How Kristen Schaal became the queen of quirky voice acting
Kristen Schaal has a golden larynx. Hearing her speak, whether in performance or on a recent phone call, is like tuning in to the pure dulcet tones of the funny. But ask Hollywood directors who have hired her to please describe the magic behind those pipes, and any pithy description only scratches the surface.
Raphael Bob-waksberg, the creator of “Bojack Horseman,” delights at “the deranged sweetness of her delivery.”
Josh Cooley, who directed her in “Toy Story 4,” says she possesses a “unique quality to her voice to begin with that — when mixed with her impeccable comic timing and ability to make any line hilarious — makes her a powerhouse performer.”
And Loren Bouchard, creator of “Bob’s Burgers” and director of the new “Bob’s Burgers Movie” (opening Friday), says of Schaal: “She’s figured out how her natural persona can also be a voice that she lends to her characters. Once you have that, there’s no stopping you.”
The Emmy-nominated actress aims to elude being pigeonholed, yet she’s well-aware that some casting directors now refer to a “Kristen Schaal type,” saying on Marc Maron’s podcast several years ago that their elevator-quick description of her as performer might well be: “She’s manic and a little crazy, coming out of that sweet face and voice.”
Whatever the alchemy within her artistry, there’s no doubting that Schaal has carved out an animation niche within her larger résumé: She is the queen of voicing the askew.
You have probably heard Kristen Schaal even if you did not realize you were hearing Kristen Schaal.
She was a rising New York comic about 15 years ago when she was cast as Mel, the sweet-talking stalker who befriends the title band on HBO’S “Flight of the Conchords.” That exposure — playing that type — opened the casting doors wide. Her winning live-action gigs to follow included “30 Rock” and “The Last Man on Earth” and she served as “senior women’s correspondent” on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.” She also has reteamed with the circle of Kiwi comedic performers who brought you “Conchords,” for such series as “What We Do in the Shadows” and this spring’s popular
HBO Max pirate comedy “Our Flag Means Death.”
Yet it is acting for animation that isolates the wonders of Schaal’s voice — an instrument that lilts and rises and motors with a warm kinetic tickle.