How Kathleen Turner Became an Animation Icon

The beloved actress on her most memorable voice-acting roles — from ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit,’ to ‘King of the Hill,’ to ‘The Simpsons’

Everyone knows the sound of Kathleen Turner’s voice. 

Her sexy, smoky rasp most famously gave life to Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and although that was her first animated role, it definitely wouldn’t be her last. A few years later, she voiced Malibu Stacy creator Stacy Lovell on The Simpsons. A few years after that, she became the voice of Hank Hill’s boss’ wife, Liz Strickland, on King of the Hill, who famously tried to seduce Hank. And her voice career continues today with a recent guest spot on Rick and Morty and with the upcoming animated film Animal Farm, based on the famous George Orwell novel.

It was her time on King of the Hill that we set out to talk about during a recent phone interview, but that inevitably led to a discussion about her voice career as a whole and how that signature voice of hers originally almost prevented her from getting any work at all in animation.

Since we’re gonna talk about King of the Hill, I figured I’d start with this: What do you prefer: propane or charcoal?

Charcoal! 

Why?

Years of experience as a cook — it adds a great deal of flavor to the meal.

So, what brought you to King of the Hill?

At that time, these shows like The Simpsons and King of the Hill were doing some good, innovative, rebellious content. I liked that. I liked that they were putting out subversive stuff. That’s always been rather attractive. 

On The Simpsons, you guest-starred as the creator of Malibu Stacy, Stacy Lovell. What drew you to that part?

In that episode, she created the independent woman doll with Lisa. And, of course, they didn’t sell a single one. And you know what? After this last election, that doesn’t surprise me at all. 

Before Jessica Rabbit, you hadn’t really done any voice work. Was it that role that motivated you to seek out more?

Well, very often, when I’d talk to producers about doing an animated character, they found my voice too distinctive. My voice actually got in my way. They’d say, “They’d just be listening to Kathleen Turner, not the character.” I was disappointed with that because I thought I could do both, which I do now. I even have a new animation coming out with Animal Farm this year. It’s really cool. If you thought Animal Farm was frightening when you read it in high school, just wait. 

Who do you play?

Benjamin, the cynical, practical surviving donkey. It’s perfect for me.

How then did you get the role of Jessica Rabbit?

I worked with director Bob Zemeckis on Romancing the Stone. For him, it was no problem at all to see Jessica’s voice as mine.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit continues to endure as a genuine classic.

That movie is truly a work of art. It’ll never be done again. That technique is too meticulous; it’s too expensive. What Bob was able to do was extraordinary.

I was in the studio in New York, and when I recorded, most of the character was drawn in already, but they had to leave Jessica’s face and mouth until I could put in the voice. But when she heaved every breath, and her breasts swept and bounced, they had to animate to that as well. I told Bob, “I like that.” 

At the time, I was extremely pregnant. I really hadn’t thought I’d work that year until Bob came along. The last day of recording, I was on my way to the studio and my water broke. I went, “Uhhhh, not the studio, the hospital!” I called Bob from the hospital and said, “Can’t come in today!” 

What do you think Jessica saw in Roger?

It was true love. No one has ever loved a rabbit the way that she did.

In your King of the Hill episode, there’s a famous part where your character comes on to Hank Hill. I’m curious, what did Liz Strickland find sexy about Hank Hill?

Now that I don’t know.

Anything to add about her relationship with Buck Strickland?

I’m not sure she was a woman of integrity. 

Finally, King of the Hill is known for the guys standing in front of the fence drinking beer all day. What kind of beer could you drink in front of a fence all day long?

All day long. Hmm. British beer. I find American beer absolutely tasteless. I grew up in England, and it’s just better beer. I apologize to American beer makers!

Tags:

Scroll down for the next article