If you’ve ever listened to an audiobook, you know how much influence the narrator has on your overall experience, whether you’re reading fiction or nonfiction.
Being an audiobook narrator is no walk in the park, as this Guardian article reveals. however, the best have the ability to make the grueling recording process sound effortless and can make listeners feel all the emotions the writer intended.
You are reading: Best narrators for audio books
In this post, we’re recognizing some of the best talent in the world of audiobooks so you can get to know the names and faces behind the famous voices.
best audiobook narrators of all time
Below are 20 of the best audiobook narrators of all time, plus some of their most notable work.
1. george guidall
george guidall has narrated more than 1,300 audiobooks, including many of the oldest mystery thrillers.
Throughout his 20+ year career, Guidall has received numerous industry accolades and awards. In 2015, she received the Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
notable works:
- night
- dances with wolves
- hard country
2. scott brick
Actor and writer Scott Brick has narrated more than 900 audiobooks, winning more than 50 headphone awards, two Audies, and even a Grammy nomination.
He also has his own audiobook recording studio and publishing company, brick-by-brick audiobooks, to help streamline production and ensure consistency in all his work.
notable works:
- jurassic park
- the devil in the white city
- helter skelter
3. jim dale
jim dale narrated all seven harry potter books and created a total of 134 different voices for the series. The award-winning British actor began as a comedian in 1951 and starred in dozens of productions with the British National Theater Company and on Broadway.
has won multiple awards and garnered many nominations. in 2003, queen elizabeth ii even made him a member of the order of the british empire in 2003.
notable works:
- the harry potter series
- the night circus
- grimm’s fairy tales
4. jeremy irons
You may recognize the voice of Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons from his many film roles, including Reversal of Fortune, Hard to Kill: Revenge, and The Lion King (in which he gives voice to scar).
It’s no surprise, then, that he’s also lent his voice to a series of audiobooks.
notable works:
- lolita
- the alchemist
- bridal head revisited
5. Julia Whelan
Julia Whelan is the author of a novel and starred in several film and television roles, but her work as an audiobook narrator has earned her the most critical acclaim, with hits like Lost Girl to her credit.
whelan also writes extensive journalism for publications such as vanity fair, the new yorker, and the atlantic.
notable works:
- lost girl
- educated: memories
- my year of rest and relaxation
6. Cassandra Campbell
Cassandra Campbell has over 700 audiobook narration credits to her name and has won four Audie Awards (plus 12 nominations).
In 2018, she was inducted into Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.
notable works:
- where the locusts sing
- the help
- the crowd
7. toni morrison
See Also: 10 must-read technology books for 2022 | The Enterprisers Project
toni morrison, nobel and pulitzer prize-winning author, also narrated many of the audiobooks of her own works.
Although his books contain deep and serious themes, Morrison’s voice is both fascinating and soothing.
notable works:
- beloved
- bluest eye
- song of solomon
8. frank muller
Frank Muller was an actor on stage and television, but he was best known for his work as an audiobook narrator, frequently collaborating with prolific authors such as Stephen King.
notable works:
- the dark tower ii
- the green mile
- the companion
9. vikas adam
vikas adam is a classically trained actor who has starred in theater, film, and various television shows and commercials.
He has also narrated over 200 audiobooks and has been applauded for his ability to transition between various accents, including Australian, English, American and Indian.
notable works:
- pi’s life
- born in the dungeon
- good dragons finish last
10. neil gaiman
When authors narrate their own work, listeners have the privilege of hearing the book as the writer intended it to be read.
neil gaiman is a master storyteller who has narrated the audio versions of most of his own books.
notable works:
- neverwhere
- the graveyard book
- Norse mythology
11. stephen fry
stephen fry is a british actor, broadcaster, comedian, director and writer who gained popularity for his comedic double act opposite hugh laurie.
As an audiobook narrator, he narrated the UK audio versions of the Harry Potter series, among many other titles. he has also lent his voice to numerous video games and animated series.
notable works:
- the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy
- the liar
- sherlock holmes: the definitive collection
12. eduardo herrmann
edward herrmann won numerous audiobook awards and, as an actor, won a primetime emmy and a tony award. Some of his appearances in movies include The Aviator, The Wolf of Wall Street and Overboard.
As an audiobook narrator, he lent his warm yet authoritative voice to many biographies and works on history.
notable works:
- Unflinching
- the bully’s pulpit
- thomas jefferson: the art of power
13. alan cumming
Alan Cumming is known for his roles on stage and screen, and it is perhaps his acting experience that has made him such a great audiobook narrator, especially his own memoir.
notable works:
- not my father’s son
- legal immigrant
- bram stoker’s dracula
14. jonathan davis
jonathan davis is a three-time audience winner and a 16-time nominee. He first wowed listeners with his sci-fi storytelling, but then began working on more non-fiction titles, proving his remarkable versatility.
notable works:
- snowshock
- genghis khan and the creation of the modern world
- the origins of political order
15. dion graham
After an illustrious acting career, Dion Graham found success as an audiobook narrator, where his work has earned him dozens of awards.
See Also: Lauren Dane – Book Series In Order
graham’s portfolio is impressively diverse, from memoirs of the dalai lama to novels by john grisham.
notable works:
- sooley
- the biggest
- death by black hole
16. lorelei king
Lorelei King is an American actress who settled in London and had roles in films such as Notting Hill and 24 Hours in London before finding great success as an audiobook narrator.
his dynamic voice has provided humorous tales as well as darker true stories, including a book about serial killer ted bundy.
notable works:
- the stranger next to me
- looks alive twenty-five
- a good day for chardonnay
17. bahni turpin
bahni turpin has been expressing strong, bold characters and narratives for years, but has recently been on a roll with numerous bestsellers.
As an actress, Turpin has also appeared on series such as Criminal Minds and Star Trek, and has also been a yoga instructor for many years.
notable works:
- feminist fight club
- the underground railway
- the hate you give
18. davina porter
Davina Porter has over 400 audiobook credits to her name and is best known as the narrator of the entire Outlander series.
He has also performed many classics, including Anna Karenina and The Mists of Avalon.
notable works:
- outsider
- anna karenina
- tess of the d’urbervilles
19. simon vance
After working as a broadcaster and presenter for BBC Radio 4, Vance entered the world of audiobook narration, a career that has earned him 15 Audience Awards and 43 nominations, as well as 64 headphone awards.
>
Among his most impressive works is Jerusalem by Alan Moore, which has 2000 more words than the Bible.
notable works:
- the girl with the dragon tattoo
- a tale of two cities
- interview with the vampire
20. robin miles
robin miles enjoyed a career on broadway and television before starting in audio through the american foundation for the blind.
Since then, he’s garnered several nominations from the public and worked on recordings with a large cast, including The Embers, which won Best Audio Drama in 2017.
notable works:
- hidden figures
- the good house
- the warmth of other suns
who is the most wanted audiobook narrator?
It’s hard to gauge who is the most “wanted” audiobook narrator, but George Guidall and Scott Brick have two of the largest portfolios in the industry, with 1,300 and 900 titles to their names, respectively.
Of course, different audiobooks require different types of voices and talents, but these two actors have shown a versatility that has allowed them to work on a wide range of projects.
find the best audiobook narrator for your book
The 20 storytellers on this list are among the most successful in the industry and can command tens of thousands of dollars for their services (not to mention probably busy most of the time).
But you can still learn how to find the best talent for your own book in our post on how to make an audiobook. there are hundreds of highly talented voice actors you can find through acx. Or, if you’re interested in this line of work yourself, be sure to check out our post on becoming an audiobook narrator.
Do you have a favorite audiobook narrator? Tell us about them in the comments below!
See Also: The 10 Best Suicide Squad Comics to Read Alongside the Movie
If you enjoyed this post, you might like it too:
- how to make an audiobook: a guide to self-publishing audiobooks
- how to listen to audiobooks: 4 tips for effective listening
- 21 best audiobooks for road trips: what to listen to on your next trip
- audible review: how it works and who should subscribe