The Theodore Chipmunk Voice

Theodore has faced a different group of voice talents depending on the adaptation. In the original cartoon series, Theodore was voiced by Janice Karman. In the second and third series, the roles were revoiced, with Theodore's voice being done by Jesse McCartney.

Jesse McCartney's Take on Theodore Chipmunk

Jesse McCartney, an accomplished singer and actor, took on the role of Theodore for the modern adaptations of the franchise. In the 2007 film, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Jesse McCartney provided Theodore's voice, making him the chubbier, food-loving character. The movie was a monumental success, and set the stage for later appearances in animated series and films.

Justin Long and Matthew Gray Gubler’s Contributions

Interestingly, within the 2007 film, different actors provided the on-screen voices for the Chipmunks. Justin Long voiced Alvin, making him the troublemaker of the group. Matthew Gray Gubler provided Simon's voice, with Simon wearing glasses and being smart.

In an interesting twist, Jesse McCartney, who voiced Theodore in the films, also voiced the record manager Dave in the movie. This multifaceted approach underpins the interconnected nature of the franchise.

Conclusion

The journey of Theodore Chipmunk’s voice from Ross Bagdasarian in the early days to Jesse McCartney in contemporary productions has been a fascinating one. Each actor has interpreted and brought a unique persona to the character, ensuring that Theodore remains a lovable and iconic part of the Alvin and the Chipmunks family.