Do actors dub their own voice?

Dubbing is a term that can sometimes be confusing. If we look up dubbing in the dictionary, it is defined as the action of changing the sounds and speech on a film or television programme, usually into a different language.

Dubbing is a process performed in post-production. There are a couple of major steps involved in the dubbing process:

1. The first step of dubbing is to record voices in different languages.
2. A second step would involve adding these recordings to the sounds of the original video content and mixing them to create a smooth final result in which the new language sounds as natural as possible.

These two steps can be performed separately or by the same dubbing agency.

When a voice is dubbed in the same language, it is usually done to avoid the speaker from being recognised (potentially for identity protection reasons), although this is a less common scenario.

Do actors dub their own voice?

The answer is generally no. Let’s take a closer look to understand why.

As mentioned earlier, dubbing a voice in the same language is a technique usually done to conceal someone’s identity. In which case, it would make no sense that someone dubs their own voice.

In the second, and most common scenario, an actor or character in a film has their voice dubbed in another language. In this case, a voice in a second language is used. Therefore, unless an actor is fluent enough in a foreign language, they cannot dub their own speech.

And, this is why we say that no, actors usually don’t dub their own voices.

Alpha CRC’s article on How do you dub a Hollywood star? goes through the process of finding the perfect fit for the voice over needs.

Nonetheless, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some actors are bilingual or fluent enough to dub their own voices in a second language. This is the case for Antonio Banderas, for example, who voiced Puss in Boots in both English and Spanish. It’s the same for Jodie Foster, who has dubbed herself in many French versions of her movies.

Having the same actor dub themselves has some clear benefits, as the character retains the features of the original voice and it perfectly fits the body language. However, it is also possible to find a good fitting dubbing actor who can represent the essence of the character despite the obvious language and mouth synch differences.

Alpha Studios, part of Alpha CRC, has more than 30 years of experience in the audio-visual industry in London, specialising in the dubbing of different types of video content. We are aware that finding the right actor for your video production need is a task that requires expertise.

Firstly, the dubbing agency should have a wide range of actors available. They should also have the sensitivity to choose the ones with the best emotional and physiological features for the characters of each project.